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Domestic News
August 15, 1816
Daily National Intelligencer
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
Paymaster General Robert Brent responds to criticisms from a Nashville meeting regarding militia payments in Tennessee, detailing funds disbursed to sub-paymasters Joseph Coleman, Robert Searcy, and Joseph H. Windle totaling approximately $1,200,000 since April 1815.
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PAYMENT OF MILITIA.
The publication of the discussions in Tennessee in which the conduct of the Paymaster-General was attempted to be implicated, has drawn from him the following very satisfactory letter:
FROM THE KNOXVILLE GAZETTE
Paymaster General's Office, Washington City, July the 16th, 1816.
SIR,
I observe from the proceedings of a public meeting held at Nashville on the 21st ultimo, by citizens of that vicinity that sharp animadversions took place upon certain measures of the government of the United States, & among other upon those of the Pay Department. Justice to that branch of the public service which has been committed to my charge, and to myself as a public agent, render it proper for me to address you on the subject.
Early in the month of February last I had the honor to communicate with you relative to the appointment of a Paymaster for West Tennessee and of liquidating the outstanding claims for military services in the state. My instructions to that paymaster, if I mistake not, were submitted to your perusal—they can however be resorted to in his possession if necessary, as well as those of the paymaster of East Tennessee.
The enclosed statement will disclose to you the funds placed by me at the disposal of the gentlemen acting as paymasters in the state of Tennessee since the 10th of April, 1815. The supply of these funds has been graduated with a view to bear as lightly on the public treasury as circumstances would permit, and to the actual demands on the paymasters. The lawmaking appropriations to discharge the arrears of pay, &c. that accrued during the late war, you will observe passed on the 21st of Dec. 1815.
I am, with sentiments of much respect, sir.
your most obedient,
ROBERT BRENT.
P. M. Gen'l.
His Excellency,
Joseph McMinn.
STATEMENT
Shewing the funds placed by the Paymaster-General at the disposal of sub paymasters in Tennessee for the pay, &c of the troops of that state since the 10th of April, 1815, namely:
On the 10th day of April, 1815, Joseph Coleman, District Paymaster at Nashville Was authorized to draw bills on the Paymaster General to the amount of $300,000
He accordingly drew under this authority during the year 1815, bills to the amount of 281,196 dollars 85 cents which have been paid..
On the 8th day of Feb 1816, Robert Searcy, the successor in office to Mr. Coleman was authorized to draw bills on the paymaster-general to the amount of 300,000
On the same day the paymaster-general remitted Mr. Searcy in draughts of the treasury of the U States on banks at and near Nashville, 130,000
On the 5th day of April 1816. Mr. Searcy was authorized to draw bills on the paymaster-general for 80,000
And by the same letter a remittance was made him in a draught of the treasurer of the United States on the bank at Nashville 100,000
On the 22d day of June 1816, Mr. Searcy was authorized to draw bills as aforesaid, for 180,000
On the 26th day of June 1816. a remittance of this sum (40,000) was made to Mr. Searcy, by the paymaster-general, in a draught of the treasurer of the U. States, on the receiver of public moneys at Huntsville, but it is possible the money may not have been received by Mr. Searcy.for want of funds the hands of the receiver to meet it 40,000
330,000
Mr. Searcy's bills to the amount of about 60,000 dollars, have appeared for payment
On the 29th day of January, 1816, Joseph H. Windle, assistant district paymaster, at Knoxville, and who has been specially charged with the payment of the troops of East Tennessee, was authorized to draw bills on the paymaster-general for 300,000
And on the 22d day of June 1816 he was authorized to draw for 100,000
400 000
1,530,000
Mr. Windle's bills to the amount of 300,000 dollars have been paid.
Recapitulation of the Foregoing.
At the disposal of Mr. Coleman, $300 000
do. Mr. Searcy, 830,000
do. Mr. Windle, 400 000
$1,530,000
Deducted by way of estimate for bills that may not have been drawn and for funds that may not have been actually received 330,000
$1,200,000
ROBERT BRENT,
P M. Gen'l.
The publication of the discussions in Tennessee in which the conduct of the Paymaster-General was attempted to be implicated, has drawn from him the following very satisfactory letter:
FROM THE KNOXVILLE GAZETTE
Paymaster General's Office, Washington City, July the 16th, 1816.
SIR,
I observe from the proceedings of a public meeting held at Nashville on the 21st ultimo, by citizens of that vicinity that sharp animadversions took place upon certain measures of the government of the United States, & among other upon those of the Pay Department. Justice to that branch of the public service which has been committed to my charge, and to myself as a public agent, render it proper for me to address you on the subject.
Early in the month of February last I had the honor to communicate with you relative to the appointment of a Paymaster for West Tennessee and of liquidating the outstanding claims for military services in the state. My instructions to that paymaster, if I mistake not, were submitted to your perusal—they can however be resorted to in his possession if necessary, as well as those of the paymaster of East Tennessee.
The enclosed statement will disclose to you the funds placed by me at the disposal of the gentlemen acting as paymasters in the state of Tennessee since the 10th of April, 1815. The supply of these funds has been graduated with a view to bear as lightly on the public treasury as circumstances would permit, and to the actual demands on the paymasters. The lawmaking appropriations to discharge the arrears of pay, &c. that accrued during the late war, you will observe passed on the 21st of Dec. 1815.
I am, with sentiments of much respect, sir.
your most obedient,
ROBERT BRENT.
P. M. Gen'l.
His Excellency,
Joseph McMinn.
STATEMENT
Shewing the funds placed by the Paymaster-General at the disposal of sub paymasters in Tennessee for the pay, &c of the troops of that state since the 10th of April, 1815, namely:
On the 10th day of April, 1815, Joseph Coleman, District Paymaster at Nashville Was authorized to draw bills on the Paymaster General to the amount of $300,000
He accordingly drew under this authority during the year 1815, bills to the amount of 281,196 dollars 85 cents which have been paid..
On the 8th day of Feb 1816, Robert Searcy, the successor in office to Mr. Coleman was authorized to draw bills on the paymaster-general to the amount of 300,000
On the same day the paymaster-general remitted Mr. Searcy in draughts of the treasury of the U States on banks at and near Nashville, 130,000
On the 5th day of April 1816. Mr. Searcy was authorized to draw bills on the paymaster-general for 80,000
And by the same letter a remittance was made him in a draught of the treasurer of the United States on the bank at Nashville 100,000
On the 22d day of June 1816, Mr. Searcy was authorized to draw bills as aforesaid, for 180,000
On the 26th day of June 1816. a remittance of this sum (40,000) was made to Mr. Searcy, by the paymaster-general, in a draught of the treasurer of the U. States, on the receiver of public moneys at Huntsville, but it is possible the money may not have been received by Mr. Searcy.for want of funds the hands of the receiver to meet it 40,000
330,000
Mr. Searcy's bills to the amount of about 60,000 dollars, have appeared for payment
On the 29th day of January, 1816, Joseph H. Windle, assistant district paymaster, at Knoxville, and who has been specially charged with the payment of the troops of East Tennessee, was authorized to draw bills on the paymaster-general for 300,000
And on the 22d day of June 1816 he was authorized to draw for 100,000
400 000
1,530,000
Mr. Windle's bills to the amount of 300,000 dollars have been paid.
Recapitulation of the Foregoing.
At the disposal of Mr. Coleman, $300 000
do. Mr. Searcy, 830,000
do. Mr. Windle, 400 000
$1,530,000
Deducted by way of estimate for bills that may not have been drawn and for funds that may not have been actually received 330,000
$1,200,000
ROBERT BRENT,
P M. Gen'l.
What sub-type of article is it?
Military
Economic
Politics
What keywords are associated?
Militia Payment
Paymaster General
Tennessee Troops
Robert Brent
Military Funds
Nashville Meeting
What entities or persons were involved?
Robert Brent
Joseph Mcminn
Joseph Coleman
Robert Searcy
Joseph H. Windle
Where did it happen?
Tennessee
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Tennessee
Event Date
July 16, 1816
Key Persons
Robert Brent
Joseph Mcminn
Joseph Coleman
Robert Searcy
Joseph H. Windle
Outcome
funds disbursed totaling approximately $1,200,000 for militia payments since april 1815; bills paid include $281,196.85 by coleman, $300,000 by windle, and about $60,000 by searcy.
Event Details
Paymaster General Robert Brent writes to Governor Joseph McMinn defending the Pay Department's handling of militia payments in Tennessee following criticisms at a Nashville meeting on June 21, 1816. He encloses a statement detailing authorizations and remittances to sub-paymasters in West and East Tennessee from April 1815 to June 1816.