But I believe I may fairly claim, and that
I could cite my associates on the Committee to bear testimony,
that I had a great deal to do, and much more than any other
person, in settling the doctrines upon which the Senate acted
in dealing with the great questions of the claims of individuals
and States and corporate bodies growing out of the War. Upon
the rules then established the Government claims amounting
to hundreds upon hundreds of millions of dollars were decided.
The victorious Republic dealt justly and generously with the
vanquished and misguided men who had assailed it and sought
its destruction.
The general doctrines by which Congress was governed were
these:
1. No rightful claim accrued to anybody for the destruction
or injury to property by military movements, or operations,
in a country which was the theatre of war.
2. A fair price was to be paid for supplies for the use of
the Army in the field (1) to loyal persons, (2) to disloyal
persons, if it were shown by a certificate of the officer who
took them, or otherwise, that they were taken with the purpose
of paying for them.
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