Rathbun) more than any one man in the Union to the success of our arms in repelling- the invaders of our soil, Mr. Tompkins disbursed for the United States very nearly two millions of dollars. Tliis sum was charged to him. Further, he borrowed for the use of the general government more than ore million, three hundred thousand dollars, some of it partly upon the credit of the government, and some of it upon his own responsibility, 6ccJ'^
• Herring's Nat. Portrait Gallery, vol. ii.
>> Extracts from speech of Hon. G. Rathbun of N. Y. in favor of an appropriatioQ
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 121
" In looking over his military correspondence, it is surprising to see how watchful he was to foster a delicate and punctilious regard to the relative rank of the officers of the militia, so as to preclude any cause of jealousy or complaint. The officers were appointed by the council of appointment, which in the winter of 1813-14, was together with one branch of the legislature opposed to the administration of the general government, and to the prosecution of the war, and it is evident from his correspondence at this period that attempts were constantly made to create discontents, by the recommending of persons for promotion over the heads of those who were entitled to it by their previous military rank; and in turning back to his private correspondence from ISOS to 1811, we are struck with the continual annoyance experienced by him from the intrigues and slanders of political opponents, and at the same time with the indefatigable industry and noble frankness with which he counteracted and exposed them. In the fall of 1814, Mr. Monroe having just been appointed secretary of war, President Madison requested permission to name Governor Tompkins to the senate as his successor.