Respecting pay for discharged soldiers in absence of returns
Item
Type
Document Signed
Title
Respecting pay for discharged soldiers in absence of returns
Description
Howell expresses concern that paying men lately discharged would result in embarrassment and is strongly improper. Notes that many have already received pay. Amounts cannot be ascertained until returns received from Matthew Ernest. Discusses advance of monies by Captain Ferguson. Requests guidance on this subject.
year created
1791
month created
02
day created
01
sent from location
Pay Office
recipient
in collection
notable person/group
Henry Knox
Joseph Howell
Matthew Ernest
Ferguson
discharged soldiers
notable location
Pay Office
notable item/thing
money
returns
pay
notable idea/issue
payment of troops
embarrassment
assistance
document number
1791020121001
page start
1
transcription
1 February 1791To the Honble the Secy of Warrespecting paying 6 Mo pay on a/c to the Soldrs dischgd in 1791
February 1791Entd
P OfficeFeby 1 1791
The embarassment that will arise in consequence of the immediate payment of the Soldiers lately discharged, before are so strongly imprised [impressed] on my mind that I cannot forbear repeating that First it is probable that many if not all of them have received [undecipherable] & will [undecipherable] receive the two months pay put into the hands of sent on by last September by Lieut Mathew Ernest [undecipherable] last Septembr but + which cannot be ascertained until returns are received from the paymaster him [undecipherable] That the officers have charges against their men which ought to be stopped out of their pay, but the present mode of payment precludes them from such stopages and all payments made to charges against them
+ and as Capt. Ferguson has informed me that he has advanced monies to several of the men of his Company it may be presumed that the other officers have made like advances therefore to cover to such payments and to secure to the United States the monies sent on I would suggest the Idea of granting those men now discharged only six months pay & let the residue remain untill a settlement of their accounts can take place--you will oblige me with your commands on this subject
February 1791Entd
P OfficeFeby 1 1791
The embarassment that will arise in consequence of the immediate payment of the Soldiers lately discharged, before are so strongly imprised [impressed] on my mind that I cannot forbear repeating that First it is probable that many if not all of them have received [undecipherable] & will [undecipherable] receive the two months pay put into the hands of sent on by last September by Lieut Mathew Ernest [undecipherable] last Septembr but + which cannot be ascertained until returns are received from the paymaster him [undecipherable] That the officers have charges against their men which ought to be stopped out of their pay, but the present mode of payment precludes them from such stopages and all payments made to charges against them
+ and as Capt. Ferguson has informed me that he has advanced monies to several of the men of his Company it may be presumed that the other officers have made like advances therefore to cover to such payments and to secure to the United States the monies sent on I would suggest the Idea of granting those men now discharged only six months pay & let the residue remain untill a settlement of their accounts can take place--you will oblige me with your commands on this subject
Item sets
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (2 pages) | XMT08 (2 pages) | Collection: Post Revolutionary War Papers, 1784-1815. (RG94) | B: 449; n.n. |
| [view document] (2 pages) | XMT08a (2 pages) | Collection: Post Revolutionary War Papers, 1784-1815. (RG94) | B: 449; n.n. |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Office of Army Accounts, Paymaster General, Pay Office (1783-1792) | Pay Office | Probably Joseph Howell. |
| Recipient | Henry Knox | [unknown] | [n/a] |