Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 46571, Thomas Triplett, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Triplett, Thomas
S. 465-71
B.L.W.E. 1777-300
CONTENTS

Triplett to S Fraser Triplett
to S Fraser
[Faint mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]
[Faint mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]

I know all men by these presents, that I Thomas Triplett Jew of Bath County Kentucky do by these presents. assign to Thomas Triplett all lands that may be due for military services in the revolution of the United States. as a capt which I transfer to my son Thomas Triplett as witness my hand Seal this 16 th November 1830 -
Thomas Triplett
Kentucky } Bath County } ss
This day Thomas Triplett Jew. Came before me a Justice of the peace for said County & acknowledged the above to be his act & deed hand Seal this 16 th Nov: 1830
M. C. [unclear] 1830

I assign the within to Rev. Joseph Watson for value received, his heirs and assigns, all my right title interest claim and demand in and to bounty in lands from the United States. in virtue of my forfeited services in the Virginia line on Continental establishment, and do hereby request the Secretary of War to issue a warrant to the said Joseph Watson on my my assigned, Walnut My hand and Seal 10 th June 1831.
Thomas H. Price
Witness
J. B. Monroe
James M. Taylor
90

June 11. 1897 - History to Mr. F. B. Heitmann, Adjutant Generals' Office, War Department Washington, D.C.
1916 Apr. 20. Hist. to Mrs. Mildred Mitchell.
1920 Jan. 31. Hist. to Mrs. Nathaniel Brown, State Center Iowa. aw
[3-230.]
Cif No 1057
16.54 16.54
Re-Issues.
Name: Thomas Triplett Rank: Capt Reg't: Va Reg't War
Kentucky Act May 15, 18 28 } Agency
RATE PER MONTH, AND DATE OF COMMENCEMENT.
1st Issue { $4 80 per An. Comm'g of issued Oct. 5, 1831. 2d Issue { Comm'g Agency Book gives date of death Feb. 28, 1833. 3d Issue { Comm'g
DATE OF CERTIFICATE, AND TO WHOM SENT.
1st Issue { Sent to 2d Issue { Sent to 3d Issue { Sent to

1777-1778 1777-1778
form for proof of birth

I certify that Thomas Triplett's claim has been allowed as a captain in the Virginia Line
Thomas W. Dickinson -
Treasury Department
The claims under Act of May 15, 1828 were adjudicated in the Treasury Department
Thomas Triplett
Mr. No. 1777
300 acres. Capt. Va. Line
issued Feb. 6, 1832.
to Joseph Watson assignee

State of Kentucky County of Franklin
Thomas Tipton aged between 85 & 90 years do upon oath testify and declare that about the year of one thousand seven hundred & seventy six or seven I was in the service of the United States, and was promoted to a Captain in said service, and drew four thousand six hundred acres of land warrants, which is as I understand patented to Cadwallader Wallis & David J. in Mississippi by reference to the land warrants, and that I served during the war, and until its close & termination when I was discharged & discharged. I further declare that I have never received a warrant for bounty land promised to me on the part of the United States, (except the warrants aforesaid which were received from the State of Virginia) nor have ever assigned or transferred my claim except as above in any manner whatsoever (except to Thomas Tipton Jr which is now in the hands of Col. Joseph Walton). Therefore know all men by these presents that Thomas Tipton aforesaid, do hereby constitute and appoint Col. Joseph Walton of Washington City, to be my true and lawful attorney for me and my name. To do and

and receive from the Secretary of War, of the United States, a warrant for the quantity of said due me as aforesaid; and my said attorney is hereby fully authorized and empowered to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes or attorneys under him, for the special purpose above expressed. I further declare & make oath that from old age & bodily infirmity unable to account or say what has become of my Commission or with the different regiments I was in, In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this 14th July 1835 Thomas Tiptlett (Seal) Attest: Thomas Tiptlett Jr
I, Mashack Pearson aged 78 a pensioner of the United States Revolutionary Pension do hereby declare that I was raised in the County of Culpeper in the State of Virginia and enlisted in Capt George Houghton's Company    as aforesaid in his declaration and that he then knew Thomas Tiptlett as an officer in the Army and Continental establishment, that at the close of the war he said Tiptlett settled in Culpeper County and was known & recognized as a Captain in the Revolution and the said Tiptlett who acknowledged the above declaration of power of attorney in my presence is now known to me to be the identical person he therein presents himself to be and do know in part & believe

he did perform the Military Service. Therein stated M ichael Thomas Tipton (M ichael Thomas Tipton) Thomas Tipton (M ichael Thomas Tipton) State, On Oath he is the son of Thomas Tipton sen. aforesaid, and that his father from old age. his mind is so debilitated, that he has but little recollection on any subject. At least not sufficient to give any accurate detail of his services.
State of Kentucky Franklin County } Set
Thomas Tipton Jr
Before me James Shannon (a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared the above named person, and made Oath to the forgoing Statements. and the above named Thomas Tipton who acknowledged to the forgoing declaration, and in my presence acknowledged the power of attorney thereunto subjoined, to be his free act & deed. and likewise, personally appeared said Michael Pearson who hath subscribed the above Certificate of identity, and all of whom are known to me to be men of respectability and truth and made solemn Oath to the truth of the depositions. by them respectively subscribed this 17th day of July 1831 James Shannon

State of Kentucky County of Franklin
I do hereby certify that the above (copy) James Thomas was a Magistrate authorized to administer Oaths, and take acknowledgements in the State of Kentucky at the above date, and that his name there subscribed, appears to me to be his usual signature. I have hereunto affixed the County Seal, and subscribed my name at Frankfort this 17th July 1831.
J. H. Kennick Off. Sec.
Copy to Governor Crittenden
W. B. Lunsford - Clerk

Rev. W. M. ...
April 20, 1916.
Mrs. Mildred Mitchell, La Grange, Missouri.
Madam:-
In response to your letter dated the tenth instant, you are advised that the papers in the claim of the only Thomas Triplett (Sur. File No. 46,571) found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau, show that in an affidavit executed July 12, 1831, in Franklin County, Kentucky, Thomas Triplett Senior, stated that he was between eighty-five and ninety years of age, that about 1776 or 1777 he was a Captain in the Revolutionary War, and was in the service in 1776 or 1777; no further particulars stated. q.m.
After the war he resided in Culpeper County, Virginia. He was allowed bounty land by the State of Virginia, and was pensioned as Captain of the Virginia troops by the United States Government. He died February 28, 1833. ✓
Son, Thomas Triplett Junior, is the only child mentioned.
Very respectfully,
J. M. Salzkopf
Commissioner.
There is nothing to show whether the son finally paid back the money or how his case was finally dealt with.
Office Note: Heubner's Register gives Thomas Triplett & Co. baptism of George Washington Additional correspondence to Regt. Jan. 13, 1776. resigned Apr. 29, 1778. if this father's son submitted fraud it was probably based on this service. aw Jan 24, 1920

For Chief Justice Marshall

Question propounded to chief justice marshall by Thomas Tipton
2. 1 st did you or not introduce to Henry Marshall of Frankfort Kentucky Thomas Tipton who had recently married the daughter of Col. Francis Tipton and say to him that he had been an officer in the revolution state all you know of his services grade & regiment he belonged to all you know on the subject -
To the honorable chief justice John Marshall the The reason of my applying to you on the subject is that I am prosecuted in my farthers case, where he was placed On the pay roll & got commutation, Mr Hellars hall evidence is that you either pointed him out my farthers out or introduced him & stated he had been an officer in the revolution, it is a case of vital importance to me!

as I have a few daughters graduated & ushered into the world, a speedy reply will be gratifying
Your Most obedt Servt
Thomas Tipton

Re: 24 June 1834
1134
808.
Frankfort. Kentucky June 18. 1834
Sir:
I have the honor to report that having attended to some business for the Post Office Dept. in this State and the States South of it, which first demanded my services, I commenced last week an examination of the business confided to me by your Letter of the 27th March. Supposing that enough appeared upon the face of the papers in the cases of Thomas McPhee & John Bailey to justify the emanation of a warrant against Thomas McPhee, I applied to the District Judge of this State accordingly. He desired additional proof concerning the same. In order to get such proof I started on Thursday last to Park County Ky where the officials

1135 city in support of the 1135 claim had been taken. On Saturday I obtained ad- ditional testimony by affidavit before a Magistrate. On Sunday learned some- thing further to enable me to proceed properly in the case. On Sunday evening I was induced to think from movements among the friends of the Wright in North County that a special express might be sent to him at this place apprising him what was going on, and affording him an opportunity to leave the State before I could get back and obtain process. I knew that Wright had expressed a resolution to go to Petersburg in a very short time. To anticipate the movement I resolved not to wait for the stage - took horse at 4 o'clock the day before yesterday at Coburns ville & riding 64 miles arrived at

the place at 9 36 A.M. yesterday - at 5 am applied to the Judge for a warrant against Triplice - and at 9 A.M. received him to be arrested.
The preliminary investigation before the Judge is fixed for the 2 nd day of July. Triplice has given bail to appear on that day in $10,000 himself in $9000, and Security for an equal sum. Already he has engaged two Lawyers to appear for him - one of them in the first month of the profession. A great effort will be made in his behalf. But I am resolved to do every thing to prevent his discharge. I can not ap- prehend it indeed. I should be going to Bath again to get testimony. Nothing should be wanting on my part in ob- taining witnesses, and as I will grow familiar with the facts and the Law of the case I will

appear before the H37 along with the Attorney of the Defendant.
This morning I will have out two other warrants for the appre- hension of J Reed a Justice of the Peace in North Berney. I will take the for false swearing. I will take the to have them executed forthwith. The warrants may yet be taken out.
The guilt of Wilite I think can be made apparent, and consequently I have no doubts of the result if the case can be laid before a jury.
Further proceedings in this case shall be duly reported.
I am respectfully
Yr obedt Servt
J. L. Loughborough
Rev R Bancy
Sec of the Ministry

Triplet.
17 letters paper public's case

To A Dickens Esq
I return the papers sent by Wippler. It is my opinion that the Deposition should be taken. Mr Blair has given a sketch of his answer - I hope soon to other will be sent in the same way and it will be well to have the deposition. He should have no ground for a Contumacious
Yr Ob Serv
P. S. Longfellow May 28

Letters from Thomas Triplett,
Copies sent to Hon. Herman Allen H.R. June 1838.
File this package with papers under act of May 15. 1828, in Mr. Evans's room
10705

24 June 1834
1126
806.
New York
June 18 '34
Dr Sir:
Yesterday morning I had my bill arrested. - To day I get warrants for three of his con- federates in Dutch County & will perhaps go up there again myself. I have had a flood of light upon the career of Imperial & Baisley on my first visit to Dutch County. Of the guilt of Imperial there is no doubt - nor of his services none of the men gets too far. You will see my report with Secretary under this morning. Yours A. S. Langdon
Rev. D. A. D. Esq.

Ms. A. 9. 2. 20. 15
C. N. L.
The Honble Secretary of the Treasury United States Washington

Frankfort
Feb 20th 1835
Dear Sir { I can not go safely to trial without the Copys desired nor do I intend (I must have full true & complete copies, and the Originals desired) going to trial without them I make a trial at the next term, my friend Mr Haggins, I cannot nor need not & myself has both tried the Judge and Can get no answer on the application for Subpoena duces tecum and he advised me to write direct to you, I must have the witness or their depositions as I must I mean to have a fair & impartial trial According to the Constitution
Yours
Thomas Tipton
To Francis Dickens Esquire

8/15/15
The Honble
Secretary of the United States Washington, D.C.
FREE
7-5 April 9 D. L.

Frankfort
March 31 st
To the honorable secretary of the United States, 1835
sir
I am laboring under an indictment for defrauding the United States. I shall make an affidavit to the district judge, requesting him to withdraw from sitting and anticipate hearing by the recommendation of Messrs Kendal Francis P Blair, & Septha Dudley Coupeled with other facts that the judge is the district attorney, and afterwards as judge of the Kentucky district I wish you to transmit yours &c Thomas Tipton

June 1834
1130
807.
Frankfort Ky June 18 1834
Sir:
Thomas Triplett has desired that I should request of you to have for- warded to this place to be used in the investigation of the charge against him the Disposition of Col Charles Brooduce in support of the claim of Capt Wm. Triplett. He wants also the original deposition of George Triplett in the same case now filed, he says among the papers in the estate of William Daughtery.
Yrs &c
P.S. Longborough
Hon R. M. Tazewell

State Center Ia Jan 15-1920
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Please give the Pension Record of Thomas Triplett of Revolutionary War - he is given as a Pensioner of the act of 1828 "Capt Thos. Triplett Sr. Va Line - (6ct 31 - 1831 - (March died 1833) March 3 - 1833 - or Feb. 1833) "agents" Thos Triplett Jr. W. T. Barry - Lt. Daniels Richard M. Johnson - M. Harrison Betsy H. Triplett (widow) Mrs Nathaniel Brown State Center Iowa.

Rev Sec H La Grange Mo April 10-1916
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Sir:-
I write to you for information in regard to Captain Thomas Triplett who was in Col. William Drayson's Reg. in the Rev. war. I want to go in the

W. A. P and he is my ancestor. I will be thankful for all the information you can give me
Prospect
Mrs Hildred Mitchell La Grange Mo

aw Rev. War Section.
Jan. 31, 1920.
Mrs. Nathaniel Brown, State Center, Iowa.
Madam:
In reply to your letter of the 15 th instant, you are advised that the records of this Bureau show that Thomas Triplett, Senior, executed an affidavit July 12, 1831, in Franklin County, Kentucky, and stated that he was between 85 and 90 years of age, that about 1776 or 1777 he was a Captain in the Revolutionary War, no further particulars of service given.
After the war he lived in Culpeper County, Virginia.
He was allowed bounty land and pension as Captain of Virginia Troops. He died February 28, 1833.
He had a son Thomas. There is no other data on file as to his family.
Very respectfully,
J. M. McCagg Commissioner.

The Honbl. Secretary of the Treasury U. States Washington City
Ms. A. 9. 2. 15. 4. - Lickins

Rec d 3 rd March 1835
1029
Frankfort
Feby 11 th
1835
To the honorable Secretary of the Treasury U.S.
for 3 transmitted thro.
The district attorney application for certain copies. which I consider material to my defence, also the assenting to taking certain depositions, I never mean to go to trial without them in case you dissent to taking the depositions, I wish you to give instructions to the Marshall to tender the bill traveling attendance of the witnesses. They are material and I never intend to be tried without them or their evidence Kendall and Blair is material for me to prove they had correspond- ed with the district Judge either while he was district attorney, or Judge. in relation to my prosecution, any many of the grand jury. Strange as it may appear there are the men thought to come within the language of the Constitution the Constitution "free & impartial" if none had been summoned that had openly in taverns or streets maintained my innocence they would not be thought by government "free & impartial" as I intend assigning it as grounds to quash the indictments and have a new grand jury. I want the evidence. altho' I have sustained it in part by other evidence, the copies I wrote to gentlemen I supposed my counsel to get a subpoena duces tecum for them, but they neglected it I have sent the district Judge two petitions and he neither grants them nor refuses and as I mean to apply to every source until I do get them I therefore apply to you I do not want nothing but what the law allows me & that I will have if there is virtue or naught with the law to get it which I doubt not. the found- ancy of such a man, be for a while in great excitement.

not permitted to flow freely, and be contaminated and corrupted, but I believe we have yet too much virtue patriotism and democracy in our people & government to last long, I have summoned Chief Justice Marshall you see my question I must have them answered, or his attendance, I have summoned, the superior judge. I kept in Clare jail and sick unprotected by counsel the grand jury sworn without my being brought out to make my objections or be heard in any way in violation of law, for as an arrest the accused and the accuser stand on equal grounds I have the same right to process to compel attendance of witnesses and two counsel assigned me by the court or judge at the expense of the United States to make my defence, I am kept in jail the grand jury proceed, the agent of the government Mr Loughborough, and district attorney in the grand examining papers & witnesses, without indictments. They first sent up. and when there was an intelligent grand juror objected the form averred, that he had served upon all grand juries for 15 years (it was the invariable practice) I wish them on the motion to vacate the indictment, whether in their courts they ever did tolerate or permit such a practice I know in Burr's case written interrogatories were requested to be sent up by Mr Hay to witnesses and the court refused and said such a practice had never prevailed in America or in modern days in Europe, the grand jury instead of being kept in their chambers while passing on my indictment dispersed intermixed with the people and was the most clamorous all which will be assigned for grounds of quashal. I am thus prolix as I wish to show you it is not vexation on my part

but to attain justice, even in the bloody time of Jefferson. they kept up an appearance of trial & allowing defence & I mean to make a full fare even if or probably my family spent as much money, and blood in the revolution as any other & in the late war. I refer to all Superior County and judge Marshall. as to its truths, nor do I intend to submit to Terney as long as I live, which the Dr say I am going in a briskest gate than I would desire, I suppose that and judge Monroe decisions will be inevitable, and I will have to stand to the horse, but in my civil suit with the United States. I have a right to a change of venue, and shall do so. as Judge Monroe, shall not sit in my 5 trying nothing about the letter case he received when he was an applicant for district judge on the subject of my prosecution or the indecent language he used on the margin of letter to me he has stated that he wished to get hold of such fellows as me in the presence of H. Henden & Phillips swager & Ensign. I know in the reign of Terney in England a judge had the hardihood to tell a prisoner he did not come there to hear such fellows as him or listen to his books, but in the reign of H. Jackson I hope such excess will not be tolerated I therefore prepared Terney.
Mason or Arkansas Terney the later I would prefer as I had gone there with a view of permanent residence when I heard of one Bill Todd & D. Wilkerson racing over the Country saying I never would go to the City of Washington again and was to be prosecuted on the need the letter I started back, the next day, such wretches shall not escape with my money, altho 2800 miles from the City, I returned Mr Dickins and can tell you my course there, and should not have been in Kentucky at the time had it not been I understood it was to be instituted here. as I shall go there it would be a matter of convenience to be tried the civil case there they administer justice private & publick without denial or delay, no slow pears over there, all over quick I submit this thro the district attorney as I have done Yours Thomas F. Smith

Lewis Vandern Ely Present

Lewis Sanders Esq: district attorney
Will receive the interrogatory I wish to propound all except No. 1. No. 2 is already in hand & will create no delay, No. 3 Nicholas if the solicitor would enclose it with any questions he may wish to propound, to the postmaster G. C. & get him to attend to it the expenses I will pay, and I wish you to guarantee them and do not know the amt. I also wish you to Copy No. 4 George Brandwater deposition, and enplace as I wish his evidence he lives in three miles of Lee's Mill in four miles from Georgetown, so the government may cross examine him they may also propound any questions to the other witnesses as I wish a speedy trial and time is pressing send them by to morrows mail.
I wish the witness that proved Lurkin's possession, & proved also Robert Church never improved inside of his claim to day and am filing a bill -
Thomas Tinsley

PAID
The Secretary of the Treasury United States Washington City

Frankfort
Dec 3 rd
1834
Dear Sir \frac{3}{2} I wish you to send me an official copy of the deposition of Holeman Rice you had heard in my case given in my father's case, it is in my handwriting dated 26 th Nov. 1832. all except the signature & clerk's certificate, if you have found Old Robertson's also a copy of that it is in Bailey's case. also a copy of the place where Capt John Bailey was stationed in 1783. Also an official copy of the power of attorney Holeman Rice to A H Sevier. I wish also an official copy (he has given a certificate that will not do me) I want a full copy of the power attorney of Holeman Rice to William H Todd it is in the Commissioner of the land office office which is subject to yours Yours respectfully Thomas Tipton

FAD
Say the ledger is set of by, to be used Det. Atty. as to a civil suit or suits.
W
Calyon after S. G. trust that the means are secured may enter the accounts
of the offender & the restoration of the money to the Gov.
If any papers are necessary to be examined, which are not in the papers.
I hope to write soon
Yours truly the Gov.
1891

Washington City
Aug 28. 1834
Sir:
Having returned from Kentucky I now have the honor to submit a Report of my proceedings under the authority conferred upon me by the Hon R. W. Taney late Secretary of the Treasury.
The papers entrusted to me were those in the cases 1 st of Thomas Triplett acknowledged to have been a Captain from Virginia in the Continental Line for whose services a sum of money had been drawn from the Treasury under a general law of Congress, and an additional sum in virtue of a Special act of Congress for the benefit of his representatives - 2 d of John Beasley of Bath County Ky to whose representatives the half pay of a Captain in the Regiment commanded by Col G. R. Clarke, had been paid at the Treasury - and 3 d of John Scott of Cumberland County Ky. in whose behalf an application had been made to obtain the half pay of a Captain Lieutenant in the Regiment of Virginia State Artillery. Thomas Triplett an Attorney at Law of Frankfort Ky. was the Agent in the two first cases. The papers in the last case were presented at the Treasury by Thomas Green of Richmond Va. To whom, it appears they had been transmitted by Milton King of Burksville Ky.
Having performed certain duties as an Agent of the Post Office Department in the States of Mississippi Alabama and

Thereafter, I proceeded to investigate the cases in which Thomas Triplett was concerned, and in which the evidence had been prepared principally in Bath County Ky. Thinking that perhaps enough appeared upon the face of the papers to justify the emanation of a warrant for the arrest of T. Triplett, whose evasion of the process, if he discovered what was designed against him, I applied at once to Judge Monroe of the U. States Dist. Court accordingly. He wished that additional ground should be shown. I therefore pro- ceeded to Bath County and obtained much additional information in the cases both of Triplett & Bailey, showing conclusively to my mind, that in each case a gross fraud had been practiced by means of perjury and forgery. I procured the affi- davit of Col James McElhaney of Bath to the effect that he had not made such in either case to the statements prepared for him, and which it appeared from the papers as presented at the Treasury, he had sworn to. Thus satisfied of the guilt not only of Triplett, but of others, his confederates, I returned in haste to Frank- fort, and procured from the Judge warrants for the arrest of Triplett - of Josiah Reed a Justice of the Peace of Bath County, and of John Bailey of the same county. Triplett was immediately arrested, and the Marshall directed to proceed to the arrest of Reed and Bailey. Mr. Triplett desired that some time should be given him to prepare for the investigation of the question of his commitment. The Judge appointed

the 3rd day of July. In the interval I proceeded again to Bark County to find testimony, and with the Marshalse filled up a blank subpoena with the names of witnesses for the prosecution, who were summoned. Some of the witnesses were aged and infirm. Their testimony, being regarded important, was taken in depositions to be read on the investigation.
On the day fixed the bodies of Triplett, Reid and Bailey were produced before the Judge. The investigation resulted in an order for the commitment of the three - Thomas Triplett for assisting in the preparation of false papers, and for altering official certificates - Jos. Reid for making false certificates as a Justice of the Peace - and John Bailey for perjury. Bail was given by Bailey and Reid. Triplett yet remains in close jail in Frankfort Ky. The evidence produced for the prosecution showed most conclusively that Thomas Triplett Sr. could not have been a Captain in the Revolution. Two respectable witnesses opposed to their knowledge of him as an apprentice during the war.
Capt. Benj. Roberts a gentleman of reputation and integrity, and one of the Captains in the Regiment commanded by Col G. R. Clark, proved that the John Bailey who was a Captain in that regiment lived and died in Nelson County Ky. without children. They were well acquainted. The money drawn by Triplett for John Bailey of Bark was upon a power of attorney from the sons of the said Bailey.

1167 The papers sent to me at Frankfort from the Treasury Department may be made the basis of prosecutions against certain other individuals in the cases of Triplett and Bailey, and of additional proceedings, if they shall be deemed necessary against the persons already arrested.
I stated at the Treasury previous to my departure westward that I might not have time to attend to the case of John Scott, in which event it was understood I should leave that case to the District Attorney. Upon reflection in Kentucky I deemed it best to investigate the case of Scott myself, and proceeded to Cumberland County accordingly, taking with me from Glasgow, a town on the road, R. D. Mann - Esq. to assist me, as I had never been in the county before.
The affidavit presented at the Treasury in the case of Scott was made by three men of Cumberland. It was accompanied by a power of Attorney signed "John Scott" These were all the papers. My investigation in Cumberland satisfied me fully of the falsehood of the affidavit, and that the whole case was a fabrication to procure for John Scott money improperly due to another of the same name. Several respectable citizens who had known him for years disclaimed any knowledge of his being reputed a captain in the Revolution. He was not called Captain Scott, nor had he been known when speaking of his services in the war to have named himself as an officer. I procured from N Taylor Esq. a justice of

the Penn, and a neighbor of John Scott, a certificate, of which signed, setting forth the above facts, as well as that he understood and believed said Scott was a private pensioner. Information was also given to me by an Agent for pensioners residing in the County, that Scott was in fact a pensioner. Having as I supposed, sufficient evidence to procure process I returned to Frankfort, and on the first Monday of the present month supplied with the Ridge! To my surprise he was unwilling to issue process without additional proof. Upon consulting with the attorney we deemed it best to let the business rest until Court, when bills of indictment could be preferred, and process taken upon them. Four persons will, I think, in this case be found to have incurred the penalty of the Law - John Scott and the three affidavit makers.
As I had already been detained much longer in Kentucky than I had expected, I gave to the attorney all the papers received from the Dept. and started for this city. At Louisville Ky. I met with Judge Babb of the Senate, and understanding that he was acquainted with the real Capt. John Scott, I procured his affidavit accordingly, and enclosed it to Mr. Sanders the attorney, desiring him to lay it before the Judge, and take out warrants for the arrest of the parties.
Since my return to the city I have at the Pension Office found that John Scott is a pensioner as a private.

and that some of his papers seem to have been prepared by the same person whose hand writings appear in the application for half pay as a captain. If this be so, a fifth person may be found implicated in the fraud attempted in behalf of Scott.
The conviction of Triplett and his confederates will show that he has drawn from the public treasury a very large sum of money without right. It is well worthy of the consideration of the Dept. whether a civil proceeding on behalf of the government to recover back the money paid to him or so much of it as can be made of his estate, should not be instituted. I have not examined the authorities to find what have been the decision, if any, in cases of this kind. Yet I think on general principles the government could have a judgment or decree for the amount improperly drawn, in an appropriate proceeding on the civil side of the U. States Circuit Court. No difficulty will be found in making out the facts of the fraud, and of the want of right in the representations of Triplett and Bailey to the money drawn in their names. The executors of Bailey have received but five or six hundred dollars of the money obtained in their case, the whole residue being retained, I believe, by Triplett. Most, if not all of the money drawn for his

1170.
factus services, was also, I believe, appropriated to his own uses by Mr. Ripett.
I have the honor to be Yo ur obedt Servt
P. L. Loughborough
Rev. Saml Woodbury Sec y of Treasury

Question to Col John Nicholas Yours kindly C. J. Virginia
Question by Thomas Ingleth what age were you when you were a captain also what age were you when a major and what age when a lieutenant.
2 d 2. Did you know Thomas Ingleth in army of the revolution and what was his grade and at what date and where did he emigrate

Continued to Francis Dickens
2. who advised the prosecution of said Thomas Triplett in these Cases.
2 who wrote letters to the dep treasury depart- ment and the  in  the  of  those  claims and the Comrs. (the Originals, transmitted to the distressed attorney) would be preferred
I also want the Original pay Certificate and all the receipts on the Drafts also the draft for Contantation, and the receipt and the Certificate on to the person presenting it. to be transmitted to the distressed attorney it will prevent a subpoena duces tecum to produce them - I also want a Certified Copy of the letter, addressed to Thomas Triplett Frankfort by Mr Ingham - and any others from the department if any, as at the request of Watson transmitted all mine, I also want the other Copies I wrote for & where Capt John Bailey was stationed in 1783. and what line he belonged,
Thomas Triplett