Pay of deserters
Document 1797Answers Captain Morris' question regarding the War Department's policy on the pay of returned deserters.
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[Capt John Heth] Accountants Office
June 19th 1797
Sir
I have received your letter of the 25th ultimo and paid your draft in favor of Major Craig for One hundred & Sixty Dollars; which sum will be charged to your account of pay and Subsistence.
I am &c.
Wm Simmons
Acct
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[Capt. Staats Morris] Accountants Office
Baltimore June 19th 1797
Sir
I have received your letter of the 13th Inst. and in answer to your question ("If it be an established principle that the deserter forfeits the pay that might have been previously due to desertion, as well as that which would have accrued to the time of trial, punishment, and [underline: being] returned to duty") I have to inform you that [underline: it is an established principle] that a Deserters pay is forfeited to the United States at the time he deserts but it has been also an uniform rule to take up his pay from the day he is mustered as returned, deducting therefrom any expence which may have accrued to the United States in apprehending him.
You will accordingly be governed in the instances mentioned— I am &c. Wm Simmons Acct
Type
Author's Letterbook Copy
Description
Answers Captain Morris' question regarding the War Department's policy on the pay of returned deserters.
Date
06/19/1797
Author
Recipient
Sent from
Accountant's Office
Document number
1797061921555
Page start
110
Notable persons
Captain Staats Morris
William Simmons
deserters
Notable locations
Baltimore
Accountant's Office
Notable items
desertion
trial
pay
forfeit
uniform rule
apprehend

