The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
 |
MONDAY, MARCH 10. |
|
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
MONDAY, MARCH 10.
See the Journal. Much debate passed relative to the proposed
commutation of half pay; Some wishing it to take place on condition
only that a majority of the whole army should concur
others preferring the plan expressed on the journal, and not
agreed to.[66]
It was introduced by Carroll, Dyer, and Mifflin and provided "That such
officers as are now in service, and continue therein to the end of the war, shall
be entitled to receive the sum of five years' full pay in money, or securities on
interest at six per cent. per annum, at the option of Congress, instead of the
half-pay promised for life by the resolution of the 21st. of October, 1780: the
said securities to be such as shall be given to the other creditors of the United
States; provided that it be at the option of the lines of the respective States,
and not of officers individually in those lines, to accept or reject the same: that
all officers who have retired from service upon the promise of half-pay for life,
shall be entitled to the benefits of the above resolution; provided that those of
the line of each State, collectively, agree thereto; that the said commutation
shall extend to the corps not belonging to the lines of particular States, the acceptance
or refusal to be determined by corps; that all officers entitled to half-pay
for life, not included in the above resolution, may collectively agree to
accept or refuse the commutation."—Journals of Congress, iv., 173.
| The writings of James Madison, | |