Copy of Signed Document

Compensation for Doctor Brown

Dr. Brown complains to McHenry that he was promised compensation for his many services providing medical care for the Indian prisoners and other Indians, including renting a house for their care, and has yet to be paid.

1799

12

09

Philadelphia

Doctor Charles Brown

James McHenry

Secretary of War

General Anthony Wayne

Indian prisoners

Officer of the Guard

comrades

artillery corps

Lieutenant Demlar

General Wilkinson

Indians

surgeon

Philadelphia

Detroit

medical aid

relief and comfort

necessaries

medicine

hospital stores

clothing

irons

restored to health

liberated

additional sum

compensation

encampment

treaty

dysentery

duties

claim

money

receipt

garrison

house

fort

rent

annexed receipt

foregoing statement

ordering payment

pay for attendance on the Indians

The General said that he would rather that they should all escape than die from neglect or severe treatment while prisoners

Unfortunately for this country and me he died soon after and I have heard nothing further on the subject of compensation--

1799120940000

philadelphia, 9th: Decr: 1799.
Sir,
On the 3rd: of November 1794, General Wayne sent for me and mentioned that the officer of the day had represented that the Indian prisoners were suffering for want of Medical aid and several necessaries, and that he thought me the most proper person to give them relief and comfort-- In consequence of this report he directed me to furnish them with Medicine and Hospital Stores and to see that in every respect they were taken care of, and made as comfortable as their situation would permit; adding that he would order such Clothing as was necessary for them to be delivered to my Order. I mentioned to the General that while the Indians were kept in close confinement and in Irons, there was little pros=pect of their being restored to health by any assistance I could give them, air and exercise would be more efficacious than Medicine--The General said that he would rather that they should all escape than die from neglect or se=vere treatment while prisoners-- The Officer of the Guard was accordingly di=rected to submit them to my disposal-- Under these orders I undertook to administer to their wants, and was so successful as to restore the whole of them to so much health as to be able to return home with their Comrades when liberated. For this Service the General engaged to allowed me the ad=ditional Sum of Ten dollars per month, which tho' greatly inadequate to
my
my trouble I agreed to accept as a compensation-- The Indians were at this time coming in with proposition of peace, and for reasons known to many present, no person was permitted to visit their encampment but the General himself, his aids, and myself, being again entrusted with their sick and found to possess the confidence of the Indians-- At the time the Treaty commenced I informed the General that I was not able to attend all then sick, as their number was seldom less than three hundred in Dysentery alone; the General replied, he had employed an Officer from the Artillery Corps to assist me, at the same time expressing his hopes that I should be able to perform the duties alone, if not, he engaged that the compensation should be equally divided-- The Officer appointed was Lt. Demlar who received one hundred and fifty Dollars for his Services, and of course authorized me to make the same charge-- I could have received it on the Spot when claimed, but being informed by the General that he was going to philadelphia, where the bu=siness could be better adjusted, and not being in immediate want of money I consented to postone the receipt of my compensation until I heard fur=ther from him on the subject--The General went to philadelphia and on his return I renewed my claim in answer to which he informed me my services were highly approved, and were directed to be continued with assurance that they would be amply rewarded-- Unfortunately for this Coun=try and me he died soon after and I have heard nothing further on the sub=ject of compensation -- When General Wilkinson arrived at Detroit I in=formed him that I had not received any pay for attendance on the Indians, he declared that all previous engagements for this Service should be complied
with
with, and expressed his wishes that I would continue my Services; but added that as the Garrison was reduced in number, he thought I might attend them now for five dollars per month additional pay, to which I agreed, but have never received any compensation for any part or portion of these Services-- Before General Wayne left Detroit he ordered me to provide a House in the Village as it was improper to admit the Indians into the Fort, I accordingly rented a House and paid the stipulated Rent until I left Detroit, agreeable to the annexed receipt.
The foregoing statement of facts is made with a view to substantiate the several Items in the annexed account, and to enable you with full in=formation to determine on the propriety of ordering payment, which is res=pectfully requested by
Your most obedient humble Servant,
(signed)
C. Brown
Surgeon 1st Regt. Artil & Engineers.

Honble. James McHenry Esqr.
Secretary of War.