The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-12-11
ANOTHER sUB-TREAsuRY DEFAULTER.

Vana quique ad veros fama ,imores. Lucan
Vague reports came, in addition 10 well founded fears,
"Thou hast made mo giddy ,..'..
With these i'll tidngs- ".
DO not seek to stuff ...
My head with more i'll news, for il is full"
King John.
The echo of the vast defalcaton of the late New
York Collector scarcely died away, ere the unwel-
come news comes to the occupant of the palace that
another had occurred, with one, in whom above all
other men, 'he party had been wont to conde! That
individual is VIM M. Pace, late District Attorney at
New York, who, it seems has left the country clan
destinely in the LIVERPOOL steam ship which sailed
on Thursday morning last from New York for Ii
verpool. His most intimate and confidential friends
were unapprised Of this intention. All were sur
prsed and amazed when the fact was made known
He has gone and left behind him the following let
ter Of resignation and explanation:
U. S. DIsTRcr ArToRNEY's OFFICE
New York, Dec. g. 1888.
To The President Of The United States.
SIR: In the course Of my public and personal re-
lations with Samuel Swartwout Esq. former Col
lecor of this District, have had no occasion to
question either his intention or ability t. absolve
himself from all obligations TO Government or ind-
viduals. ,.
The Solicitor of the Treasury has officially re-
quested me to supermtend and control the proceed
ingS against him and his suretes for the collection
by distress warrant against his person. and the goods
and chattes, lands and tenements of both principal
and sureties -...
Inasmuch as doubt both that the claim against
him (SwartwouD has been truly stated and that the
summary process to obtain il has been constitution
ally issued by the Solicitor Of the Treasury beg
leave to decline any official connection with it.
Under these circumstances | cannot consent 10
become the instrument of their destruction. My
office of District Attorney Of the United States is,
~, har ,hvS apJ. rpl x,thil III hopo
that you will speedily direct account to be stated
between the Treasury Department and myself, in
order that l may be absoved from any personal
liability in the premises.
business OF the Office hold, will far exceed that
which have recently received from debtors of the
Government and will upon final adjustment, en-
tirely acquit me fany indebtedness % it,.
have the honor TO be,
With great respect, ...
Your obedient servant,
WILLIAM M. PRICE,
District Attorney for the Southern District ~ York.
We donot undertake even 10 conjecture, what must
have been the secret thought Of the President when
this news was proclaimed TO his ear We can think
of nothing which would more naturally come over
his mind than the words Of King John.
The President himself cannot feel deeper morti-
fcation at these unfortunate affairs than we do:
though perhaps for different reasons. The Presi-
dent responsible to the country for the faithful
discharge of the duties appertaining to the Offices of
both of those delinquents (he Collector and District
Attorney of New York; and in one of the cases. the
individual occupying the office, was personal and
thoroughgoing political Sub-treasury friend. Our
modification proceeds from different causes. We
are open and avowed opponents of the Sub-treasury
scheme. That weighs not feather with us in these
cases. We are panied when we reflect on the in
fuence which these vast defalcatons and populations
will inevitably exert on The morals Of society. That
operates upon the American nation at home. But,
will it not extend abroad 7 Most assuredly II will
And years will not ctIace the miserable blos they
will cast upon our escutcheon.
How long can the people Of the American Repub-
lie refrain from demanding full and satisfactory
inves cation into the causes that led to these pecun
airy losses, and wounds upon the National honor :