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Congress gives Tousard a pension for life... Thomas Paine...
Congress gives Tousard a pension for life... Thomas Paine...
Item # 701536
May 17, 1794
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, May 17, 1794
* President George Washington
* French officer Louis de Tousard
The front page begins with an Act of Congress, giving a pension for life to Lt. Col. Tousard. It is signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington.
Louis de Tousard was a French artillerist who served in the American Continental Army under La Fayette, and later was given a U. S. commission. Tousard wrote two very influential books: one was a proposal for a school for officers that became the blueprint for West Point, and the other was a manual for artillery officers that became standard in the young army.
The front page also has: "The Slave Trade" as well as a brief item beginning: "Thomas Paine, in his prison here, is determined not to remain idle..." with mention of his book 'The Age of Reason'.
Four pages, slightly irregular at the spine, good condition.
AI notes: Louis de Tousard, a French artillery officer who served valiantly during the American Revolutionary War, was granted a pension by the Continental Congress with the support of General George Washington after losing his arm in the 1778 Battle of Rhode Island. Washington personally advocated on Tousard’s behalf, recognizing not only the severity of his injury but also his unwavering dedication to the American cause. Unlike many foreign officers who returned to Europe after the war, Tousard chose to remain in the United States, and the pension enabled him to recover and continue contributing to the young nation's military development. His expertise in artillery and engineering proved invaluable, and he went on to help organize the U.S. Corps of Engineers and influence the establishment of West Point. Washington’s endorsement of the pension underscored the deep respect he held for Tousard’s sacrifices and foresight in recognizing his long-term value to the United States military.
Category: The 1600's and 1700's
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