The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-07
DUE FROM FEDERAL Governments
MIR. wayIand Wants the state Re-
fmhuraed.

RESOLUTION was introduced ny senator
Wayand this mornins and referred to the
committee on Federal relations,
Whereas, there exists an unsettled claim
cf long standing in favor OF the State ~
Texas against the United States govsin-
inent, ati
Wncreas said claim was acknowledged
more than once TO b. Just and reasonable,
according TO the following statement OF
facts. namely: In 1854 General Purslser
i. Smith. commanding the United states
frontier troops in Texas, by authority OF
Mr. jefferson Davis, the secretary OF war.
rlado a reQuisition on the governor OF
Texas for ak companies of mounted vol
unteers 70 be mustered into the United
States service TO assist In repelling indian
ncursions. These troops, by direction OF
General Smith, were to assemble at the
city OF Austin on November l, 1854 Proc
lamation was issued by the governor call
ing for Six companies OF mounted volun-
teers. which were duly organized and as
sembed at Austin on November !. BY
some misunderstanding the troops were
not mustered into the United States SER
vice until various dates in December fol-
lowing, when the troops were discharged;
the United States government paid them
Only from the time they were actually
mustered into the United States service,
instead OF from November |, the time liked
for their assembly at Austin by General
Smith. In 1856 the State legislature made
an appropriation of SCI, 600 to pay these six
companies from November | up to the time
of mastering to service by the United
States officers, expecting as stated by
the governor that tho United States would
refund the amount paid by the State. sub
sequently TO 1856 troops werc called out
by the governor at various times TO repel
Indian aggressions. for the expense OF
which the State expected reimbursement
by the United States authorities, and In
due time filed a claim against the govern
ment for the amount expended by the
State III protecting the border from Indian
depredations
The following shows what action has
been taken on the claim by tho State. by
congress and by the secretary of war. Civ
ing the present status of the claim as ro-
ported by the secretary of war TO con-
gress.
1S57.--Resolutio by the State OF Texas
requesting our representatives in congress
to urge tho necessity for refundng TO
Texas the amounts spent In protecting the
frontier since the 2Sth OF February, 1865.
1S5S.--Governor Runnels files with the
secretary OF war a statement OF the
amounts appropriated by the State, $751;
5f4.51. A favorable repor, was made by
the house committee on military Affairs
January 2S, 1889.
1S59.-Congress made an appropriation
TO refund TO Texas the money advanced
for payment of six companies of mounted
volunteers called into service by General
Pursirer r. Smith by the authority OK the
secretary OF war. for the payment OF which
Texas had appropriated $4,000
1S60.--Congress extended the Ixovislons
of the act of 1859 so AS to include all the
money advanced by the State of Texas In
payment of volunteers called out In de-
Tense of the frontier of that State since the
2sth of February 1856, and appropriated
s123, 5545l. The act provides that ''all
moneys advanced by the State OF Texas In
payment of volunteers called out In de-
Tense of the frontier of that State since
the 2Sth OF February, 1885. shall be REIN
bursed, provided that the secretary of war
shall be satisfied that there was a necessity
for calling out these troops, or that they
we're called out by competent authority,
and that the amount so claimed was ac-
tually paid by the State, and that the
amount provided for shall not exceed the
sum of 23,54451." This amount was
specified because tbs appropriation of 1853
covered the sum OF SCI, 00U. and these two
amounts, taken together. make the total
OF the statement aled with the secretary
of war by Governor Runnells as having
been appropriated by Texas ($lSi,54i.5l)
1S6e.-The secretary of war called upon
the State of Texas for a full statement Of
the account with original vouchers. and
lens of the act OF 1860 that he was salts
fed that there was a necessity for calling
out the Texas volunteers mentioned there
in. and that they were called out oy COM
potent authority" and the auditor was d.
rectcd TO audit the claim of Texas as soon
as the proper vouchers were received.
1S6t--The State comptroller filed with
the secretary OF war the vouchers called
for IN February. To meet objections, the
vouchers were Withdrawn for perfection
but before an adjustment OF the claim the
war interviewed and suspended all trans
actions in that connection.
1S7l.--The legislature passed an act au-
thorizing the governor, by himself or his
agent. to receive from the United States
government all amounts due the State OF
Texas. Governor Davis through his agent,
Mr.. j. p. Newcomb, refiled with the Sec
rotary OF war the claim of the State, with
corrected vouchers, and requested of the
secre airy Of war payment OF the amounts
appropriated by congress in 1859 aud 1860.
The secretary OF war replied: mo claim
can now be considered under section OF
the act OF June q. 1860, as the amount
thereby appropriated. via: si2S.544.5l, was
carried to the surplus fund under section
10 OF the act OF August 81 1852" That
the claim could not be favorably enter
tanned until congress acts further In re-
gard to them. The vouchers filed by Mr..
by Texas TO September l, 1859.
1872, February. house of represent
atives of congress requested the secretary
OF war to inform the house why the money
appropriated by the acts OF congress Of
March. 1859, and June, 1860, had not been
paid to the State of Texas as provided In
said acts. The secretary of war replied by
enclosing copy Of his letter to Mr. New
comb mentioned In the preceding para
graph stating that the appropriation had
been carried to the surplus fund.
1872, Aprl.--In response to a request,
the secretary of war transmits to the
house OF representatives of congress full
statement of the action taken by that de-
rartnent on the Texas claims. After np-
plying the most rigid rules in the exam
instion Of the vouchers, The amounts re-
pgsttd as should be allowed" 10 ssj,942
The balance Of the amount claimed by The
ststn was in part suspended for further In
formation, and IA part rejected.
1sIj.-Goyernor Coke called the atten-
ton OF the Texas delegation in congress
~ TIE amount spent by the State for
frontier protection. both before snd subse-
event to the war.
lsSO--rhe secretary Of war. In response
10 request by the house OF representa-
tiyes OF congress for information In rela-
ti,n 10 the claims OF the several States