Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-01-18
TUESDAY, JANUARY Is, 1925.
The Legislature Of Virginia, on Fri
day last, reelected SAMUEL P. Parsons
Superintendent of the Penitentiary.

L
Superintendent of the Penitentiary.
We had intended, at the first leisure
moment, making some remarks on the
President Monroe's message relative
to his own accounts, but upon reading
those by the intelligent and masnani-
nous editor of the Richmond Wing,
we cheerfully adopt them and recon-
mend them to attention. Independent
of the facts stated by Mr.. Peasants, it
NAV be added, that during the time
that MIR. Monroe acted as Secretary OF
War, immense sums Of money passed
through his hands-large amounts
were borrowed, even upon his own re-
sponsibility, and from the great coniu-
sion and irregularity incident to the
times, many disbursements must have
been made which require the interior
ence of Congress, to bring about an E.
quitable adjustment. We know that
while the vandal smoke was yet rising
from the ruins of the Capitol, Mr.. Mon
roe was, night and day, employed in
raising money and procuring the trans
portation of the very munitions of war,
that enabled the Hero of New Orleans
to render such distinguished services
TO his country.
If we Judge from others in similar
situations, he must, in such confusion,
have incurred responsibility and ex-
pended money, for which the regular
accounting officers Of the government
have no power to give him credit. Con-
gress possesses that power, and we
have the fullest confidence in the dis
position of that enlightened body, to
do him ample Justice. The following
is the article from the "Whig" to which
we allude:-
From the Richmond Wing Of January l4]
Mr.. MONR0E'S ACCOUNTS.
The message of the President to Congress,
asking an investigation Of his accounts, and
modestly intimating claims which he has on
the government, has been taken up IN the
House of Representatives, and has undergone
an extended discussion. We are pleased to
find that whatever contrariety of opinion ex-
isted on the proper destination of his message
but one sentiment of respect was expressed
towards its author, and but the single deter
mination manifested, to give his claims fair
investigation, and to render whatever justice
required. This respectful and liberal spirit
towards the venerable person who has been so
long in the service Of his country, is worthy OF
the American Congress, and the feelings OF
their constituents viii no doubt respond to it.
That Mr.. Monroe has claims upon the justice
of his country, we are firmly persuaded, or he
would never have presented them. What
those claims are, he has with praiseworthy de-
Ecacy, declined at this time, to communicate.
That they are such as viii and ought to be ad-
mitted, we both hope and believe. 1t has
been said, that Mr.. Monroe is about to retire
forever, from his long public services, poor IN
all but the consciousness of having played a
conspicuous, useful and honorable part in life.
We are pleased to learn that his country is In
debted to him, not only in gratitude, but IN
that, which when rendered, viii enable him
topass the remainder of his days like Jefferson
and Madison, in philosophical retirement, and
pecuniary ease. We hope that his claims may
not only prove well founded, but sufficient IN
amount to extricate him from all embaIrass-
ments, and to place him far above dependence.
We have not concurred with him in all his
political measures, but when he is about sha-
king hands with his country's service, we
are only disposed to remember his revolution.
aryexertions, his long devotion to the good OF
his country, and his worth and dignity as
man. Every generous bosom would repine at
the thought of his terminating the last days OF
his life in penury, who had devoted their
youthful and matired vigor to his country.
We understand that Mr.. Monroe's claims are
principally founded upon extraordinary servi'
ces rendered in his diplomatic capacity, FOL
which he has received no compensation. -
When at Paris, for instance, he was transfer
red to London, or Madrid, and had to encoun.
ter all the expenses of removal, purchases OF
furniture, SC. and only received the salary
and outfit for theyear Atanothertime, after
being recalled by Gen. Washington, the illness
Of his family detained him for six months in
Paris, during which time, though unanthons.
ed, he continued to discharge the ordinary Ill
plomatic duties. II seems to us, that these
facts give him Ia strong equitable claim on the
justice Of the government-and we under
stand that the practice Of the government has
since been to allow double salaries In the
case first stated. Thus when Mr.. Gallatin,
then Minister to France, was appointed to ne
gotiate the treaty of peace in 1914. with 9TH
ers, he received an equal salary and outfit
with those members Of the embassy, who
were taken directly from the United States.-
This Is but fair and reasonable.
On Tuesday last, on motion Of Mr.. Forsyth,
the message of the President was referred to a
select committee of seven, by . vote OF 90to
20, with the following instructions:
ITO receive from the President, any eviden-
ces or explanations Of his claims which ne may
think proper to present, and to hie the same
IN <ha ,ks~. "a. Claxk cf fhla House. IN