Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-07-04

q let'cf AOh my predecessor TO Mr. |
Montgomery, chairman of 4 commit
tee OF the house of Representatives
q ted 1st April, 1908, and letter from
captain Bainbridge to me, upon the
same subject, are herewith transmit
ted and marked ID. Having attentive
ly perused this memorial, cannot
withhold the expression of my opini-
on that the prayer thereof is perfect
ly reasonable. National considerati-
ons ought surely to induce us TO foster
that just and honorable pride, that tru.
ly patriotic ambition, to which our ma
W officers, and especially these well
skilsed in seamanship, obviously sacri-
hce thsir Pecuniary interests.
To another and not uninteresting
subject embraced by the qneries which
you have propounded to me, 1 will al
30 invite your serious attention. By
the act further TO ameod the several
acts for the establishment and regula-
ton OF the treasury and navy depart
ments, it is provided that the commits
sions to navy agents shall not exceed
per centum, or in any instance The
compensation allowed bv law to the
purveyor of public supplies. The
treasury construction of this statute
will appear by the papers E. and F.
herewith sent. That construction pro
hibits any allowance under any circum-
etances, for either clerk hire, porters,
Office rent, fuel or stationary. The
whole receipts of the agents are con6n-
ed 10 per ccatum, and the product of
that per centage is limited to 5000
dollars per annum.
ln our large seaport towns, and es-
pecially in Norfolk, Baltimore, phila-
delphia, and in New York, our pur-
chases will necessarily be extensive !;
often so much so, as to occupy exclu-
sively the time of the agent. In these
places clerks must be indispensable,
and porter shighly useful and where
ever we have an agent it appears to me
proper that the public should allow
whatever the agent may reasonably
pay Tor Office rent, fuel and stationary.
1t is not probable that the commits
sions to the agents will in any other
places than those mentioned, viz.
Norfolk, Baltimore, Philadelphia &
New York, amount to S 1000
and in neither of these places will
the clear receipts of either of the
agents amount TO more than $50 per
annum, as will more particularly APP
pear by the accompanying exhibit
marked G. In other places the COM
missions will not amount TO as much
as is now given to the most common
clerk in 4 merchants counting house.
10 make the commissions amount
, to 1000 dollars, it would require that
200, 900 dollars should be disbursed ;
and if an agent should disburse one
million of dollars, or any sum exceed
ing that, the gross amount OF his paw
for such disbursements is limited to
1000 dollars the netamount of which
cannot reasonably be calculated at more
than FIVE hundred and fifty dollars.
With this view Of he subjecl, caunoi
rely on HE pre- mt agenis con .nu,ng 10
hold their appoin mems, or upon otheU f.
persons accepting such appointment S, with
out The Law in question being so modIf .
as 10 make them Reasonable ailow2nce
lOF .bsH SSiVCeej ana the tXpsDCcS inSe4
par ably connected with their Official duties.
In diabucsing so large sum of money, as
an agent mus disbarse, 80 eniiile him %
the small coTope nsa,ion of $50 per annurn,
he hazards the loss of,e1 times rs much,
from irregulariiy in vouchers. ERRONEOUS
calculations, fnisntei preld'ion OF instFuc
tons, from no, strictly COMO ming in each
and every purchase to the specific res'rc
tions Of the existing lsw, ana f,om vari.
Gus olheF causes TO which The most correct
men are, and ever will be Liable IN < ca.
ter or less degree.
The copy Of a letter from general Sirick
or, navy agent at Baltimore, gentleman
justly OF high standing in society, and
am told as good an agent as could b. p9o.
cured in county. herewith sent and mar.
ked II. will explain 10 you his situation
under the existing law; and other agents,
Of equal merit, are similarly situated
Deeming it my du y, under the latitude
you have allowed, 10 be perfectly txpl;ci,
and Toll in my communication TO you upon
this subjea, and being sincerely anxious
In manape The businfse of the denar. rn.pt