Clement W. Bennett to Richard Yates

Washington D.C.

June 5th 1861.

His Excellency

Richard Yates.

Govr. of Illinois

Sir.

As your State has responded to the call of the President for Volunteers rising in present conflict, and very heavy Expenses have in consequence been incurred in raising, subsisting, transporting &c. the same prior to their muster into the service of the United States, by the State or patriotic citizens of the State, for which some provision for reimbursing the State or citizens will probably be made by Congress, I beg to make the following suggestions to your Excellency, and solicit the charge of the accounts for settlement, as Agent for the State.

At the time the Volunteers were called for by the President for service during the Mexican War, large sums were appended by the various States on account of the troops prior to their muster into service. Congress on the 2d June 1848, passed an act to refund to the States and individuals the amounts so appended "upon proof being made to the satisfaction of the Secretary of War that the amounts so Expended were necessary and proper for the

Troops." Certain rules were established and the claims of the States &c were Examined with the various vouchers showing the Expenditures, and allowances made, at that time I was Employed in the Office of the Third Auditor of the Treasury, (an accounting office for the War Department) and Examined and settled many hundred claims of the States and individuals who had Expended money or furnished clothing, subsistence, transportation or other necessary supplies for the Volunteers afterward mustered into the service. My reports on such claims were uniformly approved by Govr. Marcy then Secretary of War. My Experience while in the office in settling this class of claims, and subsequent to my resignation, acting as agent for claimants, makes me familiar with the rules and regulations of the officies, and I believe that I can so arrange the accounts of your State and attend to them while undergoing the Examination of the accounting officers of the Treasury, that much inconvenience will be saved yourself and the officers of your State.

If your Excellency deems proper to appoint me Agent for your State, thus authorizing me to attend to the

settlement of such claims as the State may now, or hereafter have against the United States for money Expended on account of the Volunteer force raised under the Presidents call, I will feel very grateful and render all the service in my power. Should you so decide, you can at your convenience direct that one sett of the duplicate vouchers, muster rolls, and other papers relating to the Expenditure be sent to me, on the receipt of which I will arrange and abstract them for presentation at the proper officies of the War and Treasury Department, and render all the necessary attention until they are Examined and properly settled. No money found due the State can pass through my hands, as all drafts for amounts allowed, will as required by law, be made payable to the order of the Govr. or Treasurer of the State.

As there is, of course, no provision made by the laws of your State for compensation for such Employment, I wish to say in regard to compensation for the services I may render, that I will be perfectly satisfied with such action as your Legislature may deem proper to take, having confidence that it will approve your

Employing me, and will grant me a reasonable compensation. There shall be no importuning Either your Excellency or your Legislature in regard to compensation.

May I ask your consideration of my proposal, and an intimation that you are willing to receive and Examine testimonials (which shall be of the highest character) relative to my ability to discharge the duties of the place solicited, and as to my character, business reputation and responsibility? I have the honor to be,

With great respect.

Your Obt. Servt.

Clemet. W. Bennett,

Atty. &c.

Clement W. Bennett. asking appointment as Auditor of Accounts between U S Government and State of Illinois.