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Original manuscript letter from the United States Department of War, Accountant\'s Office, dated October 27, 1815, only months after the conclusion of the War of 1812.
Addressed to Peter B. Porter, Esq., recently appointed Secretary of War, the letter reports the official settlement of the accounts of Captain Stephen Stiles, Deputy Quartermaster, stating that a balance of $348.94 was found due in favor of the United States. Signed by John G. Kean of the Accountant\'s Office, it is a concise but historically significant example of the War Department\'s efforts to reconcile military finances during the postwar demobilization.
Financial correspondence from the War Department\'s Accountant\'s Office is considerably less common than routine military orders and provides an authentic glimpse into the administrative machinery of the early federal government. Surviving examples addressed to cabinet officials are especially desirable to collectors of War of 1812 history, early U.S. military administration, and federal government manuscripts.
Details
- Original manuscript letter.
- Department of War, Accountant\'s Office.
- Dated October 27, 1815.
- Addressed to Peter B. Porter, Secretary of War.
- Signed by John G. Kean.
- Reports a government accounting balance of $348.94 due to the United States.
- Single folded letter with integral address panel.
- Condition: Very good with expected mailing folds, light age toning, and a small fold separation.
An attractive and scarce federal manuscript documenting the financial administration of the United States Army in the immediate aftermath of the War of 1812.
