Another member, to wit, William Blackledge, from North Carolina, appeared, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat in the House.
Friday, October 30.
The House proceeded, by ballot, to the appointment of a Chaplain to Congress, on the part of this House; and, upon examining the ballots, a majority of the votes of the whole House was found in favor of the Rev. Obadiah B. Brown.
Monday, November 2.
Several other members, to wit: from Massachusetts, Ezekiel Bacon; from New York, Gurdon S. Mumford; from North Carolina, James Holland; from Kentucky, Matthew Lyon; and from South Carolina, Richard Wynn, appeared, produced their credentials, were qualified, and took their seats in the House.
Thursday, November 5.
Revolutionary Pensions.
Mr. Dana said it was well known, that during the last Congress, an act was passed for the relief of persons claiming pensions. The object of the act was, to grant relief to some whose cases were not embraced by the former act, and to grant an increased allowance to others who had not, as yet, received sufficient. This act provides for taking depositions before the district judge, in cases where the claimants have never been placed on the pension list, as well as for examination of the claims of those who apply to have their pensions increased. Whether any compensation should be allowed for issuing commissions, or for making the examinations required, is not declared by the act. A difference of practice, he understood, had taken place. In some cases, commissions were issued gratuitously by the district judge; in other cases, these poor solicitors were obliged, from their small pittance, to pay for these services. If any compensation were to be allowed for this service, he thought it should be paid from the public treasury. Whatever might be the mode adopted, he wished it to be fixed by law. For this purpose he offered the following resolution:
“Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire what compensation shall be allowed for issuing commissions giving authority for taking testimony, or examining evidence relative to claims or applications under the act to provide for persons who have been disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary war, and that the committee have leave to report by bill or otherwise.”