To James Madison from Robert Brent, 18 March 1816
From Robert Brent
Mar 18th 1816
In addition to the correspondence heretofore laid before the President of the U States relative to the complaints from a Certain meeting of militia officers relative to the non payment of the Militia of Pensa.1 The paymaster of the Army has the honor to enclose a Copy of a letter from the Secy of the Government of that State, In which the Governor, who was Intimately acquainted with the whole transaction has been pleased to intimate his opinion as to the Conduct of the pay Master of the Army.2 Most respectfully
Rob. Brent
P M U S Ay
RC and enclosure (DNA: RG 107, LRRS, B-60:9). Docketed as received in the War Department in March 1816. For enclosure, see n. 2.
1. For the controversy, see Louis Bache, William Watts, and John Fox to JM, 15 Sept. 1815 and n. 1, and Robert Brent to JM, 24 Sept. 1815 ( 9:634–35, 651–52).
2. Brent forwarded a copy of a 12 Mar. 1816 letter (1 p.) from Pennsylvania secretary of state Nathaniel B. Boileau, which acknowledged the receipt of a 6 Mar. letter from Brent informing him that “sufficient sums of money had been placed in the hands of Generals Worrell and Cadwalader to complete the payment of the militia under their command, lately in the service of the United States.” Boileau assured Brent that the governor of Pennsylvania was “perfectly satisfied that the delay of payment of the militia arose from circumstances not in your power to controul.”