As the salary I had, as secretary to the committee of foreign affairs, was but small, being only 800 dollars a year, and as that had been fretted down by the depreciation to less than a fifth of its nominal value, I wrote to congress, then sitting at New-York, (it was after the war,) to make up the depreciation of my salary, and also for some incidental expenses I had been at. This letter was referred to a committee, of which Elbridge Gerry was chairman.

Mr. Gerry then came to me and said, that the committee had consulted on the subject, and they intended to bring in a handsome report, but that they thought it best not to take any notice of your letter, or make any reference to Deane's affair or your salary. They will indemnify you, said he, without it. The case is, there are some motions on the journals of congress, for censuring you with respect to Deane's affair, which cannot now be recalled, because they have been printed. Therefore, will bring in a report that will supersede them, without mentioning the purport of your letter.

This, citizen representatives, is an explanation of the resolve of the old congress. It was an indemnity to me for some injustice done me, for congress had acted dishonourably to me. However, I prevented Deane's fraudulent demand being paid, and so far the country is obliged to me, but I became the victim of my integrity.

I preferred stating this explanation to the committee, rather than to make it public in my memorial to congress.

THOMAS PAINE.

TO THE HONOURABLE

THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES.

SIR,

New-York, March 7, 1808.

I KNOW not who the committee of claims are, but if they were men of younger standing than " the times that tried men's souls," and consequently too young to know what the condition of the country was at the time I published Common Sense, for I do not believe independence would have been declared had it not been for the effect of that work, they are not capable of judging of the whole of the services of Thomas Paine. The president and vice-president can give you information on those subjects, so also can Mr. Smilie, who was a member of the Pennsylvania legislature at the times I am speaking of. He knows the inconveniences I was often put to, for the old congress treated me with ingratitude. They seemed to be disgusted at my popularity, and acted towards me as a rival instead of a friend.

The explanation I sent to the committee, respecting a resolve of the old congress while they sat at New-York, should be known to congress, but it seems to me that the committee keep every thing to themselves and do nothing. If my memorial was referred to the committee of claims for the purpose of losing it, it is unmanly policy. After so many years of ser, vice, my heart grows cold towards America.

Yours, in friendship,

THOMAS PAINE,

P. S. I repeat my request that you would call on the committee of claims to bring in their report, and that congress would decide upon it.