Petition of William Scott, Late a Major in the New Hampshire Line, Addressed to Congress
Page 1

To The Honourable the Representatives of the people of the United States of America in Congress Assembly

The Petition of William Scott late a Major in New Hampshire Line, in the Army of the United States, now of the County of Saratoga and State of New York (illegible word)
Sheweth 
That is was with peculiar pain your petitioner was (illegible words) request body in New York January 17_ (year cut off)
constrained thereto from motives of misfortune and distress
He has struggled with difficulties year after year in hopes that each would be the last, but has been disappointed and finds his embarrassments thicken and become more complex; in his exigence he is again compelled to apply for relief.
That he is among that class whose hardships are exceedingly disproportionate to any other Citizens of America
Let recurrence be had to the final Settlement with the Army Invalids unfit to return to their usual labor, to support 
themselves and families. Debts necessarily contracted must be paid. Those securities the only resource; of which to 
discharge a debt of one pound, required Eight. This or a goal was the only alternative, the former has been preferred by every person of honesty.
That the commutation under such circumstances was an adequate compensation for Eight years hard service to those who have been so unfortunate as to lose the use of their limbs and have their constitution ruined cannot
be supposed at best it only leaves them upon a footing with those who never received a wound and what is still worse is to exist as objects of Obloquy in the vicinity of those unprincipled men who deserted and bore arms against their Country and are now enabled through the Liberality of their Master to live in splendour and affluence whilst many of those who have aided in conquering them are suffering under the most Distressing Penury.
Page 2

That your Petitioner having received several Wounds in defense of the Country Humbly submits the Premises to the consideration of your Honorable Body not doubting but his peculiar situation will entitle him to Relief and he as in duty bound will ever Stay
William Scott
Milton Oct. 17th 1792