The Secretary for the Department of War to whom was referred the petition of Samuel Stearns, respectfully Reports, That it is most probable the compensation which the petitioner requests, could never have been claimed with propriety of the United States or it would have been done in due season. The services are alledged to have been performed in the year 1775 — a constant opportunity existed for examination and allowance, until the 23^d day of July 1788 — a period of nearly thirteen years! The petitioner appears to ground his present application upon his having been out of the United States — about the time when claims of this sort were foreclosed by the resolve of Congress of the 23^d July 1787. But it is to be observed that of the time allowed by the said Resolve he was absent in Canada only from the 23^d July to September, a period of about two months, and that he did not sail for Europe until October 1788, when the ultimate time allowed by the said Resolve had elapsed some months. The subscriber therefore respectfully submits it as his opinion that the Petitioners claim is justly precluded from "settlement or allowance." H. Knox. Sec^y. of War. Department of War December 6^th 1794.