To Thomas Jefferson from William Benson, 11 April 1803
From William Benson
City of Washington 11th. April 1803
William Benson, of the State of Virginia, formerly a private in Blands Regiment, during the revolutionary war, respectfully shews,
That he faithfully servd the United States, during the period of his enlistment.—and that he made application to the General Assembly of Virginia to be paid for his services—by them he was refered to the Congress of the United States—That he repaired here at the last session for the purpose, and was led to believe the business would be closed—but thro’ the hury and pressure of business, it was laid over till the next session—
That he is unable to get home, without some pecuniary assistance, and humbly solicits aid in that behalf from you, and he hopes that at the next session he shall receive his pay for his services faithfully rendered—
W. Benson
RC (DLC); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr. President of United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 12 Apr. and so recorded in SJL.
In October, William Benson’s claim for service with the Continental Army, as well as those of several other individuals whose cases had been laid over, was tabled permanently (Report of the Committee of Revisal and Unfinished Business, on Such Matters of Business As Were Depending and Undetermined at the Last Session [Washington, D.C., 1803], 8; , No. 5447).