Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-02-08
DOMESTIC.
MR.: MAGRUDER's LETTER.
2s the Memorable Sneaker ofthe House of
Representatives.
Clerks Office. january 2Sth, 1915.


Representatives.
Clerks Office, January 2Sth, 1915.
SIR-It is with a reluctance cannot well
express. that find it necessary again to
throw myself on your politeness as the me.
dium of communication to the. house, on a
subject no less painful to me than it must be
to them. This is imposed upon me as du-
~ as we'll by the arguments derived by
those inimical to me. Gas learn) from ST.
lence in regard TO the last report of the cons
mittee, appointed at my request to inves,i-
gate the situation of the Office under my
charge, as by the indications afforded by the
recent vote of the house. In regard TO the
accounts af my Office, the correctness of
which has been arraigned by committe of
the house, have nothing TO add to what
have said on former occasion on this sub.
iect, except to re,assert my entire inno-
cence and ignorance of any misappiication
of the public monies, and to express Iny con-
scientious belief that the public money has
been faithfully dsbursed by my principal
clerk, to whom it WIS cnnfded, and that he
will be able TO account for 1t at the lrcasu-
ry-and would have beea able to do so at
this day, had not the unfortunate conflagra-
ton CT the Capitol destroyed his accounts,
and subjected his conduct to a scrutiny, in
which the fact of a deficiency of the vouch>
ers DESTROYED has been adduced as evidence
against him.
Could presume so far, it might be an
easy task to exhibit errors of CREST impor>
lance in that PART of the report of the COM
mittee on my conduct, which relates to the
account of the contingent fund. 1t is in my
belief lemonstrable, that its errors are not
limited to hundreds or to any moderate
nun be- ofthousaDds of dollars. Still easier
weu'd it be 70 dissipate almost every argu.
ment used in debate on that report, tending
by assertion or implication to prejudice the
house against me personally but, sir, he
who is put upon his trial without opportuni-
ty to defend himself from accusations addu-
ced againsi him, can expect no benefit from
an after anpeal 10 those who have already
prononncsd judgment against him.
Little, sir, did ever expect to have to
answer T.. this house on charges affecting
my character at this advanced period OF M
lise Since passed the age of eighteen
years, haveI been in public lie. BY those
who kHew me- best, have been selected 10
fill various public stations, judicial as well
as legislative, under both state and general
governments, and no man has ever before
appeared tn imputc to n.e mailfaiSance in
the duties of my station. In every situation
me. have endeavorcd to sustain a charac
ter more dear to me than wealth and the
attempt to rob me of . level more precious
than lie, 60 deprive me Of that honest fame
which had acquired by long Course of
public service, however il may temporarily
succeed in this body, cannot eventually de
press nv character or standing in the eyes
osthe American people Truth is great and
will prevail ! court its light and shrink
no, from It's test The office OF clerk of this
house, arduous and trying rs are the duties
TO be perFortned during the sessions of c on.
gress, has never been considered by Ae. In
a pecuniary point C view, an object. Two
years since should have resigned il, bu: for
the discussions of my friends ! was too
proud of the horror conferred BY the fatier.
ing suffrage had received from the homer.
able house. retained my seat; and how
cruelty am treated for that determination,
let recent events decide.
But, sir, it is not my intention to weary
you or the house by reiteratins those una.
vaiIing regrets which force themselves on
my bosom.
1t is probable, sir, might, by resorting
to humiliating solicitation, reinstate myself in
nv former footing in the house but there
is implanted within my bosom princi ole
much more powerful than the love of popu.
larity or Of Office. II is the sense of honor
which forbids solicitation from, or even as.
ISOLATION with, those who entertain a suspi>
con derogatory to my fair fame. That
there are such among those whom have
once been proud to cali my political friends,
the motion now pending i'll the house, and
the manner in which 1t has been supported
sufficiently indicate. After a struggle be-
tween coRtending feelings, / have therefore
determined 10 resign the Office l nov hold
to permit those by whom l am prosecuted,
to attain with greater ease an object TO
which they have been willing to sacrifice not
only my family, bat my reputation. beg
the Speaker and House to accept of this rs
my resignation of the Office Of Clerk of the
House of Representatives,. take this last
opportunity to offer to yourself and the house.
the homage of my unGeigned respect, and
20 those who have stood forth to befriend an
injured man, and resisted the accusations
against me, the assurances of my eternal
gratitude. To my successor in Office, let
him be whom he may, wish an easier and
happier time in the discharge of his duties
than / have had
am, sir. with respect,
PATRICK MAGRUDER.