should, at the expiration thereof, receive a reward of eighty dollars. On the 17 August, 1779, having prefaced their resolution with a preamble setting forth that the army of the United States of America, by their patriotism, valor and perseverance in defence of the rights and liberties of their country, were entitled to the gratitude as well as approbation of their fellow citizens, they recommended it to the several states to make such further provision for the officers and soldiers enlisted for the war, to them respectively belonging, and who should continue in service till the establishment of peace, as should be an adequate compensation for the many dangers, losses, and hardships they may have suffered in the course of the contest; either by granting to their officers half pay for life, and proper rewards to their soldiers, or in such other manner as might appear most expedient to the legislatures of the several states. And it was farther recommended to the several states to make such provision for the widows of such of their officers and such of their soldiers enlisted for the war, as had died or might die in the service, as would secure to them the sweets of that liberty for the attainment of which their husbands had nobly laid down their lives. On the 10 of April, 1780, they resolved, that as soon as the state of the public finances would admit, they would make good to the line of the army, and the independent corps thereof, the deficiency of their original pay occasioned by the depreciation of the currency; but none were to derive benefit from this resolution except such as had engaged to serve during the war, or for three years, and were then in service, or should thereafter engage to serve during the war. And now on the 13 August, 1780, they resolved that from and after the first of the said month, the army shall receive their pay in the new bills emitted pursuant to the resolution of the 18 of March, 1780, and again recommended to such of the states as have not made compensation to their officers and soldiers, agreeably to the resolution of the 17 August, 1779, to do it as soon as possible. At the same time the provision for granting lands was extended to the general officers; and on the 24 of the same month the resolution of the 15th of May, 1778, granting half pay for seven years to the officers of the army who should continue in service to the end of the war, was extended to the widows of such officers as had died or should thereafter die in the service, to commence from the time of such officer's death; or, if there should be no widow, or in case of her intermarriage, that it should go to the orphan children of such officer. And it was recommended to the legislatures of the states to which such officers belonged to make provision for paying the same on account of the United States. Still the public treasury remained unsupplied; and the army continued without pay, and oftentimes in great distress for want of provisions. Debts were accumulating, and the creditors more and more clamorous. Under these circumstances Congress, on the 26 of August, 1780, earnestly recommended to the several states to take the most speedy and effectual measures in their power for drawing in their respective quotas of the continental bills of credit, by taxes or otherwise, in order that the new money might be issued. And at the same time it was recommended to the states to raise by taxes, payable in the said new bills, their respective quotas of three million dollars; and to pay the same into the public treasury as soon as possible, the payment to be fully compleated by the last day of December following. From this it was hoped that Congress would draw a supply of money to enable them to pay the army, and carry on the war with vigor; to discharge the unfunded debts; and to pay the interest due on loan office certificates. Their expectations were again disappointed. The consequences that ensued from the failure, though alarming and painful to recollect, were far short of what might have been apprehended. Yet the requisition of the 15 January, 1781, after the mutiny in the Pensylvania and Jersey lines, for 879,342 dollars for the immediate pay of the arrears due to the army, has not yet been complied with. This recapitulation is made, not with a view to criminate, but to show that Congress have done every thing in their power to carry on the war, and to prevent the embarrassments under which our affairs now labour. It now remains to estimate the supplies necessary for the current year; and to point out the measures already taken for obtaining those supplies. Congress by their resolutions of the 3 and 21 of October last, have resolved that the army for the ensuing campaign shall consist of six legionary corps, four regiments of artillery, fifty regiments of infantry, and one regiment of artificers, amounting to thirty-five thousand seven hundred and forty-eight rank and file. The pay and subsistence according to the present establishment for one year amounts to__ Provisions for ditto_. Quartermaster's department estimated_ Hospital department_. Ordnance department Navy department__ Debts due to the civil officers under $5, 104, 385 4,357, 012 98, 927 ${ Civil list and contingencies for the cur rent year Arrears due to the army up to 31 De cember, 1780_ Two years' interest on certificates payable at the several loan offices__. Certificates given by quartermasters and commissaries, &c. estimated ____ No charge is made for clothing, new arms, or ammunition, as it is hoped the measures taken for procuring them will be effectual___ Total $1,885,000 1,000,000 595, 466 §¡ 1,500,000 $19, 407, 457 78 The measures taken for obtaining these supplies: By the act of the 4 of November last, the states have been called upon to furnish the provisions necessary, amounting to.. By the same act they are called upon The requisition of the 26 August, 1780, $4,357, 012 1,642, 988 3,000,000 which to value the new money, unless it be speedily destroyed, it cannot fail to sink the new. It is therefore indispensably necessary, that it be called in without delay. This will give the United States in Congress assembled a command of new money to the amount of___. The duties on imports and prizes, which, from the propriety as well as necessity of the measure, it is not to be doubted but the several states will readily grant on the terms proposed by Congress, will, it is presumed, produce in the course of the current year– – And as it is to be presumed that the states have taken measures to comply with the requisitions of January, May, and October, 1779, it is hoped they will now see the necessity of carrying those measures into effectual execution, or at least take the necessary steps for calling in the quartermasters' and commissaries' certificates to the amount of their respective deficiencies, which by a return from the Board of Treasury are – – On the 16 March last the states were called on for their respective quotas of one and a half million dollars quarterly, the first payment to be made 1 June next. Three quarterly payments amount to__ 86382°-VOL 19-12-27 3,200,000 500,000 468, 201 4,500,000 |