51To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, [12 June 1816] (Madison Papers)
The Cumberland road progresses (in ways other?) than I expected. The report is that Mr. Shriver will be tempted to relinquish his charge for employment under a Company in Maryland. It will be difficult to supply his place, though his slow march has been censured. Col. Williams estimates his services at too high a price; and there are other reasons for confining his share in the work to a...
52To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 21 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have just received your letter, expressing a wish that Colonel Croghan’s resignation should be accepted; but the Army Register has been actually printed, including his name, for the reason which I assigned in my last letter. I think, however, you will not regret the occurrence when you observe that Major Taylor must have been promoted to a higher rank in order to take Colonel Croghan’s...
53To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 11 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
When the report first reached me, that Mr. Sheldon was going to Europe, I felt some solicitude, that he should not go, before the Treasurer’s accounts were stated and settled; and I released him from all the other duties of the office, that he might attend exclusively to that object. I certainly felt no objection, generally, to his departure, as his health really required some relaxation from...
54To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 5 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to submit to the President, a copy of his letter to the Auditor of the Treasury, respecting the settlement of Mr. Hassler’s accounts, which will require the President’s approbation. RC ( CSmH ). Enclosure not found.
55To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 3 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I now send to you a report of the Board of General Officers upon the organization of the peace establishment, and the selection of Officers; and, also, a report for a General Staff. The latter will certainly require legislative sanction, before it can be adopted to the whole extent. It seems to be indispensable, that an Officer performing the duties of Adjutant General, should be attached to...
56To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 12 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor of the 8: instant. Having heard from Messrs. Gallatin & Clay the contents of the Commercial Treaty, as well as their opinion upon the necessity of a special call of the Senate to ratify it, I was prepared to express to Mr. Rush, in compliance with your request, a decision against the call. Your letter anticipates the principal reasons of the decision. I will only...
57To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 23 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
In marshalling the appropriations, with a view to provide for subsistence and pay, during the current year, as well as to diminish the amount of debt, I think I can advantageously borrow into wag[e]s from the Ordonance Department: 1. By taking from the unexpended appropriation about the sum of Dollars; and 2d. by selling a quantity of Gun-powder, for which we have no use, actual, or...
58To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 13 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I send a report on the organization of the peace establishment for your consideration. The first General Order proposed, is, also, sent; the second General Order will conform, with some slight exceptions to the Report of the Board; and the remaining two General orders will be in substance what the report states. I will forward them to you, as fast as I can put them into form; but if you...
59To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 26 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
The communications from the Departments of State and the Navy, will give you a great deal of interesting intelligence. The Algerine business requires decision; and yet, in the affair of the Brig, you have a delicate case to act upon. The Dey has always considered the restitution of the prizes, as a part of the negotiation; and though we considered the promise as merely gratuitous, it was a...
60To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 14 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
On reflection, I have thought it right to recommend some additions and alterations in the plan submitted to you for organizing the army. 1. To transport the troops from place to place before they are formed into brigades will require more assistance in the quartermaster’s department. I propose, therefore, retaining provisionally, Samuel Brown (the general’s brother), deputy...
61To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 27 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
At a meeting at the Department of State, Mr. Monroe brought under consideration the Algerine case, and the case of the whaling vessels in the Pacific. He will communicate the result in both cases; but I find, upon an explanation, that only one of the whaling vessels is known to have been seized by the Spaniards, though there are 24 at risque. The dispatch from Mr. Harris is an unpleasant one;...
62To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 22 August 1815 (Madison Papers)
The arrival of several Bremen vessels at Baltimore, has put the claim of entry on American duties into action. The letter, which I have received on the subject, and my answer to it, will be transmitted, under cover, from Washington, for your information. The British Government contracted with a Mr Jacobs for Cartels, to bring our seamen from England to the United States. The owners of the...
63To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 4 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United States the following report: That in the month of November, in the year 1814, the British sloop Mary, Darling, master, with a cargo on board, sailing under convoy of his Britannic majesty’s sloop of war Pelter, on a voyage from Halifax to Castine, was captured within the district of Penobscot, by...
64To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 17 June 1815 (Madison Papers)
The acting Secretary of War has the honor to represent to the President of the United States: That he has examined the various documents which Mr Tatham has exhibited; and which have been the subject of examination at several antecedent periods, by the Department of War, and by Committees of Congress. That from these documents, it sufficiently appears, that Mr. Tatham has, for many years...
65To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, [25 September 1815] (Madison Papers)
Since my report was forwarded to you, I have had the pleasure of discharging the temporary loan of 500,000 Dollars, long due to the State Bank at Boston. The reduced amount of the outstanding Treasury Notes, has produced the effect intended. The Notes are rapidly mounting to par; and you will have the pleasure of seeing the public engagements paid in gold & silver, or Bank notes convertible...
66To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 14 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have written to you already by this day’s mail; but one more alteration in the Army list is desireable. Major Cutler is an excellent Officer, a modest man, and much esteemed. He has been in service 8 years; but has not enjoyed an opportunity of becoming conspicuous in the field. He will be content with a Company, and the brevet. I must add, that he is very poor. If you approve of it, I can...
67To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 18 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
Your instructions relative to Fort Harrison, and the reservation of the land in its neighbourhood, have been carried into effect. I hope now to be able to put the business of the Cumberland road, as well as the business of the Survey of the coasts, into a course of execution, without troubling you again. The consultation on the Resolution of Congress, respecting the currency, will be attended...
68To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 20 November 1816 (Madison Papers)
An oppressive attention to the business of the court has prevented my making the inclosed draft earlier; and I send it now in a very rough state, rather than lose a mail for the purpose of copying it. I could not venture to fill the blank in the second page; but the figures will be supplied in a moment by the Register, upon a question, what will be the aggregate of the public funded debt after...
69To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 26 February 1815 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Dallas respectfully states to the President, that Mr. John T. Irving, a brother of the member of Congress, has been strongly recommended to succeed Mr. Sanford, in the office of District Attorney. His introduction to Mr. D. is from Judge VanNess, and Genr. VanNess. His legal talents are highly rated; but there are persons now here, who could put that point beyond doubt. RC ( DNA : RG 59,...
70To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 25 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
General Brown will probably be here tonight; and I think the organization of the Corps, and selection of Officers, may be compleated on Wednesday. Be so good as to put the inclosed into any shape, that will answer the purpose intended. I think it of some importance, that the feelings of the deranged Officers should be soothed; but it would be impolitic, and, indeed, impracticable to use any...
71To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 26 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
General Brown has joined the Board; and I have the pleasure to inform you that, so far, everything has been transacted with perfect harmony and unanimity. The selections are of a high and distinguished character, as far as I can judge; and I am assured that the army will itself acknowledge their justness. The field officers at present on the list are these, for infantry and riflemen: Colonels....
72To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 19 June 1815 (Madison Papers)
The acting Secretary of War has the honor to represent to the President of the United States: That the menaces of the Indians throughout the Indian Countries, require immediate attention; and among the means which are proper for restoring harmony, preserving peace, and defeating the arts employed by intrusive traders to generate Indian hostilities, it is recommended that there be immediately...
73To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 7 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
On the day of my departure from Washington, the Heads of Departments assembled at Mr. Monroe’s office, and considered all the subjects, which you had referred to them. Mr. Monroe will communicate the result to you; together with a statement of the measures suggested, in relation to Mr. Kusloff’s case. There is no business to trouble you with, from the Treasury; and there is neither foreign,...
74To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 16 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I am waiting for your return of the Army report, in order to take definitive measures for the disbandment. I am in hopes, that the Officers will be less disatisfied, than was anticipated; and that the arrangement will not be objected to, by any disinterested man. It would be impossible to complete the payment and discharge by the 1°. of June, and I propose giving a latitude, with reference to...
75To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 8 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I send inclosed a report in the case of Mr. Eustaphieve, the Russian Consul at Boston. The doccuments are recited verbatim in the report, and, therefore, I do not trouble you with them. I preferred a recital, to a reference, that all who read the report, should distinctly understand the facts, without being forced to examine the evidence. It appears to me to be a most flagrant case. I submit...
76To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 7 July 1815 (Madison Papers)
The acting Secretary of War has the honor to represent to the President of the United States: That the menaces of the Indians throughout the Indian Country, require immidiate attention; among the means which are proper for restoring harmony, preserving peace, and defeating the arts employed by intrusive traders, to generate Indian hostilities; and with a view, also, of ameliorating the...
77To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, [ca. 16–22 July 1816] (Madison Papers)
Upon reflection, I think it best to proceed with the Circular to the State Banks, and to issue the Notice, for the payment of the Treasury Notes, which are due in New-York. I ought not to anticipate a failure in the revenue, by the delinquency of the merchants; nor can I perceive any power in the Treasury Department to interfere for their relief. The case is not at all, like the case of a...
78To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 9 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
After a very unpleasant excursion as far as New York, I returned to Washington on Thursday evening. It is some consolation, however, that I have been able to put all my objects of business in a good train; and I shall be much mistaken, if the machinery of the Treasury be not restored to its regular movements, with the aid of the Banks, in the course of two or three months. I inclose a copy of...
79To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 19 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I am obliged to trouble you again on Mr. Lufborough’s business. He has mistaken my expression, which was, “that if the claim is not legal, still it appears to me to be equitable.” However, recollecting your view of the subject, I do not wish to give a formal decision, without your sanction; and I will thank you to say, whether I shall leave it as it stands, or submit it to the Comptroller on...
80To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 9 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have just time to inclose the final report of the Board of Officers. There is no additional intelligence from Europe. There is nothing new here. Many of the Officers have left Washington; and, upon the whole, I think that our Military arrangements will produce less discontent and clamour, than was anticipated. I am, Dr Sir, most respectfully & faithfully Yrs. RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM . For...
81To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 13 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
Conversing with Mr. Monroe and Mr. Crowninshield, we agreed that some attention should be paid to our gallant officers, when vacancies in civil stations occurred. I have just suggested to Mr. Monroe that it would be well to offer General Brown the rank in the army and the vacant naval office in New York at the same time. If he declines the latter, then to offer it to General Wilkinson as a...
82To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 23 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
I find Mr. Jones so infirm in body and mind that I feel uneasy to be longer absent from Washington. I shall, therefore, return next week to finish my treasury report there. It will give you pleasure to learn that I am able to give notice for payment of the treasury notes due in New York as far down as the month of June, 1816. Indeed, everything but the currency will be in good order. The bank...
83To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 20 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
Preparing to surrender the official trust, which you were pleased to confide to me in October 1814, I have the honor to present a general sketch of the actual and prospective state of the finances. This Report, taken in connection with the Reports made to Congress upon other occasions, will clearly exhibit the principles, upon which the business of the Department has been transacted,...
84To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 10 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
The Board of General Officers expressed a wish to be discharged; and I thought some advantage would be derived from their separation, while you were deliberating on their reports. I have, therefore, written to them a letter of thanks, in your name, and they will, probably, leave Washington tomorrow. With the materials, which they have furnished, and your instructions, I have no doubt that we...
85To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 31 July 1815 (Madison Papers)
The acting Secretary of War has the honor to represent to the President of the United States: That having suspended the works at Fort Washington, and directed an Engineer to survey and report their actual condition in conformity with the Presidents instructions, the enclosed report and documents upon the subject, have been recently received. That under the existing circumstances, when the...
86To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 24 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to submit the following Statement to the consideration of the President of the United States. Treasury Notes, which were issued under Acts passed prior to the Act of the 24. of February 1815, were payable at the expiration of a year from their respective dates, with interest at the rate of 5 2/5 per cent. per annum, at the Loan Offices, respectively,...
87To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 29 August 1815 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed Register contains the latest news from Europe. The termination of Bonaparte’s political life, is in character with its progress. There are two accounts of Mess. Gallatin and Clay; one sends them to Philadelphia in the Electra; and the other sends them to New-York in the Ship Lorenzo. It is affirmed in a Paris paper, that they sailed in the latter vessel on the 22d. of July. The...
88To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 20 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor to submit to the consideration of the President of the United States, the petition of B. & J. Bohlen, praying a pardon for the offence of importing, unlawfully, a quantity of coffee, which was afterwards purchased by the petitioners in Baltimore, without any participation or notice of the illicit transaction. The letter of the late Attorney General,...
89To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 2 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I inclose reccommendations for granting Capt Romayne the vacant appointment of Assistant Inspector General. The appointment will be merely nominal, to carry the rank, as the office will be abolished when the Army shall be discharged. The reasons for soliciting it, however, are stated in the reccommendations; and I will thank you to favor me with your decision on the subject. Capt. Romayne has...
90To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 13 June 1815 (Madison Papers)
The acting secretary of war has the honor to represent to the President of the United States, That the Board of General officers recommended that the whole of the Garrison surgeons and surgeon’s mates should be retained in service, understanding them not to exceed two surgeons, and twenty surgeon’s mates; but in the execution of the Act fixing the military peace establishment, it was thought...
91To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 21 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed sketch will give you a general view of the finances. The item of floating debt is left open, until Mr. Nourse, the Register, returns, that the amount of Treasury Notes, absorbed by the payments for duties and taxes, may be precisely ascertained. It is very great; and may be estimated by the statement, which reduces the outstanding Treasury Notes to something like 6,000,000...
92To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, [ca. 20 May 1815] (Madison Papers)
The organization of the Army is now completed, and it will be published in the National Intelligencer of Monday. Perhaps, I shall be able to send you a copy of it tomorrow, or the next day. It will be some satisfaction to you to hear, that on reading to Col. Aspinwall and Col. Jessup, in confidence, the Army Register, that I might ⟨enbibe⟩ some idea of the probable effect of the selection,...
93To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 12 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
Your letter to Mr. Monroe has been the subject of several conversations; and we have agreed, 1°. That the Army should be discharged, for the reasons which you state, and the reasons suggested in my last letter to you. 2d. That the Squadron should sail, under private and confidential instructions to watch every appearance of danger in Europe, and to avoid surprize by any hostile force. The...
94To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 11 August 1816 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed application from Mr. Hughes, appears to be within the rule, exempting the effects of public Ministers, upon their return to the United States, from the payment of duties. If you approve, the proper instructions will be given to the Collector. My solicitude, respecting the conduct of the State Banks, the organization of the National Bank, and the disorder of the currency, encreases...
95To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 12 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
To save time, I inclose the rough sketch of a second letter to the General Officers, giving a view of the effect of the Act of Congress on the preexisting military code. You will perceive that it corresponds with the view which Mr. Monroe had taken of the subject. It seems indispensable that the Adjutant General’s Office should be retained, to connect the War Department, by a proper link, with...
96To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 15 August 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 10. instant. The silence of the Ministers in London is to me inexplicable. Mr. Gallatin has even ceased to write to his family. Every vessel that arrives, however, confirms the report of a negotiation. The downfall of Bonaparte will again reduce the questions of impressment, of blockade, and of the Colonial trade, to...
97To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 13 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
The result of the conference of the Heads of Department on Genl. Jackson’s case, will be seen in the inclosed draft of a letter to the General, which is submitted to your consideration. Be so good as to return it with your instructions to alter it, or to send it in its present shape. There is no other copy of the letter. The fact of the release of Judge Hall and Mr. Dick is stated in a second...
98To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 2 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I inclose General Brown’s letter for your perusal. It is possible, that I may be able to send the Report of the Board of Officers by this day’s mail; but, at all events, it will be sent tomorrow. It appears by an English newspaper, that our Commissioners were about to assemble in London, at the end of February; and that the negotiation of a Treaty of commerce was thought to be their object....
99To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 16 July 1815 (Madison Papers)
The intelligence from the Indian countries confirms the opinion, which I had formed of the necessity of an explicit understanding with the British Government, on all the questions of trade and intercourse between its subjects, and the Indians within our territory. The excitement is more general, than I can reccollect it to have been, at any former period; and, if London is to be the scene of...
100To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 23 February 1815 (letter not found) (Madison Papers)
¶ From Alexander J. Dallas. Letter not found. 23 February 1815. Described in Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 1401 (1927), item 65, as an autograph letter, signed, “In reference to appointing Mr. Ingersoll as District Attorney.”