The Litchfield County post., 1827-02-23

ded myself, that that claim rests on solid
foundations, hope the House will meet it
and consider it--that we shall not shun Il.
and unworthily give it the go-bv; let US
not evade itas if we feared it; let us not
smother it as if it's distinct shape and fea-
lures were not agreeable to US if we fear
to grant it, let us not at least fear to refuse
it. Let US sustain the responsibility that
belongs to our stations: and meeting this
claim as it is presented, let us Judge of its
merits, and decide upon. it as our own con-
sciences may prescribe.
Within the last fifteen years, the subject
has been repeatedly before the House, and
different committees have at different times
reported upon it. In the meanwhile, those
who are to be benefited, or TO be disap-
pointed at the result of our votes, are fast
following each other to the grave. If we
mean to do any thing, we cannot 30 it too
soon; if we mean to do nothing, we cam
not too soon say we will do nothing. AS
yet, there is little remnant surviving; they
| still live, to witness, would fondly hope,
| the success, but strongly fear the failure,
of this application to the justice of the
country. l now see, that this measure, on
which all their hopes are embarked, is APP
parently hurrying and rushing to absolute
downfall, and irrevocable prostration, by
this attempt to overwhelm it,by connecting
with it a proposition, (which, as | should
suppose, every gentleman must know is
wholly impracticable. | would fain stay
this downward course, if may, and again
invoke the House.to give candid, consid-
Grafton to the merits of the claim; if |
may not do that, would yet seize the oc-
casion, while it yet remains topic of dis
cussion, to express my own opinions. I
feel that the claim is just that the honour
of the country is connected with it and
now, while it seems in the utmost peril, |
cannot be silent, but must proclaim to this
House, and to the nation, the convictions
which inhabit my breast.
will not address myself to the sympa-
thy Of the House I seek to create no ex-
element; | ask for no partial, or highly IA
vorable consideration of the claim. If
gentl smen say they do not feel at liberty
to be generous, be it so : if their sense of
public duty, Restraints them from the exer-
else of liberality, be it so: if they think
even that gratitude be not.a virtue stern
enough for their official stations, let them
dismiss it. But, they will hear to Justice :;
they will decide, 1 should hope, in this
matter, on the common rules of equity and
fair dealing, and nothing more need be
asked.
Sir, agree entirely with what was sta
ted, and SO well proved, by the gentleman
(Mr. Drayton) from South Carolina, yes
terday; that if this were judicial inquiry
between man and man, the right and equi-
ty of it would be found with the officers
l say without hesitation, as lawyer, in the
character Of which, if | put any value on
my own opinions, / have the most respect
for them, that the claim of these officers,
under the resolutions of 1880, and 1888, is
a claim not yet satisfied and which would
recommend itself for compensation and
payment, TO the conscience of any chan
cellor in the civilized world. / say, that
| if the United States could be made subject
to suit, and the officers of the Revolutions
ny Army could bring them before COM
petent tribunal, thoy would find no advo-
cate Outstanding and character, who would
advise them that they had defence; but
there is no such tribunal; they have NO
such remedy; and their appeal, therefore
is to the party itself against whom the claim
lies.-Stated in the shortest manner, the
case is this - >...
BY the resolve Of Congress, October,
1880, every officer of the Continental Ar
my who should continue in the service to
the end of the war, was to receive half pay
for life. By the resolution of 1888, they
were requested to give up this claim for
half pay for life, and in lieu thereof, they
were promised five years. full pay, with
interest at six per cent. till paid. These
express and solemn promises, thus made to
the defenders Of the country, in the hour
of their suffering, and Of our peril, have
never been performed. Disguise ii, cover
it, evade it, as we will, the truth still is, that
this plighted faith has never been redeem
ed. Have they received the. half pay for
life They have not. Have they received
the-fve years full pay? They have not
No, Sir, they are our creditors. / do not
content myself with saying they are our
benefactors. And if the little remnant OF
them draw out their lives in penury, and
lay their aged heads in the grave at last,
with neither cheering nor consolation from
us; yet they live as our creditors, they die