Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-03-15

7q4, is before YOU, as that for the missions to
France. Great Britain, and Spain, which com |
nenccd IN 803. In those missions, and especi- |
ally that to France, in 1908, in which | was as
sociated with Mr.. Livingston, great power was
granted to us, and exercised over money.
was, likewise six wears in the departments of
State and War, in the latter of which, | had a
great agency, at Il paticular period, IN obtaining
loans of money, for the support of our military
operations, and in the application of the money
borrowed, to the objects intended by it. 1t
will, think, appear, that, under my direction,
and on nv responsibility, with the sanction of
the President, loans were obtained from Banks
in ALBANY, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore,
this district, Norfolk, Charleston, aud in many
ofthe Southern and Western Banks. For these
extra services, which grew out of the pressure
and exigencieso of the war, nev err asked, expect
ed, or would receive, one cent; nor should now
notice them, except as they involved RESPONSE
bIlity, TO mOuev. the most delicate of all
trusts. Ii is my earnest desire that my conduct
in them, may be thoroughly Investigated.
and for the reasons stated. Inviting this inves-
LEGATION, will now proceed to minor Details
arising from duties enloined on me, in this office,
and particularly to that relating to the disbuise-
ment of the Furniture fund, aud the incidents
connected with it,
Two acts have been passed relating TO this
fund. The first, on the Sd of March, 1919; the
second, on the Goth of April, 1918. BY the
first, 10000 dollars were appropriated, and, by
the second $4,000 dollars more. BY these acts
the money was TO be land out for such articles
rs the President might direct. 1t was their OBJ
vious import that the articles should be desig-
mated by him, but that the purchase of them
should be made by some person whom he might
appoint for the purpose. For the service no
commission or compensation authorized by
on ART In of an
however, was Indispensable: for, independent of
the obligation TO do it, which seemed TO be I'M
posed by ihe law, 1T was impossible for the Pre-
sldent, regarding his other duties, TO perform
this In all ITS details, without Injury to others of
greater importance.
In executing this trust, it was my object to
pursue, strictly, the intention OF Congress, ac-
cording omy understanding OF il. The build
ing W. extensive, and Its apartments spacious,
all indicating the national purpose for which il
wa, intended. With the house, and its object,
ii was thought that the furniture should CORES.
pond. SuCh as suited the small rooms OF pri-
vale dwelling, would not suit those of this large
edicc. Many of the articles required, could
be procured from Europe only, such as Plate,
Mirrors, Chandeliers, Carpets, China, &c.
Oilers might be obtained in the country and it
was certainly Proper 10 procure, at home, ali
that could be obtaIued, suited to the buiiiling.
Whether procured at home or abroad, il was
necessary that they should be manufactured
according TO order, for the room for which in
tended and De ol good quality, strong, mas
siye, aud durable
To execute any plan, it was necessary that
furniture should be provided for immediate use.
! lac furniture III the former building had been
destroy ed with IT, and the little which had been
purchased afterwards, for the accommodation
o. my predecessor, in the house which had been
rented for bun, had, Ofuccessity, been procured
III haste, was ol trhipg alue, and unsuIcd to
tine ucw building. II was obvious that, if the
sum first appropriated should be laid out in the
purchase of such articles as might be found IN
the ,hu.s, already made or be bought at sales
at second hand, the fund would be in great
measure, exhausted, and i'll procuring such as
were oi interior quality. Ii equally obvi-
Gus that the sum first appropriated, on the best
estimate that could be formed of the articIes.I
necessary fol the building, and of their prices
would be altogether inadequate. Under these
circumstances, was compelled TO use my own
furniture, and for indefinite term: for if the |
alternative of procuring such only as suited the |
building, was adopted, respecting which did !
got hesitate, ii was altogether uncertain within |
what time IT might be obtained. | had furni-
ture m limited extent, of good quality, plate,
drawlng-rooTn, bed room, kitchen, &C.. most of
winch had procured while abroad, and the re- |
sidue tor my accommodation in the Department
OF State. 1t was my intention to have sold this |
furniture, and should have sold il immediately |
after my election, but for the reason stated. |
having an urgent occasion for the money il |
might raise, and which | could not otherwise !
readily command.
There were two modes by which ! might
take NY furniture into use; one, by selling IT, |
al public sale To the highest bidder and having
/; bought IN by private agent; the other. BY
having Ii valued, by men OF high character, and
by taking 1t at the valuation. The latter was |
preierred, tor obvious reasons, and particularly
from the consideration that, if there should be
no other appropriation, which was uncertain.
there could be sale, and, in CONSEQUENCE,
however long the term for winch might use il, |
should be compelled to re take it, without re
Celyinr any indemnity for its use or the iniurv
IT might sustain. Fly furniture was valued at
1850 dollars, as will be seen by the report
made by the citizens who were selected for the
purpose. BY recurring TO the valuation, it will
also be seen that fully One-haif Of the articles
consisted Plate, Mirrors, ard China, which
undergo little change, If any, by use.
indecdIog on ibe plan which adopted for
furnishing the house, awaited nv self, in aid off
my own experience and excrions, and of those
OF my family, of the good Offices of others TO
whom might with propriely apply. As no
compensation was allowed for the service. | |
could ask such aid from none but the officers of
the Government and particular friends Ii was
for this reason that my attention was drawn TO
Mr.. Lee, Second Auditor OF public accounts.
and TO Col. Lane, Superintendent of Public |
buildings, and who rcndcrci all the service i'm |
their power, the first III dIgesting the plan for
furnishing the house, and in contracting for,