To James Madison from Solomon Fisher and Others, 17 January 1815
From Solomon Fisher and Others
Sackets Harbor Jan’y 17th. 1815
Sir,
The undersign’d, Non-commissiond officers of the U. S. Marine Corps, beg, most respectfully to represent, that by a Law, pass’d on the 18th of April last, allowing an advance of 25 ⅌ Cent on the pay of Officers, Seamen & Marines, serving on the Lakes,1 most assuredly ought to apply to the non-Commission’d officers & Privates of Marines; and understanding that you are impower’d to grant the same; We apply to you, as the Father of the natiion, that we may receive the said additional Pay; for every Article of Provision & clothing is enormously high, upon this Lake; we, however leave it altogeather with you & shall very cheerfully submit to your decision. We remain With great Respect
Soln. Fisher Sergt M Corps
[and fifteen others]
RC (DNA: RG 45, Misc. Letters Received). In sergeant and secretary of the meeting H. W. Richards’s hand, signed by Fisher et al. Following the signatures is Richards’s note stating that “the foregoing Sergts. of the U.S. Marine Corps, act as a comittee of application, for all the non-commission’d officers & Privates, station’d at Sackets Harbor.”
1. For the law, see Daniel T. Patterson and Daniel Carmick to JM, ca. 19 Aug. 1814, and n. 1.