31To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 31 July 1815 (Madison Papers)
The business of Fort Washington is a bad one. The inclosed papers will shew, that there is no plan, no responsibility, no honesty. I do not mean to inculpate Major L’Enfant, on the score of honesty; but his strange course of conduct is embarrassing in the extreme, and will render it impossible to give any explanation to Congress. If you approve of my report on the subject, be so good as to...
32To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 1 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I send, for your consideration, Govr. Plumer’s reccommendation of his Son, to succeed Mr. Gardner, whose resignation of the Loan Office in New-Hampshire, was forwarded a few days ago. Mr. Smith, the Marshal of New-York, is dead, and you will, I presume, be harrassed with applications for the Office. I am, Dr Sir, most respectfully & faithfully, Yr. obed Serv. RC ( CSmH ). For Plumer’s...
33To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, [ca. 17 July 1816] (Madison Papers)
I inclose Mr. Hassler’s letter, respecting a site for the Observatory. The reccommendation of the ground selected, is very strong; but it requires consideration, whether the authority is sufficient, for purchasing that portion of it, which does not belong to the public? The appropriation is adequate, regarding it as an incident to the survey of the coast. I have requested from Mr. Munroe and...
34To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 20 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter from General Jackson shows that Fort Bowyer has been restored, without difficulty; but that the negroes taken near New Orleans are retained. There are no accounts from Niagara. I have sent by this mail the new Army Register, the general orders for effecting the organization of the peace establishment, and copies of my letters to Generals Jackson and Brown. These, together...
35To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 19 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
Since writing to you yesterday, I have received the inclosed letter from Mr. Baring, which will give you a distinct view of our situation with the Bankers in London. Every Mail brings me additional accounts of the rise in exchange, and, indeed, of the extreme difficulty of procuring good Bills. The importance of reinstating our credit, by payment of the advances, which have been so handsomely...
36To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 20 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure to say, that the business respecting Genl. Ripley is arranged; and I hope it will be to your satisfaction. I inclose copies of the letters, which have passed between us. The selection of General Officers being compleat, I will announce it; and if Genl. Brown arrives today, or tomorrow, I think the general plan of organization may be sent for your consideration on Monday....
37To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 11 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I inclose the draft of a letter to the General officers, on the execution of the Act of the 3d. of March 1815, with a copy of the Act. You will see by a Memorandum from Mr. Monroe, that he thinks the peace establishment is to be composed of 10,000 men, exclusive of Officers. Genl. Scott agrees in that opinion; and I shall be very glad to adopt it, with your approbation. I shall write to you...
38To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 18 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have just received your favor of the 15t. instant, and, conforming to it, I shall cease to act in the Treasury, after the dispatch of tomorrow’s mail. The kind expressions of your letter, make a deep and lasting impression. I shall resort to the testimonials of your approbation and confidence, for consolation, whenever the past reminds me of any sacrafice to be lamented; or the future shall...
39To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 11 July 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor of the 4. instant; and shall alter the Circular on the currency, in the way which you suggest. The receipt of several additional reccommendations for the Loan Office in New-Hampshire, induces me to suspend an application for the Commission in favor of Mr. Plumer, until you have seen the doccuments now sent. I do not anticipate, however, a change in your instructions....
40To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 11 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
On my return from New-York, I received your favor of the 2d. instant, and the copy of Mr. Crawford’s letter on the question of brevet rank. I can add nothing, by way of information on public points, to the last communication of the talk of our Commissioners. Mr. Gallatin has, probably, written to you at large, on all that relates to the mission. As to his future pursuits, he has left me...
41To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 1 October 1816 (Madison Papers)
A severe indisposition has confined me to my bed for three days. I am sufficiently recovered, however, to decide upon beginning my journey this afternoon, or tomorrow morning. I have left every thing here in order; and I shall continue, with great pleasure, to transact the business of the Department, until you are ready to release me. You will, of course, give me notice of a day, on which I am...
42To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 15 July 1815 (Madison Papers)
Major O’Connor’s curious paper is certainly very ill calculated to promote his views. After way-laying me at my lodgings, at the Treasury &c for a month, he wrote me a letter on Saturday night, which I delivered to Mr. Graham, with a request that it might be sent under a cover to you. On Sunday morning, I told the Major that I had done so; but that I was satisfied you would not take the...
43To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 12 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
The Acting Secretary of War has the honor to submit to the President of the United States, the following report: That the Act of Congress entitled “An Act fixing the military peace establishment of the United States,” passed on the 3d. of March 1815, provided that after the Corps constituting the peace establishment was formed and completed, the Supernumerary officers noncommissioned officers,...
44To 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...
45To 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...
46To 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...
47To 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...
48To 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;...
49To 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...
50To 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...
51To 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...
52To 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...
53To 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...
54To 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,...
55To 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...
56To 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....
57To 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...
58To 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,...
59To 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...
60To 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...