Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1802-07-21
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II S Z O r y
Or THF
LHST SESSION O. CcNCRESS.


representatives %gfe organized, q commit
tre ap1oiajed 20 enquire VIVA; alterations
were Dl .sja.5 IN the existing goveln-
ment Of the Territory Of Columbia, anc
no ION faade, directing the secretary OF
che tc,asury 90 lay before lae to1se :
statement Of the accounts u Timothy
Pickering, 'Gie SeczefGry u S'atf, which /
vas postponed uuGi the ensuing Aond4y.
On the lotn, the Senate cnose Or. Ga@t, /,
AID the House Mr. Parkinson tliei. chAp- |
llins.
TN mc,ion Of Mr.. s. Smith, the Sc
cretary Of The Treasury was a'ceeted To re-
post a schedule ot all the duties innpos-
u by law on goods, wJrcs I'D uerchan
disc imported into the United States.
4 committee was appointed 10 revise
Inc Pcst-ofIice laws
And on motion OF MIR. s. Smith, the
COMMITTEES OF commerce andmanutactures
were direaed TO enquire, what alterations,
If any were necessary in the laws ilnpos.
ing duties on the tonnage of ships, and on
goods, ware and merchandise imported
into the United States.
IN. Pickering'S accounts.
On the 18th day of December, Mr. Nj
cholson called up a resolution made by him
on the 9Th inst. Inspecting the expenditure
Of public lnoneis By Nj. Pickels G. lie
observed, that some ideas expressed by a
gentleman from Massachusetts when this
subject was before the House, had weight
with him, aud had induced him 70 modify
his motion. Il had been properly, IN his
opinion, remarked that such 9 motion
should not point at any particular officer,
but that il should be extended 70 all cEi-
c-r3 who superintendedthe disbursements
of pubic money. He had, therefore, pre-
pared another resolution, which, while it
embraced his first Object, would be seen
to De connected with other objects equally
interesting, as Follows:
Resolved, that committee be aPpoini-
ed to enquire and report, whether monies
drawn rom the treasury. have been faith
iully applied 10 the objects for which they
were appropriated, and whether the same
have been regularly accounted for; and TO
report, likewise, whether any further ar
Engagements are necessary to promote e.
economy, enforce adherence to Legislative
restrictions, and secure the accountability
OF persons entrusted with the public mo-
ney.
~. BzyarG declared his high pleasure
at the liberality and candour, which cha
raStensed the mover Of the resolution (;
which had been manifested on the ;Dstihl-
ton of it, as well as in the modification
nov offered. The motion as it now stood,
however, was not confined to one depart
mcnt, but embraced the whole. He thot'
il would be best 70 consne II tc one de-
partment but to give It more RETROSPECT
tive effect, and to apply itno! 10 Mr.. Pick
cring only, bat also the secretaries Of State
that preceded hire. he believed, that, on
i9ycstigation, il would be found that mo-
mics disbursed had not been expended con-
formally to the strict letter of app,opIia-
tons. Rgt such deviation was the re-
sult Of necessity. The public service for
babe delaying certain measures, for the
execution Of which competent apPropra-
tons had not been made, to the next ses-
sion OF congress. lie believed that the
same thing had occurred in other depart
ments. Ii had been the custoin, in cases
where money was wanted for one, though
appropriated TO another Object, under the
same department, to take it from The lat-
teg, aud apply it to the former. This was
Illegal; but It's beingthe custom palliatedit.
Mr.. @5ca9LSoa replied, thatit vas his IN
tsntoS to ennbrace all the departments;
and that this was the more important from
the accounts Of the war and navy depart
rnents no. being predicated upon precise
appropriations, whereby greet latitude was
allowed.
M. G;Elss observed that he had always
been in favor Of giving The people the fal.
lest information on the expenditures of
public money. Il would be TecolleEtedthat
be was among the first to institute an In
quiry into the disbursements Of The Trca-
tury under this government. Il was true
that his efforts were attended with but little
success they had been treated with but
little respect and he might, perhaps, add
that they had been treated with Sons share
Of disrespeGt. He rejoiced, however, in
the change which had taken place, and he
expected that this house would hereafter
be as Jealous Of public disbursements, as
be had long been.
The disbursement OF public treasures
excited, and deservediy excited, the natl
onal ser6Tbgisy, The people felt il as all !
important. lie was, therefore, well pleas |
cd with the resolution, whose effect woul, !
be to enquire into the conduct Of III prcy'
sent and past secretaries. As tue whole /
would be incinded, it would exclude al (
party consideration.
lie hoped that they we're noe asesmeblcd |