From James Madison to William Jones, 20 April 1813
To William Jones
Washington 20th April 1813.
Sir
In persuance of the act of Congress providing that in case of absence from the seat of Government, of the Secretary of the Treasury, the President of the United States may authorise a Person to perform the Duties of that officer, during his absence, I am to ask the favor of you, and hereby authorise you to perform the same.1
James Madison
RC (PHi: William Jones Papers). In a clerk’s hand, signed by JM.
1. JM referred to the eighth section of “An Act making alterations in the Treasury and War Departments” of 8 May 1792. An amendment to the act passed on 13 Feb. 1795 limited the duration of such temporary appointments to six months ( , 1:279–81, 415). The president made this request in anticipation of Albert Gallatin’s departure for Europe as a peace commissioner.