Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-07-02

and, especially, for the same services CT.
which the established compensation vas
allowed. ed. Because the money. re-,
tanned by him, was not the property Of
the United States, but was merely in tie
hands Of This government, in trust for
certain citizens of the United States.
whose claims under the British treaty had
been duly sanctioned. Mr.. Madison bare
|ly remarking that he had no knowledge
or recollection Of, any OF the circumstan.
ces of this affair, took occasion abruptly
to call my attention to some other subject.
Perceiving, as did, that he was not dis.
posed to give me any instructions in re.
[lation to this affair, / informed him that
/ would lose no time in apply ing TO MIR.
Erving for the requisite explanation. Aud
the following letter was accordingly writ.
ten and transmitted to him:
Department Of State, Dec. 10, 1902.
S1R-Finding that the sums of money,
heretofore drawn out Of your hands, by
authority of this department, 10 this
country, with view to the payment Of
such claims, under awards of the board
of commissioners acting under the 9TH ar
|ticle, of the British treaty, as you had not
previously paid in London. are insufici-
emit for that purpose, and that upon inqui-
ry at the treasury, there is still in your
hands the sum Of 5Oss pounds z shillinss
sterling, have to request that you will
remit the same in some safe and convent /.
ent mode to this department and, as Sc.
veral claims, which have been presented
here, must wait the arrival of this money
for payment, have further to request
you to hasten this remittance as much as
possible.
Having learned at the treasury also
that you have retained this sum as com.
mission Of 1.2 per cent. upon the mo-
MES which have passed through your
hands, think it proper to apprise you,
that no compensation Of that kind can be
allowed. Ihavs the honor to be, &c. &c.
r. SMITH.
George ~. Erpfng, Esq. &c.
Upon the receipt of this letter Mr.. En-
wing then in Cadiz, in his reply, inform
ed me, that upon his return to the United
States he would give me the necessary In
formation. Upon his arrival at Washing
ton, he accordingly Showed me letter
from Mr.. Madison himself, fully and ex-,
plicitly authorizing him to retain the sum
of money! in question. Whence then, it will
be asked, did it happen, that of this let:
ter there was no record-ao trace what.
ever in the department Of states 1t 10,
because it was not an official but pripats
letter, and of which the original and du-
pticate were both in Mr.. Madison's own
hand writing. The following is the copy
of this letter -
DUPLICATE.
/" Priuate. " Washington, Nor. 8, 1904.
DEAR SIR-Your several communi.
cations relative to the awards, seamen,
sc. have been just received and with them
your priuate letter Of September 1st. As
tho subject Of this last may render an
early answer interesting to you, hasten
to give it. Your observations on tile rea-
sonableness of some remuneration for your
services have a. you wished, been sub.
mitted to the president. The result of
his reflections for the present is, that I
should suggest that you retain out Of the
next instalment in its passage through
your hands to the Barring. percentage
OF two and half on the. awards actually
received and to be received by you, and
that you state it a. an item in your ao-
count with tho public. This will bring
the equity Of your claims regularly be,
torc the government and will leave the
way open tor tho choice Of modes and
funds a. may finally appear most pro,
per.
With great esteem and regard
am, dear sir,
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