Adams Papers

From Timothy Pickering to John Adams, 2 February 1796

From Timothy Pickering

War-Office Feby. 2d. 1796.

Sir,

The Senate were pleased, on the 22d of December, to direct a statement to be laid before them of the military force actually employed against the Insurgents in the four Western Counties of Pennsylvania, and an account of the expenditures in that expedition.

I have now the honour to inform the Senate, that the expenditures were of various kinds, none of which, except merely for the pay of the militia, fall under the cognizance of the Secretary for the department of war: and that the dispersion of the militia to their homes before their pay could be delivered to them, has prevented complete settlements to this day; altho it is near a year since an Agent in each of the four states whence the militia was drawn, has been employed in paying & settling with them. Under these circumstances it is impossible to make the statement required. The supplies in the quarter master’s department and of provisions were furnished immediately by the department of the Treasury. Arrearages in all the parts of this service remain to be settled and paid.

I have the honour to be / with the highest respect / sir your most obt. servant

Timothy Pickering

RC (DNA:RG 46, Records of the U.S. Senate); internal address: “The President of the Senate / Of the United States.”; docketed: “Legis: 1st Sess: 4th. Cong: / Communication / to the Vice President from / the Secretary of War in / reference to the order of 22d / December last directing a / statement of the military / force actually employed / against the Insurgents and an / account of the expenditures / in that expedition. / February 2d. / 1796.”

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