George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 18 February 1795

From Oliver Wolcott, Jr.

Treasury Department Feby 18th 1795.

The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor of transmitting to the President, of the U. States—two official Certificates of settlements made at the Treasury,1 by which it appears that the United States are indebted,

To Joshua Yeates and James Ross for compensations
and expenses while acting under a commission
from the President, on business relating to the Insurrection
in Pennsylvania2 832.30
And To William Rawle for compensation and expenses as
Attorney of the United States, while attending the
late Militia army by order of the President3 608.83
Amounting to Dollars 1441.13

As there is no specific Fund provided by Law for discharging these demands, it appears to be expedient, if the President shall be pleased so to direct, that payment be made out of the fund appropriated for defraying the Contingent charges of the Government of the United States.4

All which is most respectfully submitted by—

Olivr Wolcott jr
Secy of the Treasury

LB, DLC:GW.

1The enclosed certificates have not been identified.

2The name “Joshua” probably was a copyist’s error. In August and September 1794, Jasper Yeates and Ross had served as two of the three commissioners appointed by GW to negotiate with the western insurgents prior to any military action. For their appointment, see GW to Ross, 6 Aug. 1794, and n.2. For their report of the results of their mission, see Commissioners Sent to Western Pennsylvania to GW, 24 Sept. 1794.

3For Rawle’s mission, see Edmund Randolph to GW, 6 Oct. 1794 (first letter), and n.2 to that document.

4A contingent fund of $20,000 was created by “An Act making appropriations for certain purposes therein expressed,” 9 June 1794 (1 Stat. description begins Richard Peters, ed. The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America, from the Organization of the Government in 1789, to March 3, 1845 . . .. 8 vols. Boston, 1845-67. description ends 394–95).

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