Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-06-25
WAstNc TON, June 90.
MR.. EDWARDS.

1 WIN. EDtV AkNOS.
hir. Edwards, we understand. has this morhin,
transmitted his resignation, as Minister to Mex
ico. to the President, having determined to re
mann IN the country, in order to deferid himscI
whenever and wherever he may be called or
ior that purpose, and to deprive the enemies o
inc administration of any further pretcxt fol
assa'ling 1t on his accouat.-T Republican,.
|, Tho, Committee of Investigation have al
iength terminated their sittngs. and have made
brief report, which, with the ey idence and doc
urnents received during the inquiry, will be
printed for the use of Congress, in pursuance TO
| resolution passed at the close of the session.
FROM what we have gathered with respect to this
! report 1t generally confirms the former report
Oh the same committee, as far as that went, and
gives the result of the additional testimony which,
mas been given IN during the sitting just ter,ni-
mated.
1t will be rccolected that the Secretary of
the treasury transmitted to the President of
the Senate in February, 1923, letter, stating
that no loss would be sustained by the public, in
consequence of the loan tn the Franklin Bank
OF Alexandria. The new Evidence received
tends tOsliew that there will be a final loss from
this bank. Another point embraced il, Til, new
evidence, relates, we understand To the Bank
OF Vmccnnes, in which case. also, proof was re-
ceiyed of the certainty of ultimate loss, as well
evidence, that the pensioners and public credi-
tors of the United States. in East Tennessee,
have, IN some cases, had their demands liauida-
tel IN funds which were below specie value,
out The report, we understand, states that this
was done without the knowledge Of the Score
tary. With respect to the Receivers letter,
The report, states that the committee still retain
the opinion expressed in their former report,
that, although the letter was written there is no
N fran 70, al
The report concludes with a repetition of the
former opinion Of the committee, that nothing
has been proved to impeach the integrity of the
Secretary, or 10 bring into doubt his general
correctness and ability.
Such we believe to be pretty correct summa-
ny OF the report, which we shall cndeayor to lay
before our readers in its official form, as early as
practicabie. Where now is the HONORABLE and
Triumphant acquittal Of which the.radical pres
ses so loudly Wanted, Where is the sentence
of political perdition and moral infaIny which
was TO be passed upon Mr.. Edwards by the re-
port 10 us, 1t appears to leave Mr.. Craw-
ford In rather worse condition than he was left
IN by the last report, inasmuch as the little ad-
dihonal evidence whichhas been received tends
to shew that the hopes which he created, that
the public would sustain no ultimate loss from
his unauthorized and illegal loans, have turned
out to be premature and deceptious. Nor does
the report, by acquitting him of all knowledge
OF the payment of the Tennessee pensioners in
deprecated funds, render Mr., Crawford much
service, nor place him IN very elevated ground
before the people. 1t proves that there has been
criminal-an injurious laxity in the admins
tration of the Treasury Department, leading TO
consequences which never would have occurred
under the management of an efficient and vigil
liant head. If the practice of propping up IN
solvent banks by loans of public money, made
too at moment when the government itself was
obliged to resort to loans, be dangerous prac-
tice, as well direct violation of law, no pre-
| cedent ought to be received as a justification of
1t, and no Secretary who has been guilty of 1t,
ought to be again invested with public conf
dence and authority. If, also, it has been
proved, that owing to a want of vigilance on the
part of the Secretary, public pensioners have
been suffered to become the dupes of Treasury
agents, ignorance on the part of the Secretary
ought never to be received as Justification for a
neglect ofduty, by which injury has been done
to 80 deserving portion of the community.
We are glad that the committee have termi-
mated their labours, and anxiously wait for the
report ITSELF 1t appears that Forsyth has ac-
ted throughout as the friend of Mr.. Crawford,
In which character, we understand, he has &C
quilted himself in n manner which does not full.
ly justify the eulogy pronounced on him, some
days since, by Mr.. Richie. On the part of
MIR. Edwards, MIR. Cook has attended the COM
mittee for the purpose of examining evidence;
and all parties unite in the opinion, that his con-
duct throughout has been such as to entitie him
to the increased respect of his fellow citizens.
Republican.