Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-08-09

~ heh We uutI III QueSUon was Cniolncd, II ,
could not butbc foresecnby those who franz !
cd the law, that its performance might. and .
III tunes otparty excitement, probably would,
afford plausible grounds for attempting 70 a.
wakcn distrust. But they deemed it ncccs- !
sary for tho good of the nation; and every CT |
tizen who is worthy to be President of the
United States, regarding it as they did, will, |
while 1t remains u law, 30 OH to execute 1t,
whatever may be the hazards, Just or unjust,
20 which he may expose himself by so doing.
His reliance against all such attempts, must
be OH his OWN conscious integrity, and on
the justice of Congress, ard his fellow citl-
zens. His great reward in every extremity,
the patriotic conviction, that, even If he
must for moment endure the effect OF such
attempts, he endures it for the sake of his
country and his country's service. Accord
. i,gly II appears that this fund has been en-
piorcd, it is believed, by every President Of
the United States.
Of the propriety of the expenditures from
tile contingent fund for foreign intercourse,
settled upon the certificate of the President,
including, the whole from the commence
ment of the Government, the minority of the
committee have never seen the least room to
doubt. Of those of more recent date, and
especially during the last and present adj
Tmlstratiou, there arc some materials for
forming Il Judgment of their probable nccos-
s!ty, which, being open TO ali, NAV be adycr-
tea TO. without injury. He must be very
superficial observer OF passing events, who
has not remarked. that by the force OF cir
cumstances, not depending upon ourselves.
our foreign relations, in ;hc course of the Ia
ten years, have become more complicated
with the general concerns Of the civilized
world, than ut any former period; and that
inc mere attention to our extended trade
ana TO our own preservation, have imposed
!upon Us the necessity of Watchtiulncss at
points, heretofore, perhaps deemed 20 be OF
n'f!o consequence. The danger TO be guar
ded against has neither been trifng or re-
mote. 1T has appeared to many TO be i'm
inlnent, and to be OF the greatest consequcn-
ccs; and, while it has occasiorcd the most
ANXIOUS soilcitucie, has seemed to be Of Il la-
tt're TO be likely 10 impose upon the Govern
ment, the duty ofpeculiar vigilance, and the
occasion Of Il somewhat increased cxpendi-
ture. They think too that it must be mani
test 20 every one who reflects on the course
OF events, that they were of nature to call
peculiarly for the employment of confiden-
TIA! agents. and that the efficacy of such a.
Senclos might depend upon their being Sc
crct.
The witnesses say as above itilnatet.
that the destination of Mr.. Cook was the ISL
and OF Cuba And can any one think of the
island OF Cuba. without nerccivnc E,v his
sensibilltlcs as well as by his understanding.
that It's tate and fortunes, involved i'll tIlc u,l-
certainty OF various apprehendcd movements
external and internal, were of the deepcst
interest to our country, and especially, 10
mat portion o! II which IS peculiarly susccn-
tiblc OF impression from some of the shocks
WIrSh q ,,FS
70 be liable?
Whether they direct their attention, to this
particular spot, or to the state of things in
other parts the world, the minority Of the
committee wo'sd not have been surprised to
iind, shai, IN the course Of the last seven
years, there had been an increased cxpendi-
ture from the fund in question
1t IS proper 10 make one further remark
upon this subject. The expenditure from
the fund for contingent intercourse settled
upon The certificate Of the President, appears
upon tilc accounts under the date Of the
settlement of the I'rcasurv 1t is evidence.
therefore, OF nothing mere than the single
fact that the settlement was then made.
erhea the service was authorized. or 72bcu r
began, or even 7cicn it was completed. does
not appear. IN general, it seems reasoua.
bic to conclude, that the authority, the scr
vice and all TIC responsibility growing OFT
OF them. must have belonged TO all antcce
dent period. Il docs by no means follow.
that tic Administration under which tbc set
tieihent IS made, and the charge appears /.
Tie administration which directed the seryi
ccS ihat caused the expenditure Thc con
trary, Wouii in many cases be fnirly ard ~
most inevitably uferriblc, and this inference
ought always To be applied in cxarniuino
account gCotgr.Crr,,. II