To James Madison from George Hight, 23 January 1815
From George Hight
Inspr. Genls. Office
Boston 23rd. Jany 1815
Sir,
By direction of the Commanding Genl, it has become my duty to make you acquainted with the Situation of the Troops in this District, which is such as imperiously to demand relief, and must offer as my apology for addressing this communication, immediately to yourself.
The troops in this District have not received pay generally for the last Six months; and a considerable portion of them have ten or twelve months pay now due.
The Patriotism and discipline of the troops would enable them to support these grievances almost without repining—but many of the garrisons are destitute of the common necessaries to enable them to support the inclemencies of the Season. The Quarter Masters have not funds sufficient to purchase fuel and Straw. It will not be surprising to you Sir, that under such an accumulation of grievances, that symptoms of dissatisfaction should appear—but the greatest confidence may be placed in the exertions of the officers to prevent as far as possible any serious difficulties arising from what they consider the pressure of the times, and while they confidently trust in the consideration and forethought of the government to relieve them.
Enclosed herewith I forward you a letter received from Capt. James Perry of the 40th Infy Commanding Wiscassett &c (in Maine) which will more fully explain the situation of some of the troops in this District.1 With the highest Respect and Consideration I have the honor to be Sir, Your Obdt. servt.
Geo. W. Hight.
Ass. Insp. Genl.
RC (DNA: RG 107, LRRS, H-95:8). Docketed by James Monroe. For enclosure, see n. 1.
1. Hight evidently enclosed Capt. James Perry’s 14 Jan. 1815 letter to Col. John Walbach, stating that Perry had spent all his own money and gone into debt to procure “fuel Straw & Stationary” for the four forts under his command. Some men were deserting, and others were refusing to do duty because they had not been paid and their families were facing starvation. Perry managed to forestall a full-scale mutiny and told the desperate men he would try to get them their pay but observed to Walbach that he did not know where to turn, because “the paymaster has no funds” and “the Qr. Master says he has none” (DNA: RG 107, LRRS, P-201:8).