Eustis, William, 1753-1825 to Henry Knox

Discusses the pensioners and mentions: "...it is evident there are about one fifth of the pensioners of this Common Wealth who can receive no benefit from the years pay granted by Congress - their names are by some means not included in the return & they will neither receive this, not a years pay granted them by the General Court this session - To effect a thorough remedy for this evil it is absolutely necessary there should be a new inspection & return of the whole..." Also suggests that the inspection be run by the federal government and to perhaps conduct an inspection in every other state too. Suggests one man be appointed to the position and held responsible for all returns. Discusses the Waldo Patent and the squatters' petitions. Notes the petitions that were filed asked for Knox to give his lands to the squatters, which, Eustis states the legislature will never do. Says it is suspected that many of the petitions were filed without the petitioners' knowledge and that the Committee has delayed the case until the next session.