Sereno E. Payne

“ I thought it much better to introduce a bill for the increase of her pension, that she might have the enjoymeny of it during the remainder of her life, which certainly, in the course of nature, cannot last long, instead of asking a lump sum and trying to get it in as a claim on account of money equitably due her from the Government for services. ”

“ Claim for increase is because of her own personal services in the war. She was employed as nurse, cooking the Hospital, and as a spy during nearly the whole period of the war. I know her personally, and she is a most interesting old colored woman, I should judge nearly eighty years of age; having been born a slave, she does not know her age. And about the year 1876, as well as prior thereto, a bill for her relief went to the Committee on War Claims, and all her papers, copies of which are presented herewith, were referred to that Committee by Gen. ”

“ I think her case is exactly parallel to one passed in the House yesterday for a war nurse increasing her pension although the case of Mrs. Davis seems to me much stronger. If this case can have the early at attention of the Committee, I shall be very much gratified. ”