Peter Hagner

Who was Peter Hagner?

Peter Hagner was a financier and United States civil servant.

Hagner was appointed a clerk in the United States Department of the Treasury by Gen. George Washington in 1793, assistant accountant of the United States Department of War in 1797, and third auditor by James Monroe when that office was created in 1817. He served under every administration for fifty-six consecutive years, resigning his office in 1849. Twice by direct votes the U. S. Congress expressed its appreciation of his services in the settlement of large and important claims. This office became at one time so prominent, from the calls made upon its chief by Congress, before the institution of the court of claims, that John Randolph of Roanoke, pausing in debate for a phrase to express his sense of the influence of Nicholas I of Russia in the affairs of Europe, styled him “the great third auditor of nations.” His son, Peter V. Hagner, was a soldier.