From James Madison to Alexander J. Dallas, 1 June 1815
To Alexander J. Dallas
Montpelier June 1. 1815
Dear Sir
I have just recd. yours of the 29th. Ult. I return approved your proposition for the sale in the Ordinance Dept; also your recommendation for provisionally retaining Mr Linnard.1
I am under the impression that Mr Monroe wrote to Govr. Cass, on the subject of the Indians on that frontier, and took the steps necessary for having the peace notified to them. Be that as it may it is proper that immediate attention shd. be given to the matter, as it is now represented. Genl. Wilkinson & Mr. Graham will be fit Commissioners, and may without loss of time be put on the service. Worthington & Cass are also well adapted. But both will not be wanted, and the appt. of one may not be taken well by the other. McArthur may also have his feelings in the case, unless his services be employed in some other way. On the whole however I do not know that any selection can be made better than that you have suggested viz. Worthington Wilkinson & Graham. If a different view of the subject shd. present itself, it may await my arrival at Washington. The subject of Genl. Scotts letter may conveniently do so.2
I wrote some time since to Mr. Monroe, calling his attention to the appt. of Comrs. for boundary &c. One of them has long been designated. There has been a difficulty in choosing amg. the others brought into view.
I shall set out to day for Washington, taking the route thro’ Stephensburg & Elkrun Church, and shall probably be in Washington by Monday. Affec. respects
James Madison
RC (CSmH).
1. JM referred to a 24 May 1815 letter to Dallas from Col. William Linnard, quartermaster general at Philadelphia (DNA: RG 107, LRUS, L-1815; 2 pp.), stating that his accounts could not be closed until he received funds, observing that the peacetime army list did not include a quartermaster for his district even though one was badly needed there, and asking to be retained in the army in any capacity. The letter bears Dallas’s 27 May 1815 note: “Respectfully submitted to the President of the United States, with a request that Mr. Linnard may be provisionally retained as Deputy Quarter Master General,” and JM’s 1 June 1815 approval and signature.
2. JM evidently referred to a 25 May 1815 letter to Dallas from Brig. Gen. Winfield Scott (DNA: RG 107, LRRS, S-313:8; 4 pp.), reporting plans for and progress on construction of U.S. fortifications on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River. Scott recommended Maj. James Barker, who was not included on the peacetime army list, to oversee the work, and mentioned that the city of Philadelphia had offered to loan the money necessary to complete it. On the letter, Dallas wrote, signed, and dated a 27 May 1815 note: “Submitted respectfully to the President for his opinion on the propriety of employing Majr. Barker as Genl Scott proposes.”