Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 2 (of 16)

by United States. Congress

Friday, December 22.

General Kosciusko.

Mr. Dawson wished to call the attention of the House to a subject, which, he doubted not, would interest the feelings of every member. The subject he alluded to was the situation of General Kosciusko. It was a fact well known to every man in this country, it was a fact known to the world, that this brave man entered into the service of the United States, at an early period of our Revolutionary war. When this service was ended, he received from the Government a certificate of what was due to him. He returned to Poland, his native country; there, animated by the same spirit which had led him to take a part in our struggle for independence, he endeavored to overthrow the existing tyranny, and to introduce in its place liberty and independence. For some time his attempt seemed likely to be crowned with success; but, on the fatal 10th of October, 1794, overpowered by numbers, he was defeated and taken prisoner. Covered with wounds and with glory, he was conducted to the prison of Petersburgh. When he was released from thence, he immediately set out to this country, here to spend the remainder of his life. He was now within this city; but, from the wounds he had received in his arduous but unsuccessful conflict, he was unable to walk or to attend to any business. The unfortunate day on which he was taken prisoner, he lost his all, and with it the certificate of the services rendered to the United States. He was unable, therefore, to obtain a settlement of his account at the Treasury. To set aside all difficulty in the matter, Mr. D. proposed to offer a resolution to the consideration of the House; and as it was justice only which he sought for this brave man, he doubted not that a spirit of justice would ensure its adoption. It was to the following effect:

"Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire and report whether any, and, if any, what provisions are necessary, to obtain payment of the claim of Gen. Kosciusko on the United States."

Mr. J. Parker seconded the motion. He hoped the resolution would be agreed to, and that immediate attention would be paid to the unfortunate gentleman, as he believed, except he made use of the grant made to him by the Emperor of Russia, which, he believed, he was disinclined to do, for considering his predecessor as the chief cause of his own misfortunes, and those of his country, he did not wish to be under obligations to him. The certificate given to the General on his departure from hence, was for $12,800, upon which he had received only one year's interest. He hoped, therefore, as he had the misfortune to lose his certificate, at the time he was taken prisoner, that the House would take such measures as should enable him to receive the amount of his certificate, with the interest due thereon.

Mr. Coit moved that the resolution should be committed to the Committee of Claims, but afterwards changed his motion so as to make that committee the committee to inquire and report, instead of a select committee. He professed to have no other object in these motions than that this claim should take the same course with other claims.

The motion was supported by Messrs. Allen, J. Williams, Macon, and Edmond. It was opposed by Messrs. J. Parker, Livingston, Gallatin, Brooks, Nicholas, Harper, Sheperd, Otis, Pinckney, Swanwick, S. Smith, T. Claiborne, and McDowell.

The motion for a reference to the Committee of Claims was lost—59 to 33.

Mr. Pinckney said, that as this claim was different from most others which came before that House, and having himself had something to do in the business, he would state to the House what he knew of it. Previous to General Kosciusko's return to Poland, whilst he was in Germany, he applied to the Polish Ambassador in London, by letter, requesting him to make application to the American Minister there for payment of a part of the money due to him from the United States. The mode of transacting this business was this: The interest arising from the certificate granted to the General, was made payable in Paris; but from the change which took place in the French Government, the General did not know how to receive it there, which was the reason of his making application, through the Polish Minister, to him (Mr. P.) in London. Mr. P. wrote to the American Minister in Paris for an order on the bankers of the United States in Holland, but having in the mean time received a letter from Gen. Kosciusko, requesting the money to be sent for him to Ratisbon or Leipsic, he (Mr. P.) sent an order to Amsterdam, requesting the bankers there to transmit the money either to Ratisbon or Leipsic, as the exchange should be most advantageous. In the interim General Kosciusko returned to Poland, and he supposed he then had no time to attend to this business. He never heard any more upon the subject until he saw the General in Philadelphia, when he found this money had not been received by him; so that he supposed it yet lay in the hands of the Leipsic or Ratisbon banker.

Finding this to be the case, Mr. P. immediately wrote to the banker at Amsterdam, requesting him to redraw the money, and to transmit it here for the General's use. But, as he might, in the mean time, stand in need of it, it might be proper in the United States to anticipate its return, by settling the account with the General. He hoped in whatever way this business was effected, it would be in such a way as not to wound the feelings of a man who had deserved so well of this country.

On a suggestion of Mr. Sitgreaves, instead of appointing a committee, the Secretary of the Treasury was directed to make a report what "Legislative provision was necessary, &c."

This motion was carried by 49 to 40; but whatever difference of opinion there was in the House, as to the mode of doing the business, there seemed to be but one sentiment, as to the propriety of complying with the spirit of the resolution.