Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-04-14

think, the Paymaster General received lnfor-
nation, that his deputies had no funds in their
hands 10 pay the troops of General Jackson, de-
Tending New Orleans. l made application to
Mr.. Dallas, by order of Mr.. Monroe, for funds
to be transmitted to New Orleans, to pay this
army. Itwas totally out of Mr.. Dallas's power
to furnish dollar. Application was then made
TO our District Banks, which we had before
exhausted by loans; and refusals were received
from all, with the exception Of the Bank OF the
Metropolis, and the Farmers Bank Of George
town. The Presidents of these institutions,
furnished Mr.. Monroe with Sl25, 900 each: and
Captain Knight, deputy paymaster, was in
stanty despatched with S25o,ooo; and have
been informed, arrived in time to relieve the
pressing wants Of Jackson's gallant army, by
paying the notes of these two little Banks at par;
when the deprecated Treasury Notes of the
government were refused throughout the coun-
try, by the creditors of the United States. And
this loan was made on the bare word of Mr..
Monroe, that the banks should be honorably
paid, whenever the State of the Treasury would
permit
Another transaction of Nh. Monroe's, while
Secretary of War, ought to be mentioned by
me, as it places his disinterested patriotism in
injustice. In the year 1914, the PaymasIer Ge-
neral was presented with draft from one Of
his deputies in the Northwestern army for 5o,-
900 dollars, belonging Gas my present recollec.
ton serves to the Miami Exporting Company,
who had advanced the money in Ohio for the
amount thereof. Orders were given to VIM.
Whann, the Cashier of the Bank Of Columbia,
to whom the draft was sent for collection. to
protest and send it back instantly, if it was not
promptly paid; and as Mr.. Brent had no funds
to meet it, except deprecated Treasury Notes,
Whann was on the point of sending it back
MIR. Monroe, however, prevailed on him to write
TO the holders, that the draft had been paid; on
MIR. Monroe's accepting, in his private cgpaci-
tn, draft drawn on him at short date, for
$4,000, by the Paymaster General, and pledg-
ing his word that it should be paid when at ma
turity. have, within few days, sndeavored
to find this draft in the War Department, but
am informed it cannot now be found; but the
bill book, now in the Department, records this
draft, accepted by Mr.. Monroe
A short time after, another draft was present
ed under similar circumstances, and with SINH
lar orders, and Mr.. Monroe accepted under
like responsibility in his private capacity Mr..
Whann is dead, but have been informed that
Mr.. William Stewart, Clerk in the Office Of
the Second Auditor, has heard him relate the
facts as stated by me.
All which is respectfully submitted to the
committee on the claims of Mr.. Monroe, in
conformity to the letter o! its chairman, dated
10th February, 1926, requesting any informa-
ton in possession, in relation to loans made by
James Monroe, in 1914, 1878.
TFNCH RINGGOtD.
City of Harrington, Feb. IA, 1926.
Be it remembered, that, on this day, person.
ally appeared before me, the subscriber, one OF
the Justices Of the Supreme Court Of the Unit
ed States, the above named Tench Ringgold,
who, being duly sworn according to law, de-
poses and says, that the contents Of the forego-
ing statement is just and true; according to the
best of his knowledge and belief.
JOSEPH STORY.