George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-11-02-0153

To George Washington from “A True Republican”, 27 October 1792

From “A True Republican”

Philada 27th October 1792.

Sir,

By an Act of Congress passed 23d January last—the Powers of the Board of Commissioners, for settling the Accounts between the United States, and individual States, were prolonged, until the first day of July 17931—now, Sir, why the Claims of those, who, escaped the Jaws of Death from the flying Camp, should be rejected is a thing that I cannot comprehend—certainly they formed a part of our Army—our Army was paid, why not pay them?2 I think, Sir, you would do honor to your Country, and releive the distresses of many of our poor Brethern; if you were to cause the law to be put in force, that these (few existing) Creatures might be releived. I have the honor to be Sir your most obedient humble Sert

A true Republican

L, DLC:GW.

1See “An Act to extend the time limited for settling the Accounts of the United States with the individual States,” signed by GW on 23 Jan. 1792, in 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 229.

2The Continental Congress created a flying camp, or mobile reserve, for the middle colonies on 3 June 1776 from militia forces raised in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. Congress resolved on 5 June that “the militia, when in service, be regularly paid and victualled in the same manner as the continental troops” (JCC, description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends 4:412–13, 5:418). The flying camp served with GW’s troops during the New York campaigns of 1776, including the battles of Long Island and Harlem Heights, and at the defense of Fort Washington, during which many suffered death and captivity at the hands of the British (see GW to Joseph Trumbull, 9 June 1776, nn.1–2, General Orders, 31 Aug. 1776, n.3, Henry Knox and Rufus Putnam to GW, 6 Oct. 1776, n.1, GW to John Hancock, 18 Sept. 1776, n.2).

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