Davis, Jefferson. Report of the Secretary of War, communicating, In compliance with the act of May 1, 1820, a statement of appropriations applicable to the War Department for 1855, the amounts drawn from the treasury and the balances on July 1, 1856, and the amounts carried to the surplus fund. Washington: A. O. P. Nicholson, Printer, 1857. First Edition. [12534]
Removed, no wrapper, 9 x 5 1/2 inches, 15 pp. Good. Disbound.
34th Congress, 3d Session, Senate Ex. Doc. No. 17.
The United States Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis, files a chronological report of payments made by the department in 1856. The information is presented in tabular or chart form, with date, to whom paid, for what purpose, and the amount.
These are large sums and identify for what purpose, with the total being about 25 millions of dollars. It begins with pay of the army, officers, clothing for officer's servants, medical and hospital expenses, barracks, &c. Large purchases.
The purchases become more specific in the record, with payment for things one does, and in some cases, does not, expect. These include for recruiting expenses, horses, camels, West Point, removal of the Seminoles, ordnance, cannon, breech loading rifles, purchase of land for Springfield armory, forts, Florida militia, Florida war, pay to Seminole warriors, Mexican hostilities, five companies of Texas mounted volunteers, mounted riflemen under John C. Fremont, &c., &c.
An interesting and informative picture of the United States military in 1856, drawn up by the soon-to-be President of the Confederate States of America.
