Claim of Lt. Col. Mentges: Page #1

Transcription

The Commissioner of Army Accounts to whom was referred by the Secretary at War the claim of Lt Col Mentges begs leave to report

  That Congress on the 4th September 1778 resolved that any regimental officer ordered by the Commander in Chief or commanding officer of any department on business not incidental to his office and distant from camp should be allowed for the expence (sic) of himself and horse three dollars a day whilst necesarily (sic) employed on such service 

 - Under the said act a number of Officers were allowed their expences (sic) when after deserters and particularly in superintending hospitals - the latter duty was generally performed by Field Officers and the requirements of the Act of September complyed (sic) with -

 That on the 1st Feb 81 - 
 Congress resolved a repeal of this resolution to take place on the first of march following -

  That as the service for which Col Mentges prays an allowance is subsequent to this repealing law he is left without a legal claim upon the United States

 - But the Commissioner is still of opinion that as the Union must have been benefited by his service and his expences (sic) necesarily (sic) incurred