66

sition was made of the memorialist, as Governor of the State of Tennessee, by the Secretary of War, for fifteen hundred of the militia of Tennessee, by letter, bearing date the 21st of October, 1822, by which he was requested "to call out, organize, and equip," that number of men for that purpose; and, for the necessary expenditures," he was authorized "to draw bills on this [the War Department; and, on the 31st of October, 1812, a blank commission for Assistant Deputy Quartermaster General was forwarded to Governor Blount, with a request for him to fill it with the name of some person properly qualified to discharge the duties of that appointment, and he was authorized to draw on the War Department for the sum of ten thousand dollars for the use of the Assistant Deputy Quartermaster's Department, it being "impracticable" to transmit funds to the State of Tennessee, For the fulfilment of this requisition a call was made by Governor Blount for volunteers from the militia of Tennessee; and, at the time and place designated for rendezvous, about two thousand volunteers appeared, and were received by Governor Blount into the service of the United States, and the War Department immediately notified of the excess. The conduct of the Governor was entirely approved of by the War Department in receiving that number of men, and the whole of them recognized as troops of the United States, and afterwards paid as such; and, in addition to the above duties requested of Governor Blount, to wit: that of calling out, arming, and equipping the troops, and raising funds for that purpose, as well as supplying them, the Secretary of War, in his letter of October 21, 1812, says to him: "In consequence of the very great and extensive calls for tents and other camp equipage, and the time required for transportation, the Government rely on the exertions of your Excellency, and the patriotism of the citizens of the State of Tennessee, for a great part of these supplies. One thousand stand of arms will be ordered from Harper's Ferry, and down the Ohio, with ammunition and such other stores as can be seasonably procured, which, together with a thousand stand of arms ordered to be delivered to your Excellency from the stores at Newport, in May last, will, it is presumed, enable you to arm and equip the detachment for immediate service. Should volunteers offer under the acts of February 6th and July 6th, 1812, your Excellency is authorized to organize and equip for the whole or such part of the service as you may deem expedient. Seventy blank commissions are transmitted, to be filled up by your Excellency as the officers are selected."

In the succeeding year, the Government had other difficulties to encounter with the Creek Indians; and the Secretary of War, by letter, bearing date the 13th of July, 1813, made a second requisition on the memorialist, as the Governor of the State of Tennessee, for fifteen hundred of the militia of Tennessee, to act in concert with the militia of Georgia, against the Creek Indians, without any means being placed in his hands for their supply and equipment, by the Government of the United States. The Legislature of the State of Tennessee, apprehending that the number of men under the requisition of the General Government, was not sufficient to ensure the safety of the settlers in Northern Alabama, and the citizens on the Southern border of Tennessee, by an act bearing date the 14th of September, 1813, directed an equipment of three thousand five hundred men, in addition to the fifteen hundred before ordered by the General Government; and authorized the memorialist to supply said troops with provision, "at the expense of the State, until the General Government makes provision for said troops;" and

also undertook the payment of the troops, "in the event the General Government refuse to pay ;" and also authorized the memorialist to borrow three hundred thousand dollars, and to pledge the State of Tennessee for the payment thereof, upon the condition specified in said act. Orders were immediately issued by the memorialist, for the equipment of five thousand men, and notice given to the War Department of the proceedings of the Legislature of Tennessee, which were sanctioned by the War Department, and the whole number of men received into the service of the United States, on the -day of October, 1813, and before the actual organization and march of the troops, under the orders of the Governor of Tennessee. For the supply of these two expeditions, the memorialist raised the sum of $357,306 14, without any other authority, it is believed, than the letter of the Secretary of War, in October, 1812. It appears from the certificate of W. G. Blount, the Secretary of the State of Tennessee, that none of this sum was raised by virtue of the aforesaid act of the State of Tennessee, which accompanies this report, marked B. The committee have no means of ascertaining the precise sum that was raised by the memorialist, for either of the expeditions disconnected with the other.

The aforesaid sum of $357,306 14, was raised by the memorialist drawing bills on the War Department, and disposing of them to the best advantage. and in some instances, executing his notes, payable in the banks of Tennessee, and procuring responsible endorsers on both drafts and notes; and it is believed that in every instance, they were disposed of by him at par; and though the Committee are satisfied that the purchasers of the bills and notes received them, relying more upon the prospect of the General Government paying them, than upon the ability of Governor Blount or his endorsers to pay them, they still think that the memorialist and his endorsers run great risk in procuring funds to such an amount, upon no other authority than abovementioned; and still greater hazard, in the proper application of the money to the uses of the General Government; and that the memorialist had much trouble and difficulty in procuring funds to that amount, as well as the procurement of responsible endorsers. The committee refer the House to the accompanying statement of W. G. Blount, the Secretary of State at that time, in Tennessee; and also, 01 Major W. B. Lewis, the Assistant Deputy Quartermaster General at Nashville.

In the discharge of these varied duties, at the request of the Secretary of War, and which were not a part of the duties of his official station as the Governor of the State of Tennessee, the committee are of opinion that the memorialist had much difficulty and labor to encounter, as well as responsibility and hazard;' and that a liberal compensation should be made to him for the application of so much of his time and talents, and attention to the affairs of the General Government, and which contributed so eminently to the common cause in that section of the country. The committee are therefore of opinion that the memorialist be allowed two and one half per centum on the aforesaid sum of money.

On the 29th of September, 1814, $100,000, in Treasury notes, were remitted by the Secretary of War to Gov. Blount, for defraying the expenses of the army then organizing for the campaign in the State of Louisiana. By a letter from Gov. Blount to the Secretary of War, bearing date the 18th of October following, he declined receiving them, and to be accountable for them, probably in consequence of the difficulties he had encountered in consequence of the delay of payment of some of the bills drawn by him, and the actual protest of others, and he deposited the sum in Bank at Nash

ville. They were then ordered to be delivered over to the Assistant Deputy Quartermaster General at Nashville, and having been made payable to Gov. Blount, they were endorsed by him and delivered over according to the order. Notwithstanding the refusal of Gov. Blount to be further concerned in the financial operations of the War Department, on the 30th of January, 1815, another remittance, in Treasury notes, was made to him for $150,000, and the same charged to him on the books of the Department, and which were likewise endorsed by him, and paid over to Gen. Jackson, according to the directions of the War Department; and for these services Gov. Blount charges one and one-half per cent.; and the committee are of opinion that, in addition to the above allowance, one-half per cent. on the said sum of $250,000, will be a reasonable compensation.

The committee beg leave to remark, that it is abundantly proven by the documents before them, that the conduct of Gov. Blount throughout the difficult and embarrassing period of our history, was marked with an ardent zeal for the public welfare, regardless of personal responsibility, and with a promptitude, energy, and unwearied industry and punctuality, that secured to him the approbation of the President of the United States, and the commanding General, and for which he is entitled to the gratitude of the country. With this view of the case, the committee beg leave to annex hereto a statement of the account of the memorialist, and to report a bill for his relief. All of which is respectfully submitted.

BLOUNT'S ACCOUNT.

Whole amount of money raised and paid over, excluding the
Treasury notes, amounting to $357,306 14 at 24 per cent.
Amount of Treasury notes received and disposed of, as stated
in report, $250,000, at per cent.

Deduct amount not paid over,

$8,932 65

1,250 00

Third Auditor's Office, April 7th, 1830. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, enclosing a printed document, and requesting that I would inform the select committee, to which was referred the claim of Governor Blount, whether the printed document is a copy of Governor Blount's account with the War Department." In reply, I have the honor to state, that the debits and credits contained in said document, leaving a balance due to the United States of $2,675 78, is a copy of Governor Biount's account, as it now stands on the books of this office. is returned.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

The paper

PETER HAGNER, Auditor.

Hon. C. JOHNSON, House of Representatives.

A.

STATEMENT of the account of Willie Blount with the United States.

DR.

W. Campbell, 30th Nov. 1812

To warrant No. 1557, issued by the Secretary of War, in payment of his bill, in favor of G.

dated 10th April, do

TEMEN STATEMENT-Continued.

No. 1819, bill to N. Carroll, dated 8th November, 1813

1,650 00 3,000 00

No. 51, bill to James Jackson, 29th December, 1813

295 00

do

No. 107, two bills, one to F. Smith, dated 22d Nov. 1813, for $800, and one to
J. Wood, 13th December, for $1333 20

No. 121, three bills, one to D. C. Snow, 23d October, 1813, for $500, one to J.

Ellison, 16th December, 1813, for $861 25, and one to T. Kirkman, 27th
December, for $500

No. 192, bill to Jno. Speed, dated 3d December, 1813

No. 227, bill to A. Hynes & Co. dated 27th December, 1813

No. 260, two bills, one in favor of Jno. Speed, dated 1st Dec. 1813, for $3000,
the other, 2d Dec. for $2000

Το

No. 418, bill to Jno. R. Bedford, 28th January, 1814

600 00