Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-08-19

ment supposed nv all, and not without good
reason, To confer upon him the power OF very
extensive patronage, and as il involves a no
less matter than the entire management Of the
vast financrs ofths widely extended nation
am full disposed Ia admit, that IL invests him
with an Influence greatly superior to any other
officer below the President. Hence in the cri-
tIcal and diversified arrangements necessary
to secure, collect and transmit from place 10
place the funds of the government, it was
fondly hoped that some instance of exclu-
sive indulgence or peculiar favorism bad
been exeried by the secretary, on some
indis idual OF great personal influence, by which
the inference might readily be drawn that his
official power was used rather for private than
public good. This was aud is a subject of
deep political sensihility. and in the whole
structure Of our public institutions there is not
Il principle 50 important, and in the chasle
preservation of which, more unslVeping leai-
ousy should be maintained, in the appro-
pirate and right administration of the public
money. 1t is an office that implies the great
est possible conference.-the burthpns OF the
people are deposited there-the supply which
these afford, and without which our happy go
vernment could not exist is often wrung from
poverty, and is always accompanied 10y strong
/ sensations I; for, in no other quarter do we 50
sensibly feel the pressure ofthe laws, and con
seqneniy from no other department do we de
maud So strict an accountability. These were
truths well known To the enemies of Mr..
Crawford here he was To be assaed if assault
ed at all, aud accordingly at the first session of
congress, i'll hich Dir. McDuiiie served, he
commenced plan Uf operations " hich have
been continued and succeeded bv others, as
signal for their unrclen,ing severity, as they
have been Conspicuous for their unqualified
overthrow. shall mention facts and leave
theicommeptary with others. Ii enters into no
part of my object TO traduce the character OF
any one. Mr.. Crawford does not require 10 be
supported by such course
MIR. McDulile Is young man and WAS
young member: he was educated by the Cal
houn family and represents the district of that
family and all lis numerous friends and con
GectIOus. MIR. John G.. Calhoun WAS avuw-
eddy Il candidate Tor the presidency. At the
session before referred TO, this young man and
younger member, raw IN business as he was
introduced resolution, the object of which
was to call upon the secretary OF the treasury
for information concerning the extent 10 which
indniSences had been granted by him, upon
! bonds Tor duties. The secretary has dscre-
! ton, and il is humanrly and wisely vested in
MN by law, for the relief OF oar merchants, to
extend iorbearance on those bonds, If by acct
dent, misfortune or any other cause, properly
certified Ia him, the eXactiOn Of payment
would become runUus ur oppressive This
class of the community is not only numerous
hut very respectable and Justly influential and
! here 1t was confidently expected discovery
would he made that an undue use of the Sc
cretary's power had been exercised for per
sona purposes The result is we'll known io
the honor of the secretary The trust had not
been abused it had been regulated by the
most 'gIiant and cautionary measures, free
rom that whitening rigOr calculated only 10
crush the unfortunate merchant, without any
benefit To the government. But now the queS
lion rectIrs, why was ii SO necessary 10 make
The enquiry at that particular season? Was
there any crying injustice or pariality com
plained of by the merchants: was il Il subject
that aSitated the feelings of the community
was II connected with any question OF deep
interest then before congress had the govern
meni lost any revenue from an Improper con
troll of t!is discretion Or rather, was it not
an isolated circumstance oil deliberation? Did
II not he out of the ordinary range of pariia-
mentary research? Was il not business
property related 10 some higher branch ofthe
finances and coming under line peculiar uris
! dictiOn of, the committee of finance Did
| the community know ar even dream of I'm
abuse of this power? Was il suggested by
any strong official measure of The secretary.
either OF favOring or oppressive nature /:
Was the Information sought by an old mem
Der, conyrrsant with the subject, who was well
acquainted with the details of that kind of
business, and TO whom they had become ia
miliar by previous practice? For, | maintain,
and here | address myself To the experience
OF every member of congress from the adop-
lion ofthP federal constitution, that let young
members talents he what they may, there is
an Official knowledge Of the finances, aud the
laws relating tn them, necessary, which moth
| ing bat practice can communicates To render
him capable of an Investigation of that com
plicatcd subject al tie first session, unless he
is put UP 10 il 10y some older head. Let all
ihe circumstances OF this transaction be hon
billy viewed, and have 10 doubt but that a
candid answer 10 my enquiries will lead any
dispassonate mind in the conclusion, To which
my suggestions have purposely referred.
Disconnected as was this attempt, and re
bounding necessarily TO the advantage Of Mr.
Crawford, it did not discourage similar attacks
upon bis fair fame. Other agents, relying up
uQlihtir superior skill and experience in such
uHhUiy work. and the support derived from
more sJgaCiuus cOntriyrrs undertook TO stew
/ tha! The secretary had been guilty of malfea-
saHce. FIR Cook, Of suppressed document
I mem0ry, next struted upon the stage, al the
beginning Of ibe second act Of this grand dla.
ma OfcOrspTacy, his father in Law hend the
4 arrss as prUnpter and commenced the af
fectpg story Of the national mi.furtuues,
in The dire appointment Of Mr. Thomas, a
member OF congress to transact the public
business Ia the western states, in relation 10
The funds.-Fhis has also undergone strict
enquiry, aud The secretary entirely acquitted
Of all improper conduct. That it is very as
srutial, in the management Of the finances in
any branch whale,erto have the agency Of