Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-02-27

the season to hesitate upon the adoption of
provision for approXimating a state OF readiness
for emergencies which wise statesmen strive
to avoid, yet prepare to meet
Claims of the OfHcers OF the Revolutions
airy Army.
The following is copy Of the bill which
passed the Senate on Thursday last, providing
for the final settlement of the claims of the
officers of the revolutionary army, and of the
widows and orphan children Of those who died
in the service:
BE IL enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives Of the United States of america
IN Congress assembled, That the officers of the
army OF the revolution, who were entitled to
halfpay for life under the resolutions Of Con-
gress of the twenty-frst Of October, seventeen
hundred and eighty, the seventeenth of January,
seventeen hundred and eighty-one, the eighth
of May, seventeen hundred and eighty. one, and
the eighth of March, seventeen hundred and
eighty-fve, shall be entitled to receive the same,
although such officer may receive, in lieu
thereof the Communication Of full pay for FIVE
years, under the resolution Of Congress of the
twenty-second of March, seventeen hundred
and eighty-three.
SEC. 2. And be IL further enacted That it
shall be the duty of the proper accounting Of
ticer OF the treasury, when applied to for that
purpose by any one who by this act is entitled
to receive, or his or her guardian, to ascertain
what is due TO such officer, from the time he
became entitled to the said halfpay until his
death, if that occurred before the third day of
March, eighteen hundred and twenty.six; but
if he died after that time, then up to the said
third day Of March, eighteen hundred and
twenty-six.
SEC. 3. and be IL further enacted, That it
shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Treas
ury, when the amount due to any officer has
been ascertained, as aforesaid, to pay the same,
as hereinafter directed, after deducting there.
from the amount received for Communication,
under the resolution of the twenty-second of
March, seventeen hundred and eighty-three.
SIC. 4. Aad be- further enacted, That those
officers who were entitled to receive ,halfpay
for life, under resolutions aforesaid, and did not
receive the same, or the Communication in lieu
thereof, shall be paid on establishing their
rights TO the satisfaction Of the said accounting
officer Of the treasury, and the Secretary Of the
Treasury shall pay the same out Of any money
in the treasury.
SEC. 5. Ind he u further enacted That the
halfpay for seven years, promised by the re-
solution Of Congress Of the twenty-fourth Of
August seventeen hundred and eighty, TO the
widows and orphan children of those officers
who died in the Service shall in like manner
be paid on proof to the satisfaction Of the said
accounting officer. And the benefit Of the
said resolution, Of the twenty-fourth Of August,
seventeen hundred and eighty, shall be extend
ed to the widow and orphan children of all of.
fcers who were killed in battle or died Of
wounds received in battle, whether such officer
belonged to the continental line, or any volun-
teer corps called into service under the author
ity of any State; but no payment shall be
made under this clause, except to those spe-
cially described in the said resolution of the
twentyfourth of August, seventeen hundred
and eighty.
SEC. 6. Ind be IL .Jmtlr enacted, That it
shall be the duty OF the Secretary of War
under the direction, and with the appreciation
of the President of the United States, TO pre-
scribe such rules Of evidence as may be neces-
sary to carry into effect the provisions Of this
act, according to its true intent aud meaning.
SEC. I. And be IL further enacted, That all
payments made by authority of this act shall
be without interest.
SEC. 8. 1nd be IL further enacted, That in
every case the said accounting officer before
he shall order any claim to be paid, shall re-
quire satisfactory proof that the person or per-
sons, In whose name the same has been pre-.
sented, is or are the bona fde owner or owners
thereof, and that the claim has not been sold,
transferred, pledged, or mortgaged, or any part
thereof, to any person or persons whomsoever
and all sales, transfers, mortgages, or pledges
Of any such claims, are hereby declared void
and Of no effect whatever.
SIC. 9. And be IL further enacted, That this
act shall not extend to the case of any officer
or his representatives, who have received either
half pay for life or Communication in lieu there.
Of, under any special act Of Congress.
SEC. 10. and be II further enacted, That all
persous who shall apply aud receive the benefit
Of this act, shall receive the same in full salts.
faction Of all claims, under any Of the resou.
tons Of Congress hereinbefore recited and for
all losses alleged TO have been sustained by de-
predations in the value Of the certificates re.
ceived as Communication under the resolution Of
Congress Of the twenty.second March, seven.
teen hundred and eightythree.
SIC. IL. And be II further enacted, Thai all
claims which shall be allowed under the FIRST
and fourth sections Of this act shall be paid to
the officer il alive, and If he be dead, to his
widow and children equally, and il there be no
widow living, then to bis child or children;
the issue OF any deceased child taking among
them the share Of their deceased parents.
SEC. IL. Ind be IL further enacted, That this
act shall continue and be Of force for the term
Of ten years and no longer and all claims not
presented with the evidence for its adjudication
within that time shall be forever barred.
SEC. ID. And be IL. further enacted, That the
decision Of the accounting officer shall be final
and conclusive
An" USroKTusATE EvEST."-A continental
correspondent Of the London Morning Adpe,-
User, writes as followsa
A very unfortunate event has Just occur
red at the Hague--an event Of so distressing a
nature that should hesitate to narrate il, but |
that it comes to me from unquestionable au.
thority. The King Of Holland lately went to
visit one Of his mistresses, and found one of
his ades-de-camp closeted with her. The King
rushed upon the officer and stabbed him. The .
wound, il is said, has proved fatal, and great
exertions are being made in high places TO
keep this horrible tragedy from the public"
We have not seen this or.sny similar statement
elsewhere.