The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-07-17

warded by mail TO the latter house. On his
return home, in settling mis- accounts at the
Treasury, he charged himself with the amount
Of this Bill, because In due course Of business
it most Have been paid by the United States.
Daring his Presidency he was informed, at the
Treasury, that tie Bill had never been charg-
ed to the United States in the account Of their
Bankers in Holland and It was Suggested
that as the Bill was probably lest, he was en-
titled 10 receive the amount of it, for which he
had, twenty years before, given the United
States credit. -Four or FIVE years afterwards,
the business remaining in the SAME situation,
Mr.. Jefferson applied for, and received from
the Treasury, the sum in question.
Upon these facts, the s. Native of Virginia.
commended that Mr.. Jefferson must have "had
value" for the Bill at the time or before it was
drawn that the officers of the Treasury were
not justified in paying him the money, mas
much as the holder Of the bilh should one APP
pear, would still be entitled to receive its a.
mount from the Treasury--and that Mr.. JEFF
same bill.
To this Mr.. Jefferson replied, in a long let
ter, and subsequently has written another
and after all, the subject seems to be involved
in doubt to some for intelligent merchants
hold different opinions concerning it. We
have hitherto forborne to notice it, because
we hadhoped it would pass off easily, and soon
be forgotten. So much and so long, however,
has it been discussed, that it has become ne
cessary for us, as journalists, to inform our
readers of the controversy.
The object of MIR. Jeffcrson's letters has
been to satisfy the publick that he received
no money for the Bill in Europe, and that he
did not negotiate it ,here-he merely drew
The Bill and sent it to Grand &. Co. This
statement seems to be very generally admit
ted to be satisfactory; and the comparatively
few who differ in opinion, are denounced as
willing to cherish and perpetuate a malicious
Islander.
We have looked at this subject with no I'M
friendly feeling towards Mr.. Jefferson His
long absence from the political field, his manner
of life, and his age have quenched every spark
Of political hostility. Nevertheless we are
constrained to say, that so far from being salts
fed he did not receive value for The Bill in
Europe, we are, on the contrary, convinced,
From has O,cn statement, as well as from the
nature of the case, that he did.
The circumstances ufthc case are mention
ed above and some, perhaps, of our readers
viii ask, as we do,-For what purpose could
the Bill have been drawn, if not to raise mon
ey himself, or to pay money where he was in
debted +? lfhe neither received any thing for
tho Bill, nor paid any debt by drawing it, why
did he order the Bankers of the United States
in Holland to pay 100 dollars to Bankers in
Paris Did he draw the Bill for the purpose
fplacing 100 dollars in Paris subject TO ftt-
fmre draughts Ifso, why did he never draw
Why did he charge himself NTH the amount of
the Bill, in his account with the Treasury
And why did he suffer bill, FOR which he new
er received any value, and which he had paid
10 the United States Treasury, to lie for thirty
years, without inquiring atteri ii for the purpose
of regaining his money ; The whole affair
seems inexpicable, unless we suppose that he
did receive value for the bill in Europe, and
then the business Is within the comprehension
of the commonest capacity.
But Mr.. Jefferson himself admits that he
drew the Bill 6 for some purpose of accoatnt -
that is, if we understand il, to procure credit
with some person to that amount. Was not
this purpose answered ? Unqucstionably be-
cause it is not pretended that any measures
were taken by Mr.. J. founded upon the sup
position that the purpose was not answered.
We feel no pleasure in coming to this con-
clusion, and should be glad to see the obsta-
cles removed from the way to different one.
0YWe have placed on the last page
several accounts OF celebrations of the late
Anniversary.
The following are among the toasts drank
at a celebration in the village of New-Wor-
| cester.
Congress.-Fewer speeches and more bust
| ness--Less of retrenchment' in Reports.
and more of economy in practice.
| The Marquis La Fdyette.--The youthful
! defender of the rights of America, and the
veteran advocate for the liberty Of his own
| countrynlen.
The " Dupieate"--
| -" Some muskets so contrivc Il
:" AS oft TO miss the mark they drive at:
| q nd thnutrb xyoII -