Dallas, Alexander J. (1759–1817)

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DALLAS, ALEXANDER J. (1759–1817)

Admitted to the bar in 1785, Alexander James Dallas practiced law in Philadelphia. He supplemented his income by reporting the opinions of the courts that sat in that city, including the Supreme Court of the United States (1790–1800). From 1801 to 1814 he was United States attorney for eastern Pennsylvania.

As secretary of the treasury under President james madison (1814–1816), Dallas secured enactment of the highest federal taxes to that date, restored confidence in the currency, and dictated terms of the second bank of the united states act (1816). In 1815 he was also acting secretary of war.

Dennis J. Mahoney
(1986)

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Dallas, Alexander J. (1759–1817)

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Dallas, Alexander J. (1759–1817)