The Secretary of War to whom was referred the Petition of Mary Hilborn Respectfully Reports, That it appears from the records of the department of War, that a Francis Cranberry, late Husband of the petitioner, inlisted to serve during the war on the eighth day of March 1778, and died the 15^th of September 1780. That the petitioner claims, as Widow of the said Cranberry, the land promised by the Acts of Congress to those Soldiers who should engage to serve, and continue to the close of the War. Heretofore the construction given to the resolution of Congress of the 16^th and 18^th of September 1776 have admitted to the benefit of the provisions therein promised, those soldiers only, who had engaged to serve during the war, and who actually continued in the Army to its termination; and the representatives of those who had been slain by the enemy, or who had died in consequence of wounds inflicted by them. With respect to the resolution of the 18^th of September 1776 it is considered as explanatory of the resolution of the 16^th, or as intended to remove any doubt as to the object of the provisions and ensure to those who [underline: had] inlisted to serve during the war previous to its passage the same bounty and land, as to those who [underline: should] inlist. Such appearing to be the true construction of these two resolutions the Secretary of War thinks it would not be expedient to grant the prayer of the petitioner. All which is respectfully submitted to the Senate of the United States. James McHenry. War Department January 27. 1797.