Report on the Petition of John McLean, [27 February 1794]
Report on the Petition of John McLean1
[Philadelphia, February 27, 1794
Communicated on March 3, 1794]2
[To the Speaker of the House of Representatives]
The Secretary of the Treasury, to whom was referred, by an Order of the House of Representatives of the 26th. of December 1793, the Petition of John McLean,3 thereupon respectfully reports, as follows—
The Petitioner claims compensation for damages done upon his Farm in Dutchess County in the State of New York by the American Army in the Year 1778. This being a Case in principle similar to that of Joseph Beale and others, reported upon the 19th. of November 1792, the [Secretary] respectfully refers the House to that Report.4
The Claim is understood to be barred by the Acts of limitation,5 and nothing special appears recommendatory of a discrimination in favor of the Petitioner.6
Which is humbly submitted
Alexander Hamilton
Secy. of the Treasury.
February 27th. 1794.
Copy, RG 233, Reports of the Secretary of the Treasury, 1784–1795, Vol. IV, National Archives.
1. This report was one of twenty-nine reports on petitions enclosed in H to Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, February 27, 1794.
2. , II, 77–78.
3. On December 26, 1793, the House received “a petition of John McLean, of the County of Dutchess, in the State of New York, praying compensation for the destruction of fences, and other property of the petitioner, by a detachment of the American Army, some time in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight.
“Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the Secretary of the Treasury, with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House.” (, II, 21.)
4. See “Report on Several Petitions Seeking Compensation for Property Damaged or Destroyed During the Late War,” November 19, 1792.
6. On March 2, 1795, the House “Ordered, That … John McLean … who presented … [a petition] to this House have leave to withdraw the same” (, II, 357).