To Thomas Jefferson from Christopher Greenup, 28 January 1793
From Christopher Greenup
Arch Street No. 28. January 28th. 1793
Sir
The Representatives from Kentucky have lately received a Letter from the Governor of that State, inclosing a Resolution of the General Assembly directing an application to be made to Congress for a reimbursement of the Expence incurred in carrying on expeditions against the Indian Tribes since the first of January 1785.
On examination I find this business was brought before Congress the second day of August 1787 by request of Governor Randolph, and a Committee on that day brought in a report which has never been decided on.
I must therefore beg of you Sir to favour me with the original papers which I am informed are filed in the Office of the Department of State, or Copies of them for the purpose of supporting the present application; this being now a Debt to be paid by the State of Kentucky by the Compact with Virginia. I have the honour to be Sir with great respect Your Very Hble Servt.
Christo. Greenup
RC (DNA: RG 59, MLR); at foot of text: “Honble Mr. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 28 Jan. 1793 and so recorded in SJL.
Christopher Greenup (1750–1818), a lawyer and Revolutionary War military officer who had participated in several Indian expeditions during the Confederation period, was a member of the House of Representatives from Kentucky, 1792–97 (Biog. Dir. Cong.). In a report submitted to the House in April 1794, Alexander Hamilton rejected Kentucky’s claim for reimbursement, contending that the costs for the expeditions had been covered by the settlement of accounts between the federal government and Virginia, of which Kentucky had been part until 1792 (, xvi, 244–5).