Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-10-04

.l'a, Yru,o, IN ras;ink to tie southwark, did not
ih'eid 10 vi-it the seat OF government, we Shout
| have avoided any snimadvessicn on piece Of in
formation so ss;hins and unimportant. Bu, the
writer has deemed the occasion too precious to
withhold no,'cing what every body knows, thai,
according TO The usual practice, the President is
at t6is Sedson at Monticello. and some of the
heads of Department absent from the seat of
government As 10 the idle tale respecting DR.
Thornton. it is too childish 70 impose ON the low
est credsili,y. Ii may not, however. be entirely
without use. to say few words on The other 10.
PIC. 1t is periodically rung il our ears every
summer. doubtless with 'hehope BY such frequent
repetition Of rak.ns some impression.
II is allowed that the President and some E
u delA Uucnr pass few weeks of
; maj Ses ,on IN winch bilious complaints arc most
prevalent in towns, some distance from the
, CITY OF Washington, generally or their own es
';ies, whereby they are enabled TO paw some at
tention to their private affairs and preserve their
heal IN.
This has been the case during every preceding
administration and i, i, the case now Blu, il &c
said the practice during federal admin STATIONS
w. condemned BY whoml BY the great BODY
OF repnb lean. or by Ir. jefftrson, or am of
those now associated with him in Office Let Ell
her of these be proved ard there viii be come
! fierce IN this hue and cry But we deny both.
. N
sisled upon as important; il was nevc. made or
cogn,enanoed b, the President or he heads Of
! tePar nent If the praAice was right III fede.a
| is II wrong IN republican times Ought not in.
deed, The federais,s 10 be & aimed at there beng
IN one point a resemblance between them and
| heir successors
! Hut there is one point, and il is the only one,
| deserving OF no:ice on account OF ITS impar,ance
Are the public concerns preudce ed by the absence
OF the President and Sscretarissl
Our readers will be able 10 answer thi, INQUIRY
when acquainted with me following facts
The Presidents residence is a. MONTICELLO
that of Mr.. Madison is al Orange no, thirty
mics distent 1t is hesc tvo members OF the
government whose duties aye The m est mpor.
tant and between whom i, is most necessary
thai cons ant intercourse should be held.
Whatever relates % fJrvign concerns centres in
the department OF State Il in the share OF
disna ches from abroad II is no sooser received
az Washington than il IS forwarded TO Mr.: Ma.
Olson. whom it reaches III lass than two DAYS,
and by whom it may be laid before the President
IN Tear hcu's aftefs ards. L. IN the shape Of in.
truc'on6 10 foreign agents they emanate from
/ ~ Madison, ai'ss cu.Aulting the President, il
, th>' be nect-sary, and Instantly dispatched
( 10 tar 'hen as rvates ~ foreign concerns this
arrangement either .ape cedes all inc Convenience
or renders that winch IS incurred extremely lri
hing.
. III. Secretary of the Navy is at Baltimore
Now it IS fat thar this oificcrcan trans.ti, and
actually does transact the business OF hi. ,epar,
men,, during iIis short absence fiom the civ OF
Washing IN, with the same facility at Baltimore
as he would at the former place. The distance
Is only 'orty miles, aud may be RODE in Ave
hours
! The Secretary Of the treasury !. az New York
+ hIe these who condemn his absence prepared 70
say that his official duties do not render i, highly
/ desirable for him oscasionsl,. at leasr once :
! scar. 90 viii son'e Of fhe large commercial
; to- N. DO they know ths, ne is charged with
purchasing bills 10 an immense amount, and
that. jus, AZ he truss 20 the sgencv Of Others
lie IS Iiahs goimpo.iIph. and the public inferes,
TO :rjnry Do ;hsy know that these bills can
be purchased no where else than in the yea,
! commercial towns, and that by passing IN. ougi,
Ea',f'noT, and, rhilsde pins, anr S, ending saor
+ time in New York ne may save thousands TIC the
puhc.
. Lastly, General Dearborn is on visit TO Non.
ticsiso, IHIs to0 IS c'irina.! Shame upoA hu.
NANNY Arer having recovered from long
Illness hrs travelling for The restoration of health
il, with unieeling brutality. censused!
! Ore question Only remains 70 be asked. Has
there. been single instance poin,ed OUT in which
/, has been shewn that he pubIic in,e.es, mas
suffered Nor one we confidently ado. not
one can be adduced - Mar Ist
--x...r. 81 ssrr.---