Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-05-15
Extract from Mr.. Clay'- letter TO the Norfolk
Com nittee.


Extract from Mr.. Gays letter to the Norfolk
Com nittce.
The act of Congress Of 1885, es
tablishing the Treasury department,
was framed upon the principle Of pro
vi5mg four distinct, Independent and
responsible checks (the Secretary
Comptroller, Register and Treasurer, }
whose concurrence was necessary be.
fore single dollar could be drawn
from the Treasury. These officers
were placed under the authority Of the
Law, and in the discharge of their off.
cial duties were to be controlled by
that authority only. 1t is now con.
tended, ia effect, that they are all bound
10 obey, not the law, according to their
sense of its obligation, but the will of
the President; and consequently he
may command them, at his pleasure,
whenever he thinks proper, to issue the
last dollar from the public Treasury.
If this be true, it is clear that Congress
might as well at once have placed the
Treasury in the sole custody of the
President, with liberty to use it as he
pleases. The supposed security of four
independent officers is totally destroy
ed; and their responsibility by i'm.
parchment is virtually abolished. For
they cannot be amenable to the law
and subject to the will of the President
both, if there be any incompatibiity
between his will and the law. Ii is !
further contended that the Treasury is
a branch Of the Executive Govern
ment, under the charge and direction
ofthe President. Heretofore, the whole
monied power Of the Government has
been supposed to be under the imme
dlate and exclusive charge of Con.
gress. BY the Constitution, Congress
is expressly invested with power to !
lay and collect taxes and to appropriate
by law the public revenue; and it is
also expressly invested with authority
10 pass all laws necessary and proper
to carry into effect those powers. 1t
was in virtue of those provisions of the
Constitution, that the Treasury depart.
ment was constructed, and that the Sc.
cretary was brought into direct official
intercourse with Congress.
But the principle that the money
power Of Government is in tho hands
of the Legislature is not confined to
the Federal Government. Every State
IN the Union proceeds upon the same
principle. In nineteen States, the Trea.
surer is appointed by the Legislature,
in four by elections Of the People, and
IN the remaining State by the Gov
ernor and Council, themselves being
chosen by their Legislature. In all
the Treasurer accounts directly to the
Legislature. In no one, is he under
the control OF the Governor. These
are the doctrines of America and of
every really free country. For the
first time, in the history of our Govern.
ment, they are now controverted, and
others are advanced, which tend 10
establish the union between the tdrst
and the sword, with which the con,inu.
ance Of civil liberty is absolutely in
compatible. -
A s1opkeeFer in Paris has posted on
his window the following notice: The
Paohc are requested not to confound
tHiS Sn'p with that Of another charka.
Ia" VINO has established himself on the
opposite side of the way
Heaey Timbsred and, Is III. land
neaVy hmoeren : inquired person Of = |
w nohter VINO was offering tract n |
land for sale. IL vum," rephed tho ..
der. sit is most mighty pn ce oC ,,n" |
and so heavily timhrr-d that a hnr,n,;,'
bird cannot fly through it As was n.',
sin upon the road along sid. Of it t'o'her
evening heard loud cracking s. crash.
ing among the trees. looked TO see wha,
il was, and am id if il were not the
moon trying to get up through the branch
es. hut il was so tarnation thick she could
mt do IL. 90 down she vent AGAIN and