Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-12-11

PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AGAINST THE UNITED
STATES GoyERMENT.-We deeply regret that there
should exist any cause for complaint from the loyal
people Of East Tennessee, on account Of the non
payment Of claims due them for Quartermaster and
Commissary stores taken during the late war. That
such claims are due the people thousands of Federal
soldiers who witnessed the manner in which sup
plies were taken for the army viii testify, while the
records in the departments at Washington will show
very small and Insignificant amount has been paid
them. No one will deny the justice Of these claims
No contract entered into on the part of the Gov
eminent at any time is Of more binding character
than this made with loyal East Tennessoeans.
We claim no extraordinary credit for our loyalty.
We we're not actuated in this by love Of the dol
ars and cents but from patriotic principle We
JAILED the coming OF the Federal army with feel
ugs At the deepest solictude, and when the boys
90 blue came among us fsmished, and weary by
long march over the mountains, through a COM
Taratiyely barren country, we gladly shared with
them-our means OF subsistence Thousands of the
brave sons of East Tennessee had crossed the noun
ans and had united their fortunes with the friends
% the Government, leaving behind aged fathers
helpless mothers, wives and friends, and in many
60 10 the fields and till the ground for the necessa
res Of life; and often when the wife Of the Union
soldier had thus by hard labor, secured enough fer
bare subsistence she was forced 70 give il up for
he sustenance of the army for which to this good
day she has received no compensation.
But we have no complaint TO make for all this.
We do not doubt the willingness Of Congress to
make provisions for the payment Of these claims.
We have no doubt that in placing Tennessee in the
same position with the other States as regards the
Court of Claims Congress expected ample provis-
ions we're made for their payment. But this is not
So. Our case is a peculiar Business was ne
necessarily done here for some considerable time
after ,he arrival Of the Federal forces in East Ten
nessee in very loose manner with bat little sys-
em, often hurricdly and with confusion. Thus, in
great many cases, property was taken from loyal
men and no receipts OF other evidence Of indebted
ness given This is so in large. number Of cases.
Under the law as it now stands, and under the rul-
ings of the departments at Washington these
claims hundreds Of which have been filed, however
vol they may be supported for voracty and loyal
iy, now stand suspended. Payment cannot be made
upon them until more explicit proof is made as TO
the identity of the officer by whom the supplies
were taken, which il is often impossible TO d.
There are many ways Of accounting for East Ten
nessee loyalists not holding receipts or vouchers
gwen ~ regular manner FOR forage &e., furnished
'he army. Many times The contiguity Of The enc
my prevented il. Sometimes mans property was
taken and he was told 10 call at headquarters in
'he field TO procure vouchers when en- going to the
appointed place The command which he sought was
gone There were many careless officers who, we
nave no doabt, used our property and never sc-
counted for ii their property returns From these
sri ether reasons, il will be imposs ibe for us TO
comply with the rules laid down in the departments,
whereby VIC can secure The payment of these claims.
We ask is il right, or is il just thst loyal mon
'l'l'i be thus deprived Of their just dues from a
s-'enmcnt for the protection Of which many 81
-sa have met death on The bloody leld, Cor fault
''lll il Is, which is none Of theirs, but Of the
gents OF the said government. We answer there is
~ night nor justice in the refusal TO pay these
,'l'nsr on the ground of irregularities. and should
.'y be refused history must regard il As an act of
--srace 10 the nation.
Therefore we call upon Congress. now in session
' pais some act applicable 10 our case. and that
Poe1i'y- We demand IT, not alone because we ara
'!a'' out because il Is Just aud right II Is
-. 1Ie Vs. and is payment should no longer be
90 Let tho people Of East Tennessee unite
COMMON effort to bring il about, and never
- uH',i action, either for or against them, is OBJ
Hcmoralize Congress on the subject, lay
'0.' claims before them, IN such a way ms 70
~" 'nal body 10 act. Let each loyal man con-
-'u'e himself a committee Of one TO address let
e Cd lhis special subject 10 his Representative in
Sreii, and urge upon with all his power TO Sc
ne action upon IL and keep pressing the matter
~ something is done
we have reieS'sass only 70 the claims Of loyal
en- We DO lot beliege that rebels have any right
demand anything from government they have
cd 80 hard 10 destroy. Bot FOR men, than whom
ere are none more loyal from Maine to California,
speak and demand from the Government author
that consideration due % loyal subjects