Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-03-14
Conclusions Offhe Committee

Conclusions ofthe Committee.
| lst That the returns of the collector Of
customs al the port OF New York have not
been correct, as they have not at all times
embraced, as paid into The public Treasury,
the moneys received hy him for unasceriain.
ed duties, and at no time for duties paid UNI
der protest
I'd. That said collector, in his returns, has
violated The instructions of the Treasury De-
Parlment has put at defiance The duties his
signed him by the Secretary Of the Treasu-
ry; has repudiated the official decision of
The responsible law officer of the Executive
Department; and is guilty of an illegal re-
tenlion and use of public money, in the a.
mount then held by him for protest, and un-
asCertaIned duties.
Sd. That the Committee had been pre-
vented IRON asceraining what is the extent
OF the illegal retention, and use of the pub
lie money by the present collector OF the
port OF New York, either in funds collected
under protest, or Tor unasceriained duties, or
in other funds collected by him, because of
his refusal 10 exhibit his own book of cash
depostes in Bank, or 10 permit the banks
. used by him as repositories TO exhibit their
accounts Of his deposies.
4lh. That the public moneys received by
said collector are mingled with bis own mon.
eys OF depOsiie, and are mol kept by him nor
banks OF 6eposte, distinct and sepa rate iron,
The individual moneys OF the collector, and
OF bis professional clients" and his returns
cannot, therefore, be founded upon them as
| sepa rate and independent fund, belonging
TO Government, though in his keeping.
9th. That, as appears by the letter of
Gofham A. Worth, the cashier oil the City
Bank, the present collector has deposited
public moneys in his hands With bank
which could not under the law prohibiting
the selection Of any bank as depository
which has issued notes under the denomina-
lion OF hre dollars, be selected by The Sec.
relary OF the Treasury himself as deposito-
ry OF moneys Carried to the credit Of the
Treasurer Of the United States
9th. That the mode adopted and praciisea
by the said collector Of keeping and making
returns of the public money collected by
him for unascertsined duties and under pro-
lesi, IN the language Of the present A tor
ney General Of The United States, "Could
never have been the intention OF Congress-"
and beng tolerated" il has made il, in tho
language Of tho same high officer, "the in
terest OF The collector TO postpone The pscer-
sainment OF duties, ID The mean time be
would have the uncontrolled use of the mon
ey." IL has, also, in fulfilment OF the rea-
sonIng o: the Attorney General, increased
the danger of faitblesrDess 10 The collector.
by permitting large amounts Of money to
remain with him, and under his indiy dual
control, instead of beng in The Treasury Of
the United Staies.'
7th. That, in the language Of The A.tor-
ney General, "tbe tenor and spirit Of all our
revenue laws seem to inculcate the idea that
The intention of Congress has, at all times,
been, that money collected Tor revenue
should be promptly placed 10 the Treasury,
and not be permitted 10 remain in the hands
Of the collector"
Sth That The returns Of The naval officer
10 New York have not been correct, as il is
'ouod IN the testimony of the present de-
putty naval officer, "tbst the naval officer.
under iis existing system, 10 not enabled Ell
ther To determine what amount Of bonds has
been taken by the collector for duties IN any
quarter, or who arc the parties 10 said bonds,
or The dates Of said bonds, or when they are
payable, or when such bonds are paid, OF
whether the collector, does or does not &C
count truly fer such bonds"
Pant Nv. DEFALCATIONS AMONG
n EGLlV n n m