TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overview
Agency History
Scope and Contents of the Records
Organization of the Records
Restrictions
Index Terms
Related Material
Administrative Information
Description of Series
Audited Republic claims,
1835-1846,
Public debt claims records,
1848-1863,
1866-1867, 1871-1873, undated,
Republic pension records,
1870-1920,
Unpaid and miscellaneous Republic claims,
1836-about
1879,
Confederate audited military claims,
1861-1865,
Confederate audited civil claims,
1861-1865,
Confederate indigent families lists,
1863-1865,
Confederate pension application records,
1899-1979,
Confederate pension payments volumes,
1899-1905,
1909-1910, 1915-1966,
Texas Ranger pensions,
1917,
1928, 1931, 1936, 1938, 1959-1990, bulk 1959-1990,
|
Texas Comptroller's Office:
An Inventory of Comptroller's Office Claims Records at the
Texas State Archives,
1835-1990,
undated
| | |
|
|
| Creator: | Texas. Comptroller's Office. |
| Title: | Comptroller's Office
claims records |
| Dates: | 1835-1990, undated |
| Abstract: | The Office of Comptroller of Public Accounts was initially
created by the General Council of the Provisional Government of Texas on
December 29, 1835, for the purpose of examining and approving or rejecting any
monetary claims presented to him by the Auditor. These functions continued
under the governments of the Republic of Texas (1836-1845) and the State of
Texas (1845 onwards). These records document the claims (including pensions)
that were audited and either accepted or rejected by the government of the
Republic of Texas, and by the government of the State of Texas for civil and
(especially) military service to the Republic of Texas, as well as for
Confederate service, and for service in the Texas Rangers. Types of records
include claim files, pension applications files, pension registers and indexes,
public debt registers and indexes, drafts for payment, and associated records.
They comprise more than 951 cubic ft. of loose records, plus 61 volumes, dating
1835-1990 and undated. |
| Quantity: | 966.81 cubic
ft. |
| Language: | These
materials are written predominately in English with scattered Spanish throughout. |
| Repository: | Texas State Archives |
The Office of Comptroller of Public Accounts was initially created by
the General Council of the Provisional Government of Texas on December 29,
1835, elected by the General Council and commissioned by the Governor, for the
purpose of examining and approving or rejecting any claims presented to him by
the Auditor (also created by this ordinance).
The Comptroller first appeared as a constitutional officer in the
first state Constitution of Texas (1845), elected for a two-year term by a
joint ballot of the House and Senate. A constitutional amendment in 1850
abandoned this method of selection in favor of election by the voters of the
state. The term of office was increased to four years by the Constitution of
1866, returned to two years by the present Constitution of 1876, and finally
increased once again to four years by a constitutional amendment adopted in
1972. (Article IV, section 1)
On April 11, 1846, the First Legislature of the State of Texas
approved an act defining the duties of the Comptroller. These included the
following:
- to superintend the fiscal concerns of the state;
- to perform such official acts as were required of the Secretary
of the Treasury under the Republic of Texas, when not otherwise provided for by
law;
- to report to the Governor annually, giving an exact and complete
statement of the funds of the State, of its revenues, and of the public
expenditures during the preceding year, with a detailed estimate of the
expenditures to be defrayed from the Treasury for the ensuing year,
distinguishing between special and general appropriations;
- to keep all accounts between Texas and the United States, and all
other accounts in which the State has an interest, and to suggest plans for the
improvement and management of the public revenue;
- to examine and settle the accounts of all persons indebted to the
State, to certify the amount or balance to the Treasurer, and to direct the
collection of all monies due the State;
- to audit the claims of all persons against the State in cases
where provisions for the payment thereof have been made by law;
- to draw warrants on the Treasurer for the payment of all monies
directed by law to be paid out of the treasury;
- to number each warrant and to take a receipt for each warrant
from the person receiving the same;
- to furnish the Treasurer with a monthly report of all warrants
drawn;
- to prescribe and furnish the forms to be used by all persons in
the collection of the public revenue;
- to receive and file all liens, mortgages, bonds and other
sureties for money given to the State or to any officer thereof for the use of
the State;
- to close all Comptroller accounts annually, and to allow these
accounts to be examined by either house of the legislature, or by any
legislative committee;
- to examine all disbursements of the Treasurer quarterly, and to
cancel those warrants which have been paid;
- to preserve the books, records, papers, and other things
belonging to his office, and to deliver the same to his successor. (
Gammel's Laws, vol. 2, pp. 1374-1378)
In other words, in the mid-19th century as in the late 20th century,
the Comptroller was and is the central accounting officer or chief fiscal
officer of the state, and as such is responsible for maintaining effective
methods for accounting for the state's funds. He or she is the state's
principal tax administrator and collector of tax revenue. The Comptroller must
also provide the research and statistics necessary for revenue estimating and
certification.
Other duties were added from time to time through specific
legislation. These duties will be explained as required in the appropriate
series descriptions in this finding aid.
In addition, the Comptroller was made an ex officio member of various
other state boards and commissions, as for example the following: the Insurance
Department (superintendent, 1875), the Board of Education (1876), the Capitol
Building Commission (1879), the East Texas Penitentiary Board (1879), the Board
to sell useless State property (1879), the Board of Claims (1883), the Land
Board and the Land Fraud Board (1883), the State Tax Board (1905), the
Automatic Tax Board (1907), the Texas Bond Commission (1933), etc.
As the business of the office grew in volume and in complexity, the
staff of the office increased as well. In 1852 the legislature created the
office of Chief Clerk of the Office of Comptroller. Other specialized clerks
were added as needed, and as the state budget permitted: tax clerk(s) (about
1859); corresponding clerk(s) (about 1874); an examining clerk (about 1881);
delinquent tax clerks, auditing clerks, and warrant clerks (about 1882); a
redemption clerk (about 1888); a deposit warrant clerk, a sheriff and witness
accountant, a stenographic clerk, and a receiving clerk (all about 1891); a
direct tax clerk (about 1893); a special warrant clerk, a bond clerk, mailing
and filing clerks, and pension clerks (about 1901); etc. By the turn of the
19th/20th century, the total clerical staff of the office was approximately 44.
This had increased to over 400 by 1950. In 1994, the total staff exceeded
2,800.
Return to the Table of Contents
The Office of Comptroller of Public Accounts was initially created by
the General Council of the Provisional Government of Texas on December 29,
1835, for the purpose of examining and approving or rejecting any monetary
claims presented to him by the Auditor. These functions continued under the
governments of the Republic of Texas (1836-1845) and the State of Texas (1845
onwards). These records document the claims (including pensions) that were
audited and either accepted or rejected by the government of the Republic of
Texas, and by the government of the State of Texas for civil and (especially)
military service to the Republic of Texas, as well as for Confederate service,
and for service in the Texas Rangers. Types of records include claim files,
pension applications files, pension registers and indexes, public debt
registers and indexes, drafts for payment, and associated records. They
comprise more than 951 cubic ft. of loose records, plus 61 volumes, dating
1835-1990 and undated. This includes the following: audited Republic claims,
public debt claims, Republic pension records, unpaid and miscellaneous Republic
claims, Confederate claims, Confederate pension records, and Texas Ranger
pensions.
Claims files contain such documents as claim vouchers, official
authorization of services or purchases, Auditor's affidavits, War Department
pay certificates, discharges, assignments of benefits, powers of attorney, pay
accounts, invoices, court dockets, public debt certificates, affidavits
concerning service, petitions to the legislature, acts for the relief of an
individual, partial or complete lists of soldiers for whom payment was being
collected by a single individual, etc. Pension application files contain such
documents as affidavits of service, transcripts of county court rulings on the
validity of the claim, certifications of continuing indigence, certified copies
of muster rolls, powers of attorney, pension certificates, oaths of identity,
additional affidavits and interrogatories relating to any of the requirements
for eligibility, correspondence, original discharges, death certificates,
printed material (including newspaper clippings), mortuary warrants, etc.
Audited Republic claims (including both civil and military claims) are
those that were submitted to the Comptroller or Treasurer of the Republic, and
were audited and approved (or allowed) and paid by that government during the
Republic period; thus both the services and the payments for these services
date between 1835 and 1846. Public debt claims records document the public debt
of Texas (which included both the ordinary or non-revenue debt--consisting of
the claims of participants in the Texas Revolution or suppliers of the Texas
army; and the revenue debt--principal and interest owed to holders of Republic
of Texas and State of Texas securities), accounted for by the Texas Comptroller
of Public Accounts in claims files, registers, and indexes; the settlements of
these public debt claims dated 1848-1863, 1866-1867, 1871-1873, and undated.
Republic pension records document the pensions authorized by the Texas State
Legislature for persons who rendered military service to the Republic of Texas
(and their widows) and signers of the Declaration of Independence, to be
administered by the Office of the Comptroller; they consist of 15 indexes plus
the actual Republic pension files, dating 1870-1920. Unpaid and miscellaneous
Republic claims include records relating to services and losses during the era
of the Republic of Texas that were denied, or that simply have no documentation
in the records of the Comptroller of Public Accounts of having been settled, or
that do not fit easily into an existing series; these date 1836-about 1879.
Confederate audited military claims comprise the claim files for
payment for military and military-related services rendered for the defense of
Texas during the Civil War, submitted to the Texas Comptroller's office for
auditing and approval, some of which were eligible to be submitted for
reimbursement by the government of the Confederate States of America, dating
1861-1865. Like military claims, claims for payment for civil services rendered
for the State of Texas during the Civil War were submitted to the Texas
Comptroller's office for auditing and approval, although it is unclear whether
any of these could be submitted to the Confederate States government; these
"Confederate" audited civil claims dated
1861-1865. "Confederate" indigent families
lists were submitted by the counties and maintained by the Texas Comptroller's
Office, designating and enumerating indigent families eligible for relief from
the State of Texas during the Civil War, 1863-1865. Beginning in 1899, the
Texas Legislature authorized pensions for eligible, indigent Confederate
veterans residing in Texas, and their widows. The Confederate pension
applications records created and maintained by the Texas Comptroller's office
provide detailed documentation of those persons applying for these pensions, as
well as the process itself, dating 1899-1979. The Confederate pension payment
records consist of 23 volumes maintained by the Texas Comptroller's office,
which document payments of these Confederate pensions, as well as mortuary
warrants.
Beginning in 1959, the Texas Legislature authorized the Comptroller's
office to pay pensions to qualified former Texas Rangers and their widows.
Texas Ranger pension files document both the persons applying for these
pensions, and the process itself, consisting mostly of the pension files
(applications and other documents) of deceased recipients of Texas Ranger
pensions, 1959-1990, but also federal legislation and Texas Attorney General
opinions.
This finding aid describes 10 series of records from the Texas
Comptroller's Office. If you are reading this electronically, click here for an
introduction
to the Texas Comptroller's Office records. If you are reading this in
paper, the introduction is at the beginning of the first binder labeled
Comptroller.
Return to the Table of Contents
| | |
Organization of the Records
|
| These records have been organized by State Archives staff into 10
series, and 14 subseries: |
| |
| | Audited Republic claims, 1835-1846, 127.35 cubic ft. |
| | Public debt claims records, 1848-1863, 1866-1867, 1871-1873,
undated, 57.73 cubic ft. (in 3 subseries)
- Registers and indexes of Republic of Texas public debt
claims, 1848-1861, undated, 1.4 cubic ft. (4 volumes)
- Republic of Texas public debt claims files, 1848-about 1860,
55.62 cubic ft.
- Registers of State of Texas public debt claims, 1860-1863,
1866-1867, 1871-1873, 0.71 cubic ft. (3 volumes)
|
| | Republic pension records, 1870-1920, 38.36 cubic ft. (in 2
subseries)
- Republic pension indexes, 1870-1920, 1.13 cubic ft. (15
volumes)
- Republic pension files, 1870-about 1900, 37.23 cubic
ft.
|
| | Unpaid and miscellaneous Republic claims, 1836-about 1879, 10.1
cubic ft. |
| | Confederate audited military claims, 1861-1865, 45.59 cubic
ft. |
| | Confederate audited civil claims, 1861-1865, 24.44 cubic
ft. |
| | Confederate indigent families lists, 1863-1865, 0.94 cubic
ft. |
| | Confederate pension applications records, 1899-1979, 652.71 cubic
ft. (in 5 subseries)
- Confederate pension applications, 1899-1979, 646.74 cubic
ft.
- Miscellaneous material relating to Confederate pension
applications, 1903-1934, 2.12 cubic ft.
- Confederate pension indexes, 1899-1967, 2.36 cubic ft. (12
volumes)
- Confederate pension registers, 1899-1909, 1915-1917, 1.15
cubic ft. (3 volumes)
- Affidavits of Confederate military service, 1909-1917, 0.34
cubic ft. (one volume)
|
| | Confederate pension payments records, 1899-1905, 1909-1910,
1915-1966, 8.65 cubic ft. (23 volumes) (in 4 subseries)
- Quarterly Confederate pension records, 1899-1905, 1915-1916,
bulk 1899-1905, 2.71 cubic ft. (6 volumes)
- Confederate pension affidavit registers, 1900-1901,
1917-1920, 2.02 cubic ft. (5 volumes)
- Confederate pension warrant registers and stubs, 1900-1903,
1909-1910, 1950-1955, 2.49 cubic ft. (8 volumes)
- Confederate mortuary warrant registers, 1917-1966, bulk
1917-1943, 1.43 cubic ft. (4 volumes)
|
| | Texas Ranger pensions, 1917-1938, 1959-1990, bulk 1959-1990, 0.94
cubic ft. |
Return to the Table of Contents
Restrictions on Access
Because Republic of Texas claims are fragile, access to these records
is restricted to high-quality microfilmed copies of the documents. An online
database provides the reel and frame location of more than 48,500 indexed
names. Digital images from the microfilm are being linked to the database. The
35mm microfilm reels are available through interlibrary loan and, to view in
person, at the Genealogy Collection of the Texas State Library and Archives
Commission.
Restrictions on Use
Most records created by Texas state agencies are not copyrighted and
may be freely used in any way. State records also include materials received
by, not created by, state agencies. Copyright remains with the creator. The
researcher is responsible for complying with U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17
U.S.C.).
Technical Requirements
Instructions on how to borrow or view the microfilm for Republic claims
are at
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/rephowto.html#borrow.
Microfilm readers are available in the Genealogy Section, Room 110
(which is closed on Mondays), and also in Room 300 of the Lorenzo de Zavala
State Archives and Library Building (Monday-Friday).
Return to the Table of Contents
| | |
|
|
| The terms listed here were used to catalog the
records. The terms can be used to find similar or related records. |
| Corporate Names: |
| | Texas Rangers. |
| Subjects: |
| | Claims--Texas. |
| | Debts,
Public--Texas. |
| | Expenditures,
Public--Texas. |
| | Military
pensions--Texas. |
| | Military
pensions--Texas--Revolution, 1835-1836. |
| | Military
pensions--Texas--Republic, 1836-1846. |
| | Military
pensions--Texas--Civil War, 1861-1865. |
| | Payment--Texas. |
| Places: |
| | Texas--Appropriations
and expenditures. |
| | Texas--Claims. |
| | Texas--Politics and
government--1836-1846. |
| | Confederate States of
America--History, Military. |
| | United
States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865. |
| | Texas--History--Republic--1836-1846. |
| Document Types: |
| | Affidavits--Texas--Claims--1835-1846. |
| | Affidavits--Texas--Military
pensions--1870-1979. |
| | Affidavits--Texas--Public
debts--1848-about 1860. |
| | Applications--Texas--Claims--1836-about 1879. |
| | Applications--Texas--Military
pensions--1836-1990. |
| | Application
forms--Texas--Military pensions--1899-1979. |
| | Certificates--Texas--Military
pensions--1899-1979. |
| | Correspondence--Texas--Claims--1836-about 1879,
1901-1913. |
| | Correspondence--Texas--Military pensions--1836-about 1879,
1899-1979. |
| | Financial
records--Texas--Claims--1861-1865. |
| | Indexes--Texas--Military
pensions--1870-1967. |
| | Indexes--Texas--Public
debts--1848-1854, undated. |
| | Legal
documents--Texas--Claims--1835-1846, 1861-1865. |
| | Legal
documents--Texas--Military pensions--1870-about 1900. |
| | Legal
documents--Texas--Public debts--1848-about 1860. |
| | Letterpress
copybooks--Texas--Claims--1901-1913. |
| | Lists--Texas--Claims--1863-1865. |
| | Military
records--Texas--Claims--1835-1846. |
| | Military
records--Texas--Military pensions--1870-1979. |
| | Military
records--Texas--Public debts--1848-about 1860. |
| | Opinions--Texas--Military
pensions--1928-1938. |
| | Registers--Texas--Military
pensions--1899-1910, 1915-1966. |
| | Registers--Texas--Public
debts--1848-1863, 1866-1867, 1871-1873. |
| Functions: |
| | Administering
claims. |
| | Administering
expenditures. |
| | Administering military
pensions. |
| | Issuing
pensions. |
Return to the Table of Contents
| | |
|
The following materials are offered as possible
sources of further information on the agencies and subjects covered by the
records. The listing is not exhaustive.
|
| Texas State Archives |
| | Treasurer's Office records are almost
totally unprocessed, but are almost always related to the records of the
Comptroller's office. Where appropriate, some specific Treasurer's office
records are listed as related material under the corresponding series
description. |
| Publications |
| | Annual/Biennial
Reports of the Comptroller, 1847-1853, 1855-1861, 1863-1877,
1880-1977 (Note: Published annual/biennial reports from the following time
periods are missing: December 26, 1835-October 30, 1847; November 1,
1849-October 30, 1851; November 1, 1853-October 31, 1855; September 1,
1861-August 30, 1863; July 2, 1866-August 31, 1867; September 1, 1870-August
31, 1871; and September 1, 1878-August 31, 1879.) |
| | Confederate Indigent
Families Lists of Texas, 1863-1865, by Linda Mearse, San
Marcos, Texas, 1995 |
Return to the Table of Contents
(Identify the item and cite the series), Texas Comptroller's Office
claims records. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library
and Archives Commission.
Accession numbers: 1933/003, 1933/007, 1939/004, 1960/003, 1961/006,
1961/046, 1962/218, 1963/030, 1963/145, 1964/029, 1965/042, 1968/072, 1969/002,
1970/044, 1977/080, 1980/302, 1990/069, 1992/154, and unknown
These records were transferred to the Texas State Archives by the
Texas Comptroller's office on February 21 and 24, 1934; April 7, 1939; during
the September 1, 1960-August 31, 1962 biennium; on October 31, 1961; September
6, 1962; July 19, 1963; October 18, 1963; April 6, 1964; October 21, 1964;
November 29, 1965; December 7, 1967; September 5, 1968; November 13, 1969;
February 9, 1977; August 18, 1980; January 17, 1990; and May 26, 1992. Dates of
many accessions are uncertain.
Jean Young and Eddie Williams, August 1975
Laura K. Saegert, September 1983, July 1990
Tonia J. Wood, November 1995
Tony Black, November 1987, March 1994, October 1994, January 1995
Connie Hoxie, September 1996
Tony Black, August 2000
Republic of Texas claims have been microfilmed. An online database
provides the reel and frame location of more than 48,500 indexed names. Digital
images from the microfilm are being linked to the database. The 35mm microfilm
reels are available through interlibrary loan and, to view in person, at the
Genealogy Collection of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
Instructions on how to use the online database for the Republic claims, plus
links to that database, are at
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/rephowto.html.
Instructions on how to borrow or view the microfilm are at
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/rephowto.html#borrow.
Microfilming and indexing for the Republic claims project were made possible by
two generous grants from the Summerlee Foundation.
Return to the Table of Contents
Instructions on how to use the online database for the Republic
claims, plus links to that database, are online at
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/rephowto.html.
The index to Confederate audited military claims in a computer
printout in the search room of the Texas State Archives matches the names of
claimants with claim numbers.
The index to Confederate audited civil claims in a computer printout
in the search room of the Texas State Archives matches the names of claimants
with claim numbers. Because numbers were duplicated, the letter
"A" precedes some voucher numbers in one group
to avoid possible confusion. Entries in the index preceded by a dash (-) are
missing. Entries that involved some question as to the correct spelling of a
name or names are preceded by an asterisk (*).
An index of the names of the Confederate indigent soldiers is in a
computer printout in the Texas State Archives search room, and is also
available online (
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/cif/index.html). This
is an index only; transcriptions of the records have been published by Linda
Mearse. Please note that lists are not extant for every county.
An alphabetical union Confederate pension application name index is
available in the Texas State Archives search room, containing the following
elements: pension number if accepted, "Rej" if
rejected, or "Home" if a Confederate Home
pension application; name of the pensioner; county of residence at the time of
the application; name of husband if a widow, and husband's pension number if
applicable. Researchers should request each pension application by number or
(for rejected and Home pension applications) by name of applicant. Archives
staff routinely check listings in the index for mail or phone requests, and
will copy the records in the files. The Confederate pension application index
is also available online at
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/pensions/index.html.
Return to the Table of Contents
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
Audited Republic claims,
1835-1846,
127.35 cubic ft.
|
| The Office of Comptroller of Public Accounts was initially created
by the General Council of the Provisional Government of Texas on December 29,
1835, elected by the General Council and commissioned by the Governor, for the
purpose of examining and approving or rejecting any monetary claims presented
to him by the Auditor. These functions continued under the governments of the
Republic of Texas and the State of Texas. Claims that were submitted to the
Comptroller or Treasurer of the Republic, that were audited and approved (or
allowed) and paid by that government during the Republic period are considered
audited claims. The series includes both civil and military claims. The
services and the payments for these services date between 1835 and 1846. These
records comprise Republic of Texas audited claims files. Types of documents in
this series include the following: claim vouchers, official authorization of
services or purchases, Auditor's affidavits, War Department pay certificates,
discharges, assignments of benefits, powers of attorney, pay accounts,
invoices, and court dockets, dating 1835-1846. |
| Republic-era claims that were not paid until after Annexation are
included in Public debt claims described in a
separate series in this finding aid. Additional information on the laws and the
procedures relating to audited claims is included below, and may also be found
on the online Laws About Republic Claims page:
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/replaws.html.
|
| Potentially, audited claim documents can provide such information
as the name of the claimant; amount of claim; dates filed, approved, and
issued; authorizing official; type of materials or services provided; rank,
company and company commander; dates of service; date enlisted and date
discharged. Some files have only the endorsement wrapper showing the number of
the voucher, the type and amount of the claim, the date approved, the date
paid, the authorizing government official, and the signature of the person
receiving the warrant. |
| Instructions on how to use the online database for the Republic
claims, plus links to that database, are at
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/rephowto.html. |
| Historical Sketch |
| Two acts of the Texas Consultation determined the manner in which
claims would be handled throughout the Republic period: An Ordinance
prescribing the manner and form of settling the accounts of the Volunteer Army
of Texas (November 24, 1835. Gammels I, 923) and Ordinance and Decree, creating
the offices of Auditor and Comptroller of Public Accounts for Texas (December
26, 1835, Gammels I, 1003-8) The first ordinance required that
"all bills, accounts, claims, debts, dues or demands,
that are now or may hereafter be due or owing by this or a future Government to
any person or persons for money, corn, provisions, stores, clothing, medicines,
transportation, or any service whatever rendered or furnished, to and for the
Volunteer Army of the people of Texas, now in the field, shall, before the same
be admitted to audit and liquidation before the Standing Committee on War
Affairs, of this House, or the proper department of a future Government,
contain the day, date, name and description of the article or sum furnished,
and place, and the certificate of the Standing Committee of Safety and
Vigilance, or the order or certificate of the commanding officer or Colonel of
the Regiment, or company by whose order and at whose requisition the same may
have been rendered or furnished: or the receipt of the contractor, commissary
or quarter-master to whom the same may have been furnished and delivered,
together with the oath or affirmation before any Judge or Alcalde, of the
person or persons so presenting the same for liquidation, that the said
accounts, debts, dues, demands, or services were at the time and place
specified, supplied, furnished, or rendered, made use of, delivered, pressed or
taken, lost or killed in the service of the Volunteer Armies of the people of
Texas aforesaid." The submission usually included 1) the account or
voucher for services or goods, 2) certification of the claim's validity by the
authorizing party (usually a department head, company commander, or government
official of some sort) either on the account itself or as a separate document,
3) affidavit by the claimant that the claim was just and had not been satisfied
heretofore, and 4) receipt for payment signed by the claimant or his
representative or assignee and endorsed by the Auditor or Comptroller. The
Auditor was required to enter the transaction in his office ledger and to
"further number and file all claims, receipts, and
other evidences of debts, against the Government, in his office, so that he can
at any time refer to them." Even when the claim exceeded four thousand
dollars (the largest amount the Auditor was allowed to authorize), the General
Council or Governor would authorize the claim, but "the Auditor shall take the same, to his office, and place
it on file, with such accompanying evidence as applies to said claim."
The Comptroller, in turn, would approve payment of the claim after it had been
acted upon and record the information concerning the issuance of the draft
"after which he shall return the claim to the
Auditor, that he may place it on file, according to the requisitions of the
existing laws." In other words, all agencies authorized to approve and to
pay claims were required ultimately to return the claim files to the Auditor's
Office to be kept as a hedge against fraud. Furthermore, all transactions
concerning the payment of claims had to be recorded by both the Auditor and the
Comptroller. The Auditor "if said claim is
admitted...shall make a record thereof, in a neat and business like manner,
setting forth the time when said claim originated, the time it was audited, the
name of said claimant, the name of the officer commanding, (if a military
claim) to whose company attached, (if to any) by what officer certified, and
for what consideration said claim originated." The Comptroller,
"when any claim is presented him, approved by the
Auditor as set forth in the foregoing, (should) strictly examine it, having
previously well informed himself of the existing laws, and if found in all
parts consistent and containing all the requisites of the laws, he shall write
'Approved' thereon, with the date, when acted on, and shall also enter the
corresponding draft of record in a summary way, setting out in whose favour
drawn, date, letter, and amount...." Both the audited claim files and the
various ledgers recording the Auditor's and the Comptroller's actions therein
were retained in the department's archives. |
| The audited Republic claims are made up of records submitted to
the Texas Comptroller or Treasurer to document or to verify goods or services
provided to the government of the Republic of Texas in order to receive
payment. Records in the claims document the following:
- attendance in an official capacity at any of the
conventions, beginning with the Consultation in November 1835, the Convention
of 1836, and the Annexation Convention of 1845.
- services as an elected or appointed national official or as
an employee in the executive, legislative or judicial department--in other
words, any government employee or office holder on the national level from a
clerk to the president--between November 1835 and February 1846.
- military service or association with any military
engagement during the period October 1835 through 1845.
- any goods or services (other than military) provided to the
Republic government.
- payments for special services, such as acting as a witness
in county court cases, and payments authorized by special relief acts.
|
| Once a person's right to receive a payment for goods or services
provided the government during the Republic period (1835-1846) was established
by the Comptroller or the Treasurer, a voucher would be issued. The payment
could be made to:
- The person who performed the service or provided the
goods.
- That person's assignee--someone designated by the original
claimant to receive the payment instead of himself. (Because the Republic
government was usually broke, claimants would frequently sell their vouchers at
a lower rate to a buyer who could supply immediate cash.)
- That person's attorney.
- That person's legal heir(s).
- An entity rather than an individual. Vouchers were issued
to the Steamer Savannah, the Tow Boat
Daniel Webster, and the Richmond
Telescope.
|
| Arrangement |
| These records have been arranged by State Archives staff
alphabetically by name of claimant. |
| Preferred Citation |
| (Identify the item), Audited Republic claims, Texas Comptroller's
Office claims records. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State
Library and Archives Commission. |
| Accession Information |
| Accession numbers: unknown |
| Accession records are too incomplete to determine when these
records were transferred. |
| Restrictions on Access |
| Because the actual Republic claims are fragile, access to the
records is restricted to high-quality microfilmed copies of the documents. An
online database provides the reel and frame location of more than 48,500
indexed names. Digital images from the microfilm are being linked to the
database. The 35mm microfilm reels are available through interlibrary loan and,
to view in person, at the Genealogy Collection of the Texas State Library and
Archives Commission. (There are 130 reels of Audited Republic claims.) |
| Microfilming and indexing for the Republic claims project were
made possible by two generous grants from the Summerlee Foundation. |
| Restrictions on Use |
| None. |
| Technical Requirements |
| Instructions on how to borrow or view the microfilm for Republic
claims are at
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/rephowto.html#borrow. |
| Microfilm readers are available in the Genealogy Section, Room 110
(which is closed on Mondays), and also in Room 300 of the Lorenzo de Zavala
State Archives and Library Building (Monday-Friday). |
| Processed by |
| Connie Hoxie, September 1996 |
| Tony Black, August 2000 |
| Reel |
| 1 thru 130 | | | Audited Republic claims,
1835-1846 |
Return to the Table of Contents
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
Public debt claims records,
1848-1863,
1866-1867, 1871-1873, undated, 57.73 cubic ft.
|
| The public debt of Texas consisted of two types of debt: the
ordinary or non-revenue debt (consisting of the claims of participants in the
Texas Revolution or suppliers of the Texas army, usually no more than a few
hundred dollars per claim); and the revenue debt (principal and interest owed
to holders of Republic of Texas securities). After the annexation of Texas into
the Union, the Office of Comptroller of Public Accounts of Texas continued the
task of examining and approving (or rejecting) any monetary claims presented to
him by the Auditor. Republic-era claims that were not paid until after
annexation are included in public debt claims, as are post-annexation claims.
These records comprise the Republic of Texas and State of Texas public debt
claims records. Types of documents in this series include the following: public
debt certificates (1st, 2nd, or 3rd class), affidavits concerning service,
powers of attorney, petitions to the legislature, acts for the relief of an
individual, partial or complete lists of soldiers for whom payment was being
collected by a single individual (usually a company commander), invoices,
and/or court dockets (all dating 1848-about 1860); two registers and two
indexes of Republic of Texas public debt claims (1848-1861 and undated); and
three registers of State of Texas public debt claims (1860-1863, 1866-1867,
1871-1873). Although the dates of the services for which the claims are filed
include both the Republic era (1835-1846) and the post-Republic era, the dates
for the settlement of the public debt claims are 1848-1863, 1866-1867,
1871-1873, and undated. |
| Instructions on how to use the online database for the Republic
claims, plus links to that database, are at
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/rephowto.html. |
| Historical Sketch |
| Public debt claims fall into one of two categories: claims against
the Republic of Texas, and claims against the State of Texas. Claims against
the Republic were for services rendered or securities purchased between 1836
and 1845. Claims against the State include only those incurred after annexation
(1846). |
| Organization |
| These records have been organized by State Archives staff into
three subseries: |
| Registers and indexes of Republic of Texas public debt
claims, 1848-1861, undated, 1.4 cubic ft. (4 volumes) |
| Republic of Texas public debt claims files, 1848-about 1860,
55.62 cubic ft. |
| Registers of State of Texas public debt claims, 1860-1863,
1866-1867, 1871-1873, 0.71 cubic ft. (3 volumes) |
| Preferred Citation |
| (Identify the item and cite the subseries), Public debt claims
records, Texas Comptroller's Office claims records. Archives and Information
Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission. |
| Accession Information |
| Accession numbers: 1933/007, 1939/004, and unknown others |
| One register of public debt (erroneously labeled 1838-1840, but
actually covering 1848-1861), along with "about 3000
documents" of "Public Debt Papers," was
transferred to the Texas State Archives by the Texas Comptroller's office on
February 21, 1934. 66 "Public Debt Papers" were
transferred on April 7, 1939. Dates of other accessions are uncertain. |
| Restrictions on Access |
| Because the actual Republic claims are fragile, access to the
records is restricted to high-quality microfilmed copies of the documents. An
online database provides the reel and frame location of more than 48,500
indexed names. Digital images from the microfilm are being linked to the
database. The 35mm microfilm reels are available through interlibrary loan and,
to view in person, at the Genealogy Collection of the Texas State Library and
Archives Commission. (There are 69 reels of Republic of Texas public debt
claims files.) |
| Microfilming and indexing for the Republic claims project were
made possible by two generous grants from the Summerlee Foundation. |
| Restrictions on Use |
| None. |
| Technical Requirements |
| Instructions on how to borrow or view the microfilm for Republic
claims are at
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/rephowto.html#borrow. |
| Microfilm readers are available in the Genealogy Section, Room 110
(which is closed on Mondays), and also in Room 300 of the Lorenzo de Zavala
State Archives and Library Building (Monday-Friday). |
| Processed by |
| Tony Black, October 1994, January 1995, August 2000 |
| Connie Hoxie, September 1996 |
| | | Registers and indexes of Republic
of Texas public debt claims, 1848-1861, undated,
1.4 cubic ft. (4
volumes) |
| | The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts was responsible for
accounting for the public debt of Texas, which included both the ordinary or
non-revenue debt (consisting of the claims of participants in the Texas
Revolution or suppliers of the Texas army); and the revenue debt (principal and
interest owed to holders of Republic of Texas securities). These records help
document that public debt of the Republic. This subseries consists of four
volumes, including the following: two registers of Republic of Texas public
debt claims, 1848-1861; a partial index to public debt claims, 1848-1854; and
an index to Republic of Texas audited claims, undated. |
| | One register, covering 1848-1852, gives the following
information for each class of the public debt: date of certificate, name,
number of certificate/number of warrant, amount, and remarks. Arrangement is by
class of debt (2nd Class, 3rd Class, 1st Class Audited Paper, 1st Class Funded
Debt, 10% Funded Debt, Miscellaneous Liabilities, and Public Debt audited under
Special Act of the Legislature). Order within each class of debt is
unknown. |
| | Another register, which covers 1848-1861, includes the following
information for most of the classes of debt: file number paid, to whom issued,
number of receipt, number of voucher, date of receipt, amounts (under each
category of debt), and remarks. Other information occasionally given in this
register (depending on the class of claim) includes: nature or description of
claim, ostensible value and par value, or under what act issued. The amounts
are given for each of the following categories of First Class claims
(1848-1856):
- 10% consolidated stock (Act of June 7, 1837),
- 10% stock (Act of February 5, 1840),
- 8% stock (Act of February 5, 1840),
- 8% Treasury bonds (Act of February 2, 1840),
- 10% Treasury notes,
- Treasury notes without interest,
- audited paper and
- miscellaneous liabilities.
|
| | Also given for First Class claims are value, rate of interest,
date to which interest is calculated, ostensible interest, par principal, par
interest, ostensible principal and interest, par principal and interest.
Arrangement within this register is by class of debt: First Class, Second
Class, Third Class, Funded Debt of June 1837 (reported as “Document C--Hard
cases” and audited February 6, 1856), certificates issued by Comptroller and
countersigned by Treasurer under Special Acts of the Legislature (February
1848-September 1851), etc. Then within that class, arrangement is numerical
(which is to say, chronological). |
| | There is a partial index to the second register, covering
1848-1851 for 1st Class Claims and 1848-1854 for 2nd Class Claims. Next to each
name--arranged by letter of the alphabet and then roughly numerical by
claim--are listed each claim, consisting of two numbers: the class of claim (1,
2, or 3) over the number of the voucher. Thus, for example:
- Hardin, Wm. B. 2/69
- Hoya, F. Vander 2/70, 3/49, 2/762
- Hart, Nathaniel 2/74 etc.
|
| | Finally, there is an Index to Republic of Texas audited claims,
giving the name of the claimant (arranged alphabetically), followed by one or
more file numbers. Included separately under each letter of the alphabet are
lists of claims audited by Charles Mason and payments made by James W. Scott,
Paymaster, usually with brief descriptions (e.g., Secretary Legation to U.S.,
pay as witness, military services 1836, Captain of Rangers, etc). |
| | Historical Sketch |
| | When Texas was annexed into the Union in 1845, the public debt
of the Republic of Texas amounted to nearly $10 million, consisting of two
major types of obligations:
- the ordinary or non-revenue debt (consisting of the
claims of participants in the Texas Revolution or suppliers of the Texas army,
usually no more than a few hundred dollars per claim); and
- the revenue debt (principal and interest owed to holders
of Republic of Texas securities). The United States considered the revenue debt
to be preferred obligations, secured by the import duties of the
Republic.
|
| | According to the joint resolution of annexation, the public
lands of Texas (retained by the state) were to be used to settle the public
debt. |
| | In March 1848, the 2nd Legislature of the State of Texas passed
"an Act to provide for ascertaining the debt of the
late Republic of Texas." This act ordered the Auditor and the Comptroller
of Public Accounts to do the following:
- to publish notices in weekly newspapers in the cities of
Austin, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and New York (later adding Philadelphia
and Louisville), requiring all persons having any claim for money against the
former Republic of Texas to present those claims by November 1849 (the filing
deadline was subsequently extended several times, ultimately to August 1,
1855);
- to receipt jointly all these claims, setting forth the
par value (i.e., face value), the name of the person to whom the debt accrued,
the date, and the amount; and
- each to keep "a correct list in
books, kept for that purpose separately," of the three classes of claims:
- First: "the audited or
ascertained claims" (e.g. bonds, Treasury notes, military scrip,
etc.);
- Second: "all claims with
sufficient evidences and vouchers to authorize them to audit;"
- Third: "such claims as are
not sufficiently authenticated by vouchers."
|
| | In February 1850, the 3rd Texas Legislature proposed that
holders of public debt liabilities surrender them to the Commissioner of the
General Land Office, in exchange for land certificates at the scaled-down rate
of 50 cents per acre. It also proposed that interest on all liabilities cease
after July 1, 1850. This plan was rejected by the creditors who held the
debt. |
| | In September 1850, the U.S. Congress passed that part of the
Compromise of 1850 which established the present northern and western boundary
of Texas; in return for the 67 million acres of land which was ceded to the
newly-created New Mexico Territory, the U.S. government would pay Texas $10
million in 5% U.S. bonds. Half of this sum was delivered and used to pay the
ordinary (nonrevenue) debt, with $3.75 million in bonds left over. The
remaining half of the settlement was retained by the U.S. government to assure
the payment of the revenue debt; the U.S. refused to pay any of these claims
until all claims were filed. |
| | The U.S. Congress finally settled the controversy in an Act
passed February 1855 (accepted by the Texas legislature in February 1856). The
federal government appropriated $7,750,000 in cash to be prorated among the
holders of the revenue debt (amounting to a payment to each creditor of about
77 cents on the dollar). |
| | Arrangement |
| | These volumes have been arranged by State Archives staff in two
groups: registers, and indexes, and roughly chronologically within each group.
The creator arranged each of the two registers by class of debt; the second
register is then arranged numerically (which is also chronologically) within
each class. The creator arranged each of the indexes alphabetically by name of
claimant. |
| | Preferred Citation |
| | (Identify the item), Registers and indexes of Republic of Texas
public debt claims, Public debt claims records, Texas Comptroller's Office
claims records. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library
and Archives Commission. |
| Volume |
| 304-2574 | | | | Register of public debt,
1848-1852 (beginning on page
120) |
| | | (also account ledger of assessors/ collectors and sheriffs,
1837-1839) |
| Volume |
| 304-2575 | | | | Register of public debt claims,
1848-1861 |
| Volume |
| 304-2576 | | | | Index to public debt papers,
1848-1854 |
| Volume |
| 304-2577 | | | | Index to Republic of Texas audited claims,
undated |
| | | Republic of Texas public debt
claims files, 1848-about 1860,
55.62 cubic
ft. |
| | The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts was responsible for
accounting for the public debt of Texas, which included both the ordinary or
non-revenue debt (consisting of the claims of participants in the Texas
Revolution or suppliers of the Texas army); and the revenue debt (principal and
interest owed to holders of Republic of Texas securities). These records help
document that public debt of the Republic, especially the first kind. Types of
documents found in this subseries include the following: public debt
certificates (1st, 2nd, or 3rd class), affidavits concerning service, powers of
attorney, petitions to the legislature, acts for the relief of an individual,
partial or complete lists of soldiers for whom payment was being collected by a
single individual (usually a company commander), invoices, and/or court
dockets. They comprise the Republic of Texas public debt claims files,
1848-about 1860. |
| | Claims for services or goods provided between 1835 and 1846 that
could not be paid before Annexation in 1845 were eventually paid as public debt
claims, mainly from the 1850 Boundary Compromise money awarded Texas in
exchange for the territory it lost. The chief difference--apart from the
payment date--between the audited and public debt claims is that many of the
claims were settled by issuing one voucher to cover the separate claims of a
large number of persons who had performed the same service. For example, Public
Debt voucher 1634 covers payment for "Balance of Pay
for Service as Minute Man in 1841." The voucher pays the debt described
in certificates #3396 (John Anderson) through #3569 (Patrick Quinn)--173
certificates. The voucher and the entry in the Public Debt Warrant Register are
in the name of the first certificate issued: John Anderson. All the information
regarding the 173 men and their service as Minute Men, as well as documentation
of attorneys and heirs, will be found in this one record. Additional
information on the laws relating to Public debt is given below, and may also be
found on the online Laws About Republic Claims page:
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/replaws.html. |
| | These records, in turn, can give some or all of the following
information: name, nature of service or type of debt, amount owed by Republic
of Texas, amount allowed by State of Texas, endorsement (which could include
supporting information concerning the claim or claimant), and amount of
interest. |
| | Where multiple claimants are paid with a single voucher, the
typical file arrangement is: (1) a muster roll, company list, list of
claimants, etc., that gives all the names associated with the claim. Often
these lists include the signature of the claimant or his attorney or his heir,
indicating receipt of the person's money. (2) the Public Debt Certificates and
related matter, arranged in the order of the muster roll/list of claimants. All
documents relating to an individual (affidavits of service, powers of attorney,
probate information, etc.) are filed immediately in front of his public debt
certificate. |
| | Some Public Debt files, because of their size, are filmed on two
reels. File 1634, for example covers payment for "Balance of Pay for Service as Minute Man in 1841."
The voucher includes certificates #3396 (John Anderson) through #3569 (Patrick
Quinn)-173 certificates. The initial list of claimants is filmed on Reel 132
Frames 528-534. The entire claim includes Frames 527 - 718 on Reel 132 and
Frames 7 - 141 on Reel 133. |
| | Historical Sketch |
| | When Texas was annexed into the Union in 1845, the public debt
of the Republic of Texas amounted to nearly $10 million, consisting of two
major types of obligations:
- the ordinary or non-revenue debt (consisting of the
claims of participants in the Texas Revolution or suppliers of the Texas army,
usually no more than a few hundred dollars per claim); and
- the revenue debt (principal and interest owed to holders
of Republic of Texas securities). The United States considered the revenue debt
to be preferred obligations, secured by the import duties of the
Republic.
|
| | According to the joint resolution of annexation, the public
lands of Texas (retained by the state) were to be used to settle the public
debt. |
| | In March 1848, the 2nd Legislature of the State of Texas passed
"an Act to provide for ascertaining the debt of the
late Republic of Texas." This act ordered the Auditor and the Comptroller
of Public Accounts to do the following:
- to publish notices in weekly newspapers in the cities of
Austin, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and New York (later adding Philadelphia
and Louisville), requiring all persons having any claim for money against the
former Republic of Texas to present those claims by November 1849 (the filing
deadline was subsequently extended several times, ultimately to August 1,
1855);
- to receipt jointly all these claims, setting forth the
par value (i.e., face value), the name of the person to whom the debt accrued,
the date, and the amount; and
- each to keep "a correct list in
books, kept for that purpose separately," of the three classes of claims:
- First: "the audited or
ascertained claims" (e.g. bonds, Treasury notes, military scrip,
etc.);
- Second: "all claims with
sufficient evidences and vouchers to authorize them to audit;"
- Third: "such claims as are
not sufficiently authenticated by vouchers."
|
| | In February 1850, the 3rd Texas Legislature proposed that
holders of public debt liabilities surrender them to the Commissioner of the
General Land Office, in exchange for land certificates at the scaled-down rate
of 50 cents per acre. It also proposed that interest on all liabilities cease
after July 1, 1850. This plan was rejected by the creditors who held the
debt. |
| | In September 1850, the U.S. Congress passed that part of the
Compromise of 1850 which established the present northern and western boundary
of Texas; in return for the 67 million acres of land which was ceded to the
newly-created New Mexico Territory, the U.S. government would pay Texas $10
million in 5% U.S. bonds. Half of this sum was delivered and used to pay the
ordinary (nonrevenue) debt, with $3.75 million in bonds left over. The
remaining half of the settlement was retained by the U.S. government to assure
the payment of the revenue debt; the U.S. refused to pay any of these claims
until all claims were filed. |
| | The U.S. Congress finally settled the controversy in an Act
passed February 1855 (accepted by the Texas legislature in February 1856). The
federal government appropriated $7,750,000 in cash to be prorated among the
holders of the revenue debt (amounting to a payment to each creditor of about
77 cents on the dollar). |
| | Arrangement |
| | These records have been arranged by State Archives staff
alphabetically by name of claimant. |
| | Preferred Citation |
| | (Identify the item), Public debt claims files, Public debt
claims records, Texas Comptroller's Office claims records. Archives and
Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission. |
| | Restrictions on Access |
| | None. |
| | Restrictions on Use |
| | Because the actual Republic claims are extremely fragile,
access to the records is restricted to high-quality microfilmed copies of the
documents. An online database provides the reel and frame location of more than
48,500 indexed names. Digital images from the microfilm are being linked to the
database. The 35mm microfilm reels are available through interlibrary loan and,
to view in person, at the Genealogy Collection of the Texas State Library and
Archives Commission. (There are 69 reels of Republic of Texas public debt
claims files.) |
| | Microfilming and indexing for the Republic claims project were
made possible by two generous grants from the Summerlee Foundation. |
| Reel |
| 131 thru 199 | | | | Republic of Texas public debt claims files,
1848-about
1860 |
| | | Registers of State of Texas public
debt claims 1860-1863, 1866-1867, 1871-1873,
0.71 cubic ft. (3
volumes) |
| | The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts was responsible for
accounting for the public debt of the State of Texas, which included the
revenue debt (principal and interest owed to holders of State of Texas
securities). These records help document that public debt of the State. This
subseries consists of three registers of claims against the State of Texas,
1860-1863, 1866-1867, and 1871-1873. |
| | There is a Register of cancelled funds, reissued in 8% Bonds
(One Million Loan) under Act of April 8, 1861 (February 1862-February 1863),
which provides the following information: date of cancelling, numbers of
warrants cancelled, class of warrants (amount military, amount civil), total
amount, and description of bond (number, date, amount). |
| | Another register contains two lists: a Register of 10% Treasury
Warrants received (December 22, 1860-September 8, 1862); and a Register of 10%
Warrants funded (under Act of November 9, 1866) (June 1860-December 1861).
Information provided by each list varies, but usually includes the following:
date of warrant, number of warrant, number of file, to whom payable, in whose
favor, on what account, date of payment, period of interest, amount of
principal, amount of interest, total, and remarks. |
| | The final register contains the following ten lists or
documents:
- Register of certificates of Public Debt issued by the
Auditorial Board and description of claims for which they were issued
(November-December 1866);
- Register of public debt certificates bearing 8% interest
(January-February 1867);
- Alphabetical list of pay rolls of companies serving in
defense of frontier prior to January 28, 1861, also called out by Governor
Houston prior to March 2, 1861;
- Register of claims presented and certificates of public
debt issued, under Act approved November 9, 1866 (November 1866-August
1867);
- Audit of 8% bonds issued under Acts of March 20 and April
8, 1861;
- Memorandum of public debt certificates issued... Act
approved November 13, 1871;
- Memorandum of fractional certificates...;
- Memorandum of 8% debt certificates (January-February
1871);
- Register of Claims acted on by Auditorial Board (August
1871-April 1873); and
- Reports of Auditorial Board to Governor (August 1, 1867;
September 1, 1867; September 1, 1871; September 20, 1871; and January 9,
1873)
|
| | Information provided in this volume varies from list to list,
but normally includes the following: date of filing, date of certificate,
number of file and certificate, by whom filed, owner's name/to whom issued,
nature of claim, amount of unaudited claims, total amount of audited claims,
total amount of rejected claims. |
| | Historical Sketch |
| | The 8th Texas Legislature (at the beginning of the Civil War)
passed an act which was approved on April 8, 1861, authorizing the issuance of
$1 million in 8% bonds (the One Million Loan), in order to retire the debt
previously accumulated for the defense of the frontier, and to meet
appropriations to pay the expenses of the Secession Convention. |
| | The 11th Texas Legislature (the first one after the end of the
Civil War) passed "an Act to ascertain the amount of,
and adjusting and funding the State Debt," approved November 9, 1866.
This act created an Auditorial Board, consisting of the State Comptroller and
the State Treasurer, to audit all claims for money against the State, and to
reaudit all audited liabilities of the State not voided by the Constitution of
1866. (Any war debts incurred by the state between March 2, 1861 and September
6, 1865 had been repudiated by Ordinance Number 2 of the Constitutional
Convention, March 15, 1866.) The Governor would decide all differences of
opinion between the Comptroller and the Treasurer. The Attorney General was
later added to the Auditorial Board, as president and legal adviser (May 2,
1871). |
| | The 12th Texas Legislature, in an act approved November 13,
1871, confirmed the actions of the Auditorial Board in issuing bonds and
certificates of indebtedness; it also extended the time within which claims
could be presented to the Auditorial Board, to January 1, 1873, after which
deadline claims not presented were declared forever invalid. |
| | Arrangement |
| | These volumes have been arranged by State Archives staff
chronologically by date of legislation. Within each register, arrangement by
the creator is first by type of record, then chronological. |
| | Related Material |
| | The following materials are offered as
possible sources of further information on the agencies and subjects covered by
the records. The listing is not exhaustive. |
| | | Texas State Archives |
| | | |
| | | Texas State Treasurer, Money claims
for service 1835-1843, settled 1856-1859
(There is no finding aid available
for this unprocessed volume. Call number is 2-1/293.) |
| | | Treasury Department, Auditor's Office:
Register of claims audited, 1842-1846
(There is no finding aid available
for this unprocessed volume. Call number is 2-7/912.) |
| | | 2nd Auditor's Office, Journal, January
1840-January 1842
(There is no finding aid available
for this unprocessed volume. Call number is 2-7/620.) |
| | Preferred Citation |
| | (Identify the item), Registers of State of Texas public debt
claims, Public debt claims records, Texas Comptroller's Office claims records.
Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives
Commission. |
| Volume |
| 304-2578 | | | | Register of cancelled funds, reissued in 8% bonds (One
Million Loan) under Act of April 8, 1861,
1862-1863 |
| Volume |
| 304-2579 | | | | Register of 10% treasury warrants received,
1860-1862; |
| | | | Register of 10% warrants funded (under Act of
November 9, 1866),
1860-1861 |
| Volume |
| 304-2580 | | | | Register of public debt certificates issued by the
Auditorial Board, Register of claims presented and acted on, etc.,
1866-1867,
1871-1873 |
Return to the Table of Contents
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
Republic pension records,
1870-1920,
38.36 cubic ft.
|
| The Texas State Legislature authorized pensions for persons who
rendered military service to the Republic of Texas (and their widows) and
signers of the Declaration of Independence, to be administered by the Office of
the Comptroller. These records document those pensions, consisting of claims
files and indexes. The types of records in this series include the following:
affidavits of service (usually handwritten, detailed accounts), transcripts of
county court rulings on the validity of the claim, certifications of continuing
indigence, certified copies of muster rolls (occasional), powers of attorney,
pension certificates, oaths of identity, and/or widow's applications (1883 or
later), plus 15 indexes and/or lists of pensioners. Although the service for
which the pensions were granted included 1832-1837 and 1842, the pensions
themselves date 1870-1920. |
| Instructions on how to use the online database for the Republic
claims, plus links to that database, are at
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/rephowto.html. |
| Historical Sketch |
| On August 13, 1870, the 12th Texas Legislature, Called Session,
passed "An Act granting pensions to the surviving
veterans of the revolution which separated Texas from Mexico," including
the Mier prisoners; this pension was to amount to $250 annually, or $500
annually for those wounded either in battle or as a prisoner of war. The
Comptroller was to investigate all such claims and issue the resulting
certificates. (Gammel's Laws, vi, 292-293). |
| On April 21, 1874, the 14th Texas Legislature, Regular Session,
passed a new pension law which made the following changes:
- it extended the list of those eligible for pensions to
include all who had served between January 1, 1832 and October 15, 1836, plus
all veterans of the various campaigns of 1842 (including survivors of Dawson's
Massacre, Santa Fe Expedition, Deaf Smith's Spy Company, etc.);
- it reduced the amount of the Republic pension to $150
annually ($300 to the permanently disabled);
- it defined what would be accepted as proof of service and
of disability;
- it arranged for all arrearages of pension since the first
pension law to be payable in 10 percent bonds of $100 denominations, payable 20
years after the date but redeemable at the pleasure of the state after 5 years;
and
- it authorized the continued payment of these pensions after
the pensioner's death, to widows or surviving descendents. (Gammel's Laws,
viii, 116-120).
|
| Further changes were made by the 15th Texas Legislature on July
28, 1876: extending eligibility to all surviving soldiers serving between
October 1835 and January 1, 1837, to all signers of the Declaration of
Independence, and to unmarried widows of these men; requiring proof of
indigence; and shifting the duty of consideration of the pension applications
from the Comptroller to the county courts. (Gammel's Laws, viii, 897-899). |
| The 18th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, on March 28, 1883,
limited eligibility to residents of Texas, and specified the information to be
included in the application presented to the county judge. (Gammel's Laws, ix,
342-344). |
| On March 5, 1885, the 19th Texas Legislature, Regular Session
further refined the qualifications to include only those surviving indigent
soldiers who were in actual military service at the time of the siege of Bexar
(December 1835) or the battle of San Jacinto (April 1836), or who served at
least six weeks between October 1835 and July 1836, plus surviving indigent
signers of the Declaration of Independence, plus their surviving indigent
unmarried widows. (Gammel's Laws, ix, 714-718). On April 4, 1889, the 21st
Texas Legislature, Regular Session amended the law to include also anyone who
actually participated in any battle in Texas in 1836. (Gammel's Laws, ix,
1071-1072). |
| Organization |
| These records have been organized by State Archives staff into two
subseries: |
| Republic pension indexes, 1870-1920, 1.13 cubic ft. (15
volumes) |
| Republic pension files, 1870-about 1900, 37.23 cubic
ft. |
| Preferred Citation |
| (Identify the item and cite the subseries), Republic pension
records, Texas Comptroller's Office claims records. Archives and Information
Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission. |
| Accession Information |
| Accession numbers: unknown |
| Accession records are too incomplete to determine when these
records were transferred. |
| Restrictions on Access |
| Because the actual Republic claims are fragile, access to the
records is restricted to high-quality microfilmed copies of the documents. An
online database provides the reel and frame location of more than 48,500
indexed names. Digital images from the microfilm are being linked to the
database. The 35mm microfilm reels are available through interlibrary loan and,
to view in person, at the Genealogy Collection of the Texas State Library and
Archives Commission. (There are 48 reels of Republic pension files.) |
| Microfilming and indexing for the Republic claims project were
made possible by two generous grants from the Summerlee Foundation. |
| Restrictions on Use |
| None. |
| Technical Requirements |
| Instructions on how to borrow or view the microfilm for Republic
claims are at
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/rephowto.html#borrow. |
| Microfilm readers are available in the Genealogy Section, Room 110
(which is closed on Mondays), and also in Room 300 of the Lorenzo de Zavala
State Archives and Library Building (Monday-Friday). |
| Processed by |
| Tony Black, March 1994 |
| Connie Hoxie, September 1996 |
| Tony Black, August 2000 |
| | | Republic pension indexes, 1870-1920
1.13 cubic ft. (15
volumes) |
| | These records document the pensions authorized by the Texas
State Legislature for persons who rendered military service to the Republic of
Texas (and their widows) and signers of the Declaration of Independence, to be
administered by the Office of the Comptroller. This series consists of 15
indexes concerning Republic of Texas pensions, dating 1870-1920. The first
index is a list of pensioners under four Acts of the Texas Legislature,
1870-1883. The lists of pensioners under the Acts of August 13, 1870 and April
21, 1874 are combined, and include certificate number, name, county, and amount
per annum. The lists of pensioners under the Acts of July 28, 1876 and March
28, 1883 are listed separately, and include number of warrant, year
(1876-1879), name, and county. |
| | The second index is to pension bonds issued between August 1,
1874 and September 17, 1878, and includes the following items: name of
pensioner, (serial?) number and amount of fractional bond, (serial?) numbers of
$100 bonds, date of issue, and to whom delivered. |
| | The other 13 indexes cover 1888 through 1920, with each volume
covering two or three years (i.e., seven to twelve quarters). The information
given varies somewhat, including name of pensioner, husband's name if a widow
(until 1905), county, town or city (1901-1920, listed as “address”),
occasional notations as to date of death, dates of service (1888-1889 only),
and warrant numbers for each quarterly payment (this is sometimes omitted for a
given quarter, and is replaced by a simple check-mark for most quarters after
1908). |
| | Arrangement |
| | These volumes have been arranged by State Archives staff
chronologically. Arrangement by the creator within each index is roughly
alphabetical by last name of pensioner. The first index is further arranged by
Act within the letter of the alphabet. The second index is further arranged
chronologically within each letter of the alphabet. |
| | Preferred Citation |
| | (Identify the item), Republic pension indexes, Republic pension
records, Texas Comptroller's Office claims records. Archives and Information
Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission. |
| | Restrictions on Access |
| | None. |
| | Restrictions on Use |
| | None. |
| Volume |
| 304-2581 | | | | List of (Republic) pensioners under Acts of 1870,
1874, 1876, 1883 |
| Volume |
| 304-2582 | | | | (Republic) Pension bonds index,
1874-1878 |
| | | | (Republic) Pension indexes: |
| Volume |
| 304-2583 | | | | | 1888-1889 |
| Volume |
| 304-2584 | | | | | 1890-1892 |
| Volume |
| 304-2585 | | | | | 1893-1894 |
| Volume |
| 304-2586 | | | | | 1895-1896 |
| Volume |
| 304-2587 | | | | | 1897-1898 |
| Volume |
| 304-2588 | | | | | 1899-1900 |
| Volume |
| 304-2589 | | | | | 1901-1902 |
| Volume |
| 304-2590 | | | | | 1902-1905 |
| Volume |
| 304-2591 | | | | | 1905-1908 |
| Volume |
| 304-2592 | | | | | 1908-1911 |
| Volume |
| 304-2593 | | | | | 1911-1914 |
| Volume |
| 304-2594 | | | | | 1914-1917 |
| Volume |
| 304-2595 | | | | | 1917-1920 |
| | | Republic pension files, 1870-about 1900,
37.23 cubic
ft. |
| | These records document the pensions authorized by the Texas
State Legislature for persons who rendered military service to the Republic of
Texas (and their widows) and signers of the Declaration of Independence, to be
administered by the Office of the Comptroller. They comprise the pension files,
including the following types of documents: affidavits of service (usually
handwritten, detailed accounts), transcripts of county court rulings on the
validity of the claim, certifications of continuing indigence, certified copies
of muster rolls (occasional), powers of attorney, pension certificates, oaths
of identity, and/or widow's applications (1883 or later). They date 1870-about
1900. |
| | Pensions for service to the Republic were not generally awarded
before the 1870s, although the congress or the legislature might, in an act
passed during a legislative session, authorize a special pension for an
individual. At first pensions were confined to "Each
and every surviving veteran of the revolution which separated Texas and Mexico,
including the Mier prisoners." Beginning in 1874, pension acts added
later military services that would qualify pension applicants, but these acts
required that the pensioner be indigent to qualify. More information on the
pension laws and their different requirements and payments follows; information
is also found on the online Laws About Republic Claims page:
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/replaws.html.
|
| | Statements of military service found in these files are among
the most detailed in the Republic records. Affidavits testifying to the
applicant's worthiness also provide considerable personal information. These
records can provide name of claimant, date filed, by whom filed, disposition,
amount of pension, company commander, service information, age, residence,
heir's name, husband's name (for widow's pension), date of death, widow's age,
widow's residence (county). The fact that a person has a Republic Pension file
does not guarantee that he or she received a Republic pension. |
| | Arrangement |
| | These records have been arranged by State Archives staff
alphabetically by name of claimant. |
| | Preferred Citation |
| | (Identify the item), Republic pension files, Republic pension
records, Texas Comptroller's Office claims records. Archives and Information
Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission. |
| | Restrictions on Access |
| | Because the actual Republic claims are extremely fragile,
access to the records is restricted to high-quality microfilmed copies of the
documents. An online database provides the reel and frame location of more than
48,500 indexed names. Digital images from the microfilm are being linked to the
database. The 35mm microfilm reels are available through interlibrary loan and,
to view in person, at the Genealogy Collection of the Texas State Library and
Archives Commission. (There are 48 reels of Republic pension files.) |
| | Restrictions on Use |
| | None. |
| Reel |
| 200 thru 247 | | | | Republic pension files,
1870-about
1900 |
Return to the Table of Contents
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
Unpaid and miscellaneous Republic claims,
1836-about
1879, 10.1 cubic ft.
|
| Some of the claims relating to services and losses during the era
of the Republic of Texas were denied. Many others, however, simply have no
documentation in the records of the Comptroller of Public Accounts of having
been settled. Other records do not fit easily into an existing series. These
files include those kinds of records. The types of documentation in this series
include the following: cover letters for inquiries addressed to the Court or
Commissioner of Claims about the validity of land certificates issued to
veterans, claims for compensation for Indian or Mexican depredations,
applications for veteran's pensions, and/or claims for military service pay.
Although the services for which these claims were filed date from the years of
the Republic of Texas, 1836-1845, the documents themselves date 1836-about
1879. |
| Although claims submitted to the government that were not audited
or allowed may be found in the Unpaid and miscellaneous Republic claims, the
"unpaid" designation in this series usually
refers to the absence in the file of any record of the final disposition of the
claim or the inquiry. The series also includes records that do not fit into the
Audited Republic claims, Public debt, or Republic pension
records series. The most noteworthy of these are letters received by the
Commissioner/Court of Claims between 1856 and 1861. |
| The letters to the Court or Commissioner of Claims do not contain
personal information: they note that certain numbered land scrip certificates
were being forwarded to the Claims Court. Neither the land script certificates
nor information about the outcome of these inquiries are in the holdings of the
Texas State Library. A few files have nothing in them but the
"wrapper" once used to enclose documentation.
When that occurs, the "Claim Number" field will
show "Wrapper #xxx." The wrapper has only a
name or names and a file number: it has little or no research value. |
| Instructions on how to use the online database for the Republic
claims, plus links to that database, are at
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/rephowto.html. |
| Arrangement |
| These records have been arranged by State Archives staff
alphabetically by name of claimant. |
| Related Material |
| The following materials are offered as
possible sources of further information on the agencies and subjects covered by
the records. The listing is not exhaustive. |
| | Texas State Archives |
| | Texas General Land Office, Inventory of
copies of county and district clerk returns (reports of headright
certificates), 1857 (originals date from 1836 to 1855), 8.46 cubic ft.
(used by Court of Claims to review
legitimacy of land claims) |
| Preferred Citation |
| (Identify the item), Unpaid and miscellaneous Republic claims,
Texas Comptroller's Office claims records. Archives and Information Services
Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission. |
| Accession Information |
| Accession numbers: unknown |
| Accession records are too incomplete to determine when these
records were transferred. |
| Restrictions on Access |
| Because the actual Republic claims are fragile, access to the
records is restricted to high-quality microfilmed copies of the documents. An
online database provides the reel and frame location of more than 48,500
indexed names. Digital images from the microfilm are being linked to the
database. The 35mm microfilm reels are available through interlibrary loan and,
to view in person, at the Genealogy Collection of the Texas State Library and
Archives Commission. (There are 12 reels of Unpaid and miscellaneous Republic
claims.) |
| Microfilming and indexing for the Republic claims project were
made possible by two generous grants from the Summerlee Foundation. |
| Restrictions on Use |
| None. |
| Technical Requirements |
| Instructions on how to borrow or view the microfilm for Republic
claims are at
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/rephowto.html#borrow. |
| Microfilm readers are available in the Genealogy Section, Room 110
(which is closed on Mondays), and also in Room 300 of the Lorenzo de Zavala
State Archives and Library Building (Monday-Friday). |
| Processed by |
| Connie Hoxie, September 1996 |
| Tony Black, August 2000 |
| Reel |
| 248 thru 259 | | | Unpaid and miscellaneous Republic claims,
1836-about
1879 |
Return to the Table of Contents
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
Confederate audited military claims,
1861-1865,
45.59 cubic ft.
|
| During the Civil War, the Texas Legislature authorized and
required the Comptroller of Public Accounts to audit and settle claims for
military supplies and services, some of which were eligible to be submitted for
reimbursement by the government of the Confederate States of America. Therefore
the Comptroller maintained these audited military claims files, which have been
labeled (rightly or wrongly) "Confederate"
claims. These records comprise the claims for payment for military and
military-related services rendered for the defense of Texas during the Civil
War, submitted to the Texas Comptroller's office for auditing and approval.
This series includes vouchers, accounts, powers-of-attorney, warrants, and
claim jackets, dating 1861-1865. The majority of the claims were submitted by
the men serving in the various volunteer companies ordered out by the Governor
or Committee of Safety of Texas. There were also individual claims for
quartermaster or commissary supplies, for munitions, for construction of
fortifications and defenses, and for monies advanced for and use by any of the
Texas State Troops. In addition, payments of claims for services and supplies
furnished to the Adjutant General's office were made out of military
appropriations as well. |
| Only 2,787 claims were submitted, but this included over 11,000
persons (whose names appear in the index in the computer printout in the search
room of the Texas State Archives). Frequently groups of individuals, in some
case entire companies of soldiers, would file a joint claim through an agent;
thus, many of the claims contain individual powers-of-attorney, authorizing an
agent to receive any monies due the claimants. These powers-of-attorney usually
indicate the company or regiment, rank held, and term of service, or the amount
and types of supplies provided. |
| All claims for goods and supplies were required to be
authenticated by vouchers and accounts approved by the Acting Quartermaster or
Commissary of a particular regiment, battalion, or company. These vouchers
usually indicate dates, types, and amounts of goods provided. Accounts and
vouchers specifying amounts due for pay, clothing, forage, and subsistence for
an individual, and in some instances for his servant, were often included to
support claims for military or military-related services. |
| However, not all the claims files provide such specific
information. Approximately one-fifth of the claims consist of little more than
the claim jacket and one or more Ten Per-Cent Treasury Warrants. These
cancelled warrants provide basic but valuable information, such as name of
claimant, amount, number and title of appropriation from which payment was
drawn, service provided, and rank and company if military service. Claims
comprised of these cancelled warrants have been so indicated by the use of the
letter "A" preceding the entry number. In a few
instances no cancelled warrants accompany the claim jacket. In such cases, only
general information regarding the service performed and amount paid may be
obtained by searching the various appropriation and warrant registers
maintained by the Comptroller's office, described elsewhere in this finding aid
(see especially Special appropriations ledgers:
other, Frontier defense, 1860-1865 (Volume 304-2440).) |
| The index in a computer printout in the search room of the Texas
State Archives matches the names of claimants with claim numbers. |
| Historical Sketch |
| On January 4, 1862, the 9th Texas Legislature approved
"An Act to provide for auditing and settling all
claims against the State on account of Volunteer Companies called out by the
Governor or Committee of Safety, and for the defense of the State, and
providing payment for the officers and men thereof." The Comptroller of
Public Accounts was authorized and required to audit and settle these claims
"for and during the term of service actually rendered
the State according to the rules and regulations of the Confederate States for
the government of the army thereof, upon the return of the muster-roll of each
company to the Comptroller, duly authenticated; and also to audit and allow all
claims and accounts brought against the State by any individual for
Quartermaster or Commissary supplies, for munitions of war, for the
construction of fortifications and all defences, and moneys advanced for the
same...provided all such claims and accounts are authenticated and approved by
the Acting Quartermaster or Commisary of the regiment, battalion or
company." This law also provided "that the
Comptroller shall keep a separate register of all claims presented under this
act, and properly chargeable to the Government of the Confederate States, and
arrange the vouchers and accounts as directed by the laws of the said
Government for presentation thereto." $300,000 was appropriated at the
time, plus an additional $200,000 on March 6, 1863, "to carry out the provisions of this act." |
| Note that although the legislation was approved in January 1862,
the claims covered would begin in 1861. |
| Another piece of legislation that applied to this type of claim
was approved by the 8th Texas Legislature on February 14, 1860, whereby
warrants unable to be redeemed immediately were allowed to draw 10 percent
interest per annum until paid. Once the warrant had been re-submitted for
payment, it was cancelled and a new warrant for the initial amount plus
interest was then issued. |
| Arrangement |
| These records have been arranged--probably by the
creator--numerically by claim number. The index in a computer printout in the
search room of the Texas State Archives matches the names of claimants with
claim numbers. |
| Preferred Citation |
| (Identify the item), Confederate audited military claims, Texas
Comptroller's Office claims records. Archives and Information Services
Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission. |
| Accession Information |
| Accession numbers: unknown |
| Accession records are too incomplete to determine when these
records were transferred. |
| Restrictions on Access |
| None. |
| Restrictions on Use |
| None. |
| Processed by |
| Jean Young and Eddie Williams, August 1975 |
| | | Confederate audited military
claims |
| Box |
| 2-12/852 | | | | 1-20 |
| Box |
| 2-12/853 | | | | 20-40 |
| Box |
| 2-12/854 | | | | 41-60 |
| Box |
| 2-12/855 | | | | 61-80 |
| Box |
| 2-12/856 | | | | 81-100 |
| Box |
| 2-12/857 | | | | 101-120 |
| Box |
| 2-12/858 | | | | 121-140 |
| Box |
| 2-12/859 | | | | 141-160 |
| Box |
| 2-12/860 | | | | 160-180 |
| Box |
| 2-12/861 | | | | 181-200 |
| Box |
| 2-12/862 | | | | 201-220 |
| Box |
| 2-12/863 | | | | 221-240 |
| Box |
| 2-12/864 | | | | 241-260 |
| Box |
| 2-12/865 | | | | 261-280 |
| Box |
| 2-12/866 | | | | 281-300 |
| Box |
| 2-12/867 | | | | 301-330 |
| Box |
| 2-12/868 | | | | 331-360 |
| Box |
| 2-12/869 | | | | 361-390 |
| Box |
| 2-12/870 | | | | 391-420 |
| Box |
| 2-12/871 | | | | 421-460 |
| Box |
| 2-12/872 | | | | 461-490 |
| Box |
| 2-12/873 | | | | 491-520 |
| Box |
| 2-12/874 | | | | 521-540 |
| Box |
| 2-12/875 | | | | 541-560 |
| Box |
| 2-12/876 | | | | 561-590 |
| Box |
| 2-12/877 | | | | 591-620 |
| Box |
| 2-12/878 | | | | 621-650 |
| Box |
| 2-12/879 | | | | 651-660 |
| Box |
| 2-12/880 | | | | 661-680 |
| Box |
| 2-12/881 | | | | 681-720 |
| Box |
| 2-12/882 | | | | 721-750 |
| Box |
| 2-12/883 | | | | 751-780 |
| Box |
| 2-12/884 | | | | 781-810 |
| Box |
| 2-12/885 | | | | 811-840 |
| Box | |