The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-08
CITY OF WASHINGTON THURSDAY MORNING. JANUARY 1857

within the provisions Of this b though some who did
honr in fact who happened be enlisted in $780,
are included under its provisions.
That resolution being contract for the contract
Our fathers complied with the contract This very ques
ton referred to revolutionary officers the of the
revolutionary age getting its benefits; honest pa
troc men subsequently, honored by the confidence
of the country in peace well in war On the COM
mittee upon this subject was Colonel Monroe, 'erwards
President of the United States They refused to admit any
ma who was not included in the resolution. Mr. Monroe
served during the and be worked his way from the
ranks eoonelcy. Some of these men had been called
nom the service into civil employment Another disin-
gushed vtgnau taken out of the military service
and put upon that COMMITTEE He applied for this
money but appeals have been made by his heirs since
have been Congress- and the houses would not let
them have it because he within the letter Of the
contract The matter stood solely contract not on any
merit and the committee reported which report was
unanimously confirmed by Congress that the resolution
ought not to be enlarged to include anybody not
coming within its terms.
This bill excludes large and most mertorous class Of
who fought during the whole of the revolution and
received nothing but sr daily pay ia deprecated cur
reney. They excluded, while class Of officers who,
in 78c happened be in tho service and agreed 10
the end Of the war ald continued practically some six
and some twelve months in service until reduction of
the army took place. to receive large sum- In 1883
before the final ratification of the treaty OF peace these
Congress- and instead of the hafpay for life
promised by the resolution of $780, asked for commuta
ton This during the time they in service, when
the resolution of 1850 unexecuted for they were not
to get half pay until the reduction took place They them
selves peoned the Congress OF the United States in lieu
of haEpay for life to give them money an outfit
to give them fund in hand to give them five years full
pay ten years hafpay, which, computation upon
legal principles then established in England where the
Of interest is very low would beequal to fifteen years
of haf-pay. At that time, when money was very
scarce and property relatively very low the hye years iI
pay hand was probably worth twenty-five years half
pay 1t considered by of the public men OF that
day hard bargain for the government was thought
the lives Of the officers then worth but they not
inclined to scrutnze closely The officers wanted fund
in hand and Congress gave 1t to them Congress passed
the resolution of 1888 at their request and its ac
ceptance be determined voluntarily by themselves
by majority of the officers of the army OF the United
States by lines.
have in my desk some of the unpublished papers of
General Greene. hope they will be published, be-
there in them many revolutionary "reminiscences
valuable for occasion like this for the adminsra
ton Of Justice in this case have had access to them
through the kindness of his When the question
put the officers of the respective lines in case have
been able nd in the public records private papers Of
the officers that single officer Of the army OF theUned
States objected to it, There cannot be found far
researcte have extended, single of protest
refusal to accept except the single instance Of General Wash
ington, when he was President Of the United States
Mr.. lVERSON., Allow me to interrupt my colleague
for moment paper has been sent to me on the very
subject referred to by him, with the request that
should read it to the Senate if it should be stated that
there was protest made by any officer of the revolution
Without intending to speak of the truth sincerity Of
the paper knowing nothing about but thatit from
Mr. McLane who is the descendant Of revolutionary
officer WILL he has requested me to do So do him the
justice to read it to the Senate with the consent OF my
colleague. ..-.a-
Mr.. TooMBs Certainly.
Mr.. lyERS0N This is extract from report of a
committee OF the House of Representatives made January
IL 1916 the petition Of Colonel Allen McLane for half
pay:
"Mr ChappeI, chairman of the committee, reported,
!" That the petitioner highly meritorious officer in
the revolutionary army attached to Colonel Henry Lees
legonary corps served November 1884, when by
for life He states that Time after he left the he
applied at the office Of the Auditor of Accounts for his half
pay he informed Colonel Lee had committed
III and that consequently he entitled to it, and that
he must take certificate OF five years full in lieu thereof
He denied Colonel Lees authority him. and
alleges that be never did commute He however, admits
that being indebted and hard pressed for money and finding
paw he did under these circumstances Of necessity accept
certificate for five years. full protesting at the
time against its legality He also admits he received from
he compelled to part with his certificate and
rant for very small sums"
Mr.. TOOMBS. My remark was that in my researches |
had found no protest, nor do believe this paper Ny
statement is not affected by it this very appro-
pirate place TO put it in had occasion formerly
anime this subject in another branch of the legislature
and that there is nothing be found the records
to the extent of my researches That is far 90 II
there be any protests such class of them
selves but II is certain that majority assented.
ority unquesonaby assented because the resolution
quired the consent to be by majority If there be any
protest. might look with consideration the pressure
Of tue times and the necessity of the officer and might
not hold him bound if he did protest That would pre-
sent for the consideration of Congress- il the aega
ton sustained; but do not consider the statement
Of the party thirtysx years after the took place
be proof Of it, From the paper which has been read it
does not seem that there any made to the
ment The party have meant simply that he said he
was opposed to it. The memorial s utterly worthless for
the man who he says commuted for him could do no
such thing The statement its face shows that it is
true because Colonel Lee could not have commued for
him. No authority could commute for him but vote of
the line and therefore say it shows his entire ignorance
of the fact stated and hence this statement is not true
Whatever may be the real facts of the case no officer could
commute for another and nothing short Of majority OF
the line could effect that communication The lines could re-
ect the offer they pleased and take the hapay for life
say again that the records of this government
researches have gone show instance of any protest
In some former remarks, called the honorable chair
man Of the Committee Revolutionary Claims to inform
me whether he knew ofay and he stated that he knew
none at that time
Mr.. EVANS. did not know Of any but know
made on this subject that officers objected it. The
fact that they took the certificates evidence they
assented.
Mr.. TOOMBS. Then am correct in my statement. The
records Of the furnish evidence that every
OF them paid his communication but they do fur
nish evidence that any OF them protested The honorable
chairman, however says that is evidence that they
without protest conclusive evidence at least until
the country is shown that they did protest. assert
again. that majority OF the officers must have assented
before the resolution of 1888 could take effect ALL There
FORE assert that majority Of the officers of the revou-
ton by petition from themselves, procured this resou-
ton to be passed. and referred its acceptance their
radesn-arns, They presented their petition to Com
gress before the treaty of peace concluded Con-
gress agreed to offer them the terms of Communication
which they asked they accepted them, received the