Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,901, for Jean Baptiste Janis, Virginia

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(3-1776)
SERVICE Va. & Indian Wars
Janis, Jean Baptiste 
NUMBER S.15.901 and Va. Half Pay
CONTENTS

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Sept ? Let to Hon  L. Fr Linn
Aug 19 1836 Dead. let to Hon L. Fr Linn apl 27 1840
1833 Oct history to Lc Draper [illegible]

Missouri No 30,808
Jean Baptiste Janis, Sr. of St Louis in the State of Missouri who was an Ensign in the Comp by Captain of the regt by Col Clark in the Va. line for

Inscribed on the Roll of Missouri at the rate of 120 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Aug 1836 and sent to Hon L Fr Linn, St. Genevieve, Mo

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1836 600.0
Semi-anl, allowance ending 4 Sept 60.0
$660.0


{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act July 2, 1836}

Recorded by Jn. Darlin Clerk
Book E 2 Vol. 9 Page 64.

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138.
138.
Deposition of J.B. Janis of St Genevieve Missouri

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State of Missouri County of St Genevieve } S
Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County aforesaid Baptiste Janis who being duly cautioned and sworn, on his oath deposeth and Saith That he is now seventy four years of age and a resident of the County of St. Genevieve aforesaid that he was residing at Kaskaskia Illinois in what is now the County of Randolph and State of Illinois when he received from Genl Geo Rogers Clark a Commission to act as an officer in the troops, and accompanied Genl Clark for six months with the Continental Troops, and during the time of service aided and assisted in taking Fort  Vincennes from the Royalists or enemy of the United States, that he used a horse during all the time while acting as officer and that he has never received any Land or money or pay for his services from the United States or State of Virginia.
That he received and accepted a commission from Gov Todd at Kaskaskia, Illinois and served the United States or State of Virginia for three months, with the Troops on Continental service in Illinois Country that he used a horse during all this time, and has never accepted any Lands or money as pay for service under the command or any other from the United States or State of Virginia.
That he received a Commission as Ensign for the troops stationed in the Illinois Country North West of the Ohio from Gov Arthur St Clare and accepted and done duty as office for three months this Commission, and used a horse during all the time that he has never received any pay for his service from the United States or State of Virginia That about Three years ago he placed in the hands of Honorable  E.R.  Kane

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unto from Illinois his two Commissions from Genl Geo Clark and Todd and is informed by Wm Kane the said Commission on file in the War Office at Washington City, That his Commission as Ensign from Gov Arthur S. Clare was forwarded to Hon. D. Haney Esq at Washington City for him to place on file with the others, that he is  uninformed if said Handy ever receiving it - In consequence of his Commission being and his old age it is impossible for her to give the month or years the different service was rendered but thinks it was in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty one and two
That he was about Eighteen years of age when he served
under the first commission, and understood at the time he was doing duty that he should get Lands and money for his services. That he always done his duty as far as in his power to render and and support the order of his commanded and the Government by them employed
Bte janis


State of Missouri,
County of St Genevieve } ss
Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Ste Genevieve aforesaid J. Baptist Janis, who is personally known to me to be the person who signed and sealed the foregoing affidavit, and he being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God, on his said oath, saith, that the said affidavit or Deposition by him subscribed contains the whole truth of his knowledge and remembrance in that behalf April 15th 1833

John McArthur, J. Peace

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State of Missouri County of St Genevieve } ss:
I, Joseph J. Grafton, Clerk of the County Court for the County of St Genevieve aforesaid, do hereby certify that John McArthur Esquire, is an acting Justice of the Peace within and for said County, and that to his official acts due faith and credit are and ought to be given, both within and out of the State.- 

Witness my hand and the Seal of the said Court at St. Genevieve Jos. D Grafton Clerk 

I John B. Bossier, President of the County Court of the County of Ste Genevieve, State of Missouri, do hereby certify that Joseph Grafton, by whom the foregoing certificate is given, under the seal of the said Court, is the Clerk thereof, and the said Certificate is in due form of Law Given under my hand this 16th day of April A.D. 1833 
J. B. Bossier President Ste. Genevieve County Court

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Power of Attorney Janis to Gibson for Settlement of Claim against United States and State of Virginia

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to all to whom these presents Shall Come
Baptiste Janis of the Town and County of St Genevieve and
State of Missouri Sendeth greeting, Whereas the said
Baptiste Janis is now far advanced in years and is therefore
desirous of appointing a person, and of giving him sufficent
power and authority to do and execute every act deed matter
and thing whatsoever, which shall be requisite and necessary
to be done and executed, with respect to the entire settlement
of his claims and demands on and against the United States
and the State of Virginia or either of them for services rendered
as Commission officer, under the command of Genl George
Rodgers Clark Gor. Todd and Gov. Arthur P Clair
Commanding Continental Troops in Illinois County, and
Territory North West of River Ohio - Now therefore
these presents Witness, that the said Baptist Janis hath
make constitute and appointed, and in his place and the
part, and by these presents, doth make, constitute and appoint
his relative William Gibson, his true and lawful attorney
for him and in his name to ask, and receive of the United States
and State of Virginia or either of them, all money or
Land due him from them for services rendered as Commissions
officer during the time served by him in the Continental
Service, under Genl Geo Rogers Clark, Genl Todd and
Gov. Arthur St Clair, Commanding troops in the Illinois
County and Territory north west of River Ohio, and in his
name generales to use and take such lawful ways and means
for the recovering receiving obtaining any Lands and money or
sum of money and other things whatsoever, which is, are, shall
or may be, or by the United States and State of Virginia or either
of them shall be conceived or thought to be due, owing
belonging or payable unto the said Baptiste Janis, unto any
person or persons whomsoever, as fully and effectually to all
intents and purposes, as the said Baptiste Janis might or
could do, use or take, if he was present in person, and
also

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to receive any grant or Grants of Land money or sums of money from the United States and State of Virginia or either of them and also upon Settlement and payment for said claims, Receipt for any Grant or Grants of Land. Money or sums of Money and in his name to make accounts render Vouchers and give proper acquittances and discharges for same respectively: and whatsoever my said Attorney shall do, or came to be done, in and about the premises and I  do hereby notify and confirm the same as fully, to all intents and purposes, as if I were personaly present. and did the same
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Tenth day of april in the year of our Lord. One thousand Eight hundred and Thirty three
B Janis
Witnesses
John McArthur Peter Janis

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State of Missouri
 County of St Genevieve } ss
Be it remembered, that in this sixteenth day of April, Anno Domini 1833, before me, a Notary Public residing at the Town of Ste Genevieve, within the county aforesaid, duly commissioned, qualified and sworn, and, as such, authorized by law to take the acknowledgement of Powers of Attorney, personally came Ba Janis who is personally known to me to be the person who signed and sealed the aforegoing Instrument of writing as having executed the same, and acknowledged the same to be his act and deed hand and seal for the purposes therein mentioned._
In testimony where of I have hereunto affixed my Notarial Seal, at Ste. Genevieve aforesaid, this 16th day of April A.D. 1833._
Jos. D Grafton Notary Public

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24 Cong 1 Sep. } 299
Petition 
of Jean Baptiste Janis, sent of Missouri, for renumeration for services rendered under Gen George Rogers Clark against the Indians in 1778

________________________________________

1836, April 11 referred to Com: Pensions & ordered to be printed _
" April 28. Bill reported


W. Linn

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[illegible]
To the Senate of House of Representatives of the United States in congress assembled

Oppressed with age and infirmity, and in want of the many comforts of life the undersigned begs leave respectfully to present this petition to the Congress of the United States.-
Your Petitioner states that in the summer of 1778, Kaskaskia was taken by Col George Rogers Clark of the Virginia line, he was then young and ardent and although a stranger to the laws, customs, language and institutions of the Americans, he became animated in support of the great cause for which they were struggling, and on many occasions manifested his devotion in a way he to secure as he believes the entire confidence of the army and of its officers.
Your petitioner further states, that in the course of the summer a company of volunteers was organized composed of the French inhabitants
on a call from Col Clarke. In this company your
petitioner was appointed an Ensign by his Excellency Patrick Henry then Governor of the State of Virginia which commission is exhibited with this

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petition,-- Your Petitioner states that this Company was required to be ready for active service on a minutes notice, that many of its members were employed as hunters, and spies and required when necessary to perform garrison duty. Your petitioner further states that the term of time for which Col Clarke's men were enlisted having expired, many of them retired to their homes, which had the effect of weakening his force to an alarming extent and rendered his situation in that vast wilderness critical in the extreme. About this period Col Hamilton commandant at Vincennes commenced assembling an army of British & Indians with the avowed purpose of not only expelling his enemies from Kaskaskia and Cahokia but to drive the Americans east of the mountains. At this juncture Col Clarke determined on his daring expedition against Vincennes. Your petitioner further states that without the aid of the French inhabitants of Kaskaskia and Cahokia the power of the americans was unequal to the task of capturing Vincennes, at that time the centre of British influence. But in this emergency Col Clarke called upon the French to take part in the expedition as volunteers, which call was promptly responded to. Two Companies were accordingly

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raised, and equipped at their own expense, one under the command of Captain Charleville of Kaskaskia, the other under Captain McCarty of Cahokia. Your petitioner acted as ensign in the company of Charleville. These two companies added to the Americans made a combined force of 170 men With this small array Col Clarke marched in the month of February 1779, and after swimming rivers and creeks, wading for miles through waters, amid snow & ice, suffering the extremes of hunger and fatigue, they surmounted every obstacle and toward the close of the month, arrived before Vincennes, where the flag of the United States was planted by the hand of your petitioner within gun shot of its walls. Your petitioner further states that after a few days seige, conducted with consummate skill by Col Clarke this important place fell and with it forever the British power in the Valley of the Mississippi. Your petitioner further states that during the whole period the American troops held possession of Kaskaskia & Cahokia they were quartered on the inhabitants or sustained by requisitions. your petitioners friends and relations made advances for which compensation to this day has never been made.

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For these services and sacrifices, your petitioner prays that his name, during his few remaining days be placed on the Pension Roll, on such other provisions made for him as the justice of his case would seem to demand your petitioner begs leave further to say that in the year of 1796 he being there a married man and the father of 8 children removed from Kaskaskia to St Genevieve in the Spanish province of Louisiana with the intention of acquiring lands for his family under the liberal policy pursued by the Spanish Government in making donations to settlers. he made application for a concession of 8000 orphens which was granted by the Lt Governor. On the transfer of Louisiana to the Americans a law was passed by Congress requiring that all concessions should be registered by a certain day your petitioner unacquainted with the English language never heard of this law and his claim not being recorded in accordance with its provisions was consequently lost to him. Thus your petitioner served this county in his youth without compensation and in his old age finds himself deprived by law of that property which was generously bestowed on him by another Government
John Baptiste Janis Sr of Missouri

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Jan. 14.] JOURNAL OF THE SENATE. 97
Mr. Linn presented the petition of Francois Chatillon, praying to be
confirmed in his title to a tract of land; and
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims.
Mr. Hendricks presented a resolution of the Legislature of Indiana, instructing the Senators and requesting the Representatives from that State in Congress to use their exertions to continue in force the act granting pre-emptions to settlers on the lands of the United States, so far as to grant pre-emptions to settlers on any of the lands of the United States which have been in market for the term of three years; and
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Public Lands, and
printed.
The bill for the relief of the sufferers by the fire in the city of New York, having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed was read the third time; and
Resolved, That it pass, and that its title be as aforesaid.
Ordered, That the Secretary request the concurrence of the House of Representatives in said bill.
Mr. Robinson, from the Committee on Roads and canals, reported the bill for the completion of the road from Line creek to the Chattahooche, and for the erection of bridges on the same, without amendment, accompanied
by a special report thereon.
Ordered, That the report be printed.
Agreeably to notice given. Mr. Ewing asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill to give effect to patents for public land issued in the names of deceased persons; which was read twice by unanimous consent, and
considered as in Committee of the Whole; and
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Public Lands.
On motion by Mr. King, of Alabama,
The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill to amend an act entitled "An act for the better organization of the district courts of the United States within the State of Alabama," approved 10th March,
1824; and it was amended and reported to the Senate; and the amendments being concurred in,
Ordered, That the bill be engrossed and read a third time.
Mr. Naudain, from the Joint Committee, reported that they had examined
and found duly enrolled "An act making an appropriation for repressing hostilities commenced by the Seminole Indians."
A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Franklin, their Clerk:
Mr. President. The Speaker of the House of Representatives having signed an enrolled bill, I am directed to bring it to the Senate for the signature of their President.
The Vice President signed the enrolled bill last reported to have been examined, and it was delivered to the committee to be laid before the President of the United States.
On motion by Mr. Tomlinson,
Ordered, That Nathaniel Canada have leave to withdraw his petition
and papers.
Mr. Naudain, from the Joint Committee, reported that they this day
9

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98 JOURNAL OF THE SENATE. [Jan. 18.

laid before the President of the United States the enrolled bill last reported
to have been examined and signed.
On motion by Mr. Clay,
Resolved, That when the Senate adjourns, it be to Monday next.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the motions submitted by Mr. Benton on the 12th instant, in relation to the application of the surplus revenues, and for estimates of the sums necessary for the military and naval defences, and arming the militia of the United States; and, after debate,
On motion by Mr. Cuthbert,
The Senate adjourned.

MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 1836.
The two following written messages were received from the President of the United States, by Mr. Donelson, his Secretary;
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
GENTLEMEN: In my message at the opening of your session, I informed you that our Charge d'Affaires at Paris had been instructed to ask for the final determination of the French Government, in relation to the payment of the indemnification secured by the treaty of the 4th of July, 1831, and that, when advices of the result should be received, it would be made the subject of a special communication.
In execution of this design, I now transmit to you the papers numbered from 1 to 13, inclusive, containing, among other things, the correspondence on this subject between our Charge d'Affaires and the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, from which it will be seen that France requires, as a condition precedent to the execution of a treaty unconditionally ratified, and to the payment of a debt acknowledged by all the branches of her Government to be due, that certain explanations shall be made, of which she dictates the terms. These terms are such as, that Government
has already been officially informed, cannot be complied with; and, if persisted in, they must be considered as a deliberate refusal on the part of France to fulfil engagements binding by the laws of nations, and held sacred by the whole civilized world. The nature of the act which France requires from this Government is clearly set forth in the letter of the French Minister marked No. 4. We will pay the money,
says he, when "the Government of the United States is ready on its part to declare to us, by addressing its claim to us officially in writing, that it regrets the misunderstanding which has arisen between the two countries; that this misunderstanding is founded on a mistake; that it never entered into its intention to call in question the good faith of the French Government, nor to take a menacing attitude towards France:" and he adds, "if the Government of the United States does not give this assurance, we shall be obliged to think that this misunderstanding is not the result of an error."
In the letter marked No. 6, the French minister also remarks that "the Government of the United States knows that upon itself depends henceforward the execution of the treaty of July 4, 1831."

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Jan. 18.] JOURNAL OF THE SENATE. 99
Obliged, by the precise language thus used by the French minister, to view it as a peremptory refusal to execute the treaty, except on terms incompatible with the honor and independence of the United States, and persuaded that, on considering the correspondence now submitted to you, you can regard it in no other light, it becomes my duty to call your attention to such measures as the exigency of the case demands, if the
claim of interfering in the communications between the different branches of our Government shall be persisted in. This pretension is rendered the more unreasonable by the fact that the substance of the required explanation has been repeatedly and voluntarily given before it was insisted on as a condition--a condition the more humiliating, because it is demanded as the equivalent of a pecuniary consideration. Does France desire only a declaration that we had no intention to obtain our rights by an address to her fears rather than to her justice? She has already had it, frankly and explicitly given by our minister accredited to her Government his act ratified by me, and my confirmation of it officially communicated by him in his letter to the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, of the 25th of April, 1835, and repeated by my published approval of that
letter after the passage of the bill of indemnification. Does France want a degrading, servile repetition of this act, in terms which she shall dictate, and which will involve an acknowledgment of her assumed right to interfere in our domestic councils? She will never obtain it. The spirit of the American people, the dignity of the Legislature, and the firm resolve of their Executive Government, forbid it.
As the answer of the French Minister to our Charge d'Affaires at Paris contains an allusion to a letter addressed by him to the representative of France at this place, it now becomes proper to lay before you the correspondence had between that functionary and the Secretary of State, relative to that letter, and to accompany the same with such explanations as will enable you to understand the course of the Executive in regard to it. Recurring to the historical statement, made at the commencement of your session, of the origin and progress of our difficulties with France, it will be recollected that, on the return of our minister to the United States, I caused my official approval of the explanations he had given to the French Minister of Foreign Affairs to be made public. As the French Government had noticed the message without its being officially communicated, it was not doubted that if they were disposed to pay the money due to us, they would notice any public explanation of the Government of the United States in the same way. But, contrary to these well-founded expectations, the French ministry did not take this fair opportunity to relieve themselves from their unfortunate position, and to do justice to the United States.
Whilst, however, the Government of the United States was awaiting the movements of the French Government, in perfect confidence that the difficulty was at an end, the Secretary of State received a call from the French Charge d'Affaires in Washington, who desired to read to him a letter he had received from the French Minister of Foreign Affairs. He
was asked whether he was instructed or directed to make any official communication, and replied, that he was only authorized to read the letter, and furnish a copy if requested. The substance of its contents, it is presumed, may be gathered from Nos. 4 and 6, herewith transmitted.

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100 JOURNAL OF THE SENATE. [Jan. 18.

It was an attempt to make known to the Government of the United States, privately, in what manner it could make explanations, apparently voluntary, but really dictated by France, acceptable to her, and thus obtain payment of the twenty-five millions of francs. No exception was taken to this mode of communication, which is often used to prepare the way for official intercourse; but the suggestions made in it were in their substance, wholly inadmissible. Not being in the shape of an official communication to this Government, it did not admit of reply or official notice, nor could it safely be made the basis of any action by the Executive of the Legislature, and the Secretary of State did not think proper to ask a copy, because he could have no use for it. Copies of papers,
marked Nos. 9, 10 and 11, show an attempt on the part of the French Charge d'Affaires to place a copy of this letter among the archives of this Government, which, for obvious reasons, was not allowed to be done; but the assurance before given was repeated, that any official communication which he might be authorized to make in the accustomed form, would receive a prompt and just consideration. The indiscretion of this attempt was made more manifest by the subsequent avowal of the French Charge d'Affaires, that the object was to bring this letter before Congress and the American people. If foreign agents, on a subject of disagreement between their Government and this, wish to prefer an appeal to the American people, they will hereafter, it is hoped, better appreciate their
own rights and the respect due to others, than to attempt to use the Executive as the passive organ of their communications.
It is due to the character of our institutions that the diplomatic intercourse of this Government should be conducted with the utmost directness and simplicity; and that, in all cases of importance, the communications received or made by the Executive, should assume the accustomed official form. It is only by insisting on this form that foreign Powers can be held to full responsibility, that their communications can be officially replied to, or that the advice or interference of the Legislature can, with propriety, be invited by the President. This course is also best calculated, on the one hand, to shield that officer from unjust suspicious, and, on the other, to subject this portion of his acts to public scrutiny, and, if occasion shall require it, to constitutional animadversion. It was the
more necessary to adhere to these principles, in the instance in question, inasmuch as, in addition to other important interests, it very intimately concerned the national honor a matter, in my judgment, much too sacred to be made the subject of private and unofficial negotiation.
It will be perceived that this letter of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs was read to the Secretary of State on the 11th of September last. This was the first authentic indication of the specific views of the French Government received by the Government of the United States after the passage of the bill of indemnification. Inasmuch as the letter had been written before the official notice of my approval of Mr. Livington's last
explanation and remonstrance could have reached Paris, just ground of hope was left, as has been before stated, that the French Government, on receiving that information in the same manner the alleged offensive message had reached them, would desist from their extraordinary demand, and pay the money at once. To give them an opportunity to do so, and at all events to elicit their final determination and the ground they in-

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Jan. 18.] JOURNAL OF THE SENATE. 101
tended to occupy, the instructions were given to our Charge d'Affaires which were adverted to at the commencement of the present session of Congress. The result, as you have seen, is a demand of an official written expression of regrets, and a direct explanation addressed to France, with a distinct intimation that this is a sine qua non.
Mr. Barton having, in pursuance of his instructions, returned to the United States, and the Charge d'Affaires of France having been recalled, all diplomatic intercourse between the two countries is suspended; a state of things originating in an unreasonable susceptibility on the part of the French Government, and rendered necessary on our part by their refusal
to perform engagements contained in a treaty, from the faithful performance of which by us they are to this day enjoying many important commercial advantages.
It is time that this unequal position of affairs should cease, and that Legislative action should be brought to sustain Executive exertion in such measures as the case requires. While France persists in her refusal to comply with the terms of a treaty, the object of which was, by removing all causes of mutual complaint, to renew ancient feelings of friendship,
and to unite the two nations in the bonds of amity and of a mutually beneficial commerce, she cannot justly complain if we adopt such peaceful remedies as the law of nations and the circumstances of the case may authorize and demand. Of the nature of these remedies I have heretofore had occasion to speak, and, in reference to a particular contingency, to
express my conviction that reprisals would be best adapted to the emergency then contemplated.
Since that period, France, by all the departments of her Government, has acknowledged the validity of our claims and the obligations of the treaty, and has appropriated the moneys which are necessary to its execution; and though payment is withheld on grounds vitally important to our existence as an independent nation, it is not to be believed that she
can have determined, permanently, to retain a position so utterly indefensible. In the altered state of the questions in controversy, and under all existing circumstances, it appears to me that, until such a determination shall have become evident, it will be proper and sufficient to retaliate her present refusal to comply with her engagements, by prohibiting the introduction of French products and the entry of French vessels into our
ports. Between this and the interdiction of all commercial intercourse, or other remedies you, as the representatives of the people, must determine. I recommend the former, in the present posture of our affairs, as being the least injurious to our commerce, and as attended with the least difficulty of returning to the usual state of friendly intercourse, if the Government of France shall render us the justice that is due, and also, as a proper preliminary step to stronger measures, should their adoption be deemed necessary by subsequent events.
The return of our Charge d'Affaires is attended with public notices of naval preparations, on the part of France, destined for our seas. Of the cause and intent of these armaments I have no authentic information, nor any other means of judging except such as are common to yourselves and to the public; but, whatever may be their object, we are not at liberty to regard them as unconnected with the measures which hostile movements on the part of France may compel us to pursue. They at least deserve to be met

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102 JOURNAL OF THE SENATE. [Jan. 18.
by adequate preparation on our part; and I, therefore, strongly urge large and speedy appropriations for the increase of the navy and completion of our coast defences.
If this array of military force be really designed to affect the action of the Government and people of the United States on the questions now pending between the two nations, then, indeed, would it be dishonorable to pause a moment on the alternative which such a state of things would present to us. Come what may, the explanation which France demands
can never be accorded; and no armament, however powerful and imposing, at a distance or on our coast, will, I trust, deter us from discharging the high duties which we owe to our constituents, our national character, and to the world.
The House of Representatives, at the close of the last session of Congress, unanimously resolved that the treaty of the 4th of July, 1831, should be maintained, and its execution insisted on by the United States. It is due to the welfare of the human race, not less than to our own interests and honor, that this resolution should, at all hazards, be adhered to. If, after so signal an example as that given by the American people, during their long-protracted difficulties with France, of forbearance under accumulated wrongs, and of generous confidence in her ultimate return to justice, she shall now be permitted to withhold from us the tardy and imperfect indemnification, which, after years of remonstrance and discussion, had at length been solemnly agreed on by the treaty of 1831, and to set at naught the obligation it imposes, the United States will not be the only sufferers. The efforts of humanity and religion to substitute the appeals of justice and the arbitrament of reason for the coercive remedies usually resorted to by injured nations, will receive little encouragement from such an issue. By the selection and enforcement of such lawful and expedient measures as may be necessary to prevent a result so injurious to ourselves and so fatal to the hopes of the philanthropist, we shall therefore not only preserve the pecuniary interests of our citizens, the independence of our Government, and the honor of our country, but do much, it may be hoped, to vindicate the faith of treaties, and to promote the general interests of peace, civilization, and improvement. ANDREW JACKSON.
WASHINGTON, January 15, 1836.
To the Senate of the United States:
In compliance with the resolution of the Senate of the 12th instant, I transmit a report of the Secretary of State, with the papers therein referred to, which, with those accompanying the special message this day sent to Congress, are believed to contain all the information requested. The papers relative to the letter of the late Minister of France have
been added to those called for, that the subject may be fully understood. ANDREW JACKSON.
WASHINGTON, January 18, 1836.
The messages were severally read; and,
On motion by Mr. Clay,
Ordered, That they be referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, and printed; and that 3,000 extra copies thereof be sent to the Senate.

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Jan. 18.] JOURNAL OF THE SENATE. 103
The Vice President communicated letters from the Secretary of the
Treasury, transmitting--
1. A statement of the amount of revenue received from all sources during the year ending 31st December last, so far as returns have been rendered, and an estimate of the amount received and not yet ascertained; prepared in obedience to a resolution of the Senate of the 5th instant.
II. A report on the petition of the representatives of Daniel Van Pelt, deceased, praying to be paid for the site on which the light-house stands on Roanoke marshes, North Carolina.
III. Further information on the subject of payments connected with the purchase and management of the public lands.
Ordered, That the first and third reports be printed, and that the second be referred to the Committee on Commerce.
A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Franklin, their Clerk:
Mr. President: The House of Representatives have passed the bill from the Senate, entitled "An act to authorize the allowance of certain charges in the accounts of the American consul at London."
On motion by Mr. Shepley,
Ordered, That leave be given to withdraw from the files of the Senate all petitions for indemnity for French spoliations prior to the year 1800. 
Mr. Southard presented the petition of the Provident Association of Clerks in the civil department of the Government of the United States, praying Congress to make good any deficiency in its capital that may hereafter appear by reason of the depreciation of the public stocks of the
District of Columbia, by a grant of city lots.
Mr. Kent presented the petition of sundry citizens of the county of Washington, in the District of Columbia, praying that the law of trespass may be more clearly defined than at present, and that Maryland avenue, in the city of Washington, may be improved and graded; and
He presented the petition of the citizens of Georgetown, in the District of Columbia, praying that the charters of the banks in said District may be renewed.
Ordered, That the three petitions last mentioned be referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia, and that the last of them be printed.
On motion by Mr. Porter,
Ordered, That leave be granted to withdraw the petition of the administrators of the public schools for the parish of Carroll, in Louisiana, for the confirmation of the land claim of the heirs of William Graham, deceased, presented to the Senate at the last session.
Mr. Clayton presented the petition of the heirs of Major Henry Fisher, deceased, praying to be paid for the revolutionary services of thedeceased.
Mr. Wright presented the petition of John Morris Foght, a lieutenant in the army of the Revolution, praying that his claim to commutation of half-pay be paid.
Committee on Revolutionary Claims.
Mr. Linn presented the petition of Beverly Allen, praying to be authorized to locate a confirmed grant on any of the public lands; and

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104 JOURNAL OF THE SENATE. [Jan. 18.
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims.
Mr. Ruggles presented four petitions signed by a number of the inhabitants of the State of Maine, praying that the mail may be carried direct from East Thomaston to Vinalhaven.
Mr. Robinson presented the petition of the citizens of Quincy, in Illinois, praying for a post route from Chicago to that place.
Ordered, That the five petitions last mentioned be referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.
Mr. Swift presented the petition of Martin Prindle, praying to be remunerated for a horse lost in the service of the United States.
Mr. Benton presented the petition of Richard Matson, of Missouri, praying to be reimbursed for a horse lost in the late Indian war on the upper Mississippi.
Mr. Wright presented sundry documents relating to the claim of Lieutenant John Picket for further allowances in the settlement of his accounts on account of lost vouchers.
Ordered, That the two petitions, and the documents last mentioned, be referred to the Committee of Claims.
On motion by Mr. Naudain,
Ordered, That the petition, on the files of the first session of the twenty-second Congress, of the heirs of Bernard Dautrieve, deceased, be referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims,
Mr. Naudain presented the petition of the citizens of Wilmington, in Delaware, praying for the erection of a light-house on, and new piers at Reedy island.
Mr. Buchanan presented the petition of sundry citizens, merchants and others, interested in the foreign and coasting trade of the city of Philadelphia, praying for an appropriation to repair the piers at Newcastle, and to improve the harbor; and that Newcastle may be made a port of entry.
Mr. McKean presented the petition of the merchants and citizens of Philadelphia, praying that new piers may be constructed at Reedy island, that a light-house be built on that island, and on the Brandywine shoal.
Ordered, That the three petitions last mentioned be referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Mr. Prentiss presented the petition of John McCloud, of Vermont, praying for an increase of his pension.
Mr. Robinson presented a resolution of the Legislature of the State of Illinois, instructing the Senators and requesting the Representatives from that State in Congress, to urge the propriety of pensioning those persons who were engaged in the Indian wars previous to the treaty of Greenville.
Ordered, That the petition and resolution last mentioned be referred to the Committee on Pensions.
On motion by Mr. Shepley,
Ordered, That the petition, on the files of the first session of the last Congress, of David and Ebenezer Robinson, be referred to the Committee on Commerce.
On motion by Mr. Goldsborough,
Ordered, That the petition, on the files of the last session of Francis Cazeau's heirs, be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

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110 JOURNAL OF THE SENATE. [Jan. 20.
printing of documents for its use, depend upon a similar order on the part of the other House, be and the same is hereby rescinded.
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee appointed to audit and control the contingent expenses of the Senate.
On motion by Mr. Ruggles
The joint resolution providing for the temporary employment of additional clerk or clerks in the patent office, was read the second time and considered as in committee of the whole; and, no amendment having been proposed, it was reported to the Senate; and
Ordered, That it be engrossed and read a third time.
The following motion, submitted by Mr. King, of Alabama, was considered
and agreed to:
Resolved, That the resolution adopted on the 7th ultimo, admitting certain public officers and others to the floor of the Senate as spectators, be amended by inserting "the Solicitor of the Treasury, the Paymaster General, The Quartermaster General, the Commissary General, the principal of the Topographical Bureau, the principal Geologist, the principal of the Engineer Bureau, the clerk of the Supreme Court, and the reporter of the Supreme Court."
On motion by Mr. Southard,
The Senate resumed the consideration of the motions submitted by Mr. Benton, in relation to the banks in the District of Columbia, and the currency; and, they having been amended,
On motion by Mr. Webster,
Ordered, That they be laid on the table.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the question demanded by Mr. Calhoun as to the reception of the memorial of the society of Friends, of Pennsylvania, on the subject of slavery in the District of Columbia, presented to the Senate on the 11th instant; and,
On motion by Mr. Clay,
Ordered, That it be postponed until to-morrow.
A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Franklin, their Clerk:
Mr. President. The House of Representatives have passed a bill entitled "An act to extend the charters of certain banks in the District of Columbia, to the first day of October, 1836;" in which they request the concurrence of the Senate.
The President of the United States, on the 14th instant, approved and signed "An act making an appropriation for repressing hostilities commenced by the Seminole Indians."
The Senate resumed the consideration of the motions submitted by Mr. Benton, on the 12th instant, in relation to the application of the surplus revenues to the defences of the United States, together with the amendment proposed by Mr. Goldsborough; and, after debate,
On motion by Mr. Hubbard,
Ordered, That they be laid on the table.
After the consideration of Executive business,
The Senate adjourned.

Page 30

Jan. 21.] JOURNAL OF THE SENATE. 111
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1836.
On motion by Mr. Tallmadge,
Ordered, That the petition presented to the Senate on the 24th day of December, 1833, from the citizens of Poughkeepsie, Washington, and Dover, in New York, and of Kent, New Milford, and Washington, in Connecticut, praying for an additional mail route, be referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.
Mr. Tallmadge presented the petition of Melanethon Taylor Woolsey, a captain in the navy, praying that further credits may be allowed in the settlement of his public accounts.
Mr. Tyler presented the petition of Charles D. Brodie, praying to be compensated for the use, in the navy, of his invention for repairing ships damaged under water.
Ordered, That the two petitions last mentioned be referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr. Southard, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, reported a bill to regulate the pay of the officers of the United States marine corps; which was read, and passed to a second reading.
Mr. McKean, from the Committee on Public Lands, reported the bill for the relief of Susan Marlow, without amendment.
Mr. Prentiss, from the Committee on Public Lands, reported the bill for the relief of Samuel Smith, Lynn McGhee, and Semoice, Creek Indians, with an amendment, which was read.
Mr. Ewing, from the Committee on Public Lands, reported the bill to extend the time for issuing scrip certificates on United States military and
warrants, without amendment.
Mr. Ewing, from the same committee, reported the bill to give effect to patents for public lands issued in the name of deceased persons, with an amendment, which was read.
On motion by Mr. Ewing,
Ordered, That the Committee on Public Lands be discharged from consideration of the petition of Jacob Dewees.
Mr. Benton, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom the subject was referred by a resolution of the Senate of the 28th ultimo, reported a bill to provide for the construction of floating steam batteries; which was read, and passed to a second reading.
Mr. Benton, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom the subject was referred by a resolution of the Senate of the 23d ultimo, reported a bill to provide for opening a military road from Fort Leavenworth to the right bank of the Mississippi, above the State of Missouri; which was read, and passed to a second reading.
Mr. Benton laid on the table sundry documents from the War Department relating to the two bills last mentioned; which were ordered to be printed.
Mr. Benton, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported the bill providing for the increase of the corps of engineers, and for other purposes, without amendment.
Mr. Crittenden, from the Committee on Public Lands, reported the bill for the relief of Elijah Simmons, without amendment.
Agreeably to notice given, Mr. Tyler asked and obtained leave to bring

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112 JOURNAL OF THE SENATE. [Jan. 21.
in a bill for the relief of the legal representatives of William Ramsay, deceased; which was read twice by unanimous consent, and considered asin Committee of the Whole; and
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims,
Agreeably to notice given, Mr. Clayton asked and obtained leave tobring in a bill establishing the Territorial Government of Wisconsin, which was read twice by unanimous consent, and considered as in Committee of the Whole; and
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and
printed.
The following motions, submitted by Mr. Hendricks, were considered
and agreed to:
Resolved, That the Secretary of War be directed to inform the Senate what progress, if any, has been made under the various appropriations for improving the navigation of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, in removing a ledge of rocks on the Ohio river, immediately below Shipping port.
Resolved, That the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads be instructed to inquire into the expediency of establishing a post route in the State of Indiana, from Plymouth, by Oakland, to Laporte; also, a post route from Michigan city, by way of Bailytown, Deep river, Robinson's prairie, and the crossing of Kankakee, to Peoria, in Illinois.
The following motions, submitted by Mr. Linn, were considered and agreed to:
Resolved, That the Committee on Pensions be instructed to inquire into the expediency of placing the name of John Baptiste Janis, a French inhabitant of Missouri, on the pension roll, the said Janis having served as an ensign in a company of volunteers at the siege and capture of Vincennes, in the year 1779, when said place was taken by Colonel George Rogers Clarke; or to make such other provision for him as the justice of his case would seem to demand.
Resolved, That the Committee of Claims be instructed to inquire into the expediency of making compensation to the recorder of land titles at St. Louis, Missouri, for extra clerk hire, office rent, and fuel for office, platting instruments furnished and paid for by said recorder, between October 13, 1830, to the 30th September, 1832.
Resolved, That the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads be instructed to inquire into the expediency of the post roads, establishing the following
From St. Charles to Dardeene, Missouriton, Marthasville, Pinkney, Loutre island, Big Spring, Portland, Hibernia, once a week.
From St. Charles, by Portage Des Sioux, to Alton, twice a week, in two-horse post coaches.
From Palmyra, in Marion county, to pass through Paris, Monroe county, Columbia, Boone county, to Jefferson city, twice a week.
From Richmond to Compton's store, on Grand river, 55 miles, once a week.
From St. Louis to Jefferson barracks, Herculaneum, St. Genevieve, Perryville, and Jackson, to Cape Girardeau, twice a week.
From Jackson, Cape Girardeau county, to Fredericktown, Farmington, Potosi, Old Mines, Herculaneum, Jefferson barracks, twice a week in four horse post coaches.

Page 32

Office Secretary of Senate


James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions


Aug. 19

Jean Baptiste Janis Sr.
Missouri Roll Act July 2, 1836

$120 per annum: From 4 March 1831 

En. Vol. Col. G. R. Clark


Hon. L.F. Linn
Ste. Genevieve
Missouri

Page 33

138

Baptiste Janis

Received 18 Sept. 1833.
Registered No. 309

Page 34

679.692


679.  Ensign Francis Charlesville's company Militia
692.  received for sundries $600

Page 35

15901

INVALID


File No. 15901

Jean Baptiste Janis

Ensign Rev. War


Act:  June 7, 1832

Index:-Vol. 1, Page 191

[Arrangement of 1870]

Page 36

Jean Baptist Janis Sr. Missouri roll

Act June 7, 1832 (Special act of July 2. 1836)

Be pleased to say to what time he was last paid 

Pension Office 
April 27. 1840 ⎬

Page 37

Washington April 24, 1840


Sir

By a Special act of Congress the name of John Baptist Jannis was placed on the Pension List for revolutionary, in 1835 I believe he received a portion of the pension and died some time in October of the same year - I wish you to inform me whether there is not a balance due his heirs.

Respectfully,

L.F. Linn


Mr. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

Page 38

St. Louis
July 29th 1836


Sir

A law passed last session of Congress granting a Pension to John Baptiste Janis, of Missouri.  Will you be pleased to forward to me at Ste. Genevieve his pension certificate and obliged

Your obedient servant,

L.F. Linn

Hon. Mr. Edwards

Page 39

No 15408
Baptiste Janis
 Ensign 
Ill Line Revolution
Discharged, 18
1 - 0
PENSIONER:
Ctf. No
Act of
4072 
Half Pay (Lands or money) Act 31
Received, 187