To James Madison from William Jones, 12 January 1814
From William Jones
Navy Department Jan. 12. 1814
Sir
In conformity with the Resolution of the Senate on the 3d. Instant1 I have now the honor to enclose an account of the Blankets and other woolen goods provided for the Navy during the last year as far as it can be ascertained from the accounts rendered,2 but as those accounts do not exhibit the quantity remaining on hand, and as the consumption fluctuates with the voluntary demand of the Seamen, the account now rendered may be considered as forming a better estimate of the probable demand for the present year than any data now in the Department; to this however may be added perhaps 20 pCt with a view to the contemplated encrease of the Naval force. I am very respectfully your Obdt Servt
W Jones
RC and enclosures (DNA: RG 46, Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages, 13A-E6); letterbook copy (DNA: RG 45, LSP). JM forwarded the report to the Senate on 3 Feb. 1814 (DNA: RG 46, Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages, 13A-E6). For enclosures (printed in 2:820), see n. 2.
1. The resolution requested “an account of the quantity of blankets and other woollen goods provided for the Army and Navy during the last year, distinguishing, as far as practicable, such as were of foreign from those of domestic manufacture; also, an estimate of the quantity of the same goods that may be judged-necessary for the like purposes for the current year” ( 13th Cong., 2d sess., 566–67).
2. The letterbook copy does not include the phrase “from the accounts rendered.” The enclosed account (2 pp.), dated 8 Jan. 1814 and signed by Navy accountant Thomas Turner, showed that the Navy had spent a total of $129,487.77 on woolen goods in 1813, of which $8,226.83 had gone for articles manufactured in the United States. Jones also enclosed Turner’s 10 Jan. 1814 letter to him (1 p.) covering the account.