Note 19 — THE CORRESPONDENCE OF C. A. DE LA LUZERNE. (continued 3)
Reading edition
The following is the statement of Baron de Kalb's account. Mr Pierce's letter is missing.
Office of Accounts, April 19th, 1784.
Sir,
I have examined sundry papers relative to the claim of the Baroness de Kalb, for the pay of her husband, (the late Baron de Kalb, deceased) as a Major General in the service of the United States of America, and find,
That from the 31st of July, 1777, the date of his appointment, to the 19th of August, 1780, the day of his death, being thirtysix months and twenty days, his pay, at $1662/3 per month, amounts to $6,111 10–90
That per certificate of John Pierce, Paymaster General, it appears he received sundry sums, in money of the old emissions, on account of his pay, which are extended to his debit in specie, by the Massachusetts scale, as follows, viz.
1778, February, 830 dollars, at 464 per cent $178 79–90
" May, 664 " " 580 " " 114 43–90
" October, 664 " " 690 " " 96 21–90
1779, January, 664 " " 834 " " 79 55–90
" May, 664 " " 1414 " " 46 86–90
" September, 664 " " 1695 " " 39 15–90
1780, November, 664 " " 2387 " " 27 73–90
That said certificate also includes a charge for $2000 old emissions, advanced him in August, 1777, which at 238 per cent are equal to 840 30–90
That he is also chargeable with the following sums, viz.
Received from Silas Deane, in France, on the 22d of November, 1776, as appears per receipt annexed to his agreement with said Deane, 6000 livres, at 5 livres and 5 sols per dollar, are equal to 1,142 79–90
Six thousand livres paid him in bills of exchange, agreeable to a resolve of Congress of September 14, 1777, at 5 livres 8 sols per dollar, equal to 1,171 10–90
That on this account, there appears a balance of two thousand four hundred and thirtythree dollars and 61–90 due to the estate of the Baron de Kalb 2,433 61–90
$6,111 10–90
Exclusive of the sums carried to the Baron's debit in the foregoing state, he is charged in the Paymaster General's books with the following, in old emissions, viz.
November 17th, 1777. Fifty dollars paid for transporting his baggage. If he was in actual service at the time, and in such a situation as rendered extra means necessary for this purpose, I am of opinion that he ought not to be charged with this sum.
May, 1780. Two hundred and twentysix thousand dollars, said to be for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Maryland line, on their march to the southward, or for defraying the deficiencies of clothing due to the Maryland line. To oppose to this charge there is nothing yet produced. I therefore submit to consideration, the propriety of admitting to the credit of his estate the balance, which appeals due on account of his pay, as per the foregoing adjustment.
WILLIAM RAMSEY, Clerk of Accounts.