Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-01-20

SECOND SESSION

HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES,.

10 The Senate and ouss # Representatives. Of tie
Uased Sta.es
As the term of nay service IN this hish
trust will expire al the end ct the present
session of Congress ! think II proper to
invite your attention to an object very
interesting TO me, and which in the move
meut of our government, is deemed on
principle, equally interesting 10 the pub
lie. | have been long 10 the Sc rvlce
of my country, and Ia ITS most dlnlcuit
coniunctures, as well abroad as al home,
in the course Of Which have had a con
troll over the public moneys, to a vast "a
mount. If, in the course OF my service,
it shall appear on the most severe scru-
tiny, which ] invite, that the pubic have
sustained any loss by any act ot mne %
of others. for which | ought to be held
responsible, | am wiling to pear it. IT,
on the other hand, 1T shall appear, on a
view of the law, and of precedents in o.
ther cases, that justice las been with
held from me, in any instance. as ! have
believed it 10 be in many, and greatly TO
my injury ii is submitted whether il ought
not to be rendered. 1t is my wish, that
all matters of account and claims, be-
tween my country and myself, be settled
with that strict regard to justice, which
is observed in settlements between ind
viduals in private life. 1t would be gra-
flying to me and it appears to be just,
that the subjectshouldnow be examined,
in both respects with a view to a decis-
ion hereafter. No bill would, it is pre-
sumcd, be presented for my signature,
which would Operate either for ora
gainst me, and | would certainly sane
ton none in my favor. While here, /
can furnish testimony, applicable to any
case in both views which a full investiga-
ton may require, and the committee to
WON the subject may be referred, by
reporting facts now, with a view to de-
cision after my retirement, will allow
time for further information, and due
consideration, of all matters relating
thereto. Settlements with a person in
This trust, which could not be made with
the accounting officers of the govern
meat, should always be made by Con-
gress, and before the public. The cause
of the delay, in presenting these claims
will be explained TO the committee to
whomthe subjecr may be referred. twill
I,presume, be made apparent, that it was
inevitable; that, from the peculiar circum-
stances attending each case, Congress
alone could decide on It: and that from
considerations of deIicacy. it would have
been highly improper for me to have
sought in fiom Congress, at an earlier
period than that which isnow proposed,
the expiration ofmy termisthis high honor
Other considerations appear to me to
operate with great force in favor OF the
measure which | now propose. A citi-
zen, who has hong served bis country, in
its highest trust. has a right, if he has
served with fidelity. TO enjoy undisturbed
tranquility and peace, in bis retirement.
This lie cannot expect to do. unless his
conduct. in all %pecnnlary %concers,
shall be placed, by severe scrutiny, on
a basis not to be shaken. This, there
fore, forms a strong motive with me for
the inquiry which | now invite. The pub
lie may also derive considerable advan-
tage from the precedent, in the future
movement of the government. IL being
known that such scrutiny was made, in
my case, it may form a new and strong
barrier against the abuse OF the public
confidence in future.
JAMES MONROE.
Washington, 9Th January, 1926.
The Message was read and ordered
to lie on the table and be printed, Mr..
INGHAN,, for that purpose waving a
motion. which he had made, to refer it
to a select committee. And then
The House adjourned.
TUESDAY, JAN. II.
The Message transmitted on the 9Th inst. b.
Mr.. Monroe, in relation 10 a settlement of his
unbalanced accounts with the government, gave
rise to a very lively and spirited debate upon
the motion of MIR. Inghsm, to refer the Mes
sage to a select committee. In this debate
many of our most interesting speakers took
part- Messrs. Bartlett, Hamilton, Mercer, For.
syth. Livingston, and McDufie-although We
are sorry to observe that the Message of that
venerable and distinguished patriot rises upon
the ground of private claimant. was not treat.
ed with that Difference and feeling regard, due
to his years and TO his laborious services
There is an unaccountsble feeling in the legis-
h,ve bodies of our country, TO treat the exc
cutivc department Of the government with lea
lousy and dlstrust They seem inclined to view
his interest IS distinct from the prosperity and