American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1826-03-10
Volume v.

be appauded any remarkable instance of benevolence
or honesty he should afterwards pay the remainder, to
relieve the sfengs of the aged and meritoous
anence and good fortune had rendered his cond-
ton fourshing beyond example.
Although the case between the government and the Off
GERS OF the continental army resembles the above
respects, YET, III other essential particulars, it is much
stronger case the claims Of the officers is founded
contract! which, in the opinion Of the Committee under all
the circumstances, has not been fairly rescnded and if it
has there cannot possibly exist doubt, that the
ton contract has not been ulled for, if the officers had
been able to have held their certificates the period in
which they funded, they would not have received
their interest according their contract and besides
arrears of the interest then funded three per
which was fair Infringement OF the contract the
ought to have been paid before, of being
duced to one half of their value. The payment, likewise
of the third of the principal deferred for years.
without interest, which again departure from the
tract But the weighty and most important circmsa
Of ALL that the inability of the government perform its
contract, inevitably obliged The officers part with their
certificates at the reduced prices Of eight for presents
argument in equity sufficiently powerful 10 satisfy Con-
gress that claim of description, favor of the off.
GERS, does in good faith exist.
The results of the revolution, which have transcribed
anticipation every where and admired.
They invited national guest to revisit each state in the
Union to witness person, the unriyaled prosperity and
political glory which have been achieved by the war Of the
revolution Among the vcissi.udes of the life of this Illus
rous and extraordinary man, would be elcitous Incl
dent bis appearance here, after the lapse of near half
century, should have excited the feelings OF the nation,
and occasoned such to the trying times of the
revolution to be servceabe TO his companions arms
in the evening of their days
Under all the circumstances of this highly interesting
case, appears the Committee that Of two modes
ought to be adopted for the final settlement of the claim Of
the memorass reasonable and becoming the faith and
dignity of the nation First, by the proposed by
former memorial that is to say of deductng from the
of the half pay computed from the cessation of hos
tes, to the present time the full nominal of the
computation certificates and paying the surviving officers
the balance and henceforward, during the remainder of
their lives, paying to them the half pay stipulated by the
resolve Of 1880.
Or, secondly, that Congress should proceed upon the
equitable circumstances OF the and pay such specific
raeaby among the officers, according to their ranks
and the resolves of Congress, as may appear reasonable
and just
The first has, in substances been twice reported 10 the
House of Representatives. and not sustained The Com
mttee, therefore, paying due respect 10 these decsions
unanimously agreed TO recommend the latter mode
and conne its provisions to the comforts of the living
and make its acceptance final discharge of all claims
the part of the surviving officers Of the army of the Revolu
ton; and, in conformity with these views on the subec
the Committee have herewith reported bill appropriatng
the OF - dollars for the purposes aforesaid. The
committee have also annexed to this report, the report
letters from General Washington
1t is but rational concuson that it is the last time that
the military officers of the revolution, in body, will ask
of Congress the favor any of lis n concerning
hem their prayer granted, they will have nduce-
ment and is not it will be hopeless to make any more
solicitations; indeed they have now not much time to
spare, their approaching dissolution near at hands,
little while longer, and the earthly between them
and their country will be closed forever.
Entracts Of letters from General Washington
"That, in the critical and periloos moment, when
the last mentioned communication was made, there
was the utmost danger that dissolution of the arr
my would have taken place, unless measures similar
to those recommended, had been adopted, will nc.
admit of doubt"
"That the adoption of the resolution granting
half pay Tor life, has been attended with all the
happy consequences had oretold far respect
ed the good of the service, let the astonishing con-
trast between the state OF the army at this instant
and at the former period, determine and tha! the
establishment OF funds, and the security for the
payment of all Just demands OF the army, will be
the most certain means of preserving the national
faith, and the future tranquility of this extensive
continent is my decided opinion i; by the preceding
remarks it will be readily imagined that, instead of
retracting or reprebendiDg from further experience
and reflection, the mode so srenuously urged in the
enclosures, l am more and more confirmed IN the
sentiment (and If in the wrong suffer me to please
myself with the grateful delusion) or II, besides
the simple payment of wages, a further compensa-
ton is not due to the sufferings and sacrifices of the
officers, then have been mistaken indeed. If the
: whole army have not meriIed whatever a grateful
people can bestow then have been beguiled by pre-
judice and built opinion on the basis OF error 1t this
country should not in the event perform every
thing which has been requested by the late memo.
rails to Congress, then shall my belief become yain
and the hope which has been excited, void of foun-
daton and il (as has been suggested for the pur-
pose of inAaming their passions, the officers OF the
army are to be the only sufferers by this Reyolu
ton; if. in retiring from the field, they are to
grow old in poverty wretchedness, and contempt !;
if they are to wade through the vile mire OF depen-
dency and owe the miserable remnant OF that lie
to charity, which has hitherto, been spent in honor
then shall have realized tale which will embit-
ter every moment of my future lie. But am
under no such apprehensions country secured
by their arms from impending ruin, will never leave
/ unpaid the debt Of gratitude
i +, Ia.arrro,, n ane raj Washinpto ion to Congress-