A. R. Lawton to Confederate Authorities. 293, April 13, 1864
QUARTERMASTER-GENERALâS OFFICE,
Richmond, April 13, 1864.
Hon. J. A. SEDDON, Secretary of War:
Str: I beg leave again to call your attention most earnestly to the discrimination against this branch of the public service in the matter of furnishing funds. It has become my duty on several occasions before to refer to the effect of making so many requisitions for funds ââspecial,â and to the fact that the Quartermasterâs Department was not furnished by the Treasury at all in the proportions contemplated by the appropriations made by Congress. As all public funds were turned in by disbursing officers previous to 1st of April, the warrants signed since that date afford a prompt illustration of this continued injustice. The appropriations to this department alone amount to a larger sum than all the other bureaus of the War Department combined, and it is but fair to ask that at least one-half of the warrants signed should be in its favor; otherwise Congress has misconceived its duties in so apportioning the appropriations. I am informed that the warrants signed at the Treasury for the bureaus of the War Department from the 1st to the 12th of April, inclusive, amount to $5,144,575, of which only the sum of $410,000 were for this department, though the sum of $13,460,000 had been requested. I am unable to perform the duties assigned me or to keep in operation the immense machinery of this department if this discrimination is persisted in. I respectfully ask that the Secretary of the Treasury be requested (when all amounts required cannot be furnished) to sign the warrants for each bureau within the month in proportion to the appropriations made by Congress.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Quartermaster-General.
CONFEDERATE AUTHORITIES. 293
[Indorsement. ]
APRIL 15, 1864.
I will see the Secretary of the Treasury, and, besides, have an eye
to the requisitions, with a view to more equal distribution.
JPA S.;