Martin Van Buren (1837 – 1841). 8th President of the United States. ALS. 4 pages. 8” x 9 ¾”. Washington September 28, 1829. To President Andrew Jackson; “I have this moment received your note in relation to Genl Porter’s accounts. I will hereafter, if it is deemed necessary make a formal opinion upon the subject and will therefore content myself, for the present with a brief sketch of my views in the matter. I am not satisfied by General Porter’s statement that the law in question is unconstitutional. I dissent from the opinion expressed by him that he is entitled to the larger salary, after the expiration of the two years. The object of the act of 1821 was, and its language is sufficient to affect it, to prohibit thereafter any further, or other allowances that which was provided by it, and the only consequence of the continuance of the beyond the two years, and to extend the act, could be, that for the of the time, the commissioner is left to his application to congress for further allowance. Much stress is laid by Genl Porter, on the situation of Gov Van Ness, his acts, and those of the Government in regard to his claims. I would therefore suggest the propriety of it being stated by Mr. Anderson in his letter to Genl Porter, in which he communicates the opinion of the President; that Mr Van Ness was informed, that his was not a case of fact a character as to permit the Government, with propriety, to enter into an amicable : Mr Van Ness had consented to waive his claims, and have his accounts set according to the law of 1821, and that Genl Porter consents to the same course, the Government must accept such as an its power to effect that result. This appears to be related to claims for compensation by General Peter Buell Porter. Couple of small edge chinks. Fine.