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Subject Area: Economics
Subject Area: Political Theory

GALLATIN TO JEFFERSON. - Albert Gallatin, The Writings of Albert Gallatin, vol. 1 [1879]

Edition used:

The Writings of Albert Gallatin, ed. Henry Adams (Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1879). 3 vols.

Part of: The Writings of Albert Gallatin, 3 vols.

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GALLATIN TO JEFFERSON.

Washington, January 18, 1803.

Dear Sir,—

As the appropriation bill for the navy is ready to be reported, it is necessary to know in what manner the provisional authorization for six (6) frigates should be introduced. I would propose that exclusively of the appropriations for the deficiencies of 1802 and those for the 74’s, vessels in ordinary, navy-yards and general contingencies, the other naval appropriations, amounting per estimate to $476,874, should be voted in manner following, to wit: three-fifths of the whole certain for

the frigates and other vessels in actual service,$286,000
for the purchase of smaller vessels, say70,000
Certain $356,000

And for such expenses as, with the approbation of the President, may be incurred during the recess of Congress, on account of any vessels which he may think necessary to put in commission (or to employ in actual service) if any war should break out (or if any hostilities should be committed) between the United States and any of the Barbary powers other than Tripoli,

The remaining$120,000
$476,000

You will be pleased to notice that those $476,000 are the estimate of keeping in actual service, for the whole of the year 1803, six frigates and one schooner, and that there is an additional appropriation of $180,000, which covers all the deficiencies of 1802, including the pay, provisions, and all other expenses of the whole Mediterranean squadron to the 31st December last. I think, therefore, that three-fifths of that estimate will be sufficient to support the intended establishment in the Mediterranean for 1803 if only Tripoli shall continue at war.

In order to bring the whole subject before you, I will, from the estimate, recapitulate the naval appropriations asked for this year, viz.:

1st. Six frigates and one schooner in commission, including repairs and contingencies,$476,874.86
2d. Seven frigates in ordinary, including repairs and contingencies,100,042.34
3d. Half-pay to officers not in service,14,136.00
4th. Stores, military and naval, ordance, &c.,15,000.00
5th. General contingencies (exclusively of those for vessels, viz.: store-rent, commissions, freight, travelling expenses of officers),40,000.00
6th. 74-gun ships,114,425.00
7th. Navy-yards, docks,48,741.37
8th. Marine corps,90,780.43
$900,000.00

Exclusively of $181,849.09 for deficiencies of 1802.

The appropriations marked 1, 2, 3, and 5 amount to $631,053.20, which the Secretary of the Navy requests may be arranged under the following heads, viz.:

a.Pay of officers and seamen, and subsistence of officers,$283,993.00
b.Provisions,157,360.20
c.Hospital and medical accounts,7,700.00
d.Contingent accounts, viz.:
Repairs and contingencies of vessels in commission,79,000 }182,000.00
Repairs and contingencies of seven vessels in ordinary,63,000 }
General contingencies as per No. 5 above,40,000 }
$631,053.20

To those two last items of contingencies of 63,000 and 40,000 dollars I object, as much beyond what is really necessary for those objects. It is incredible that the annual repairs of the frigates in ordinary should amount to 9000 dollars per frigate; and, with no great economy, ten thousand dollars ought to suffice (instead of 40,000) for the general contingencies of commission, rent, and travelling expenses; since there are appropriations, exclusively of that 40,000 dollars, for the contingencies of vessels, for repairs, for the contingencies of the marine corps, and for stores. What those 40,000 dollars, therefore, are for, I am totally at a loss to know; only 16,000 are asked for the military establishment: indeed, I cannot discover any approach towards reform in that department (the navy), and I hope that you will pardon my stating my opinion on that subject, when you recollect with what zeal and perseverance I opposed for a number of years, whilst in Congress, similar loose demands for money; my opinions on that subject have been confirmed since you have called me in the Administration, and, although I am sensible that in the opinion of many wise and good men my ideas of expenditure are considered as too contracted, yet I feel a strong confidence that on this particular point I am right. Indeed, the possibility of wanting 600,000 dollars more a year without additional taxes must, at this time, be a sufficient apology for urging every practicable economy.

I enclose a letter from Mr. Bradley, and one from Mr. Wadsworth, of Congress. To the last I do not know what answer to make. The cold weather affects me so much that I remained home to-day, and have troubled you with this letter, instead of waiting on you.

With sincere respect and attachment, your obedient servant.