[Report Legis: 6. Cong: 2. Sess. Letter from the Secretary of War recommending a report on the Canadian refugees. Decem. 29^th 1800. [Referred to No. 4]] War Department 29 December 1800. Sir, I have the Honor to enclose to you a Report on the claims of certain Canadian Refugees under the act of the 7^th of April 1798, and am, with the highest consideration Sir, Your very obed Serv^t Sam^l Dexter The President of the Senate of the United States. [Legis: 6. Cong: 2. Sess. Report of Secretary of War, &c. relative to the Canadian refugees. Dec.^r 29^th 1800. Referred to Vol. 4] The Secretary of War, Secretary and Comptroller of the Treasury, in pursuance of the act passed on the 7 day of April 1798, entitled An Act for the relief of the Refugees from the British Provinces of Canada, and Nova Scotia, respectfully submit to Congress the following Report — (That upon proofs exhibited since the date of their last Report; they have reconsidered the claims of Francis Cazeau late of the City of Montreal and find that his services and sufferings entitle him to an allowance of Two thousand Acres of land, in consequence of which they beg leave to recommend that the grant formerly proposed in his favor be increased to that quantity — (They have also reconsidered the claim of Martha Bogart, relict of Abram Bogart, and previously to her marriage with him — relict of Daniel Tucker formerly an Officer in the service of his Britannic Majesty, and beg leave to recommend an allowance to her of five hundred Acres. All which is respectfully submitted Oliver Wolcott Sec^y of the Treas[ury] Sam^l Dexter Sec^t of War December 29 — 1800 [Copy] Copy of a Letter from Lieut. Col. Cornelius Benson to the Hon^ble Sam^l Dexter Secretary of War. Fort Johnson 12^th September 1800. Sir I beg, Sir, your indulgence to intrust to you a claim I have against the U.S. which I am apprehensive I may lose unless you should be pleased to assist me. The Act passed the 7^th April 1798 for the relief of the refugees from the British Provinces of Canada and Nova Scotia, limits the period for making claims under this Act to two years from the passing of the same. Within that time I have been so much occupied in public business that this circumstance has escaped my attention, and I have been removed from that part of the U.S. where the testimonies were to be procured in my favor. Permit me, Sir, to state to you upon what grounds I solicit the benefit of this Act. In 1775 my father resided in the city of Quebec, and was largely concerned in the mercantile business; I lived with him in the capacity of an apprentice, and he has promised me, that when I should become of age, he would take me into partnership. As my [undecipherable] his country, he [undecipherable], upon the [undecipherable: probable reading requisition] of the Governor, to bear Arms in defence of the city, which was then invested by General Arnold; in consequence of this refusal he was turned out, and ordered to leave the District. He halted at Three Rivers, left me there, and went that winter into New England; [undecipherable] him I thereupon the Americans [undecipherable] from hope and possession of Three Rivers; On this occasion I rendered them essential services, as there were not any among them who could speak the language of the country. General [undecipherable] was so much pleased with my disposition to be useful, that he offered me an appointment in the Army; but being then a minor, and my father absent, I could not accept it; however, I served as commissary of provisions and French interpreter to the garrison. When General Thomas was obliged to retire from before Quebec, in May 1776, I was ordered by my father to leave the country; he had serious apprehensions for my safety as I had become extremely obnoxious to the British government from the zeal I had shown to assist my countrymen. Under these circumstances I left Canada, and sacrificed forever the prospect of establishing myself in a profitable business with my father. I entered the Army soon after, and have been almost all the time since in the public service, either in the military or civil departments of the government. I need not mention, Sir, to you, that fortunes are not to be accumulated in the public service. In July 1790, I received from the State of New York patents for one thousand acres of Land in that State, being a donation made to me as a refugee from Canada. The value of this Land could not have been great at the time, but by the 4^th Section of the aforesaid Act, it [undecipherable] be taken into consideration. I have the Honor to be &c.