Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-06-08
1xH11to,
The late Collector ut P.t,ysb,,r

On the 2ist May last, we published the foI.owr-
paragraph:
H We are authorised to say, that Notwithstanding
Lac ,nprndence and indiscrcton of the late Collector
Oh reterSourg his accounts, with all the necessary
extracts and vouchers, were regularly furnished Ia
the treasury Department, at the end of each wear
ana tnat the balance now claimed by the U. States,
!'""ugh somewhat exaggerated in the newspapers)
AZ taneh from me last account current furnished nv
he Collector himself and which concludes hrs trnns
actions and liabilities. 1t is very evident that s,t
must have been brought for the amount of the off
ciai bond, whatever may have been the deficit.
1t probably occurred to the reader, that this par.
aeraph was either suggested or indcd by the late
Collector OF Petersburg, himself. In fact, it was
written by him and published at his urgent request;
he claiming It's publication indeed, as matter of de-
fensive justice.
IL was not without reluctance that we consented
10 publish IT. not from any of disposition to afford
Col Robertson, or any other accused individual, apv
means or facility of defence which our situation
abicd us to extend, bat because as we understood
he apology conveyed by the paragraph, it was no
apology OF all, and because we wore unwiljino 70
sehd uoaiathcrs TO an explanation which had given
no satisfaction TO our minds. We Welded how
ever, at his entreaty.
AT the Tune OF publishing the above paragraph.
and until within 48 hours last past we understood
us meaning to be this and nothing tnore That the
ac'aicaton of COL Robertson had only occurred ust
previous to his last annual returns
ustruca us with some surprize, that Col r. should
consider the circumstance wen his deficit had occur
red, as at all materal-and not only that. but TINT
lie should Insist upon 1t apparently, as gong good
ways towards extenuating his fault. Ii he had ao
proPrated the public money, it did strike US az at
all morally Important in VIVA: year, or under whose
administration, he had done So The unders, od;na
OF our minds, Was that he deemed it of consequence
because in the first place. it seemed to aroue RI, :
the dilapidaton had not been Systematic which would
perhaps infer more hardened and mature delbera-
lion, than If it was confined to single act and in
the second place, that he desired it to be known.
that he had not concealed his dcfalcatou but by fur
nishing as he says he did, all Unnecessary extracts and
vouchers" bad apprised TIE Government of the exis
tence and extcn, of his deficit These views
were not entirely satisfactory to US, but thew
were the only we could think of explon-
atory OF Col KS great anxiety to have the above
paragraph published. We saw that he relied
much upon having made regular and true re-
turns (Which indicated that he had attempted to
conceal the deficit from government because in the
letter containing the published paragraph, he COM
planned of oar having used the term detection" in
reference TO the first discovery of his defacation:
complaint which we thought somewhat squeamIsh but
which our sincere commiseruion for himself and his
family, induced to receive without objection ar re-
ply.
we now understand that we have been under
delusion as to Col Robertson's views in HAVING the
above paragraphs published; that his object was 10
make 1t be believed, that he had apprised the Gov
crnment IN Mr.. Adams Presidency of his deficit; that
IL had been virtually connive at by that adnin;sra
tion' by Is failing to have him removed that in fact
as trend and partzan, that Government viewed the
money ne had appropriated loan, which he was
TO repay at his convenience state of things which
were 1t true, Col. r. to think would greatly
paiiate ms offence, by inculpai ing Mr. Adams and
Mr. Rush, and making them divide the responsibility
with him. We learn with unfeigned surprise, that
when the paragraph first published, it was gen
orally understood by the public as seeking to excuse
Col. r. in part at least, by impusing knowledge and
federation of his default to Mr.. Adams and Mr. Rush
and that he himself in conversation among his friends
ana acquansonces, has uniformly thus spoken of it,
and produced very general impression to that effect
somewhat TO his own advantage, and much TO their
prejudice.
DIS UiloTnaticn leaves rs but ono course 10 pur-
sue aud that is to disciaim the authorship of the
above paragraph which first appeared in his paper
on the slst May, edoria to declare or regret al
having suffered ourselves to be persuaded into riyno
II publicy and to disown, poiniedly and indignantly.
all knowledge or suspicion Of the latent views for
they 60 not appear patent u.s. even no,v) of the late
Collector Of Petersburg in addressing it to the pub
iic- we respect and veneratc misfortune, and i, is
painful to be obliged to rccur to theme faupht with
SO much unhappincss to many s,niable bosoms; but
we are e'' without discretion. IN yielding facility
10 Coi' II. TO extenuate his offence, VIC have most
s"ofa''ly oeen made accessory to an attack On men
ITO e~ce"eit we believe asthe country contains we
mean 'ne late President of the u States and Secre-
1ary OF the Treasury--and we mean 10 repair that
injustice as Tar as we One word on this last