lowed, I must refund it; and it is as hard for them to serve with less than what they ought to have, as they have families to maintain, and their expenses run so high. Hitherto the fluctuation of our currency has rendered it improper that any establishment should take place; but now the resolution of Congress of the 18th ult. has fixed the standard, and the objection that the resolve has not yet been adopted by the several States, I think has no force, because that the recommendations of Congress with regard to finances at this time must be complied with, or our public credit ceases, and the common bond of our union will be dissolved. I hope, indeed, there is not a doubt in the mind of any person but that it will be complied with. We ought therefore to act and reason from so necessary a principle as granted. The department being disconnected from any other, an establishment of the pay of it cannot affect the others of the army, as the whole will soon be taken up on the same plan. They have, indeed, not the same reason to complain: theirs is, while mine never has been, stated. The campaign opening very soon, is an additional reason, because the duty of the office will require my presence at camp, and I cannot give my attendance here at another time; and it is extremely disagreeable to confine one's self so constantly as the duty of the office requires, undergoing the solicitude of mind inseparably attending the payment of so much money without knowing what are the advantages he shall receive. Indeed, I have a right to expect it shall be determined. I think that as several States are to make good the depreciation to their officers, or give some other equivalent satisfaction, or lose them, the same justice ought to begin to those under Congress, especially when they have been in my situation, who have been so long in the service on a simple pay, and had no other advantages for a maintenance. I am, indeed, encouraged to expect this from the allowances already made to several of the officers of Congress. With regard to my present pay, I think, as the duty of the department is more than twice as large as nearly all the other Deputies together on the continent, and the same in every other circumstance as belonged to the Paymaster-general prior to the present establishment, which is now on a more extensive scale, that the pay and other allowances ought to be the same as given formerly to the Paymaster-general. In order that the fluctuation of the currency may not affect either myself or the public, I believe the most just and proper method would be to establish my pay in hard money, which I ought to receive in the currency of the United States at the value at which the same passes in exchange, or at the rate which shall be affixed by Congress. I conclude the late act of Congress states it at 40 for 1, at which rate it is very reasonable I should receive my pay, though much below the current exchange, as the money is considered of that value, and will probably be really so as soon as that act shall have an operation. The rations of the Paymaster-general before the new arrangement, as well as of the several Deputies, were six per day. I do not apprehend any objection but that mine should be equal with theirs. The pay and rations of my assistants I wish may go on the above principles, being the same reasons for both. I have here asked for only the same as has been given before. It is hard for an individual to suffer in his private fortune for a depreciation while he is in the service. The pay at best is small, but the depreciation has made it almost nothing; and I desire to be placed on the same footing in my present pay as those who have gone before me in the business, the same service always deserving the same reward. The dignity of Congress requires that every officer of theirs should be on a respectable footing, and what I desire is nothing to what the Quartermaster's and Commissary's departments have received. I feel myself interested in the determination of your honorable Board. My love for the service, and my wishes to promote the public good as far as is in my power, make me wish to continue in the office, but I cannot, with justice to myself, unless I have a generous consideration for my services. I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your most obedient servant, JOHN PIERCE. Honorable Board of Treasury. PAY OFFICE, PHILADELPHIA, April 5, 1780. SIR-I have obtained a warrant on George Brook, Esq., treasurer of the State of Virginia, for 100,000 dollars, which I inclose to you for the use of your department. I fear you will not be able to get the money immediately, but as there is none in the treasury, your chest cannot be supplied in any other way. You will please acknowledge the receipt of this warrant by the post. I am, sir, your humble servant, BENJAMIN HARRISON, Esq. Dep. P. M. Gen. in Virginia. } J. BURRALL. PHILADELPHIA, April 6, 1780. There GENTLEMEN :—I have received your favor of yesterday desiring an estimate of the expenses of the department in my care. are three assistants necessary to transact the business under me. Their pay is forty dollars per month, and three rations per day when money was good. There are some contingent expenses in the department, which, as they are not the object of the present inquiry of the Board, are not necessary to mention. of I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, Honorable Board of Treasury. JOHN PIERCE. PAY OFFICE, PHILADELPHIA, April 7, 1780. GENTLEMEN-I am under the necessity of requesting a supply money for the military chest at West Point. The troops in that department have pay due them from the 1st of November, and the last sum of 300,000 dollars which was sent there will be chiefly expended in paying the arrears of clothing and bounty to men who have enlisted "for during the war." It will require at least 800,000 dollars more to pay the troops to the last of February. I have the honor, gentlemen, to be your obedient servant, Honorable Board of Treasury. PHILADELPHIA, April 9, 1780. The GENTLEMEN-I imagine there will be about seven millions of dollars expended in my department for the present year. army being diminished, it will not take so much hereafter. per cent. will be little enough for the maintenance of myself and assistants, with two rations per day for myself and one for each of the assistants, and keeping for my horses. The public, I expect, will provide the incidental charges of the department, such as expenses, transportation, necessaries for the use of the office, &c. I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, Honorable Board of Treasury. JOHN PIERCE. PHILADELPHIA, April 10, 1780. SIR-I have unfortunately been detained here much longer than I expected, and without the consolation of success in my business. On my arrival, I made a return for a million and a half of dollars to pay the army for January and February, and have received only 500,000 dollars, being the whole that was in the treasury! This sum I have now forwarded, as I am informed the Maryland division are marching, and will probably want their pay. I am sorry that I have no reason to expect a further sum in any short time. I shall have the pleasure to breathe camp air in a few days. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Col. R. H. HARRISON. JOHN PIERCE. PAY OFFICE, PHILADELPHIA, April 12, 1780. GENTLEMEN :-Captain Schott, who commands an independent corps stationed at Wyoming, is waiting in town for their pay, which is due from September last, and amounts to more than I have on hand. Having lent Mr. Carleton 40,000 dollars at the request of the Board of War, I have been in daily expectation of receiving it from him, which would have prevented this application, but he now informs me that there is no probability of his being able to repay it soon. I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your obedient servant, Honorable Board of Treasury. PHILADELPHIA, April 18, 1780. GENTLEMEN-I would beg leave to observe to the honorable Committee of Congress that the pay of the Deputy Paymastergenerals at first was 50 dollars per month and 6 rations, equal to a Colonel's; that in January, 1777, a Colonel's pay being raised to 75 dollars, the Deputies were made the same. As the depreciation continued in that year the pay was enlarged. The ideas of Congress, I conclude, were to keep the pay and other allowances equal to a Colonel's, and which is perhaps the most just and proper mode to be established now; but as the office which I now hold was not then created, a new rule ought to be adopted in my case. On inquiry into the duty and importance of the office, you will find it the same, in every circumstance, as formerly fell to the share of the Paymaster-general; and I would ask if nearly the same allowances as were formerly given him ought not to be made me? His pay at first was 100 dollars per month; some time in 1777 it was raised to 150. Cannot that serve as a foundation to reason from? And is it not reasonable that the same duty should receive the same reward? I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, Hon. Committee of Congress. JOHN PIERCE. |