To Edwin M. Stanton2Open page
Can not this sum of 250,000 be paid at once? Sec. of War, please tell me. A. LINCOLN
March 24. 1863.
Annotation
[1] AES, DLC-RTL. Lincoln's endorsement is written on a letter from Joshua F. Speed and James Guthrie, March 22, 1863, which states:
``Mr. Theobald the attorney and agent for the state of Ky. who came here with an earnest letter from Governor Robinson to you, to have the accounts of the state audited and settled--- finds that the 3d auditor makes requirements before he will go into an adjustment of the balance, which will cause some six or eight weeks delay.
``If this is done we fear that the very object for which the Governor asks, so small a sum as $250.000. will pass by reason of the delay. It is to aid in raising new troops that the Governor asks this money.''
Stanton answered on March 25 that ``An examination of the disbursements must first be made to ascertain how much is available.'' (Ibid.) On March 29, Stanton reported further:
``Upon investigation of the state of the appropriation for the supply of arms to loyal citizens of States in rebellion---July 31st 1861, p. 283, it appears that there will not remain sufficient [funds] for the purpose specified in the letter of Messrs. Speed and Guthrie herewith returned.
``Accounts are pending in the Treasury Department, which when passed, will afford to . . . Kentucky a very large sum that may be applied . . . to the purpose mentioned.'' (Ibid.).
See also Lincoln to Stanton, March 19, supra.