From James Madison to the Senate, 3 June 1813
To the Senate
Washington, June 3 1813.
In compliance with their resolution of the 3d instant,1 the Senate are informed that the office of the Secretary of the Treasury is not vacated, and that, in the absence of Albert Gallatin, commissioned as one of the Envoys to treat with Great Britain and Russia, the duties of that office are discharged by William Jones, Secretary of the Navy, authorized therefor according to the provisions of the act of Congress, entitled “An act making alterations in the Treasury and War Departments,” passed May 8, 1792.2
James Madison.
Printed copy (, 13th Cong., 1st sess., 85).
1. The Senate resolution adopted on 3 June 1813 was introduced by Rufus King on 2 June and requested that JM state “whether Albert Gallatin, commissioned as one of the Envoys to treat of peace and commerce with Great Britain, and of commerce with Russia, retains the office of Secretary of the Department of the Treasury,” and if so, “under what authority, and by whom, the powers and duties of the head of the Treasury Department are discharged” during his absence (, 2:349–50).
2. The eighth section of the act JM cited provided that “in case of the death, absence from the seat of government, or sickness” of the secretaries of state, war, or the treasury, “it shall be lawful for the President … to authorize any person or persons at his discretion to perform the duties of the said respective offices until a successor be appointed, or until such absence or inability by sickness shall cease” (, 1:279, 281).