I have repeatedly applied to the Department of War, to have a settlement made of the accounts of M. de la Radière, an officer of Engineers, and General Baron de Kalb, both of whom died in the service of the United States.
I have been answered, in the absence of General Lincoln, that the demands, which I made by order of my Court, for the benefit of their heirs, were just, but as yet no money has been paid to me, and I therefore entreat you to be pleased to procure it as soon as possible. I have received several letters from the family of Baron de Kalb, and I wish to be able to send them a satisfactory answer. General Lincoln having returned, I hope that these two affairs will suffer no delay.
The Count de Barras also demanded, in the month of July of last year, the payment of the sums due to the volunteers, who have served on board the Ariel, Captain Paul Jones; and on leaving the Chesapeake he has renewed his demands, in order that this money may be sent to France, where it will be paid to those to whom it belongs. This debt amounts to four thousand one hundred and ninetyseven livres tournois, not including the sum of one thousand one hundred and fiftyone livres, which has been paid to Joseph Caron, François Marais de Tulipe, Joseph Powaruce, and Paterne Jean, who were on board the Hermione. Congress, by a resolution, the date of which I cannot recollect, last year ordered the whole of this sum to be paid. I entreat you, Sir, to be pleased to persuade the Board of Admiralty to bring this affair to a close, and to transmit this sum to his Majesty's Consul, that he may send it to those to whom it is due.
I have the honor to be, &c.
LUZERNE.
TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Translation.
Philadelphia, April 13th, 1782.
Sir,
I embrace the first moment after my return from Virginia, to comply with the request of the principal officers of our army, in tendering you their sincere respects.