United States official (1785-1859) who served as Superintendent of Indian Affairs from 1824-1830. ALS signed “Tho. L. McKenney,” two pages both sides, 7.75 x 9.5, February 18, 1828. Letter to his political ally John C. Calhoun, "The Hon. The President of the Senate of the United States," in part: "I have this moment seen the report of the Hon. The Committee of the Senate of the District of Columbia, to whom was re-committed a bill for the relief of the Columbian College—also 'a bill for the relief of Thomas L. McKenney.' Entertaining the highest respect for the committee, I cannot doubt its purpose to be, in regard to myself, just what the title of the bill imports. It was, no doubt kindly intended—but as I did not seek this proffered relief, so I beg leave, respectfully, to decline the acceptance of it…First—Because the bill assumes, by implication, that I am a debtor to the United States, and Second, That I have unsettled accounts to adjust…I do not owe the United States one dollar, more or less, either in law or equity. No bill, therefore, however kindly it may be intended, can afford me any relief. In regard to the second—so far as I can comprehend the law and regulations, and the usages of the Treasury, there needs no equitable authority to enable the accounting officers to adjust & settle the account under which I once claimed, but which the Columbian College now claims, by assignment, a balance. I need not add that the transaction is one of contract between individual citizens; and that my connexion once stood to the Government, in regard to this matter, it was, long since, by the assent of its legal representative, dissolved. But I respectfully refer the Senate to the report of the Committee, & the papers accompanying it, for the origin & termination of the contract between the Rev'd Luther Rice, the accredited agent of the Columbian College & myself; & which relieved me, four years ago, & by order of the Secretary of the Treasury, from the obligations then due the Government by my Brother & myself, & possessed the College of a right to the balance claimed by me in the settlement of my accounts as Superintendent of Indian Trade." In very good to fine condition, with light staining and toning.
Baptist missionary and minister Luther Rice raised funds to purchase a site in Washington, D.C. for a college to educate students from throughout the nation, in response to an oft-stated recommendation of President George Washington for a university in the US capital. In 1821, Congress chartered the non-denominational Columbian College, and President James Monroe approved the Congressional charter. After the Civil War, Columbian College became Columbian University, and in 1904, it became George Washington University.
From 1816 until Congress abolished the US Indian Trade program in 1822, Thomas L. McKenney served as Superintendent of Indian Trade. In 1824, then Secretary of War John C. Calhoun created a position in the War Department entitled Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and President James Monroe appointed McKenney to the new position. To accept the position, however, McKenney had to settle his accounts as Superintendent of Indian Trade. In that settlement, it is unclear whether the United States owed McKenney or he owed the United States. Congress believed that Luther Rice, the treasurer of Columbian College, underwrote the notes McKenney owed to the United States. In this letter, McKenney denies owing any debt to the United States, insisting that he assigned the amount the government owed him to Columbian College for the college’s benefit. Later in 1828, his Georgetown estate, Weston, was sold at auction because of his bankruptcy.
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