In the Senate of the United States
June 24th, 1864.
Ordered to be printed.
Ordered to be printed.
Mr. Wilkinson made the
following
REPORT
[To accompany bill S. No.
331.]
The Committee on Revolutionary
Claims, to whom was referred the memorial of Haym M. Salomon for indemnity for
advances of money made by his father to the United States during the
revolutionary war, have had the same under consideration, and respectfully
report:
The claim of the memorialist is one
of undeniable merit. It is for money advanced to the revolutionary government
when the public credit was exhausted, its treasury bankrupt, and specie almost
impossible to be obtained. It has been repeatedly examined by some of the
ablest committees of the two houses of Congress, and always reported upon
favorably, with a bill for the relief of the memorialist; but the great
magnitude of the papers and vouchers required so protracted an examination as
to place it last on the calendar at each session, and never to come within the
reach of final action.
The facts show that Haym Salomon, the
father of the memorialist, a native of Poland, settled in this country as a
merchant and banker before the Revolution, and was a zealous supporter of the
war for independence; that he was a man of unquestioned integrity, great
financial resources and ability, and enjoyed the highest confidence of our
public men of the time, as is shown by the most abundant proof, as stated in
the reports of the various committees; that his large private fortune and the
proceeds of his extensive commercial earnings were freely applied to the use of
the revolutionary government and its various public men, and the agents of
foreign governments friendly to our cause, whose supplies were for the time cut
off; that during the war he was imprisoned, with Stockton and others, as early
as the year 1775, at New York, in the loathsome prison called the
"Provost," where he contracted a disease which ended in his death
just at the close of the war, and before any steps had been taken to secure the
same, or by the government to reimburse him for the large amount ho had
advanced for its use.
When he died he left a young wife not
familiar with our language, and four infant children, the youngest, the present
memorialist, being only some three weeks old, at a time when all matters, both
public and private, were in a state of the greatest depression and confusion,
and necessarily exposed to corresponding hazard and neglect. The inventory of
his private estate, as filed in the probate court in Philadelphia on the 15th
day of February, 1785, exhibited among other things, the following public
securities as forming part of its assets, viz:
Loan office certificates: $110,233.63
Treasury certificates: $18,244.88
Continental liquidated dollars: $199,214.45
Commissioners' certificates: $17,570.37
Virginia State certificates: $8,166.00
Total: $353,729.43
After a careful inspection of the
disbursements and payments by the government from 1781 to the formation of the
present government in 1789, it appears that no part of this indebtedness was
ever paid to Haym Salomon or his heirs, or that any payments whatever were made
to him or his representatives; and in an official statement of the First
Auditor of the Treasury, in answer to questions propounded by the committee of
the House of Representatives when examining the same subject, with a certified
copy of these evidences of debt before him, that officer stated that no part of
the sum had been paid or funded by any one since the formation of the present
government. It is, therefore, conclusive to the mind of your committee that no
such payment ever has been made, and that the same is still a valid claim for
proper indemnity in favor of the memorialist.
It is also proven by the original
checks and vouchers before your committee that Haym Salomon advanced in specie
to the " superintendent of finance" of the revolutionary government,
(Robert Morris,) at various times and in various sums, to the amount of some
$211,678, for, which amount the original checks are before your committee,
excepting two or three which are mislaid, but are well vouched for and referred
to in former reports.
The evidence before your committee
also proves that Haym Salomon advanced to the government six promissory notes,
amounting to $34,758.18. 2d. Pennsylvania currency, or in federal currency
about $892,600, for which the original receipt of M. Hillegas, continental
treasurer, is presented, showing that it was for the use of the United States.
There is also before your committee
the promissory note of Haym Salomon for $20,000, payable in thirty days to the
order of Robert Morris, which shows by the bank marks upon it that it was
discounted by the bank and paid by Mr. Salomon at maturity, whose name is
erased, and Robert Morris is still on it. There is no doubt that this note was
loaned to Mr. Morris, for the reason that a receipt was given bearing even date
with the note, "July 25, 1783," and there is a memorandum endorsed on
the note to that effect, so specifying. And considering that Mr. Morris was at
that time exclusively engaged in financiering for the government, which was
greatly in need of means, it is most likely the proceeds of this note were so
applied, though the memorialist does not claim it as part of his demand against
the government.
It is also proven by the vouchers
before your committee, that Haym Salomon provided the means to support the
ambassador of the king of Spain, Don Francisco Rendon, who was in secret
alliance with the revolutionary government, and whose supplies were cut off by
the British cruisers. This fact was acknowledged in an official letter from
that minister to the governor-general of Cuba, and the original orders
uncancelled, to the amount of 10,000 Spanish dollars, are before your
committee, showing that the amount was never paid. But the memorialist does
not, nor never has asked this government to pay that sum. All the former
reports from the committees of both houses show that Haym Salomon supported
from his private means many of the principal men of the Revolution, who
otherwise, as stated by themselves, could not have attended to their public
duties, among whom are mentioned Jefferson, Madison, Lee, Steuben, Mifflin, St.
Clair, Blond, Mercer, Jones, Monroe, Wilson and others; but the package of
vouchers containing the original letters and orders from these parties to Mr.
Salomon, with the important confidential statements of these parties, together
with many other important as well as interesting matters of fact, have all
disappeared from the proper files in the case since the adjournment of last
Congress, and no search has been able to find or discover them. It is supposed
they have all been extracted for the sake of the original autograph letters and
signatures they embraced. But sufficient of their contents has been preserved
in the former reports to show their accuracy, and the importance of the relief
granted to those who devoted their whole time to the public service, and
wherein the patriot Madison says, in 1783:
"The expediency of
drawing bills on Virginia, even the most unquestionable, has been tried by us
in vain."
"I am fast
relapsing into pecuniary distress. The case of my brethren is equally
alarming."
"I have been a
pensioner for some time on the favor of Haym Salomon."
"I am almost
ashamed to reiterate my wants so incessantly to you. The kindness of our friend
near the coffee-house (Haym Salomon) is a fund that will preserve me from
extremities, but I never resort to it without great mortification, as he
obstinately rejects all recompense. To necessitous delegates he always spares
them supplies," &c, &c.
This distressed condition of the
public men of the time is corroborated by Mr. Morris, superintendent of finance, who, in 1781, wrote the president of Congress that "The treasury
was so much in arrears to the servants in the public offices that many of them
could not, without payment, perform their duties, but must have gone to jail
for debts they have contracted to enable them to live," &c, had they
not been favored with assistance.
It was in a crisis like this that Mr.
Salomon not only aided the government directly, as we have seen, but sustained
its public men, without reservation or security, trusting in the honor and
gratitude of the American people when independence should have been secured.
As evidence of the ability of Haym
Salomon to make the advances before stated, your committee have before them the
sworn statement of the cashier of the Bank of North America, taken from its
books, showing that after making all these payments and loans, his bank
account, at the end of each consecutive quarter during the time referred to,
averaged a surplus of from 811,000 to 546,000; and the same sworn statement
also proves, from the same books, the advance of the large sums stated to
Robert Morris; and, indeed, in all respects corroborates the financial
character and respectability of the father of the memorialist. This sworn
statement also proves the advances made to the various public men of the
Revolution before mentioned, showing the orders or checks upon which the money
was paid.
The committees of the last Congress
state that, "in order to be satisfied how far payments of the whole or any
part of these advances or government obligations have been made, have had
brought before them a full exemplification of all the revolutionary
expenditures and payments anterior to the formation of the present government, but
do not find that there is any evidence of such payments having been made to the
father of the memorialist, or to his heirs or legal representatives after his
death.
"That the accounts rendered by the superintendent of finance have
been carefully examined, and no discharge of any of these obligations can be
found." That "a like search has been made in the
private accounts of Robert Morris, as stated upon his oath while incarcerated
for debt in the year 1805, and no payments to, or charges against, Haym Salomon
appear in any shape."
And the First Auditor of the Treasury states
officially that no such payments have been made since the formation of the
present government, which is conclusive evidence that there is justly due the
memorialist a large sum.
The evidence before your committee
shows that the memorialist has been diligent in pursuing his claim. At the
death of his father, in 1784, his brother, the eldest of the family, was but
about seven years old. When he arrived at maturity he found the large real
estate owned by his father all sold, and no account rendered of anything. Steps
were taken to pursue such rights as were visible, and, among others, this
demand; but as the evidence was scattered,and they were compelled to earn a
livelihood by their industry, things moved slowly. Early in this century, his
elder brother dying in the discharge of public duties, far from home, the
memorialist took charge of it, and has pursued it by every proper means in his
power.
Many of the survivors of the
Revolution, who were the compeers and knew the value of the sacrifices made by
Haym Salomon, wrote encouraging letters to the memorialist on the subject.
Among these may be mentioned one from James Madison, in 1827, who, among other
things, stated:
The transactions shown by the
papers you enclose were for the support of the delegates to Congress, and the
agency of your father therein was solicited on account OF THE RESPECT AND
CONFIDENCE HE ENJOYED AMONG THOSE BEST Acquainted With Him,"&c, and
concludes with the wish that the memorialist might be properly indemnified.
But without amplifying, there is
sufficient to show that the memorialist has been vigilant in the pursuit of his
rights, and though he has had numerous reports made in his favor, he never
could get his case finally acted upon.
The aggregate of the indebtedness or
demand of the memorialist against the government, and of the moneys advanced to
the public men of the Revolution, as shown by the papers, and recognized by all
the committees of both houses, which have examined the same, may be stated
thus:
Government obligations of the various
species before stated.... $353,729.43 Specie advanced at various times to
superintendent of finance . . . $211,675.00
Haym Salomon's six promissory notes,
c£34,75S 18.s. 2d., or, in federal currency, say $92, 600.00
Making a total of $658,007.43
Besides the note of $20,000,
evidently loaned to Robert Morris, and the $10,000 and upwards advanced to Don
Francisco Rendon, the ambassador of Spain, and an indefinite amount advanced to
many of the most devoted men of the Revolution, which is not enumerated or
claimed by the memorialist.
The Congressional Evolution of the United States of America
Continental Congress of the United Colonies Presidents
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Commander-in-Chief United Colonies & States of America
George Washington: June 15, 1775 - December 23, 1783
Presidents of the United States in Congress Assembled
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United Colonies Continental Congress
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President
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18th Century Term
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Age
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Elizabeth "Betty" Harrison Randolph (1745-1783)
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09/05/74 – 10/22/74
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29
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Mary Williams Middleton (1741- 1761) Deceased
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Henry Middleton
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10/22–26/74
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n/a
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Elizabeth "Betty" Harrison Randolph (1745–1783)
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05/20/ 75 - 05/24/75
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30
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28
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United States Continental Congress
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President
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Term
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Age
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Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott (1747-1830)
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07/02/76 – 10/29/77
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29
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Eleanor Ball Laurens (1731- 1770) Deceased
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Henry Laurens
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11/01/77 – 12/09/78
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n/a
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Sarah Livingston Jay (1756-1802)
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12/ 10/78 – 09/28/78
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21
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Martha Huntington (1738/39–1794)
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09/29/79 – 02/28/81
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41
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United States in Congress Assembled
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President
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Term
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Age
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03/01/81 – 07/06/81
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42
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25
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36
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46
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38
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42
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Phoebe Bayard St. Clair (1743-1818)
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02/02/87 - 01/21/88
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43
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Christina Stuart Griffin (1751-1807)
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01/22/88 - 01/29/89
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36
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Constitution of 1787
First Ladies |
President
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Term
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Age
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April 30, 1789 – March 4, 1797
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57
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March 4, 1797 – March 4, 1801
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52
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Martha Wayles Jefferson Deceased
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September 6, 1782 (Aged 33)
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n/a
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March 4, 1809 – March 4, 1817
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40
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March 4, 1817 – March 4, 1825
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48
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March 4, 1825 – March 4, 1829
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50
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December 22, 1828 (aged 61)
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n/a
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February 5, 1819 (aged 35)
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n/a
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March 4, 1841 – April 4, 1841
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65
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April 4, 1841 – September 10, 1842
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50
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June 26, 1844 – March 4, 1845
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23
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March 4, 1845 – March 4, 1849
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41
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March 4, 1849 – July 9, 1850
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60
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July 9, 1850 – March 4, 1853
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52
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March 4, 1853 – March 4, 1857
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46
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n/a
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n/a
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March 4, 1861 – April 15, 1865
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42
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February 22, 1862 – May 10, 1865
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April 15, 1865 – March 4, 1869
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54
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March 4, 1869 – March 4, 1877
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43
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March 4, 1877 – March 4, 1881
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45
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March 4, 1881 – September 19, 1881
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48
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January 12, 1880 (Aged 43)
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n/a
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June 2, 1886 – March 4, 1889
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21
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March 4, 1889 – October 25, 1892
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56
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June 2, 1886 – March 4, 1889
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28
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March 4, 1897 – September 14, 1901
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49
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September 14, 1901 – March 4, 1909
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40
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March 4, 1909 – March 4, 1913
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47
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March 4, 1913 – August 6, 1914
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52
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December 18, 1915 – March 4, 1921
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43
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March 4, 1921 – August 2, 1923
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60
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August 2, 1923 – March 4, 1929
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44
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March 4, 1929 – March 4, 1933
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54
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March 4, 1933 – April 12, 1945
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48
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April 12, 1945 – January 20, 1953
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60
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January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961
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56
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January 20, 1961 – November 22, 1963
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31
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November 22, 1963 – January 20, 1969
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50
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January 20, 1969 – August 9, 1974
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56
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August 9, 1974 – January 20, 1977
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56
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January 20, 1977 – January 20, 1981
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49
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January 20, 1981 – January 20, 1989
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59
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January 20, 1989 – January 20, 1993
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63
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January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001
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45
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January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2009
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54
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January 20, 2009 to date
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45
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September 27, 1777
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