The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1822-06-21

case beyopdssihe reach of cayil or doubt,
and TO shew nsosf conclusiveiv that he had
negotiated this bill in Europe, and re-
eeived rhe cash for it there, and that such
was the understanding OF the matter at
the treasury in 1909. when he received
the money (these are his own words.)
Col. q, he brings forward the oyerwhelm.
ing fact mot hitherto made public, but
stated from the most creditable and au-
thentic source, that one OF the accounting
officers OF the treasury suggested in wri-
ting, the propriety of taking bond and Sc
curi,y from MIR. j. for indemnification Of
the United States against any future claim
on this bill. But it seems the bond was
not taken, and the government is now La
BILE in iaqp, and in good faith, for the nav.
ment of this bill to the rightfal owner
How this suggestion of taking bond at
the treasury, SO solemnly paraded. is
more conclusive frooE than his own in.
lterpolation, that the cash zoas reeeiued r
am so dull as not to perceive. But saw
tnat had the suggestion been made to me
il should have been instantly complied
with. But deny his iaru. Were this
bill now to be presented 10 the TREASURY
the answer would, and should be The
same as a merchant would give .Yon
| have held up this bill three and thirty
years, without notice we have settled in
the mean time with the drawer, and have
no effects of his left in our hands. An.
ply to him for payment On his applica-
ton to me, should FIRST inquire into the
history of the bill, where il has been J,fk
ing for three and thirty years? How
came he by it? BY interrogation (? Nv
trover? BY assignment from Grand Nv
purchase From whom, when and wherca
And according to his answers, l should
either institute criminal process against
him, or If he should shew that ali was
fair and honest, | should pay him the mo.
ney, and look for reimbursement 10 the
quarter appearing liable. The law deems
! seven years absence Of man, without he.
ing heard of, such presumptive evidence
of his death, as TO distribute his estate
and to allow his wife to marry again. The
auditor thought that twenty years non.ap-
pearance OF a bill, which had been risked
through the post Offices of two nations.
was sufficient presumption of its loss
lThis self-styled Native Vireinian thinks
that the thirty years now elapsed
are not sufficient. Be it so. IF the ac,
counting officers Of the treasury have anv
uneasiness on that subject, am ready t.,
give bond of indemnification to the u
States in any sum the officers will name.
and with the security which themselves
shall approve. Will this satisfy the Ms.
tive VirgiDian Or will he now try TO picl.
some other hole in this transaction. to
shield himself from candid acknowI.
edgment that, in making up his case. he
supplied, by gratuitous coniectures. the
facts which were not within his know.
ledge, and that thus he has sinned aeains,
truth in his declarations before the public.
Be this as it may, have so much cons
dence in the discernment and capdor of
my fellow citizens, as to leave to their
judgment, and to dismiss from INV own
notice, any future torture of words or cir.
cums,ances which this writer may devise
for their deception. Indeed, could such
denunciatioD, and on such proof. be-
reave me of that confidence and consoIa-
ton, should through the remainder OF
life brood over the affecting evidence that
l had lived and labored in vain.
! THOS. JEFFERSON.
| On Saturday the LIST inst. Ansel .rr,,h,,