The Portland Gazette

BY THE MAILS.

The following Letter from the War Department, respecting the Pensions to Revolutionary Soldiers, &c. Was written to some person in Philadelphia.

War Department, Pension-Office,
April 14, 1818.

Sir—I am directed by the Secretary of War to thank you for the communication of the 25th ult. and to remark that the claims of all those applying for pensions under the late law, will at once be refused, unless it shall be certified by the judge, from his own knowledge, or otherwise, that they shall be in reduced circumstances—and absolutely need the assistance of the country for their support.

With real respect, I am, sir your most obedient servant.
G. BOYD.

[We are sorry to find as we do by this document, that the Secretary at War persists in his narrowed construction of the late Pension Law of the United States. It will exclude many, very many, of the most deserving Patriots of the Revolution from being recipients of the honorable bounty of their Country :—A bounty which they really need for their support and comfort, but which they will not receive at the expense of a Pauper's oath.—This may be called pride; but it is such pride as made the American soldier the invincible defender of his Country's independence. We are sorry to add, that many of those whom pinching poverty will compel to take the oath, and have not done it because the Judges, before whom they have given their affidavits, have so construed the law, that it did not require the degradation ; must now, it seems, before they can be placed on the Pension list. be at the additional trouble and expense of reappearing before the Judges and taking the oath that they are paupers.]

Centinel.