National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-17
~ -~--- - a--ElEI "a y
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
WHAT HIS COMPENSATION AMOUNTED


Correspondence of Pitttsburs Commercial
During short stay In Washington, D. O., last
summer, 1receiyed several letters from gentlemen
residing in different counties OF the western part
Of this State, making inquiries In regard to the
compensation received by George Washington
while ia the military and eyIl service Of the Gov
eminent. About the TING II the tseeipt Of tks
last letter, prepared and forwarded q communI-
cation In regard to the matter to the Kittanning
Free Press, but 1t never APPEARED in the columns
Of that paper to my knowledge and the same in
quiries have been made since my return, send
you the official record Of the matter as it stands
upon the books at the Treasury Department,
Washington, d. q.
Referring the inquiries to Hon. O. A Bailey,
chief of the Antiquarian Bureau, the following
characteristic reply was received:
tit has often been stated that George WASH
ington refused to receive any salary whatever
while President OF the United States, and para
graph from his inaugural address has been pub
lshed far and wide evidence of the truth of the
statement Now, the fact is, that the books Of the
Treasury show that the Father of his Country
not only received the SIS 900 per annum which
was appropriated for his compensation, but he
drew 1t with the praiseWorthy punctuality which
was so remarkable feature Of his character dur
ing his entire term of office. His illustrious ex-
ample has been followed by all oiice-hoIders
since those days at least In that particular, even
by members Of Congress.
washington was inaugurated April 80, ITs9.
During the summer of 17s9 nobody received any
money from tho United States. The new Govern
ment probably had no money; Il oertaInly had no
Treasury to put It in. By the act of Septsmber2,
17S9, the Treasury Department was created. On
the 10Th Of September warrant No. rs was drawn
in favor of Tobias Lear, secretary of the Presi-
dent on account of the Presidents salary for tie
sum Of $1,000; on the 5th Of October warrant No.
II, for g, 1000, on the same account, was drawn,
and on the 9th of October warrant No. Is, for
$1,000. Up to the Sd Of March, 1T92, he received
on salary account SsI, $50. He went out Of office
March 3, 1871, and on the It'll OF March settled up
his account for salary as President OF the United
States. The following entry on the Treasury
books closed the account:
George Washington, President Of the United
States, to warrant No. 1884, being the balance
due him for compensation to the Sd of March,
11gT agreeably to a certificate OF the Comptroller
of the Treasury, Ss75."
During the eight years that General Washing
ton served in the army, he drew no salary, bat
charged the Government with every expense,
whether public or private, that he incurred during
those memorable years. He kept an accurate ac-
count, day and date, while in the army. That
account book, with many of his other private
papers, is kept in the Office of the Register Of the
Treasury. All the entries in the account book
were made BY Washington himself in clear and
plain writing, and with the exception of few
leaves worn loose from the back, the book is in 3
good state Of preservation On the first page,
written by himself also, Is the following Account
Of George Washington with the United States,
commencing June, 17T5, and ending June, 17s3,
comprehending space Of eight years." On sew
eral pages of the book, attached to certain en-
tries, are stars ~ or reference marks, which roer
to notes at the bottom os the pages. Twoofthese
notes quote vsrbGtimj one being in reference to
q credit given the Government on May 13 1873, for
1855 u.s., as follows: "This sum stands in my
aects-as accredited to the publie-but can find
no charge of 1t against me in any Of the pdDlis
Offices where the mistake lies, 4 Know not
but wish It could BE as,ertAined, "a haze 10
desire to njure o. 10 injaset." Hsain, aIter p
accounts had been settled IN July, iis2, he mssas
the following note Before these accounts are
finally closed, justice and propriety call upon me
to signify that there are persons within the
British lnes-f they are not dead or removed
who have claim upon the public under the
strongest assurances Of compensation from me,
for their services in conveying private intellI-
gence, and which, when exhibited, I shall think
myself In honor bound to pay"
The most minute expense is charged In this
book, and every dollar received from the Govern
ment credited in the most concise manner. For
several years the account is rendered In pounds
shIllings and pence, and sfterward changed 10
dollars and cents. On July 1, 1878, the account Is
balanced, the credit and debit side showed Ike
sum Of slso,O74 being the amount no received a.
expenses, both public and private, for the eight
years of military service he rendered the United
States At the end OF the account he signs 1t In
the 70 flowing manner:
Errors excepted.
sc. WASHINGTON"