To James Madison from George Graham, 12 May 1815
From George Graham
Department of War May 12th 1815
Sir
An act of Congress passed on the 2d of August 1813, authorizing the Sale of lots, belonging to the United States, in the Town of Pittsburgh.1 Enclosed is a Letter from my Brother on the subject of these lots.2 Mr. Dallas proposes that the square on which the Barracks stand, be laid out in building lots, & sold under the superintendence of Genl. Tannehill of Congress, & Capt Woolly of the ordnance department; for which he requests your approbation.
No answer has been received by Mr. Dallas to his communication to you, of the 15th of April, on the subject of Transfers of the appropriations. Yours very Sincer[e]ly
Geo: Graham
RC and enclosure (DNA: RG 107, LRRS, G-117:8). RC bears JM’s signed note dated 15 May 1815: “The sale as proposed by the Secretary of War is approved.” Docketed as received in the War Department in May 1815. For enclosure, see n. 2.
1. , 3:75.
2. The enclosed letter from John Graham, dated 1 May 1815 at Pittsburgh (3 pp.), described and assessed favorably the location of the government-owned lots, which George Graham had mentioned to him; stated that the barracks were “built of Logs and … of no value” and that the troops living in them should be moved elsewhere as soon as possible; and observed that the other square, with a brick building and numerous trees, was “in fact a pretty place.” This square would probably bring a better price in a few years, John Graham wrote, if the one on which the barracks stood were sold and developed; estimates of the property’s value ranged from $15,000 to $40,000, and those with whom John Graham had spoken on the matter all believed that “the best mode of selling it, would be by Lots at auction.” Filed with the RC and enclosure is an undated memorandum from Capt. Abram R. Woolley to Dallas (3 pp.), recommending that the entire property be sold in lots at auction as soon as the ensuing September; estimating that it would bring as much as $50,000; and offering to take charge of the business.