Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-05-07


thereon inlocnsible excuse for his conduct
in receiving those uncurrcnt notes.
s. That he has acted illegally, in a variety of
instances, by making and continuing dcpositcs
ofpuhlc money in certain local banks, without
making report thercofto Congress, according to
law and 4
6. That he has in several instances, withheld
information and letters, called fox by the House,
and which it was his duty to have communca-
Has Odth.--I4et it speak for itself.
For specifications OF these statements, offer
the publications under the signature ct "A. ID.
above mentioned, and this commune alton and,
for proof, l offer that which they respectively
refer to.
All this do dcfensivcly for, il the facts sta
ted he true, no rational man can doubt that they
must weaken, ut least, the force of mr.. Craw-
ford's statement against me.
wild not charge him with bad intentions in
any OF those acts. 4 is more properly the duty
ofothers to inquire into and Judge of that mat
ter. do not ask for an investigation OF his
conduct. Such a request ought more natural
iy to be looked for fra,n hi,nseif. But | will
say that, II being officer of the same govern
rnent under which he holds his Office have
wilfuiy ana maiicioasly misrepresented him, in
the SIX foregoing allegations, it is misdemeanor
that would prove me unworthy Of the Office |
hold. l Invite him, or any of his friends to
make this charge against me, plcdgins myself
to waive all notice, and, with all the disadvan.
taTes of absence - submit 20 an investigation
thereof by either both Houses OF Congress-
and to abide by tue decision thereupon. III
this proposition AZ declined trust we shall
have no more canting about an A. b. plot.n
AS to myself, fear not the consequences of
any fair investigation, for know 1 shall be able
whatever may be the result, to justify myself to
tie nation. And never having obtained any
office by the s.i rhtest sacrifice of independence,
I never will owe the holding of one to reluc-
tant forbeardncc, or the courtesy of my enc
mics.
will only add, that, il any attempt should
hereafter he made, ntctn'y To take advantage of
my absence, by those who have forbornc to at
tack me when could have an opportunity of
defending myself, must beg OF your honorable
body, and tie nation, to suspend your opinions,
and to he assured that there shall &c no avoila-
bic delay III indicating myself. / have in re-
serve much matter OF defensive accusation and
should mo.t certainty lave invited your attcn-
ton to tie report concerning the Receiver of
Public Moneys ut Huntsville, ana other mat
icrs oi not less Importance, had time permitted
NlNiAN EDWARDS.
WHEELING, Va. Arm. 6, 1924.
publishing the preceding Aiircss, it would seen,
proper, i'll fairncss, 10 accompany il with the ex-
planatory Letter of the Secretary of the Trcasu-
y
mi'tec of Investigation, at the last Sc. sion of
Congress, in reply to call Oil him, We the,e-
fore subioin it, Wat. lat
Zcttc,' from the Secretary of The Trcasu,,, to
tic ComliMtee Of Investigation. -
TREASURY DEPARTMENT., Feb. 81, 1923.
Sir: In reply to your letter Of the 10th Instant
Enclosing resolution of the House of Representa-
tives, of the 9th of the month, and requesting
the communication of any information, not already
communicated as may he in possession OF tlle De-
partmenf, have the honor to observe that, when
the Bank of the United States went into operation
EFFORT WAS made To simplify the operations of the
Treasury, through the instruncntay of that isti-
tuition. To give to this effort the sreatest efficiency
il was agreed that the Bank Should have the selcc-
ton, only Of the State Banks in which tho o,,,
Tic money should be deposited in places where it
had established no cthcc, but of t,sc w!.ose notes
sho lli be received of the revenue and
that all money deposited, should b. entered to the
credit of the Bank of the u. States, trust for the
Treasurer Of the u. States. Ii was further agreed
that the Treasurer might draw upon the Bank, at
ny place whare the public money deposited.
whether there were any public money such plac
or no viii! TIC understanding however, that rca-
sc liable notice should be given To- the bank, when
was intended to Draw for any considcra bic !
amount beyond the s'i'n deposits such place
This project was generally carried into effect in
zine course of 1917, after the State Banks had re-
soeled specie payments. The notes of all such |
BANKS IA me WcSta!ft States were received by The
Land Officers, ar: deposited Specie in the Offices
Of the Bank Of the Cnitcd States and in the State
Banks, employed IS Offices of dcposi,e.
This plan OF simplifying the operations of the |
Treasury. "as IL ;hs co,use of 1915, interrupted |
on the me naud, by he complaints OF the State
PamEs, employed o;ices OF deposite. that the !
Bank of ::e Unitei States actel oppressvely and |
capriciousiy low them, by subiectinc them TO
all The inconvericnces incident to the relation thew
held, a.d depri.g5 then Of most OF the advantages
which: they aad asish to expect from that relation;
aud, the ether. by those of the Bank of the Il
Statas, alleging that tie State Banks were DESTROYS
Of appT6piia;!Hg - themselves all the ADVANTAGE
OF their situation, iyii! GU bearing any par, oI the
beens imposed upon Il ~ its charter, or by the az
arrangement made with the Treasury, one Of the most
onerous OF which tho implied obligation 1t had
incurred Of guarantyIng not only the soivency of /
those banks, while they were employed ac Offices, /
but also Of the other State Eanks, whose notes
received account OF tire revenue. This |
state OF collision and irritation continued increasing
until the autumn of 1918, when the Bank notified
the Department. that It could 10 longer execute ia
arrangement, without sacrificing the essential inter
osts Of the institution. At the time, declaY
e its determination receive from the land officers
nothing but its own notes, and the current coin Of
the Unicr except special dcposte. Shortly af- |
ter this determinations, many of the western banks
stopped payment.
The experience Of the BanL had. abou, this pc |
Rod, led the conviction, that it impractical
BILE to keep its notes in circulation III the Western
states, and orders were, 1ucrt'y issued in NE
course of the -,l1n. in early part vi 1879
iorbddiug lis we Offices TO issue tDciI notes
ven on a depos,e of specie. Inc determination
whic ii mad Osncd in relation 30 payments on aC-
count Of the uJiic lands, therefore pra cticalv
"a determination receive nothing but current gold
ar si.9 ;oir "licf pas nearly difficult to be