Mr. Claiborne objected to this; and
Mr. Baldwin suggesting the propriety of committing it to the same Committee of the Whole, to whom were referred the subject of considering the expediency of excepting certain claims from the operation of the limitation acts, this course was adopted.
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.