Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-03-19

c,bmit them to the national tribunal, which,
.hould every item be rejected. shall never
hear from me in the language ofcomplaint.
In presenting these claims, have been
compelled, very reluctantly, to advert to some
critical conjunctures Of our Union, and parti-
culariy to that connected with my recall from
INV first mission to France of 1894. In doing
this, have been forced to speak of that mea
sure as an act of injustice to me. am, how
ever, far from ascribing such intention to the
distinguished citizen to whom the act was i'm
putable. seize this occasion, therefore, to
declare, that never ceased to view him and
to speak of him, after the moments of excite
ment had passed, in the light In which 1 have
done in late communication to Congress. /
am satisfied that, on the view which he then
formed of my conduct, on the representations
which were made to him by those in whom
he confded, and who were unfriendly 60 me,
that he acted on pure motives, as am that he
was utterly incapable ofyielding to any other.
I make this declaration with the greater salts
faction and interest, from the magnanimity
which have understood that he displayed on
reading the book which then published in
nv defence, and which, with ordinary minds,
would have excited different feeling, when,
on a view of the authentic documents which it
presented, and on full consideration OF the
whole subject, he expressed himself in my
favor, in terms corresponding with the opinion
which he entertained, when, unsought, he
conferred on me the appointment.
Having presented, above, a view OF my
claims on the government, in my several mis-
sions TO Europe, have now to invite like
view of any which the government may have
on me, which do from the same perod, that
of 1894, to the present time wish every
transaction of nv life, in which the public
have any interest, to be investigated, and
with the utmost rigor. There is no occur
renee which may not be sifted to the bottom,
by authentic and original documents, or by
living testimony. Let both be appealed to.
AL my books and papers, bank and others,
are open to your inspection, and IN questions
ofdoubt, if there be any, let those of the OPP
posite party be referred to.
lam induced to invite this inquiry by rea-
sons which appear to me to be conclusive
During the two last sessions Of Congress,
committees were appointed to investigate the
sale of public lots in this city, by col. Lane,
late superintendent of public buildings, to
whom that business had been committed
The chairman of those committees, occupied
himself, in each session, by an investigation Of
my conduct not as purchaser ofpublic lots,
for had never purchased any, but in other
transactions, Of private nature, to whom the
power of the committee did not extend. Al
though appraised of this irregular proceeding,
and of its object, I nevertheless disregarded it.
was aware that erroneous impressions might
be formed, and suspicious excited by it, to
my prejudice, but still this was modification
which could not avoid, and was doomed to
suffer- Knowing the ground on which I
stood, in the discharge of my public duties, as
to intention at least, consoled myself with
the reflection that it could only be temporary
A message was at length sent to me by the
chairman of the committee, to inquire wheth-
er would attend the committee, to give such
explanations as might be required on those
30 attend, whether would give the explains
tons, in writing, in answer to letter which he
might address to me, for the purpose. My
reply was explicit that would neither at
tend the committee nor answer any letter
which he might address to me, on the points
10 which he had extended his investgst on
that if the committee wished explanation,
touching any part ofmy public conduct, they
must seek it through Congress, and before
the nation, where was willing and prepared
to meet then. With what afterwards &C.
CURED, you are well acquainted. 1t is for
these reasons that invite your attention to
this subject, and that wish your inquiry to
be extended to every trust that have held
from my country, that may have an oppor-
tInity, before my retirement, to give all the
explanations which any case may require.
The account for my mission to France, in
1794, is before you, as is that for the missions
to France, Great Britain, and Spain, which
commenced in 1903. In those missions, and
especially that to France, in 1905, in which
was associated with MIR. Livingston, great
power was granted to us, and exercised over
money. Twas, Likewise, six years in the de-
partments of state and war, in the latter of
which, had a great agency, at particular
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, APP
pear, that, under my direction, and on my
responsibility, with the sanction of the presi-
dent, loans were obtained from the banks in
~~S~uys <NS" hOIh, TiiuauSiphiA, DaiuhoAS,
this district, Norfolk, Charleston, and in many
OF the Southern and Western Banks. For
these extra services, which grew out of the
pressure and exigencies of the war. never
asked, expected, or would receive, one cent;
nor should now notice them, except as they
involved responsibility, as to money the
most delicate of all trusts. 1t Is my most
earnest desire that my conduct in them, may
now be thoroughly investigated, and tor the
reasons stated. Inviting this investigation
viii now proceed to minor details, arising
from duties enjoined on me. in this office, and
particularly to that relating to the dlsburse-
ment of the furniture fund, and the incidents
connected with it.
Two acts have been passed relating to thus
fund. The first on the third of Msrch, 10Y
the second, on the Goth Of April, 1878. ~
the first 10000 dollars were APPROPRIATED
and, by the second, $4,000 dollars more. BY
these acts, the money was to be baud OUT for
such articles as the president might direct
IL was Their obvious import that the arucies
should be designated by him, but that the
purchase Of them should be made by some
person whom he might appoint for the pur-
Enrt ha,