The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-01-08

contemplated, and when communicated 10 him by
Mr-Dnnlap, expressed his surprise, y" concerning
the correspondence OF Mr.. Poinsell;p and on the
sholec' OF which rs is shown BY Mr. Biddles letter,
ne had an interview with the acting Secretary at
war on The llth OF the same month"; Who Il appears,
Wrole 70 Mr. Poinset for Instructions he being then
absent az me Springs what We ask again. can Il be
supposed that the Secretary OF the Treasury did
uhder these circumstances We will answer in the
language of Mr.. Young The Secretary regrets
nemt0Pprehensioa In regard 10 this inject and will
o. happg TO do, on his part all which is feasible to
enter into the views entertained between you and
Mr.. Poinseu and carry them out with rs little delay
and inconvenience as possible"
Now lei us see what the Secretary himself says
IN his report in respect to this transaction. The fol-
lowing Is his own account,
With regard to the inquiries under this head, as
10 what understanding or arrangement IL any, has
taken place respecting the benefit which might ac-
TO the Bank In the transfer Of money il would
make To distant places account OF the Govern
ment, | would remark that no such understanding
or agreement eEistsd on The side Of this Depat nient,
in respect the third bond when the sale was ef-
fected
But soon afier this was done being apprized that
the bank entertained an impression, derived from
some communications betireen IL and The Var Depart
n,eRt, and perhaps from NE correspondence in April
last before referred to- that the money would chiefly
be required for military purposes in sums OF about
hab million monthly, at certain points convent
ent 10 the War Department. as had been suggested in
communications with others, and that an expectation
existed with the Bank that the money would mostly
De called for at those paints entered into an arrange
ent 10 meet this expectation. Such course appear
ed TO be required BY proper regard TO equitable con-
sideratiOas.
Why was 1t that the Secretary yielded so suddenly
to the demand of Mr. Biddle, point about which,
he expressed his surprise" which he never "suspec-
ted" existed and before any communication from the
Secretary Of War, with whom the arrangement was
made had been received7 Andagain what "equi-
table considerations required this sacrificed There
were none. That is a'mere sublerfuge and decep-
ton Nor is the idea less So that is attempted TO be
conveyed by the Secretary Of the Treasury, that the
Bank had cause for making the claim that was
yielded TO il If from the correspondence in April
last"
Letthe world look at this transaction as il stands
explained by the Secretary Of the Treasury himself;
and what must they think of the Head of one OF the
great Departments of the Government, tameiy sub
hitting 10 the interference of the Head of one OF the
other branches with his official duties, in way he
never even suspected" and when informed of 1t
was "surprisedp Where exists the high minded,
independent spirited and honorable man, who would
not have resigned his situation before he would ever
sit again 10 cabinet council with another officer who
had thus officially interfeIed with the duties apper-
tanning 10 his department and for which he was re-
sponsble But again, what is indicated BY this in
reference by Mr. Ponsett, (the favore minister OF
Mr.. Van BUREN, with the proper duties Of Mr..
Woodbury-his yielding to the representations re-
speeding an aledged agreement entered into by him,
made by Mr.. Biddle, without ever waiting to hear
from The Secretary Of War himself whether it was
right wroDgl What, we ask, does it show but
that there had been perfect understanding to con-
ciliate Mr. Biddle at all crents, of which both Mr.
Poinset and Mr.. Woodbury. were coenizant2 These
transactions, taken altogether bear the extra
ordinary character of any that ever read or heard
Of The laboured efforts made by the Secretary of
the Treasury in his report, TO cover them and
prevent their being rightly understood, of them
selves, sufficient to lead TO suspicion that all was
not rght-that there was something contemplated
which has been concealed When we have the evil
dence that have in this case of clandestine at
tempt to form an alliance between the head of the
political power and the head OF the money power of
the country ask if il is not time for the people TO
look to t7
The Secretary Of the Treasury having thus rem
dered himself the vassal of Mr.. Biddle, by his re-
S'e's AT tue misrepresentation Ol lne views enter
tanned between Mr. B. and Mr.. Poinsett, and ex-
pressing himself happy to do all on his part which,
feasible TO enter into their views the corresp n
dence and financial operations took fresh start;
Mr.. Biddle having every thing his own way; who,
thereafter as we will show seemed to consider that
the whole responsibility of managing the "pubc
service" rested on his shoulders
On the ODD August, the Cashier of the bank en-
closed the following list Of agents who will pay
the drafts of the Treasurer, at the following places
one-third each in August September and October"
James Coney, Cashier Office B. U. s.,
Pitisburg, $4,000
Kentucky, Louisville, $4,000
M T. Scott, Cashier Northern Bank
Kentucky, Lexington, $4,000
Jas. Hall, Cashier Commercial Bank,
Cincinnati, 100000
Geo. Poe, jr., agent B. U. s., Mobile,
Alabama, 100000
Collier s. Pettis St. Louis 10000
w w. Frazier, Cashier Merchants
Bank New Orleans, 100000
J. Hunter Cashier Insurance Bank of
Columbus, branch at Savannah $4,000
j. l.. Roberts, Cashier Insurance Bank,
Columbus, Georgia, $4,000
H. Allmand, jr, agent B. U. S. Nor
folk, 10000
$4,000
On the 2ih, Mr. Woodbury. acknowledged the
receipt of the above, and said it would give him
"grcat pleasure 10 instruct the Treasurer to draw