James Madison Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/03-09-02-0179

To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 15 April 1815

From Alexander J. Dallas

Department of War, 15th. April, 1815.

Sir,

I have the honor to inclose to you a statement, specifying the appropriations for the expenditures in this department, in the years 1814 and 1815, including the balances of appropriations on the 31st. of December, 1813: the amount actually expended from the 1st. of January, 1814, to the 10th. of March, 1815; the unexpended amount of the appropriations; and the amount for which warrants have been drawn, but are not paid, beyond the appropriations for particular branches of expenditure.

From this statement it will appear, that the existing deficit of appropriations, amounts to 1,000,977. 9/100 dollars, on the following branches of expenditure:

1. On the subsistence 448,482.19.
2. On the bounties and premiums, 3,876.93.
3. On the Camp equipage 240,944.54.
4. On the arsenal, magazines and armories }
  and armories 3,035. 8.
 
5. On the Quarter master’s department, 298,434.70
6. On the maps, plans, &c. 2,250.85
7. On the forage of rangers 3,952.80.
Dollars. 1,000,977: 9.

From this statement it also appears, that there are unexpended balances of appropriations for other branches of expenditure, a portion of which may be applied to make up the deficit above stated, and to provide more effectually for those branches of expenditure, on which the deficit arises:

1. The appropriation for clothing, is 2,861,000.
The disbursements have been 2,193,589.21.
Unexpended, 667,410.79.
From which take, towards the above }
stated deficit, &c 500,000.  
Balance, 167,410.79
Sum to be transferred 500,000.
2. The appropriation for contingencies, is 1,150,000.
The disbursements have been 744,114.65
Unexpended 405,885.35
From which take towards the }
above stated deficit, &c 200,000   
Balance, 205,885.35.
Sum to be transferred 200,000.
3. The approprization for the Indian }
department, is 821,600.
The disbursements have been 355,102.78
Unexpended 466,497.22
From which take, towards }
the above deficit, &c 250,000
Balance, 216,497.22.
Sum to be transferred, 250,000.
4. The appropriation for horses for }
artillery, is 100,000.
The disbursements have been   3,997.72
 96,002.28 950,000
Unexpended Balance. Transfers.
Brought forward 96,002.28 950,000.
From which take, towards the }
above deficit, &c. 50,000.
Balance, 46,002.28.
Sum to be transferred 50,000.
5. The appropriation for arming and 680,000.
equipping the militia, is
 
The disbursements have
been 56,789.33
There has been carried
 to the surplus fund,
 a sum of 303,210.67. 360,000
Unexpended 320,000.
From which take, towards the }
above deficit, &c} 200,000.
Balance, 120,000.
Sum to be transferred 200,000.
Gross Sum to be transferred, 1,200,000.

Upon this view of the subject, I have the honor to apply to you for your direction, if in your opinion it is necessary for the public service, (as I respectfully suggest it to be) that the above portions of the monies appropriated for the specified branches of expenditure, and constituting the aggregate amount of 1,200,000 dollars, be respectively applied to the other branches of expenditure, on which the above stated deficit arises, 1st. to supply the amount of such deficit; and 2d. to provide more effectually for the subsistence and Quarter master’s branches, according to the provisions of the act of Congress of the 3d. of March, 1809. I have the honor to be, most respectfully, Sir, Your obedt. humble servt.

A. J. Dallas.

RC (PHi: George Mifflin Dallas Papers). In a clerk’s hand, signed by Dallas.

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