William Irvine Settles State Debts
William Irvine was one of three commissioners who settled the Revolutionary War debts assumed by the States.
Although this was started before the Constitution was adapted, Irvine was kept in this position during the Washington Administration.
William Irvine
Born in Ireland, William Irvine studied medicine before immigrating to Pennsylvania at the age of 22.
A decade later the Revolutionary War broke out and Irvine decided to defend his adopted home by joining the Continental Army.
William was commissioned as a Colonel and joined the Invasion of Canada but was taken prisoner.
He remained in British custody for almost two full years.
Brigadier General
Upon his release, Irvine rejoined the Army.
Within a year he was promoted to Brigadier General and would spend the remainder of the war in military service.
During this time, he is allegedly the one who convinced William Crawford to lead a disastrous expedition west to fight with the Native Americans.
Settling Accounts
After the Revolutionary War came to a close, Irvine spent two years representing Pennsylvania in the Continental Congress.
He was then selected as one of three commissioners chosen to settle accounts between the United States and the individual States.
This was an extremely powerful position that he continued in through the ratification of the Constitution and into the early stages of Alexander Hamilton’s assumption plan.
Irvine and his fellow commissioners determined the precise amount of money spent by the States (and debt taken out) during the war.
Sims Lessee v. Irvine
In 1793, Irvine was elected to the Third Congress.
During his time in the House of Representatives, he led Pennsylvania soldiers to assist in suppressing the whiskey rebellion.
He was also the plaintiff in an early Supreme Court Case. It seems that he had been awarded land by the State of Pennsylvania for his service in the war.
This same land had already been given to another man for service in the French and Indian War.
In Sims Lessee v. Irvine, Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth ruled in favor of William’s opponent, as that property had been granted first.
Afterward, Irvine spent the last few years of his life as the Superintendent of Military Stores for the United States.
Here are some other articles about BRIGADIER GENERALS FROM PENNSYLVANIA:
John Cadwalader Shoots ‘That Damned Rascal’ in the Mouth
Bayonets at Night - Anthony Wayne Gets Mad
Daniel Brodhead and the Coshocton Expedition
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