Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-01-06

der the first description, the object of the act
has been effected and that very few frauds
have been attempted, and of those,i is be-
lieyed that none. or very few, have proved
ultimately successful. Great pains have
been taken to collect all of the documents
which could supply the place ofthose which
were destroyed when the war office was.
burnt and. with this view, correspon-
dence was opened with the executives OF the
original states, 10 obtain copies OF those which
were preserved in the archives of their re-
spective states. Where the defect OF those
in the department have hot been supplied,
greater caution has been observed as 10 the
proof of service. 1t will be proper here TO
observe that, al first, occasional errors were
committed, in determining the character OF
certain regiments or corps and some were
considered continental. which, on full enqui-
ry, proved MOTTO be SO. Where such errors
have been committed, they have been cor
rected, and those improperly admitted, have
been dropped from The list OF pensioners. l
is believed that the act has been less success
fully executed in regard 10 the condition in
life, as TO property of those who have OBJ
tanned pensions. A very great number of
communications have been received by the
department from respectable sources, which
represented many OF the pensioners to be in
more afiluent circumstances, than that which
the act contemplated. A memorandum was
directed to be made OF all such cases, in or
der that such as seemed to require it, might
be inquired into. In some cases, where there
appeared TO be satisfactory proof of fraud OF
mistake, the pensioners have been dropped
from the roll. The impositions or mistakes
il they exist, as it appears probable they do
to considerable extent, have taken place,
notwithstanding the continued vigilance Of
the department. Imposition, as to the cir
cumstanceS Of the applicant, was early ap-
pretended and TO guard against them, the
oath IT the applicant, and the certificate of
the Judge, as TO his reduced circumstances,
though not expressly required by the act,
were required by the regulations of the de-
partment. But il is obvious where the Judge
has been careless, or has been imposed on
by The applicant, as to his property, the de-
partment can rarely have any means in its
power TO prevent the conse quence, but from
the informal information. or impression of
such persons as may feel an interest in the
correct execution OF the act. Even facts,
thus communicated, have usually been re-
ceved after the pension has been granted.
There is another difficulty connected with the
execution of this part Of the act, of still great
er magnitude. refer TO the various con.
structions which different judges give 10 the
words, {" in such reduced circumstances in
life, as to need the assistance of their coun-
try for support" 1t is believed the differ
ence in the construction has been very great;
nor has ii been possible for the department
to give specific instructions to them, as to
their contraction as The necessity of the ap-
plicant does not depend sinply on the "a
mount OF property which he may possess,
but on many other circumstances His health
and bodily strength, the number and ability
OF his family to aid in his support, the cheap.
ness or dearness of articles of substance in
the section OF the country ia which he resides,
and many other circumstances, have strong
bearing on it. In the midst of these difficult
ties, the necessity Of the applicant must, in
most cases, be left to the sound discretion of
the Judge.
/ am not aware Of any amendment. of
which the act is susceptible, by which uni
formity OF construction can be secured on
the part of hejudges. or imposition on them
much diminished, unless it should be the in
tention of Congress 10 conhne their bounty
to the lowest grade Of poverty. Any con-
dition, above mere Indulgence, would admit
Of latitude of construction; and it appears
impossible to fix on particular amount, in
value, of property to entitle the applicant
to pension, which would bejust in its ope-
ration, or which would not involve great diff
hculty in its execution.
The number OF pension certificates issued
under the law amount TO 1920.
The number of claims received and
acted on, are 1871