The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-11-26

Gen. Dekaib Is about to be presented to Congress.
The gentleman OF this city, to whom they have sent their
full power-of- attorney, has shown us communication
from the American consul at Paris which accompanied
the power AT his request publish it, it will
TO inform Congress and the country of the nature and
present prospects of the DeKalb clalm
Certificate of Robert Walsh, ESQ.,
PARIS, Dec. 81, 1916.
AT the request of the surviving legal representatives of
the late Maj Gen Baron DeKalb who are about to re-
new their petition to Congress- and after full examna-
ton OF their case, the Undersigned consul of the Uni
facts:
independently Of the ampest evidence in possession of
the SAID representatives. of their quality next of kin
and sole hers-nost of which evidence have seen
their title is matter OF notorey and has recently been
cognsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs in this
capital on the production of noaria proof in the pre-
Their personal qualities and social positions are in the
highest degree respectable. The widow of Baron Ellie
Ko Son Of ni and her daughter her
years, resided at Mlon, village about leagues from
Paris where the whole family have been constantly held
in cordial esteem. The only other surviving grandchild
of Major General DeKab Llc Geymuller resides at Yer
saes with wife and several children, and enjoys,
gentleman and citizen like consideration with his rela
tives at hon His situation renders the bounty of Con-
gess particularly desrable that of the others would be
materially improved by an addition to their means
They possess and have shown to me, the original
tifcae of the grant of bounty land in Ohio which was
made by Congress in the year 1922 to the above mention
ed Ellie DeKab and the other heirs. and transmitted to
them in that year, by President Monroe But they have
derived no advantage whatever from that grant, On the
contrary, it has involved them at different times, in
onerous expenses and to be entirely lost to Them
by sales for taxes and delinquent American agency:
Their secluded life their implicit trust in their agents and
in the generosity OF the American government, account
sufficiently for the loss of money and time which they
suffered and for the delays and nermssion in the
with them and their representation of their ideas
and proceedings have for me, invested their present APP
plicahon with additional interest and force.
Hitherto, not the slightest benefit has accrued TO tn EN-
from their relation of blood and heirshp the lustous
martyr for the American The result has been,
indeed nconvenent disbursement and great personal
their present situation with what might have been, he
had remained with them, seeking the advancement and
wealth which his rank and abilities promised in France,
exertng Immediately in their behalf that paternal care,
and giving that reflected honor of which they have sore
y felt the prvaon This contrast is heightened by the
suspicious fate OF Gen Lafayette and his family noby
stany reapng the richest reward in the prosperity and
homage OF the country and the sway of the principles for
fought and bled with so much happier results. They
remark that they do not present themselves to Con-
gress widows and orphans to be provided and dis,
tinguished in mere honor of the signal services and
heroic death of DeKalb, but legal heirs to strict.
" due to him. dearly earned and peiudically withheld
Tor sxty-sx years-snce he fell in the American field.
hundred autograph letters of General DeKalb written
chiefly during his in the United States and dated
from various camps and the course of arduous marches
and particular duties have read several Of hem and they
have inspired with the veest respect for his spirit
and conduct in relation to his family and his enterprise, for
the honesty and decacy nature and his professional
resolution. ZEAL and foude. They breathe the utmost
devotion TO the of the and objects OF the
colonies They show that he often in straits,
the hadshs OF every other kind that he had occasion to
mention In one Of his letters to his wife in Paris,
with three several dates, at different camps on the Hnd-
river 77s he narrates how he had been obliged to
eXClalmS
considering what he left behind him in France, and what
he in he paid dearly dearly let
his language) has SO many good reasons as have 10
wish to see his family once more; no one makes 50
many sacrifices as do, by my absence from 50 many
cherished ties and spots In the letter. the tender
ness OF his affection is touchngly exemphed by his
anxiety about the use for the qualification OF his wife
and daughter, of sum of IS loas-dor, the price OF
horse with its caparison which he solo, from necessity,
to General Lafayette.
These confidential illusions of heart and
could not have appropriated to his own use any the
least parD OF the continental money which was placed
in his hands for the subsistence OF the Maryland line
under his command, and for the application of which the
vouchers lost in the fatal defeat at Camden Long
ago. in 7Sf, Congress felt that every principle OF
equity beraity and gratitude, the decision should Dc
in favor of his unblemshed name; and passed, accord
ngly resolution directing that he should be credited
with the whole amount and vouchers asked IN the
Finance Departmental direction never fulfilled, from
casual circumstances The family papers comprise
copy of the instructions of the French government to
Baron DeKalb when, before declared rupture with
the mother country in the year 1867 he was commits
stoned to visit Holland for information concerning the
OF American dsaecton and to repair to the COL
onies in OF ascerainment The language OF the IN
structons, which have before me, implies perfect con-
hdence in his sagacy, probity judgment, and general
talents and knowledge Considerable latitude is left to
his discretion and his choice OF measures History tells
how ably and faithfully he executed his political mi sson
His reports served US materially in determining the policy
of France Various documents at Mion show the fond
friendship and high estimation which Gen Lafayette uni
omy entertained and professed for his fellow votary to
American freedom. | have never read more emphatic
expressions of regard, admiration, and sorrow nor
impressive recital of American respect, affection,
General addressed to Madame Geymuller, daughter OF
DeKab, and bearing date Lagrange April 80, 1890. He
at the same time proers every possible effort In further
ance OF the claim now in question.
have pecuniary whatever in the fate OF
the Dekab claim. | actuated solely by the sympa-
hies which personal knowledge of the petitioners and
investigation of their case have excited AS an Amer
lean, wish that the government of the Union may never
be wanting in justice and acknowledgment to those who,
whether natives foreigners sgnay contributed to the
triumph of the Revolution National gratitude and re-
quita should be the larger and reader in proportion to
the wonderful development of the excellent fruits OF the
of the country If the Lafayette family had been the Pc
ttoners, under similar circumstances, who can doubt
that what they asked and would have been grant
ed without delay and by accamation And yet their APP
peal could scarcely have stronger foundation than the
present, in right, equity, and sound public sentiment
The provision which prayed would be- for the treas.
ury comparatively small in any conuncture; but 1t is OF
consequence to the mertorous solicitors Complete title
might be established, and Congress be held bound to