The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-06-23
AN EFFECTIVE SPEECH


In the Committee OF the Whole Of the
House of Representatives, on the Goth ult.,
bill for the relief Of the representatives of
Major Gen. Baron de kalb, deceased, being
taken up,-
Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON objected to the
claim.
Mr.. WASHINGTON, of North Caro-
lima, said he hoped the gentleman from Ten.
nessee Mr.. Johnson) would no, persis, in
his objection. This claim had been exam.
ined with great care and attention BY the
Committee on Revolutionary Claims, and
had been allowed without dissenting voice.
Our very vigilant chairman even (Mr. Hall,
OF Nermoni,) who is remarkable fcr bis
scru,inlzing opposition to all such claims,
united in the favorable report of the com.
mi.tee. Laughter.1
Mr.. JOHNSON said the concurrence of
the chairman (Mr. HalD was certainly
very strong Circumstance in favor of the
claim; but he should like to hear the report
read before he withdrew his objection.
Mr.. WASHINGTON said the .repor,
was elaborate aud long bu, if the Commit
lee would indu &c him he would briefly state
the grounds upon which the committee to
whom the subject had been referred had al
lowed the claim. The history and service
oil Baron de kalb were, he supposed well
known 10 the members Of the Committee of
the Whole. He was among the first Of
those gallant foreigners who espoused the
cause of the United Colonies in their strup
giles for freedom. He came 10 this coun.
try 10 the spring of l777, IN the same yes
sci with Gen. Lafayette. They received
the same ranks, and their commissions bore
the same date. From the time Major
General De kalb entered the service he
remained with the main army a, The North
until the spring of 1850. In the latter part
OF March OF that year, Gen. Washington,
having obtained the consent Of Congress 10
reinforce the Southern army with the Ma.
Tyland and Delaware lines and the frs,
regiment of artillery, placed the whole IN
der the command Of General De Kalb, and
he was directed soon after to march to South
Carolina. Ga The 10Th August following,
the disastrous battle Of Camden was fought, !
IN which the gallant De kalb while leading .
on his troops aud aalmating them BY his
example, was pierced with eleven bavone,
wounds, Of which he died on the lob fol. |.
lowing.
His widow, not long after his death, ap
pied Tor the BALANCE Of his pay due him al
his death, and for the seven years half pay
TO which she was entitled under the act of
24th August, l7o0, but her claims were not
allowed. Il yas admitted by the Auditor
Of Accounts that, after charging the Baron
DE halb with all the money paid to him on
ms o,cn account, and crediting him with his
nlonfhfy pay only, making no allowance for
Inc rallons, forage, transportation, and all
The other enoluments TO which Major
General 10 full command was entitled. there
was STU. balance 10 specie Due him Of 81. 1
ABB 81. But it was alleged that, in Nav,
iisO, S226 900 continental money were
placed IN bis hands, for the subsistence and !
clothing Of his troops on their way 10 the |
South; and, as 10 vouchers were produced
Tor that money, thus charged to him, ,ba,
amount must be considered as a set off to
his private claim. The subject was refer. /
red TO committee of Congress, who on
the l2.h day of May, lisa, reported as
follows:
"Ihai, in May, l7s0. the sum Of S226,. /
Uoo oil The old emission was advanced 10 the .
Baron Dekalb for the use Of the troops I'm.
der his command when he marched TO the
southwark; that, 10 the acton of the 10Th
August, l7S0, when ;he Baron was killed.
his baggage and papers and money fell in.
TO The hands of the enemy; on which YOUR
committee submit the following resolution:
"Tha. the sum Of S226, 900 Of the old
emission, paid into the hands Of the late
MAJOR General DE KaIb, 10 May, I7s0, for
the use Of the troops under his command
be passed 10 his credit without reouirino
for the expenditure. bis accounts
aud vouchers having fallen into The hands
Of the enemy" 4
The resolution, though adopted on the
same day that it vas offered, seems never
70 have been acted on BY the Superinten.
lent OF Finance. Very soon after its adop
sou, the gentleman then 10 that Office 1.-THE
celebrated Robert Morfis) resigned, and
ae office was abolished, aad new Board
d Treasury established; and it does not
appear that 1r. Morris ever communicated .
ms order OF Congress TO Mr.. Pierce. the
commissioner Of Army Accounts. The
'laim IS unsettled and ought to be closed. ,
ibe seven years half pay was refused
u thst time by the Paymaster Gene,.l ~,
~ The ground tina, the act of Congress- by
shicb !, was granted prescribed thai !,
'hould be made up BY the respectire States ?
nd. as Baron De Kalb was not resident :
4 any one Of The Uaited States, the claim ! !
ould not be paid without express author !,
from Congress. Ills communication
'as referred 10 select committee, who re. I"
orted the following resolution:
Resolred, That the Paymasser G encrsl 4
q and DC rs hereby directed, 10 settle with Il