Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1873.djvu/82

762 The act of March 18, 1818, provided for all who had served for nine months or more in the war of the Revolution in the Army, and to those who served in the Navy, and should become indigent, if a commissioned officer, a pension of $20, and if of a lower grade, $8 per month during life. The pension was enlarged to full-pay to officers and soldiers of the continental line, May 15, 1828.

The act of June 7, 1832, gave all (except foreign officers) who had served for two years in the war of the Revolution, in the land or naval forces, full-pay pension, and to those who had so served at least six months an amount proportionate according to the length of their service.

The act of May 13, 1846, provided for pensions to the disabled volunteers of the war with Mexico, in accordance with the laws then existent and applicable to the war of 1812.

The general provisions for the pensions of various classes of invalids who were disabled in the wars above mentioned stood as heretofore stated until 1864 (April 1) when an additional annual stipend of $100 was granted to each surviving revolutionary pensioner for life, and in 1871 (February 14) the requirement of disability in claims on account of service in the war of 1812 was dispensed with, service of sixty days and proof of loyalty during the war for the suppression of the rebellion only being required, and a pension not to exceed $8 per month provided for then surviving officers and enlisted and drafted men of said war.

In July, 1861, an act, providing for employing volunteers for suppression of the rebellion, promised to those who should be disabled in said service the same rates of full-pay pension as were provided by act hitherto named for the invalids of the war of 1812 and the Mexican war.

In July, (14,) 1862, an act was passed re-enacting the provisions of the act of July 22, 1861, and specifying the rates of pension to invalids, the same as those of the act of April 24,1816, with the additional specification of the exact amounts of full pension to be paid to those of higher rank than first lieutenant. Subsequently provision was made for pensions for particular disabilities at fixed rates, as follows: In 1864, (July 4.) for loss of both eyes, $25 per month, and for loss of both feet, $20 per month. In 1865 (March 3) pension for loss of one foot and one hand at same rate as had been provided for loss of both feet, $20 per month. In 1866 (June 6) for loss of one hand or one foot, pension ot $15 per month. In 1868 (July 27) to those who, having but one eye on entering the service, shall have lost the same, $25 per month.

In 1872 (June 8, to commence June 4) the above specific disability pensions were increased as follows: From $25 to $31.25, from $20 to $25, and from $15 to $18, and in 1873 (March 3) pension for loss of B leg above the knee, and such consequent disability as to preclude the use of an artificial limb, was specifically provided for at $24, and the loss of hearing likewise at $13 per month.

The above shows that the provisions for invalids' pensions have been, from time to time, but generally at long intervals, liberalized as to the requirements upon which claims should be based. In claims on account of service in the Revolution, first requiring service and disability, and without limitation as to time of filing claims, allowing only half-pay pension; seventeen years after, two years, limitation for filing was adopted, and two years thereafter the date of completion of the required proof was made the date of commencement of pension. Forty-two years passed before pension was granted on account of indigence, and fifty-two years elapsed before full-pay pension was allowed. In provisions for