Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-02-09

lowing. 4,6oo,oo These were the re-
ceipts Of the tour years composing the first
Presidency. In the first year OF the next
term, the revenue was 5,loo,ooo for the
next, $500, 900; and, for the last, seven
millions. These facts, NJ r. said, were
conclusive. They spoke to the understand
ing of every man who kept his eye on the
receipts and expenditures OF the government.
| | recollect, said he, when we thought, II
we could get receipt of ten millions OF dol
lars-of which seven millions went to the
sinking fund, and shortly after, on the pur-
chase of Louisiana, eight millions-we should
be in the full tide of successful experiment.
Was there no way. Mr. K. asked, to recover
the public assets from the hands OF those
who were living on the public funds This
system would not now answers
system more simple might answerin the case
of the United States, as he knew 1t would
| in that of this house. For what, said be, IS
| oar situation We meet in room In which
we can neither hear nor see--but even the
blind can perceive what | wish to bring to
| the attention Of the house--it is the univer-
| sal dilapidation OF the public funds. AS for
accommodation and adaptation TO public bu-
siness, should as soon think Of attempting
| to be heard across the Potomac in the face OF
northwestern as 10 be beard here, where the
physical triumphs over the intellectual pow
err. Have gentlemen adverted, Mir. K. ask
ed, to bow much of the money OF the pub
lie was in the hands of the Columbia Banks,
or how il got there And do us, said be.
know any thing of the Central Bank : the
Patriotic Bank, and of the other Banks, so
numerous that it would be IN vain to attempt
repeat their titles For my part. continued
| Mr.. r am not at all Sorry for the effect
which the public at this time experience, al
though perhaps | pay as dearly for it as most
OF US ; lament the cause, but, sir. we are
punished, il may use the term, in the Of
Tending member. trust it may bring US 10
sense not only Of what is best Tor our
own selves. but OF what is due 10 our con-
sttuents-that the system of pecuIatiou shall
be broken up that the Augean stable shall
be cleansed--that the stream of public trea.
sure, compared 10 which the Missouri itself
is but ill, shall not be damned up by Pc
culators and defaulters, &c. MIR. K. said he
would therefore move
That the Secretary of the Treasury be
directed to report to this house such mea-
sures as, in his opinion, may be expedient
to enforce the more speedy payment Of pub
lie monies, due from individuals and corpo.
rate bodies in the United States.'
Mr.. Lowndes said he had no objection
whatever to the object of this motion. He
would only remark that part of it appeared
to him to be comprehended in calls already
made on the Treasury Department, and
part of it within the prescribed duties of
COMMITTEES o, this House. With regard to
the unaccounted tor monies of the y.
States, Mr.. l.. conceived both the facts and
approximations of the gentleman from Va to
be exaggerated In order to take correct
view of the subject, he suggested the pro-
priety of SO modifying the resolution as 10
call for an accurate statement of the amount
of public moneys outstanding anduuaccount-
cd for, &c.
Mr. Randolph said be would readily a.
gree to modify his motion in the manner
which the gentleman from South Carolina,
or any other gentleman, should deem expe.
dient 10 efectuate the object Of it. IT the
gentleman would prepare such an amend
ment, he would adopt it with pleasure. The
resolution, he said, must speak for ITSELF
While up, he would observe, that, with re.
gard to the banks OF this District, while he
had mentioned one or two by name, lie did
not know that there was pin to choose be-
Nv cen them. He had TO idea, he said, of
selling off the public lands, INCREASING the
balances already due for them, and making
up the present deficit by taxes on the peo-
pie, when it could be made up merely by
making thee .leeches disgorge. The homo.
rable gentleman, has mistaken me, said Mr..
r. if be supposes have any hostility TO
the Secretary of the Treasury have none
but, Mr. Speaker, you know very we'll
no man ought TO know better--what it is 10
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