rim- 
 
 Duke University Libraries 
 
 Letter of Secre 
 Conf Pam #467 
 
 DTTDBDHDbV 
 
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT. 
 
 Richmond, Va., Dec. l5, 1864. 
 
 To the Senate and House of Representatives : 
 
 I herewith tranpmit for your eoneideration a communication from 
 the J^ecretary of War. relative to the increase of the amount to 
 be appropriated for a purpose for which he lias already submitted 
 
 an estimate. 
 
 JEFFKRSOX DAVIS. 
 
 LETTER OF SECRETARY OF WAR- 
 
 War Department, C. S. A., 
 Richmond, Dec. l3, 18G4. 
 
 To the Presidnit of the Confederate States : 
 
 J?iR : I have the honor to transmit herewith, a letter from the 
 
 Quartermaster General, requesting that the amount estimated bj 
 
 him as required to pay for horses of volunteers killed in action, 
 
 under Act No. 48, sec. 7, le increased to four millions of dollars. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient pcrvant, 
 
 JAMES A SEDDON, 
 Secrerarv of War. 
 
LETTER OF QUARTERMASTER GENIAL. 
 
 War Department, ) 
 
 Quartermaster GeneraVs Office, > 
 
 RichmoDd, Dec. 10th, 1864. ) 
 
 Sir : On the 8th October last, I had the honor to submit an esti- 
 mate for the probable amount tliat would be required for the ser- 
 vice of the Quartei master's Dfipartmeut for the half vear ending 
 June 30th, 1865. 
 
 In that estimate. I summitted an item of -vvi, 000,000 for pay for 
 horses of volunteer's killed in action, under Act Xo. 48, sec 7. 
 
 From a communication received from General Lee since that es- 
 timate was submitted. I am of opinion that the amount asked for, 
 will not be sulficient to meet ihe heavy demands accruing under 
 that head. 1 have therefore to reijuest, that the sum thus asked 
 be increased to $4,000.0C0. 
 
 In submitting? this additional call for funds for the purpose above 
 indicated, it may be well to remark, that tiie law making payment 
 for horses killed in action, is, by the 2d Auditor, construed as " en- 
 trusted by law to lum for setilement; and that officers of the Quar- 
 termaster's Department cannot settle such claims without previous 
 action on liis part;" and in whose office. I understand, there is at 
 tlis time a lar^e numb, r of such claims awaiting decision. 
 
 Without undertaking to discuss the question as to the Auditor's 
 constructior, I remark that the object of the law evidently was in- 
 tended to ensure and keep up the effiriencv of that arm of the pub- 
 lic service, by promptly paying the value of horses killed in action, 
 and therebv enabling the men to re-mount themselves. If so, is it 
 not worthy of consideration whether some method may not be 
 adopted with advantage, whereby the present delay in the prompt 
 settlement of such claims may be facilitated, and much inconreni- 
 ence to the men avoided, and the public service benefitted ? 
 I am, sir, 
 Very respectfully, yuur obedient servant, 
 
 A. R. LAWTON, 
 Quartermaster GeneraL 
 Hon. Jamks a. Seddon, Secretary of War, Richmond, Ya. 
 
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