The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-02-07
.Treasury Department, Nov. 10, 1855.


was so long undiscovered therefore request you to
inform me OF the Why it was not the power Of
your Office 10 report his dealeation when It first com
meneed, or at The different settlements afterwards, be-
lore his term OF office expired II, under the present
system Of adjusting the Of collectors. Il be
practicable TO ascertain defaults like these immediately
after they occur, will thank you to report TO me such
notifications and improvements as may suggest them
selves to you, in order that all dealcatons hereafter
may be Immediately known, il possible and, ia case
you should consider that further legislation may be ne
cessary TO attain this object wish you TO point out the
defects that should be provided for, and also such add
onsl checks might be imposed TO prevent the EN-
bezzement OF the public funds received by the collec
tors and receivers OF the public revenue.
This report should be glad to receive soon, that
commune alton the subject may be made TO Con-
gress the commencement Of the ensuing session,
II am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
LEVI WOODBURY.,
" Secretary Of the Treasury
- N. Barker Esq.
Comptroller Of the Treasury
This letter Of the 9th shows exactly the duties which
the Secretary had before neglected.
LIST The naval officers under him had not been made
10 do their duty
I'd The examination Of balances had not been at
tended TO.
Sd Sufficient, attention had not been bestowed by
him on settlements here Of the bond accounts OF col
lectors,
To addition these letters, he sent circular to the
Comp,rolers and Auditors OF the Treasury He ter.
ribe for circulars They his Col Pluck spurs, by
which he makes the nation believe that he is constantly
row np the sides Of his official steeds and keeping
them full up TO their metile All! knows bet.
ter how TO run with the hare aud hold with the
hounds y This circular itself shows too, what had
been neglected But, to proceed-Gpin and Barker,
in their report from New York, Nov 18th, say:
Z" These defects readily sugges. the following rene
dies
49, r. Al. r. Al.
nue. from customs should resemble that adopted in
gard the revenue from lands that the officer who
certains the amount due TO the Government, admits
vessels entry, and performs the functions
nected with those Of collectors duty, should be
distinct from. and independent Of, the officer who
ceives and is accountable for the moneys sccrung
those duties. Each making his separate reports, and
held TO separate responsibility, would prove COM
pe,e check upon the Other aud lead immediate de-
lection Of error, neglect, or defslcaton.
- That all sums OF money should be paid into the
Treasury; that officer should be permitted retain
funds, under any pretext, make PAYMENTS except
estimates previously made to tho Treasury or on
counts properly submitted and examined. There would
be no difficulty in so arranging this plan as to give quite
much facility as exists at present IN the payment oil
debentures, and all other charges deducted from
the accrung revenue, while would obviaie the dsad
vsntsges that lnseparable from the present mode
- That actual inspections by competent officers
from the Treasury Department should be made from
time to time, at every principal customhouse. Had
such inspections been made al Neo York. hs defaiea-
non could hare been easily detected before IL had long
eritsed, or reached any pery considerable amouni
- That the use Of the public money by any officer
inirusted with its collection, safekeeping, dsburse-
ment, should be made criminal offence, severely pun
| ishable
1--WE are, very respectfully yours,
III. ID. GILPTN
! -. N BARKER.
Hon Levi Woodbury.,
| Secretary Of the Treasury"
Now sir, could not all this have been done' Did it
require law None. Why it not done Mr.
| Secretary does not inform us.
Again. the First Auditor in reply TO Woodbury's
letter, reported as iolows ..
Here Mr. w. referred TO the whole Of the Of
the FIRST Auditor, by Mr.. Mahon, Chief Clerk in that
office to the queries of Mr. Woodbury. under date of
November 10; which obliged to omit for want
| OF room.
From this report, sir, we learn
LIST. That reason for not detecting this defaca-
ton is that the Secretary extended the time the col
ector at New York for making up and rendering his
counts for adjustment
ID The accounting clerks in the First Auditors Of
fee have not been made since 1922 ascertain that
the balance Of the bond account Of the collector was
correctly brought forward, that the additions were
correct, ard the balance retained properly stated
Sd Bonds from New York have qeen recorded.
Never in time 10 accompany accounts OF the Comptrol
Ter This duty has been wholly neglected during Mr.
Woodburys Of Office, since the second quarter OF
| 1884
4th The account Of Swartwout was not received at
the office of the First Auditor until the 10th November
1885, long after his neglect to forward tho account
due time had been reported to the Comptroller.
5lh That the Collector had not been required to rem
der All account Of all outstanding bonds
9Th Tha, the Collector at New York had not been
required TO return. with his quarterly account Of the
customs, copy Of his suspense accounts" showing
what items compose that part Of the balance not
sistng Of bonds cash on hand,
7h That deposes for duties have not been regarded
as cash at New York, whilst at Philadelphia they
have been regarded-and the Secretary himself had
control Of hs-unacc ountable to Auditor but the re-
nelly obu,ous."
9Th The naval officer has not been made to do his
duty, and, if he had done his hoe Duty this defalca
| ton could not have occurred
9th That "reckty and monthly returns Of moneys
rece'ped and paid at the custom house. the "return Of
dcbe"tures," "absnae,s If bonds pui sur"
mary statement Of duties coHected"" schedule of bonds
taken and qnidated, required for the Sccrstarys Of
fee hare been property arranged anil com with
each other and with the quarterly account The
customs by the Secretary If The Treasury himself
Such sir is the expose by this able and mastery and
independent report Of the ability and integrity with
which your Treasury Department, has been conducted
and by which this million Of public money has been abb
stracted Sir this report must have been gall and
NORWOOD to Woodbury. understand tina, the manly
clerk by whom it made is already under the ban Of
his dspeasure. II is biting sarcasm, it is a sneer
throughout. upon Mr. Secrearys unblushing cfon,ery
in his inquiry into the cause OF this defacaton. He
knew, above oil men, how il happened ST. If ever a
Wing President be elected, and have title of inau.
ence with his councils this man, Mahon shall be re-
membered by me firm and faithful public servant
know him not, but this report is voucher to me OF
his character But, sir forget! | am doing good
and true an injury by daring here aloud to com
mend his worth. II may remove him Oh! the ty-
ranny Of prescription This lets the cat on. Of
the bsghc tells you that the meal tray left unco.
vered-wholy neglected. and the rats have been per.