The Secretary for the department of War to whom was referred the Petition of Louis Garrangers Reports. That the Petitioner states that he and his Brother entered into the service of the United States in December 1776 as Captain of Artillery conformably to a contract made by Silas Deane with Monsieur Du Coudray. That having been taken a prisoners by a British Ship and detained for more than a year, he did not arrive at Philadelphia until the latter part of the year 1778. That the above facts are supported by the evidence hereunto annexed marked A. as well as by a Resolve of Congress of the tenth day of June 1779 by which also the petitioner was ordered to proceed to the grand Army, there to exhibit such proofs of his talents and merit as may be deemed necessary, to enable the Commander in Chief, to certify to Congress the propriety or inexpediency of retaining him in the service of the United States and in what rank if he shall intitle himself to a favourable certificate from General Washington. That the petitioner did exhibit satisfactory specimens of his knowlege of the theory and practice of Artillery is well known to and has been testified by the subscribers. But previously to the petitioners appearance the Corps of Artillery having been organized, it became difficult and even impracticable to confer upon him actual rank without exciting such a degree of discontent as might have proved prejudicial to the public interests. This observation also applies to the other Officers who accompanied Monsieur Du Coudray to America and therefore they had generally returned to France with compensations for their expenses. That the Petitioner continued generally with the Army always zealously desirous of being particularly employed will fully appear by the Certificates hereunto annexed marked **B**. But it appears that on the twenty ninth day of September 1780 Congress passed the following resolve. Resolved, that Monsieur Garanger be informed that Congress cannot employ him consistent with the present arrangement of the Army. That all the papers relative to Monsieur Garangers services and wages be referred to the Board of Treasury to be liquidated: and that the Board report the balance due to him; taking care to charge him with the sums that have been advanced by Congress and at Camp. The petitioner however alledges that he was unable to obtain a settlement of his accounts until November 1783. That while in pursuit of this object in the month of August 1783 he was arrested for debt and thrown in Prison in Philadelphia and continued therein four months. It would appear that the following circumstances countenance the petitioners claim for a certain compensation. The collateral evidences of the Contract mentioned in the resolve of Congress of the tenth day of June 1779. His loss of property, and his sufferings by a long imprisonment, he having been captured in coming to America. And his constant desire and suitableness for employment in pursuance of the Contract made by Silas Deane with Monsieur Du Coudray. But the Resolve of Congress of the 29^th of September 1780 is opposed to his claim. How far this Resolve may militate with the original Contract is difficult to determine as that contract is not at present to be found. No doubt can arise as to the constant desire and qualifications of the Petitioner for active and permanent employment which in the opinion of the subscriber was solely prevented by the previous organization of the Corps of Artillery. Although it may be questionable whether the Petitioner has any legal demand upon the United States, yet perhaps he may have claims on their equity and liberality. For the affairs of a Nation, cases of this kind sometimes arise, for which its dignity and its policy requires occasional provision. The Petitioner may be considered as a Foreign Volunteer in the service and cause of the United States, in the pursuit of which he sustained considerable personal sufferings and heavy losses, and he also expended several years of his time, the entire, gratuitous sacrifice of which he is utterly unable to afford, and for which if he be not in a degree compensated his future prospects will be miserable indeed. All which is humbly submitted to the Senate of the United States. War Department January 21^st 1793. H. Knox Sec^y of War.