To James Madison from James Monroe, 4 August 1815
From James Monroe
augt 4. 1815.
Dear Sir
We have had no rain since my arrival here, nor had there been any for some time before. The most discouraging prospect for corn exists, which added to a defective crop of small grain, menaces us with almost a famine.
I am glad to hear that the Neptune has enterd the Delaware. Of the Passengers we shall be better informd tomorrow.
I send every paper back to the depts. lately receivd except that relating to Fort washington.1 I shall forward it to morrow. I wish to see the report in detail, as it relates to LEnfant. I had before heard and with much regret of the misconduct & flight of marsteller.2 At a gloomy period he was active and useful.
We hope that Mr P. Todd is in the neptune. Very sincerely yours
Jas Monroe
RC (DLC: Rives Collection, Madison Papers). Docketed by JM.
1. See Alexander J. Dallas to JM, 31 July 1815 (two letters [1], [2]).
2. Deputy quartermaster general Ferdinand Marsteller overcharged the War Department for labor and materials to repair Fort Washington, and paid himself and two associates a profit on the contract. When the fraud was discovered, recalculations showed the contractors owing the government more than $10,000. Marsteller was disgraced and died soon after (Bartle v. Nutt, 29 U.S. [4 ] 184 [1830]).