Retention copy of letter to T.L. Smith
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- 1857
1857. Three pages of retention copies of manuscript material. A two-page retention copy of a manuscript letter dated March 9, 1857 from Elisha Whittlesey (1783–1863), Comptroller for the U.S. Treasury Department, to T.L. Smith, Auditor of the Treasury, concerning financial allocations for the Utah Territory. A manuscript retention copy of the official act that provides for the appropriation is included with the letter (also in Whittlesey's hand) .
Up to this date, the sum of $1,000 was allocated for the territory in the fiscal years 1854-55, 1855-56, and 1856-57. Officials in the territory requested more funding , so $1,327 was allocated. However, it would appear the Territory did not receive all the money it requested, and apparently the difference was personally covered by Brigham Young.
Just a few months after this Act was adopted, the Mormon Rebellion began when President James Buchanan sent U.S. forces to the Utah Territory with a new governor to replace Brigham Young.
And, just a few weeks after this letter is dated, Whittlesey was relieved of his duties. He was appointed by President Zachary Taylor as First Comptroller of the Treasury and served from May 31, 1849 to March 26, 1857, when he was removed by President James Buchanan. He was reappointed by President Abraham Lincoln on April 10, 1861 and served until his death in Washington, D.C. on January 7, 1863. In addition to his bureaucratic duties, Whittlesey was a politician. One of the founders of the Whig Party, he represented the state of Ohio in Congress from 1823 to 1838.
"Sir, Herewith you will please find enclosed for your proper action, the copy of an Act (as certified today by Wm. Hunter Chief Clerk of the State Department) approved March 3, 1857; appropriating for the contingent expenses of Utah Territory applying for the Service of the fiscal year 1854-55, 1855-56 & 1856-57, $1, 327. 30/100 which is over and above the appropriations heretofore made of $1,000 for each of said fiscal years and subject, “to discharge such funds as the Accounting Offices may deem to have been necessarily expended by the Executive of said Territory for said year, &c. There was discharged in the account of Governor Brigham Young per Report 120.807, for the service of the fiscal year 1854-55 on account of expenditures charged over and above the appropriation as made for the service of the fiscal year 1854-55 - $407.30 and for the fiscal year 1855-56, per Report 123.815, for same reasons $420.00 making “ “ “ $827.30 To which add amount included in the appropriation for the service of the fiscal year 1856-57, and for which will not require action, now $500.00 Making the amount to appropriated, as aforesaid $1327.30 Mr. [John M.] Bernhisel delegate from Utah desires immediate action touching the sum above of $827 30/100 and discharged as mentioned. Most Sincerely Yours Elisha Whitney Comptroller."
"Copy Utah “For contingent expenses of said Territory One thousand three hundred and Twenty Seven Dollars and thirty cents to discharge such sums as the Accounting Officers may deem to have been necessarily expended by the Executive of said Territory during the year Eighteen hundred and fifty-five, Eighteen hundred and fifty-six, and Eighteen hundred and fifty Seven” “Dept. of State March 9 1857” “A true copy of a portion of an act approved March 3, 1857, Entitled. An act making appropriations for the Legislative Executive and Judicial Expenses of government for the year ending the 30th of June 1858” “W. Hunter Chief Clerk” A true Copy of the original as referred by me this day to the Treasury Department." Comptrollers Officer March 9th 1857 Elisha Witlessly Comptroller.
Up to this date, the sum of $1,000 was allocated for the territory in the fiscal years 1854-55, 1855-56, and 1856-57. Officials in the territory requested more funding , so $1,327 was allocated. However, it would appear the Territory did not receive all the money it requested, and apparently the difference was personally covered by Brigham Young.
Just a few months after this Act was adopted, the Mormon Rebellion began when President James Buchanan sent U.S. forces to the Utah Territory with a new governor to replace Brigham Young.
And, just a few weeks after this letter is dated, Whittlesey was relieved of his duties. He was appointed by President Zachary Taylor as First Comptroller of the Treasury and served from May 31, 1849 to March 26, 1857, when he was removed by President James Buchanan. He was reappointed by President Abraham Lincoln on April 10, 1861 and served until his death in Washington, D.C. on January 7, 1863. In addition to his bureaucratic duties, Whittlesey was a politician. One of the founders of the Whig Party, he represented the state of Ohio in Congress from 1823 to 1838.
"Sir, Herewith you will please find enclosed for your proper action, the copy of an Act (as certified today by Wm. Hunter Chief Clerk of the State Department) approved March 3, 1857; appropriating for the contingent expenses of Utah Territory applying for the Service of the fiscal year 1854-55, 1855-56 & 1856-57, $1, 327. 30/100 which is over and above the appropriations heretofore made of $1,000 for each of said fiscal years and subject, “to discharge such funds as the Accounting Offices may deem to have been necessarily expended by the Executive of said Territory for said year, &c. There was discharged in the account of Governor Brigham Young per Report 120.807, for the service of the fiscal year 1854-55 on account of expenditures charged over and above the appropriation as made for the service of the fiscal year 1854-55 - $407.30 and for the fiscal year 1855-56, per Report 123.815, for same reasons $420.00 making “ “ “ $827.30 To which add amount included in the appropriation for the service of the fiscal year 1856-57, and for which will not require action, now $500.00 Making the amount to appropriated, as aforesaid $1327.30 Mr. [John M.] Bernhisel delegate from Utah desires immediate action touching the sum above of $827 30/100 and discharged as mentioned. Most Sincerely Yours Elisha Whitney Comptroller."
"Copy Utah “For contingent expenses of said Territory One thousand three hundred and Twenty Seven Dollars and thirty cents to discharge such sums as the Accounting Officers may deem to have been necessarily expended by the Executive of said Territory during the year Eighteen hundred and fifty-five, Eighteen hundred and fifty-six, and Eighteen hundred and fifty Seven” “Dept. of State March 9 1857” “A true copy of a portion of an act approved March 3, 1857, Entitled. An act making appropriations for the Legislative Executive and Judicial Expenses of government for the year ending the 30th of June 1858” “W. Hunter Chief Clerk” A true Copy of the original as referred by me this day to the Treasury Department." Comptrollers Officer March 9th 1857 Elisha Witlessly Comptroller.