Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-13
$356,T4I 10.
BY actual count

4he sensation produced on the public mind by
The deiaication OF the late Treasurer, has, in the
! opinion OF the Committee, made it their duty as
representatives OF the people, TO endeavor TO ac-
count 70 the General Assembly, and through il.
10 the people, h0lc and tchere it has happened:
and by what means the vigilance of the Commit
tees OF The Legislature has been eluded: in this
effort they regret that they have not been more
successful.
Much time was expended an attempting 70 trace
the various transactions OF The Treasurer. from
his books and checks through the Banks: Thew
examined on oath, many persons; having sI,n.
'noned al! such, as the Committee were Induced
TO suppose from their situations as clerks in the
different offices about the Capitol, and enplov-
ment IN the Banks, could most probably throw
light upon The subject of investigation. OF those
who gave evidence, the deposition Of the follow
ing persons. the Committee have thought proper
TO report. viz: William G. Pendleton, Clerk Of the
Richmond High Court of Chancery; William
cambridge, Cashier and Anthony Robinson, ir.
hTs' Teller OF the Bank of Virginia; Vim. Neker-
Wis, Cashier and - Boyce, first Teller Of the
Farmers Bank OF Virginia.
Whether the evidence here embodied, together
with the imperfect history given of this an5ir. is
calculated TO cause a belief tina, there has been
culpab!c negligence on the part of any person or
persons whose duty it was 10 have Gusrded the
interests oil Che Commonwealth; how far anv Of
tcer orasen;s Of either of the Banks OF VIRGINIA
may have connjyed atthe fraud. or suppressed any
weli-iounded suspicion, That the Treasurer was
'ENiF'J tS NHS IubflC iAOD1CS, lIlc SOL2.I.luGe 90
not intend 10 express an opinion.
MS Committee are inclined 10 think, that no
view which a preceding Committee of the Leris-
lature could have taken Of the Treasurer's aecoIInt
as eXElo''ed by the books - his Office, compared
with the statements furnished by the Bank. could
have discovered, the fact, the time, or manner of
the misapplication of the public money.
hat there was not as much money in the
Banks 10 the credit OF the commonwealth and
the different funds, as there should have been l.
glylU dDDareut. but then the Committee Lii -
the literal accuracy Of tie statements of the Banks
furnished by the Presidents at the request of tho
Committee. By those statements, it appeared,
NAT mere was as much money in the Banks, as
there should have been. Not knowing the Banks
were ia tile habit Of crediting deposits made in
rhechS az cash, and suffering those checks to re-
main without being presented for one or more
days, they were naturally led to suppose, that the
'ea! amount OF money in Bank had been correctly
reported to tJcin by the president Of the Banks
inS " c''Ss check
The Committee DO not doubt. but that The d.
version oil the public money has been concealed
hy The means o! checking upon one Bank. mr. one
fund in favor OF another, which thereby nroducnJ
a FICTITIOUS credit, having the effect whilst tbe
cheeks were IA transitu Of giving credit 10 both
BANKS ior the same sum, When this deception
commenced, Is matter OF coniecture; it must.
however, necessarily have been kept I'D at The
end Of each month during the deficiency. and
these deficiencies must have existed at different
times.
The convenient pretexto Of this mode of checking
ana distributing the state of the different funds. is
furnished 10y the act passed the 9th Jan. 1914.
entitled an act 90 amend an act, Incorporating the
Farmers Bank OF Virginia, by which act IL ia
made the duty Of the Treasurer 10 deposit In
Ike noietles IN The Bank Of Virginia, and Far
mers, Bank Of Virginia, all monies received in
the Treasury. )"
Had the propriety Of this mole of cbecli,o
been questioned; under cover Of this law. the
treasurer would have replied, he ;bus CHECKED
to equalize deposits. For further information. Inc
Committee refer TO the accompanying document,
IN conclusion, your Committee would temark.
That at The moment Of finishing The above report.
he reply Of the Executive 10 a resolution Of the
House Of Delegates, requesting information touch
ing me deialcadon of the late Treasurer, has acct
oent9iiy' met their view through the medium Of
4 pubic print, and not in that mode Of direct com
muH'cdtioh, sanctioned by usage and propriety i'm
such Gases. They have, moreover, at die same
u,ihe had submitted to their consideration. the in.
glyldnei statements Of WIN. L. rsndleton and
John Campbell, members of the Executive Conn'
Gil upon which, they deem It unnccessarv 70 con-.
nehl' az their statements are also in possession Of
the House Of Delegates. 'O' u
l~frupd1