McDougall, Alexander (1732-1786) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.02005 Author/Creator: McDougall, Alexander (1732-1786) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Manuscript letter signed Date: 15 March 1783 Pagination: 3 p. ; 24.2 x 18.2 cm. Order a Copy
Written by General McDougall to Major General Knox. McDougall was a member of a committee sent by the officers to lobby for half-pay pensions to Congress. Mentions that only Georgia is not represented at this point and there were divisions on the pension issue among the other states. Says 7 were for it, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire against it, with Connecticut divided. Goes on to discuss parliamentary maneuvers made by members of Congress on the issue. Says Colonel Dyer of Connecticut, who was to vote for the issue after it was brought up for discussion again shocked everyone by voting against it, which "lost us the question." Discusses ways they might be able to affect a change in the situation. Says if he fails he will return to the army by the end of the month. Encloses newspapers with the latest news from Europe (not included).
[draft]
Philadelphia March 15th 1783
Dear Sir,
The tenth Instant all the States but Georgia were represented in Congress. Before the arrival of the Delegates from Deleware, [sic] there had been several Divisions on the question of the Commutation- on the last, Seven States were for it, Connecticut divided, Jersey Rhode Island and New Hampshire were against it. Colonel Dyer who was the Connecticut Member who dissented, assured Congress, myself and others, that when Delaware came up, if they should be for the measure, he would vote for the question; so that Connecticut and Delaware would compleat Nine States. It is a rule of the house, that when a question is lost, it cannot be called up for reconsideration but on the motion of a member who was for the Negative. When the Delaware Members arrived Colonel Dyer moved to have the Report of the Committee for commuting the half pay recommitted; which was accordingly done; and brought in the 10th instant, when to the astonishment of Congress, he voted against it, and lost us the question, there being eight States [2] for it; those for the Negative the same as on the last Division. The only Reason he could assign for this extraordinary Conduct was, that all the Officers of the Army should accept of the Commutation, to render it obligatory on the States; the Report confined it only to Lines. It is easy to conceive, his mode is utterly impracticable, because however desirous the Officers may be to give their assent, it is impossible now to get them collected for the purpose; and the dissent or non appearance of one Officer would defeat the whole system, which possibly may be his intention. For if he really wished the Commutation to be settled, he would not oppose it on such futile ground, as five years, is near a whole year short of an equivalent for the half pay. It is not known when Georgia will be represented; for Congress have no advice from that State. The representation is now fuller than common; but if one State whose delegation is for the Commutation should become unrepresented, by sickness or other accident, the prospect of settling it, is very distant; and such Contingencies may daily be expected; as several of those States are represented by two Members only. But if nothing of that kind should take place for some time, I have [strikeout] very little hope of Colo Dyers being brought to vote for the questions, although several Gentlemen think otherwise. This [3] is a State of our prospects. I shall [struck: howev] however wait on him once more, to endeavour to convince him of the impracticable Nature of his opinion & tell him in plain terms, in what light the Army, and all honest Men must consider his Conduct, if he persists in it. If I fail of success, I shall return to the Army the latter end of this Month; for I shall then have no hope of accomplishing the end of my Mission. The last intelligence from Europe is contained in the Newspapers which accompanies this.
I have the honor to be
Dear Sir
your humble Servant
Alexr McDougall
Honble Major General Knox.
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