Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-02-11
Correspondence of the Richmond Wig.


The bill amended motion of Mr. Hemphill
of Pennsylvania, providing appropriation for the
settlement OF he various claims of James Monroe
has passed the House of Representatives after Sc
we're struggle. 1t was actively opposed but the
friends of Mr. Monroe wore down the majority
The appropriation thirty thousand dollars
10 be paid in satisfaction of so much as shall be as
certalned at the accounting department to be due him,
not exceeding that The fate of the bill liz the
Senate is exceedingly doubtful. | know several
members dIsincincd to allow any further sum in the
claims of Mr.. Monroe. They think the government
aas already advanced enough If it shall pass the
Senate, 1t will be in the spirit of charity have no
doubt the people will be pleased to see Mr. Monroe
made comfortable in the evening of his long and
eVentful life, but perhaps two of them could agree
upon the nature and amount of the provision. They
are perfectly unable to comprehend how the govern
inert can owe Mr. Monroe, he having been so long
employed in offices with the salaries given to
other public in like situations which have heen
allowed to him in his settlements at the Treasury
In other cases the government is acquitted hy the
payment of the salaries provided by law. They DO
not know that Mr. Monroe, IN the course of his Off
csl duties, assumed voluntarily provide for citizens
of the United States wanting aid foreign countries
end incurred extraneous expenses imposed upon him
by of the peculiar clrcunsj ances in which he
placed. These disbursements and expenses,
remaining many years unset led, were mostly allow
cd; and according the clam of Mr.. Monroe ought
to draw interest up to the time of their liquidation
Bnt TAR the largest item in his accounts is commission
upon the many and heavy sums of money borrowed
and disbursed through his voluntary agency, when
the country was supposed to be in great peril. Al.
lowances for such services have been made by
the government, and | can no reason why
they ought not to be made his case. 1t has
been computed, that while he was in fact, Secretary
FState Secretary of the Treasury, and Secretary of
War; 1t one and the time immetiiateI after the
INVASION OF his city, by the British forces, he borrow
ed and disbursed in the public service not less
shan 100000 dollars, a commission of two and
half per eentum upon which, would yield thirty seven
thousand dollars. To be sure, these duties were vol
unfairly assumed by MIR. Monroe, but they were not
the less beneficial to the country that account; and
| should suppose upon every principle of equity and
justice, they ought to be conn ensated. with these
explanations, think the limitation OF the satisfaction
Of the claims, thirty thousand dollars unworthy of
Congress; for he ought to be paid the full sum found
to be due at the Accounting Offices of the Treasury
whether that be thirty sixty thousand dollars In
this you and all liberal men will with me. The
apprehension of many members of Congress, that Mr.
Monroe rapidly advancing ohis grave and that any
bounty voted him, would go to creditors dependant
relatives, hung like dead weight upon the bill for
his relief at every Stage.
In the of yesterday, the House of Reprcsen.
tatIVes by large majority, put to sleep the bill Tepor
ted by Mr. Mallory, from the committee on manuE,c-
lures, to the further reduction of the duty ON
imported salt Consequently, at the close of the cur
ntyear, IN pursuance of the of the asst session.
the duty will go down to ten cents per bushe This
take 1T, Will conclude all legislation this year on the
a committee Of the Senate, ia relation TO manufac-
lures iron which sill bring on q war between them
and manufacturers Iron This contest will form an
III or political economy
There has just closed pretty smart canvass in this
city, Tor the office of Marshal Of the District of Co
Iumbia. Mr.. Henry Ashton, has obtained the victory
Being one of the central committee, he had become
little impatient Of the postpOncmen Of his claims lie
is now arded. Mr. Aehton bears the reputation Of
being a very amable man