Accountant WDept. Out book A 375 To Caleb Swan, PMGen. 1-26-96

“After congratulating you on the return of the new year of which I wish you many and happy ones, I have to inform you that for your government you have enclosed a Schedule of the Warrants drawn in continuation of the last sent you. Complaint having been made at this office from various quarters that the discharged soldiers do not receive their pay at the time of their discharge and which subjects them to great inconvenience being frequently obligated to sell their discharge for half their value to enable them to return to their respective homes, and being frequently met on the road begging for a subsistence. These circumstances it is expected will be from an expression of one of the members brought before Congress in order to cause an enquiry to be made where the fault lies. I hope the necessary steps in future will be taken to prevent any more of this kind The poor soldier is certainly entitled to his pay when due indeed the Act of Congress of the 7th June 1794 positively enacts that the arrears of pay shall at no time be longer than 2 months. I am, etc. Wm Simmons Accountant WarDepat.