DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

Washington, D. C., March 7, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to return herewith the letter of Hon. Benjamin F. Wade, chairman of the Committee on Territories in the Senate, requesting to be informed how much of the fund appropriated by the 37th Congress for colonization purposes has been paid out, for what purpose, and to whom, which you referred to this department for report, and to state that as the accounts of all the persons to whom money was advanced for colonization purposes have not yet been finally settled at the treasury, I am not able, at the present time, to state the exact amount actually expended. The total amount drawn from the treasury up to the present time, however, is $33,226 97.

It was paid or advanced to the following named persons, and for the objects herein stated:

Amount paid to John D. Defrees, Superintendent of Public Printing, for binding in paper 5,000 copies "White and African Races" ......$127 50

Amount paid Green & Williams for six cane-seat chairs ...... 12 00

Amount advanced Hon. S. C. Pomeroy, special agent for colonization in Central America ......25, 000 00

Amount paid Watt J. Smith for travelling expenses to New York and back ...... 52 40

Amount paid John P. Usher for travelling expenses to New York and back, and for advance made to agent sent to the east to obtain information in relation to colonization ...... 152 40

Amount paid James Mitchell, for clerical services of W. B. Smith and Thomas R. Smith; for services of Rev. A. Bemar, (colored minister;) and for advance to J. E. Williams, (colored,) agent of A. W. Thompson ...... 112 00

Amount advanced Rev. R. R. Gurley, corresponding secretary of the American Colonization Society, to aid the Rev. Chancey Leonard, pastor of the First Baptist church in Washington city, in visiting Liberia, with reference to the establishment of a colony on the St. John's river ...... 200 00

Amount paid Augustus A. Smith, as clerk ...... 18 33

Amount paid James Mitchell, for office furniture, and for services of J. W. Menard, in emigration office ...... 60 00

Amount paid J. W. Menard, for services as clerk in emigration office ...... 50 00

Amount paid Augustus A. Smith, for services as clerk ...... 100 00

Amount paid J. W. Fitzhugh, for furniture for emigration office ...... 326 15

Amount paid James Mitchell to 31st December, 1863, as agent of emigration ...... 2, 838 46

Amount advanced to D. C. Donnohue, to defray his expenses as special agent to Ile à Vache ...... 1, 786 33

Amount paid Cronin, Hurxthal & Sears, for clothing purchased and sent to colonists at Ile à Vache ...... 900 00

Amount paid to Hurxthal & Barnum, for clothing purchased and sent to colonists at Ile à Vache ...... 1, 786 33

Amount paid American Colonization Society, for passage engaged for J. W. Menard to Liberia ...... 95 00

Amount paid American Colonization Society, for passage, &c., to Liberia of three colored emigrants from the District of Columbia ...... 285 00

Amount paid Wilson & Cammann, for draft of D. C. Donnohue, special agent ...... 750 00

Amount paid Hallet Kilbourn, for travelling expenses to New York as special agent to purchase clothing for the relief of colonists at Ile à Vache ...... 61 40

Making in all ...... 33,226 97

It is proper that I should state that the claim of Messrs. Forbes & Tuckerman, for transporting a number of emigrants to Ile à Vache, is not yet liquidated, and that the colonization fund is also liable for the expenses which have been incurred by the special agent sent by the government to Ile à Vache to look into and report upon the condition of the colonists there. The agent has not yet returned, and consequently the expenses incurred by him cannot now be ascertained. It is also liable for the expenses of the vessel sent out to return the colonists to the United States.

With great respect, your obedient servant,

J. P. USHER, Secretary.

The PRESIDENT of the United States.

• Secretary of the Interior's Letter to the President Relative to the Colonization Fund (introduced on 1864-03-15 12:00:00 - CREATE_FROM - e851215) [This document]

• Secretary of the Interior's Letter to the President Relative to the Colonization Fund (introduced on 1864-03-15 12:00:00 - CREATE_FROM - e851215) [This document] [view current proposal at this moment]