During the James Madison administration in 1811,James Caldwell a citizen donated money to the United States government. Federal officials eventually set up special funds to collect these kinds of contributions, including ones earmarked for paying down the national debt.

Today, we talk to a Treasury official about these under-the-radar programs and an ordinary citizen who looks back at their donation with less civic pride than you'd think.

Music by Drop Electric. Find us: Facebook / Newsletter.

Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and NPR One.

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.