The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-03-02
lQDe Gnqulrer.
RICHMOND, MARCH ., 1910.
FEDERAL TRICKS, SC.
CASE L.
Brozun, Collector Of Orleans.

The former Collector died. under the last
admnist, alton, His family were left in a
state OF Indulgence and dependence. The
merchants OF the City, penetrated by COM
passion for the family of the unfortunate, as
we'll as respect for the character of the bro
ther-in-law. petitioned for his appointment.
The character of the candidate was without
blemish OF suspicion, There was "not a
soul in the community, who doubted hi.
honesty."-He zuas ahhointed.
The means of corruption were not left
IN his hands-the censure, cast upon the adj
ministration for leaving so large a treasure
III his chest, is unfounded-yet the peculiar
STAGE of commerce required, that ample re-
sources should be placed under his care
the embargo had accumulated large stocks
OF goods at OrleanS--to pay off the deben-
lures for drawbacks on this merchandise,
which should be exported, after the repeal
o. the embargo, 1t was necessary that con
SiderG5ie funds should be at the command of
the coLlector-the duties that had been paid,
on the ships Baltic and Eleanor alone, ex-
ceeded 1905 dolars-there was not mo-
ney enough in the Orleans chest-the re-
mote situation of that City rendered the re-
mission OF money, from time to time, as it
was wanted, impossible--there was no other
resource than to give draft on the branch
bank of n. Orleans.
The draft was accompanied by vigiIant
precautions. 1t was limited to 100, 600
dollars, of which no more was to be drawn
than may be necessary in addition TO the
monies already in, and which mighu' subsc-
euentiy come into the hands of the Collector.
These sums were TO be replaced by the We
ny first monies subsequently received
The sums, drawn for. were to be noted at
the foot of the weekly returns of the Of
hce.-Mr. Saul, cashier of the bank, is put
on his guard by similar iBtmationg
In one day, the whole sum of 1OO, 900 dol
lars is drawn from the bank by Brown. On
the very day this Intelligence reaches the
Secretary of che Treasury, he writes to the
Collector and Cashier-He tells the former
TO refund into the bank, whatever sums are
III MS hands-iectures him upon his negli
gence, and declares weakly returns to be
sndiSfen8abie. The Cashier is informed Of
the instructions to the Collector, to refund
any part otthe sum, not already paid away
tor debentures.
Before these dispatches arrive. Brown
mas eIoped with the money of the United
otateS.-N man, who "was looked up TO
as model OF honesty and correctness in his
ONCE" HES !oTn his duty--a husband, Just
married to an interesting Creole, leaves his
WIFE behind him-virtue, reputation, all the
ties OF blood, affinity and duty, are suddenly
snapped---9ho could have expected these
phenomena to happeni Who would have
dreamt OF laying the sins of such delin-
quent at the door of the government? No
thing but personal or political prejudces
could have obliterated these obvious distinc
,ions of reason
What did the federalists do? They la
wished their censures upon the government,
who Had appointed him---who had left so
much money in his hands But this was not
all: IhefGih of the government was pIedg
ed to the bank for e-iuburscment-thes
gentlemen wished 10 break the public faith.
Surely the bank was not toblamc--But they
wished the bank to suHer--When the APP.
preparation Bill came before the Senate,
Mr. Lloyd arose. and was impudcrt e.
nopgh TO move to strike out the 10. 900 dol
Ists appropriated for the re endorsement
."f the bank----jIs proposition was support.
.ed ~ federal votes ..---I'u faith was tr
uuphant--Ibe motion Of Mr. Lloyd was
inAigDantly rejected. Yet,hese are the men
,who cSnt 50 much about public credit and
ihztiOnai fai.h,