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War of 1812 Free Frank, Peter Hagman U.S. Treasury Auditor, folded letter bearing WASHINGTON MAY 28 c.d.s., to John Montgomery, 1st term Mayor of Baltimore. Letter indicates dispute for payment for War of 1812 expenses. Some folding faults and minor repairs.
Estimate $300 - 400

The letter states, "The Treasurer of the US will remit you eighteen thousand two hundred and seventy three dollars and five cents being the balance found due to the Corporation of Baltimore for expenditures made by the committee of supplies, for the use of the militia in the years 1813 and 1814. You will be pleased to forward duplicate accepting, one to the treasurer and one to his office.

Respectfully you're your obedient,

Peter Hagman Auditor"

This is a great example of the early development of the financial systems for the United States. The war of 1812 forced Americans to attend to the financial infrastructure of the country and reevaluate what kinds of institutions were truly necessary. The mayor of Baltimore, represented the sixth district of Maryland in the U.S. congress from 1807 until 1811, and later served as the Attorney General of Maryland (1811-1818) at the time this letter was written he was serving in his first term as Mayor of Baltimore (1820-22).