Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 8.djvu/196

188 F. G. YOUNG. fully and impartially performed their duty. Whatever sum they may have decided upon in estimating this war debt, I hold that amount justly due, and that Congress will at once provide for its extinguishment.' "The Secretary of War, in his annual report of 1857-1858, having had before him the abstract of these claims and the report of the commissioners (Ex. Doc. No. 24) says: 'These officers entered upon their duties on the tenth of October, 1856, and seemed to have labored with great assiduity and patience in discharge of them, until the twentieth of October last, when they were brought to a close. I have examined this report very carefully and conclude that, from the data they have adopted for their guide as to prices for stores and subsistence and time of service rendered by the men, it is not probable a more just and accurate result could be obtained than these gentlemen have arrived at. The amount ascer- tained to be due is a very large one, and Congress will have to make provision for its payment, if it is intended that they shall be liquidated, of which I presume there can be no doubt.' "An examination of the Auditor's report to the H'ouse of Representatives shows that two companies, Captain Strong's and Captain Hays' called out in Washington Territory are not provided for as to their pay, while it is admitted that they rendered the same service as other companies ; that allowances made by the commissioners for services, etc., rendered volun- teers after they had been discharged from service ; and, that, in some instances, the same persons have been allowed for services in two, or three capacities at the same time. "The committee have examined these claims with the care their magnitude and importance required, and that with a view to an equitable settlement, report a substitute for the bill referred to them and recommend its passage." About a year after the report of this committee, the measure it recommended, which was based on the report of the Third Auditor of the Treasury, became a law (March 2, 1861.) It appropriated $400,000, or so much thereof as was necessary, to pay the volunteers, allowing them "the same pay and al- lowance as were paid to officers and soldiers of equal grade at that period in the United States Army serving in that country. ' ' In like manner $2,400,000 were appropriated "for the pay-