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

unlil il be fairly discharged,
After The conclusion OF war, said (by Congress
in one of its addresses to the people OF these United
Sates) TO. be unparalleled in the annals OF man
kind" land in every leaf OF its history the pains
of its my are registered) and after the army had
been disbanded, in November, 1885, certificates,
bearing an interest Of six per cent. pef annum,
were issued but, as no provision, Tor want OF ab-
iy Of means had been made by Congress for their
redemption, they remained, OF course, almost
vaueless for any OF the purposes on account Of
which they had been agreed by the officers TO be
received il lieu Of their halt pay.
Report Of tie Seipct Committee, to ,chom ,cas re-
ferred, on the 10th December, 1919, the memori-
al Of the QGcyrs of the Revolutionary Army, ac-
compaaying bill for their relief.
The Committee, to whom was referred the Memo.
rial OF the Surviving Officers of the Army OF the
Revolution praying Tor an equitable adjustment
Of their claim of half pay for life, have agreed to
submit the following report:
The memoriasts represent that, by the resolve
oi the 2lst Of October. $780, Congress stipulated
that half pay for life should be allowed to the ofi-
Of the Revolutionary Army, who should con-
tinue in service ill the end of the That they
did continue in service till the end OF the war, and
therefore became entitled TO the benefit OF the con-
thus entered into with them by their country
That This contract has not been inlnlied, and they
now entitled to ask its lulhlment.
They further represent, that the commutatlon
offered and received under the resolve OF the 22d
oil March, 1888 ought not to be considered as car,
ceiling the obligation of the government, or impair.
ing the claims of he officers, because il was ltseli
an acknowledgment by the government, Of lis in
capacity at that time TO fulfil the contracts because
il offered not TO individuals, but to lines, and
corps. fof their acceptance, which gave an undue
influence to officers OF age and rank, who were like
" 10 be gamers by the arrangement, and did not
afford full opportunity to the younger officers, oil
interior grade who were chiefly interested IN retain.
ing the halt pay for life, and excluded altogether
from voice in the decision many meritorous off
GERS, whose lines had been broken by the casualties
Of war; because, ALSO it was offered to men, whose
necessities obliged them to accept what they could
obtain Tor the immediate supply OF their wants
and, finally, because the conn alton not, as il
ought 10 have been, and intended to be, an equi-
yalen, for The half pay for lie.
Referring to report made to the House in the
month OF February, 1870 copy Of which accom-
panies the present report and contains, at length,
the several resolves Of Congress- and the principal
facts and arguments having relation to the claim.
the committee proceed respectfully to submit their
views OF the nature n the case, and OF the ubliga
lions on the par. oi the Government thence ari
sing.
II is not necessary TO remind the House, either
Of the merit the value, OF the services rendered
by the memorlaats 10 their country History ha:
already consecrated the one, and the other is suff
cientiy at.ested, in a manner that must appeal L
the best feelings Of every citizen of the United
States, by the rapid growth and eminenty happy
copdition Of that country, for which they devoted
the most valuable portion OF their lives for which
they took up their swords, and for which, too, with
no less patriotism, they laid them down. when he;
liberty and independence had been effectualy Sc
cared. If, il behaf Of this interesting remnant o.
the officers OF the Revolution, Of all that remains tc
to cherish, of the gallant and lllustrous band whJ
have done so much for us, an appeal we're made tt
the national sense Of gratitude, we presume respect
fully to say, that it could scarcely be resisted.
would then be reeollected, that these survivors ar,
precisely the men who have made the greatest sac
tlhces Tor their country as, from the time that ha
since elapsed, it will be seen, that most of then
must have spent in her service that very portion o
life, when, according to the order OF nature, th,
habits are forned and the requirements made
which IN great measure determine its future for
tune and character: And that, while they wer,
thus generously preparing for the nation an abun
dant harvest OF political and social happiness the,
gave up the only opportunity Tor themselves OF be
coming qualified for any occupation, which in tim,
Of peace could assure to them the means even of
comfortable subsistence If accidental good fortune
or distinguished capacity, or the good feelings 0
their fellow citizens displayed in selecting them 70
public Offices of profit, have placed some Of then
above the reach Of want, is nevertheless beleve
that there are many, who have little to consol
them in the decline of life, but the recollection Q
The share they have contributed in laying the foun
q. .on Of their country's independence. To al
such, now welcome and how gaddening would b
the substantial manifestation of that countrys graf
ituds provision for their few remaining year
would alleviate The suferings Of age and the vete
ran Of the Revolution would feel continually an
be quickened and animated BY the feeling, that thu
time ne had devoted to the public service was no