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DECEMBER, 1814.]

Moneys Receivable for Taxes.

statement of the circumstances which produced the
resolution drawn up by the Representatives of Ten-
nessee, together with a letter from the Secretary of the
Treasury, accompanies this report; and the commit-
tee submit the following resolution :

Resolved, That it is inexpedient to designate, by law, the bank notes which shall be receivable in pay

ment of taxes.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Nov. 23, 1814. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the 21st instant, enclosing a resolution of the House of Representatives, passed the 11th instant, directing an inquiry "into the expediency of providing by law, that any kind of money which may be paid by the Government to the troops

and some other corps. The enemy's light troops had, in the mean time, advanced on the left of the road, and had gained a line parallel with Smith's command, and, in endeavoring to turn the flank, Colonel Brent was placed in a position calculated to prevent it; the enemy also advanced and came within long shot of part of Colonel Magruder's command, which opened a partial fire, but without much effect; and, at this moment, and in this situation, General Winder ordered the whole of the troops, then stationary, to retreat, which was effected with as much order as the nature of the ground and the occasion would permit; these troops, after retreating five or six hundred paces, were halted and formed, but were again ordered to retreat by General Winder. General Winder then gave orders to collect and form the troops on the heights west of the turnpike gate, about a mile and a half from the Capitol, which order was in part executed, and the forces formed by General Smith and the other officers, when Colonel George Minor came up with his regiment of Virginia volunteers, and united his forces with General Smith's command, having been detained, as before stated, in obtaining arms, ammunition, &c.; but, while in the act of forming, General Winder gave orders to retire to the Capitol, with the expectation of being united with the troops of the first line. Colonel Minor was ordered to take a certain position and disposition, and cover the retreat of all the forces by remaining until all had marched for the Capitol. The troops were again halted at the Capitol, while General Winder was in conference with Colonel Monroe and General Armstrong.

The first line and cavalry, except one troop of Colonel Lavall's, had taken a route which did not bring them to the Capitol; the most of them had proceeded north of the District of Columbia, and others dispersed and returned home, and sought refreshment in the country. The Commanding General represented the diminution of his force, the dispersion of a large portion of it, the want of discipline, the great fatigue of the troops, and believed that it would be impossible to make effectual resistance to the invasion of the city; nor did he think it would be proper to attempt to defend the Capitol, the troops being without provisions, and which would leave every other part of the city to the mercy of the enemy, and the prospect of losing his army. In this consultation, the Secretaries of State and War, it appears, concurred in their views with General Winder, and advised him to retire and rally the troops upon the heights of Georgetown; this produced an order for the whole force to retreat from Capitol Hill through Georgetown. On receiving this order, the troops evinced the deepest anguish, and that order which had been previously maintained was destroyed. General Smith in his report uses this language: "when the order for a retreat from Capitol Hill was received, the troops evinced an anguish beyond the power of language to ex press. The troops were halted at Tenleytown, and an attempt was made to collect them together, which only partially succeeded. Some returned home, some went in pursnit of refreshments, and those that halted gave themselves up to the uncontrolled feelings which fatigue, exhaustion, privation, and disappointment produced. The force thus collected were marched about five miles up the Potomac, and, early in the morning, Thursday, the 25th, orders were given to assemble the troops at Montgomery Courthouse. General Winder seems to have taken this position with a view to collect his forces, and to interpose for the protection of Baltimore, in case the enemy marched upon it as was anticipated by him. On the 23d, General Winder despatched an order to the commanding officer at Fort Washington to place patrols on every road leading to the garrison; and, upon the event of his being taken in the rear of the fort, to blow it up and retire across the river. army at Montgomery took up the line of march about ten On the 26th, the

389

[H. OF R.

in the service of the United States, for military services, shall be receivable in payment from the people in taxes."

In the course of an endeavor to ascertain the communication from the Representatives of Tennesgrounds of the resolution, I have been favored with a see in Congress, (of which a copy is annexed,) in addition to the general information possessed in this Department; and I believe that the facts of the case casion for money to pay the militia who marched are briefly these: The Secretary of War, having ocfrom Tennessee against the Creek Indians, obtained of Chilicothe. a loan in bank notes, for that purpose, from the Bank Some of these notes have since been offered in the payment of taxes to the collectors of the internal duties in the State of Tennessee; but, as

o'clock towards Baltimore: General Winder proceeded on to Baltimore. On the 27th, General Smith's brigade marched to this district.

Bladensburg, is upwards of fifty miles. The enemy was The distance from Benedict to the city of Washington, by without baggage wagons or means of transportation; his quit the ranks, and extraordinary exertions used to keep troops much exhausted with fatigue; many compelled to others in motion; and, as if unable to pursue our forces, remained on the battle ground; the enemy's advance reached ing ended about two o'clock, or before. The main body of the city about eight o'clock in the evening, the battle havthe enemy remained on the heights west of the turnpike gate. Doctor Catlett, the superintending surgeon, who was admitted to attend upon the wounded, and who passed through city was evacuated, had the best opportunity of estimating the enemy's camp, and remained at Bladensburg until the the loss on both sides, as well as a good opportunity to ascertain the number and force of the enemy. His estimate is as follows:

Of the enemy.-On Capitol Hill, seven hundred; Turnpike Hill, two thousand; wounded at Bladensburg, three hunin the city of Washington, sixty; killed at Bladensburg and dred; attendants, three hundred; wounded and attendants the city, one hundred and eighty; total force, three thouby all the information in his power, besides his own obser sand five hundred and forty. This statement is corroborated vations. Mr. Law estimated the enemy, on its march, at five thousand; but, from the best information, his estimate would be about four thousand five hundred. Colonel Monroe, who viewed the enemy on his march, estimated the number at about six thousand. General Winder states that the best opinion at the Woodyard made the enemy from and, indeed, from the manner of collecting them, and their five to seven thousand. dispersion, makes it difficult to ascertain the number with Our forces are variously estimated, perfect accuracy. regiment at eight hundred; Colonels Beall's and Hood's at General Stansbury represents Colonel Ragan's regiment at five hundred and fifty; Colonel Shutz's Major Pinkney's command, including two companies of areight hundred; Colonel Sterret's regiment at five hundred; tillery, three hundred; making two thousand nine hundred and fifty-three; but General Winder estimates Colonel Beall six or seven hundred; deduct one hundred, this leaves two thousand eight hundred and fifty-three; to which add the command of General Smith, and militia that united regulars under Lieutenant Colonel Scott, Barney's command, with him at the Woodyard, Battalion Old Fields, &c., the the cavalry, &c., three thousand two hundred; making an aggregate number of six thousand and fifty-three. Besides this force, several detachments are spoken of by General Winder's officers, not known, amounting to several hundred. But as a small detachment was left at the Eastern Branch bridge, others, particularly some of the cavalry, were on detachment, reconnoitring, &c., the number of forces may pieces of artillery, two eighteen pounders, three twelves, be estimated at least at six thousand, including about twenty tle, killed, is estimated by the superintending surgeon at ten and the balance six pounders. Our loss on the field of bator twelve, and the wounded, some of whom died, at about thirty. General Winder's official report estimates our loss at about thirty killed and fifty wounded.

The probable estimate of British forces on the 24th of Auburg and in the city, one hundred and fifty; wounded at gust, total four thousand five hundred; killed at Bladenskilled, twenty, wounded forty; besides the regiment under both places, three hundred. American forces, six thousand; command of Colonel Minor, six hundred infantry and one hundred horse, which met the retreat on the west of the turnpike gate; and General Young's brigade about five hun

H. OF R.]

Bank Suspensions.

the banks of Tennessee (where the money collected for taxes is required to be deposited) refuse to receive them as cash deposites, the collectors, in their turn, refuse to receive them as cash for taxes. Owing to the causes suggested in the communication to which I have already referred, and, perhaps, to other causes, perfectly consistent with the general solvency of the Bank of Chilicothe, the notes circulating in Tennessee have suffered a considerable depreciation. They have already been, it is alleged, an object of speculation; those paid by the United States to the militia cannot now be distinguished from other notes issued by the Bank of Chilicothe; and any attempt to give the former a preference, in the payment of taxes, would probably increase the arts or speculation, as well as the other inconveniences of which the citizens of Tennessee complain.

[DECEMBER, 1814. |ject, meriting the serious attention of the Treasury Department, I am preparing instructions to the collectors, to regulate their conduct in receiving bank notes for taxes. The design of the instructions will be, to unite the security of the revenue with the accommodation of the banks, as well as of individual citizens, during the disordered condition of the circulating medium of the country; and, in making this arrangement, I shall be highly gratified to find that the views of the mover of the resolution under consideration can be accomplished.

I have the honor to be, &c.

J. W. EPPES, Chairman, Sc.

A. J. DALLAS.

CONGRESS HALL, November, 1814. SIR: It may be satisfactory to you to be informed of the situation of the banks in the State of Tennessee. There are two banks in that State-one at Knoxville, and the other at Nashville; both of them of unquestionable credit and solvency. No suspension has taken place of specie payments, nor do we believe any suspension will take place.

Under these circumstances the case is, obviously, one of great delicacy. The Government has passed the notes at their nominal value; but it is equally true, that the Government is bound to pay for them to the bank according to their nominal value. The Government did not contract any engagement to support the credit of the notes, nor to accept them in payment of duties at any subsequent period; and all the persons who have accepted the notes, either in payment from the Government, or by transfer from the militia, have done so voluntarily, without any pretence of reliance upon any such engagement. I, therefore, it should be deemed proper to direct, by the legislative authority, that the notes of the Bank of Chilicothe shall be received in payment for duties, the principle of the direction will be equally applicable to every other case where the Government has paid its troops or creditors in bank notes, which have afterwards suffered (from whatever cause) a depre-existing of the solvency of the bank. ciation in credit or circulating value. The effect of such a law, upon the public revenues, need not be particularly stated.

Considering the subject, however, as a general sub

dred, which was ordered to remain on the banks of the Potomac, about twelve miles from the city of Washington, until the evening of the 24th, when he crossed over to Alexandria, and proceeded to Montgomery Courthouse, to join the main army.

The enemy, on the evening of the 25th, made the greatest exertions to leave the city of Washington. They had about forty indifferent looking horses, ten or twelve carts and wagons, one ox cart, one coach, and several gigs; these were sent to Bladensburg to move off the wounded: a drove of sixty or seventy cattle preceded this party. Arriving at Bladensburg, the British surgeon was ordered to select the wounded who could walk; the forty horses were mounted by those who could ride; the carts and wagons loaded, and upwards of ninety wounded left behind. About twelve o'clock at night the British army passed through Bladensburg, and parties continued until morning, and stragglers until after mid-day. The retreat of the enemy to his shipping was precipitate, and apparently under an alarm, and, it is supposed, that it was known to him that our forces had marched to Montgomery Courthouse.

The Hon. Richard Rush, General Stansbury, Major William Pinkney, Dr. Catlett, and Mr. Law, all remark, that General Winder was active and zealous, encouraged the men, and exposed himself, and acted as a man of firmness during the engagement, and endeavored to rally, with other officers, the lines, as they gave way.

There seems to be a general concurrence of statement, that our forces were much fatigued and worn down with marching, counter-marching, and their strength much exhausted, during their service, by remaining under arms much of the night, as well as the day, by false alarms, and otherwise. Nor does it appear that it was generally known among the officers and men of the first line, that the forces from the city were formed behind in the second line, to meet the enemy and support them. This statement is made by General Stansbury, Major William Pinkney, and some other officers of the first line.

With respect to the Bank of Chilicothe, in the notes of which most of the troops in the service of the United States, from the State of Tennessee, have been paid, we can only observe, that no doubt was entertained of its solvency and ability to discharge its respective engagements, so far as we have been informed; but the notes would not circulate without considerable discount. This, we think, was produced in consequence of the course of trade being from the Southwest, Eastwardly, and Northeast, and money was not wanted at Chilicothe by the citizens of the mercantile towns in Tennessee, and not by any doubt

As these notes do not suit the commercial relations existing between the citizens of Tennessee and the Eastern States, we do not wish them to be further used in the payment of troops there.

The refusal, by the Government, to receive them again in the payment of taxes, has necessarily produced considerable irritation, and it is believed, by some of the people there, to be an intentional attempt to impose on them.

The spirit of patriotism and military ardor, now existing in as high a degree as in any part of the United States, is sinking under the injustice of this

measure.

We have the honor to be, &c.

P. W. HUMPHREYS,
JOHN H. BOWER,
THOS. K. HARRIS,
N. CANNON.

The report was ordered to lie on the table.

Bank Suspensions Embarrassments of the Treasury-Letters from Secretary Dallas to the Committee of Ways and Means.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Dec. 2, 1814. In my communications to the committees of Congress, I have never been disposed to disguise the embarrassments of the Treasury. A frank and full development of existing evils will always, I hope, be best calculated to secure the attention and exertion of the public authorities; and, with legislative aid, I am still confident, that all the difficulties of a deficient revenue, a suspended circulating medium, and a depressed credit, may be speedily and completely

DECEMBER, 1814.]

Burning of the Library, Books, Papers, &c., by the British.

overcome. My only apprehension arises from the lapse of time; as a remedy which would be effectual to-day, will, perhaps, only serve to increase the disorder to-morrow.

In answering the inquiries of your letter, permit me state: 1st. The amount of the payments which were to be made during the whole of the present quarter on account of the public debt, and the funds prepared, or applicable to meet those payments; 2d. The payments that remain to be made, and the funds that remain to meet them, for the residue of the quarter; and, 3d. General information, in relation to additional measures for meeting the public engage

ments.

[The letter contains detailed statements showing the ample provision made for meeting all the liabilities of the Treasury until it was deprived of its re

sources by the suspension of the banks, and so made to appear as a delinquent debtor when its real condition was that of a despoiled depositor.]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Nov. 25, 1814. SIR: The sudden determination of most of the banks, in which the deposites of public money were made, to refuse payment of their notes and of drafts upon them, in specie, deprived the Government of the use of its gold and silver, without any act or assent on the part of the Treasury. The equally

sudden determination of the banks of each State to refuse credit and circulation to the notes issued in other States, deprived the Government, without its participation, of the only means that were possessed for transferring its funds from the places in which they lay inactive to the places in which they were wanted, for the payment of the dividends on the funded debt, and the discharge of Treasury notes. It was the inevitable result of these transactions, that the bank credits of the Government should be soon exhausted in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, &c., where the principal loan offices for the payment of the public debt were established; and that the Government should be unable to satisfy its engagements in those cities, unless the public creditors would receive drafts on banks in other States, or would subscribe the amount of their claims to a public loan, or would accept a payment in Treasury notes. was not unreasonable, indeed, to hope that the banks, whose conduct had produced the existing embarrassment, would cheerfully afford some alleviating accommodation to the Government; but every attempt to realize that hope has hitherto failed. Even, however, if the present application should also be unsuccessful, I think I may rely on the intelligence and candor of our fellow-citizens to vindicate the Govern

It

ment from any reproach, for the want of good faith, or of essential resources to maintain the public credit. The events which have occurred the Government could neither avert nor control.

MONDAY, December, 12.

A new member, to wit, from Pennsylvania, AMOS SLAYMAKER, appeared, produced his credentials, and took his seat, in the place of James Whitehill, resigned; the oath to support the constitution of the United States being first administered to him.

[H. OF R.

Burning of the Library, and of the Books and

Papers of Congress by the British.*

Mr. PEARSON, of North Carolina, from the letter of Patrick Magruder, respecting the deselect committee, to whom was referred the struction of the library and papers belonging to the office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives, made a report thereon, exhibiting a detailed view of the circumstances attending the loss of the library, which the committee conceive might have been preserved in whole or in part, and the vouchers for the contingent expenditures of the House of Representatives; and concluding with a resolution, that he be credited with a certain sum, ascertained to have been expended by him between the 14th January, 1814, and the day on which the Capitol * Correspondence in relation to the conflagration and destruction of American Towns and Villages. Vice Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane to Mr. Monroe. HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S SHIP THE TONNANT, PATUXENT RIVER,

August 18, 1814.

SIR: Having been called upon by the Governor General of the Canadas to aid him in carrying into effect measures of retaliation against the inhabitants of the United States for the wanton destruction committed by their army in Upper Canada, it has become imperiously my duty, conformably with the nature of the Governor General's application, to issue to the naval force under my command, an order to deas may be found assailable.

stroy and lay waste such towns and districts upon the coast

I had hoped that this contest would have terminated without my being obliged to resort to severities which are contrary to the usage of civilized warfare, and as it has been with extreme reluctance and concern that I have found myself compelled to adopt this system of devastation, I shall be equally gratified if the conduct of the Executive of the United States will authorize my staying such proceedings, by making reparation to the suffering inhabitants of Upper Canada, thereby manifesting that, if the destructive measures pursued by their army were ever sanctioned, they will no longer be permitted by the Government. I have the honor to be, &c.

ALEX. COCHRANE,
Vice Admiral, Commander, &c.

Hon. JAMES MONROE.
Mr. Monroe to Sir Alexander Cochrane, Vice Admiral, &c.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

September 6, 1814. SIR: I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 18th of August, stating that, having been called on by the Governor General of the Canadas, to aid him in carrying into effect measures of retaliation against the inhabitants of the United States for the wanton desolation committed by their army in Upper Canada, it has become your duty, conformably with the nature of the Governor General's application, to issue to the naval force under your command an order to destroy and lay waste such towns and districts upon the coast as may be found assailable.

It is seen, with the greatest surprise, that this system of devastation, which has been practised by the British forces, so manifestly contrary to the usage of civilized warfare, is placed by you on the ground of retaliation. No sooner were the United States compelled to resort to war against Great

Britain, than they resolved to wage it in a manner most

consonant to the principles of humanity, and to those friendly relations which it was desirable to preserve between the two nations after the restoration of peace. They perceived, however, with the deepest regret, that a spirit, alike just and humane, was neither cherished nor acted on by your Government. Such an assertion would not be hazarded if it was not supported by facts, the proof of which has, perthat it has to the people of these States. Without dwelling haps, already carried the same conviction to other nations

on the deplorable cruelties committed by the savages in the British ranks, and in British pay, at the river Raisin, which, to this day, has never been disavowed or atoned for, I refer, as more immediately connected with the subject of your letter, to the wanton desolation that was committed at Havre-de-Grace and at Georgetown, early in the Spring of 1813. These villages were burnt and ravaged by the naval

H. OF R.]

Removal and Preservation of the Books and Papers of the Department.

was destroyed by the enemy. The report was read by Mr. P. in his place, and ordered to be printed. It is as follows:

[DECEMBER, 1814. uments belonging to the several Departments, were taken as early as the 20th and 21st of August, and the removals of all effected by the 22d; whereas no preparatory measures were taken to secure the library Representatives, or any efforts made to procure the and papers appertaining to the office of the House of of August; after which time the committee were means of transportation till the afternoon of the 22d convinced that the means of transportation were difficult to obtain, if not impracticable.

That the committee have satisfactory evidence that the library of Congress, consisting of volumes agreeably to the catalogue herewith submitted, was destroyed by the enemy on the 24th of August last; and, also, the manuscript records, papers, and secret journals of Congress, mentioned in the communication submitted to this committee. In addition to the As to the absence of the Clerk on account of inascertainment of those facts, the committee have considered it their duty to form and express some opin-amined as to the particular nature and extent of that disposition, as alleged, the committee have not exion as to the degree of diligence and precaution exercised by the Clerk, and those in his employ, to prevent the loss which has been sustained. In doing this they have taken into consideration the threatening aspect of the enemy in the Chesapeake, the Potomac, and the Patuxent, almost uniformly from the mouth of June to the period of their incursion on the city of Washington, and the apprehension which prevailed on this subject, as developed by the committee appointed to inquire into the "causes of the success of the enemy in his recent enterprises against this metropolis," &c. They have also referred to the several Heads of Departments, and obtained information as to the time and manner of their removing and securing the papers and effects belonging to their offices; which information the committee herewith submit as part of their report, contained in the letters marked Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4; from which it appears that measures, preparatory to a removal of the doc

forces of Great Britain, to the ruin of their unarmed inhabitants, who saw, with astonishment, that they derived no protection to their property from the laws of war. During the same season, scenes of invasion and pillage, carried on under the same authority, were witnessed all along the waters of the Chesapeake, to an extent inflicting the most serious private distress, and under circumstances that justifled the suspicion that revenge and cupidity, rather than the manly motives that should dictate the hostility of a highminded foe, led to their perpetration. The late destruction of the houses of the Government in this city is another act which comes necessarily into view. In the wars of modern Europe, no example of the kind, even among nations the most hostile to each other, can be traced. In the course of ten years past, the capitals of the principal powers of the Continent of Europe have been conquered, and occupied alternately by the victorious armies of each other, and no instance of such wanton and unjustifiable destruction has been seen. We must go back to distant and barbarous ages to find a parallel for the acts of which I complain.

Although these acts of desolation invited, if they did not impose on the Government the necessity of retaliation, yet in no instance has it been authorized.

The burning of the village of Newark in Upper Canada, posterior to the early outrages above enumerated, was not executed on that principle. The village of Newark adjoined Fort George, and its destruction was justified by the officers who ordered it, on the ground that it became necessary in the military operations there. The act, however, was disavowed by the Government. The burning which took place at Long Point was unauthorized by the Government, and the conduct of the officer subjected to the investigation of a military tribunal. For the burning at St. David's, committed by stragglers, the officer who commanded in that quarter was dismissed, without a trial, for not preventing it. I am commanded by the President distinctly to state, that it as little comports with any orders which have been issued to the military and naval commanders of the United States, as it does with the established and known humanity of the American nation, to pursue a system which it appears you have adopted. This Government owes it to itself, to the principles which it has ever held sacred, to disavow, as justly chargeable to it, any such wanton, cruel, and unjustifiable

warfare.

Whatever unauthorized irregularities may have been committed by any of its troops, it would have been ready, acting on these principles of sacred and eternal obligation, to disavow, and, as far as might be practicable, to repair. But, in the plan of desolating warfare which your letter so explicitly makes known, and which is attempted to be excus

ought to have been, serious and alarming, to have indisposition. They will only say that it was, or justified his absence under the circumstances which then existed. The committee are, therefore, constrained to express the opinion, that due precaution and diligence were not exercised to prevent the destruction and loss which has been sustained. Removal and Preservation of the Books and Papers of the Departments.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Nov. 5, 1814. SIR: Upon inquiry, I find that the books and papers appertaining to the Treasury were packed up on Sunday, the 21st of August, 1814, and sent off in the afternoon of the following day.

It is also stated to me that much difficulty was not experienced in procuring carriages to transport the books and papers; and that, in fact, two wagons,

ed on a plea so utterly groundless, the President perceives a spirit of deep-rooted hostility, which, without the evidence of such facts, he could not have believed existed, or would have been carried to such an extremity.

For the reparation of injuries, of whatever nature they may be, not sanctioned by the law of nations, which the military and naval force of either power may have committed against the other, this Government will always be ready to enter into reciprocal arrangements. It is presumed that your Government will neither expect nor propose any which are not reciprocal.

Should your Government adhere to a system of desola tion, so contrary to the views and practice of the United States, so revolting to humanity, and repugnant to the sen timents and usages of the civilized world, whilst it will be seen with the deepest regret, it must and will be met with a determination and constancy becoming a free people contending in a just cause for their essential rights and dearest I have the honor to be, &c. JAMES MONROE. Vice Admiral, Commander, &c.

interests.

Sir ALEXANDER COCHRANE,

Vice Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane to Mr. Monroe. HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S SHIP TONNANT, IN THE CHESAPEAKE, September 19, 1814. SIR: I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 6th instant this morning, in reply to the one which I addressed to you from the Patuxent.

As I have no authority from my Government to enter upon any kind of discussion relative to the points contained in your letter, I have only to regret that there does not appear to be any hope that I shall be authorized to recall my general order; which has been further sanctioned by a subsequent request from Lieutenant General Sir George Pre

vost.

A copy of your letter will this day be forwarded by me to England, and, until I receive instructions from my Govern ment, the measures which I have adopted must be persisted in, unless remuneration be made to the inhabitants of the Canadas for the injuries they have sustained from the outrages committed by the troops of the United States. I have the honor to be, yours, &c. ALEX. COCHRANE, Vice Admiral, Commander, &c.

Hon. JAMES Monroe.

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more than were eventually found necessary, were engaged by the Department.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir, your most obedient servant, A. J. DALLAS.

JOSEPH PEARSON, Esq.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Nov. 21, 1814. SIR: I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 21st instant, inquiring at what time the papers belonging to the Department of State were removed previous to the destruction of the public buildings in this city, and whether it was practicable for the Clerk of the House of Representatives to have obtained the means of removing the library and papers belonging to that House in the Capitol of the United States within the space of three days previous to that

event.

Having left this city on the Thursday preceding the 24th of August for the neighborhood of Benedict, and having entered it afterwards, momentarily only, prior to the 24th, I have no knowledge, from personal observation, of the means which might have been obtained by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, for the removal of the library and documents of that branch of the Legislature.

Apprehending, when I left the city, that the documents belonging to the Department of State would be in danger, I gave orders that they should be packed up and in readiness to be moved on notice of the approach of the enemy. It was under this order, and on the subsequent notice, which was communicated, that they were removed to a place of safety on the 22d August.

I have understood that the papers of the Department of War were likewise removed on the 22d of Angust.

I have the honor to be, with great respect, sir, your obedient servant, JAMES MONROE.

Hon. JOSEPH PEARSON, H. of Reps.

[H. OF R.

packing up, in boxes and trunks, all the books of record, papers, library, maps, charts, plans, stationery, trophies, various valuable instruments, paintings, prints, &c., ready for removal on the next day; and in the evening of Sunday, the 21st of August, two river boats, with their crews, were engaged for the purpose at the ordinary pay and wages.

On Monday, the 22d of August, two of the city carts were engaged, and all the boxes and articles in the Navy Department, (heavy desks and furniture excepted,) were put on board a boat at the nearest wharf to the offices, and at 4 P. M. proceeded up the river as far as Georgetown.

In the forenoon of Monday, the 22d, two large wagons with drivers presented themselves at the Department for employ, and on account of the previous arrangement to transport by water, they were transferred to the Accountant of the Navy Department, who loaded them with the effects of his office.

On Tuesday, the 23d of August, the Chief Clerk, with one of the clerks of the Department, proceeded up the river Potomac, and passed through the locks and canal to a place of safety.

There was no difficulty in procuring more boats, and men enough to navigate them up the river above the falls. BENJAMIN HOMANS, Clerk.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT. General Land Office, November 5, 1814. SIR: In the absence of the Commissioner I have the honor to reply to the questions in your letter of yesterday.

On the Sunday preceding the destruction of the public buildings, the records of this office were prepared for removal.

On Monday wagons were procured in the country, loaded in the evening, and the records removed the same night.

As to the practicability of obtaining the means of conveyance on other roads than that which I travelled I cannot form an opinion, but on that road I found no difficulty in procuring what I wanted for this office on that day. I am, very respectfully,

JOHN GARDINER, Chief Clerk.

HON. J. PEARSON.

THURSDAY, December 15.

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Nov. 5, 1814. SIR: In compliance with the request contained in your note of yesterday, requiring such information as to the time when the papers of this Department were packed up and removed; and, finally, my opinion as to the practicability of obtaining the means of conveyance, for three days immediately preceding the destruction of the Capitol by the enemy," I have the honor to represent that, having, on Saturday, the 20th August last, directed the Chief Clerk of this Department to prepare for the removal of the books, papers, and effects of the Navy Department, and to procure the necessary transportation, I now enclose his statement of the facts and circumstances attending the execution of my order, as conveying more correct in-ginia, resolved itself into a Committee of the

formation, in relation to the subject of your inquiry,
than that which comes within my own knowledge.
I am, respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
A. JONES.

HON. JOSEPH PEARSON, Chairman, &c.

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Nov. 5, 1814. In obedience to the instructions from the Secretary of the Navy, to prepare for the removal and safety of the public documents and archives of the Navy Department, on Saturday, the 20th day of August, 1814, and anticipating a difficulty in procuring wagons, he sanctioned the transportation by water, in boats up the Potomac River.

On Sunday three of the clerks were employed

On motion of Mr. GHOLSON, the petition of Amy Dardin, presented on the 27th December, 1804, was referred to the Committee on Pensions and Revolutionary Claims.

Duties on Manufactures.*

The House, on motion of Mr. EPPES, of Vir

* Nothing can give an idea of the distresses of the Government for money to carry on the war but a view of the proceedings in Congress to obtain it. Loans were at first chiefly relied upon: they soon ceased to be obtainable on possible terms. Six per centum stocks fell to a discount of 12, 16, and finally 20 per cent.; that is to say, for 100 dollars stock issued there would be received, first, 88 dollars, then 84, then 80. Treasury notes were tried: they sunk everywhere, and lowest where most needed-falling as low as 334 per centum on the Canada frontier. Taxes, direct and indirect, universal and pervading, became the inevitable resort. Not only large objects, as houses, lands, and slaves, went

upon the tax list, but minute articles of household use, and personal convenience or consumption. The tax list was ex

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