The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-01-05
MIR VAN BUREN-MR: BIDDLEnTHE Al
MN THIiasNac ;E REPORT OF THE sECRE7
TaRY OF THE TREASURY, CALLED
I,5pTH BY MR.. RlVES' RESOLUTIONS.

TapY OF THE TREASURY, CALLED
FORTH BY MR.. RivES' RESOLUTIONS.
Early in August last, we announced that
the nuptials had been consummated between
Mr. Van Buren, and Mr.. Biddle-that the
upcompromising hostility" that had been de-
clared by one against the other, had been
changed into merry meetings" About the
same time we said, we should not be surprised,
that at no distant day, Mr., Woodbury. should
be addressing the President Of the Bank of
the United States of Pennsylvania, as 81 Dear
Biddls." The report and documents which
Mr.. Riyes' resolution have called out, shew
our prophecy to have been matter of his
tory at the time we made it. This report
places the alliance in an entirely new and dit
ferent aspect from what we had even suppos-
ed it susceptible Of We had supposed all the
diplomacy that had taken place, had been be-
tween the Secretary of the Treasury, (under
the sanction Of the President) and Mr.. Bid
die. But it is now shown, by the documents
accompanying the report Of the Secretary,
that negotiations had taken place between the
Secretary at War and Mr. Biddle, and part of
the terms ratified on which the bonds OF the
Bank should be negotiated between the latter
and the Secretary Of the Treasury; as also
the manner in which the proceeds of the same
should be held by the Bank, and disbursed by
the War Department. All this, as appears,
without the knowledge Of the Secretary of
the Treasury, or his ever having been con-
suited.
Will any one believe that, these arrange
ments would have been entered into on the
part of the Secretary at War, without the
knowledge and appreciation Of the President
We do not. 1t cannot be forgotten that, for
some MONTHS the Secretary at War was
charged with the supervision of the affairs of
the Navy Department, although the late Sec
rotary of that Department was all the while at
his post This shows the confidence, the
President had in the head of the War De-
partment, and that he was his confidential min
lister; and we do not doubt that, for similar
reasons, the Secretary at War, was entrusted,
by the President, with the negotiation that we
shall show took place between him and Mr.
Biddle.
But to the report of Mr.. Secretary Woodbury..
1t is unfair in its statements, fallacious in its
reasoning, and deceptive in its arguments and
false in its representations of facts. These
we will show And in addition, we will
show that the Secretary of the Treasury has
violated the law under which he professed to
act, and that the President, in relation to this
transaction has failed to fulfil his sacred oath,
'to see the laws faithfully executed" We
will also endeavour to place beyond all doubt
with others, that which is as clear to us as the
bright midday sun viz. that while there has
been constant and deep scheme of coquetry
going on between Mr.. Van Buren, and Mr..
Blddle, the desire of each to possess them
selves Of and use the other to advance their
several interests and purposes. has been at
least mutual. We will, furthermore, show
that the public interest has been disregarded
and great pecuniary sacrifices made of the
public money, to promote the views of Mr..
Diddle, by which his bank profted, uncaled
for by necessity, condemned by sound policy,
Judicious foresight and uprightness of prin-
ciple.
twas not untillthe 9th day of July, that the
bill, authorizing the sale Of the bonds of the
bank held by the Government, became a law.
That restricted the Secretary of the Treasu-
ry in the sale to par and the interest that had
accrued; and, to sell them on "the best terms
he can command, FOR MONEY IN HAND" All
will comprehend what is meant by "money
in hand" 1t certainly cannot authorize sale
on credit, nor for any thing else but cash doun,
at the time the sale was made and completed.
The Secretary says in his special report,
that :" before the law authorizing it, 1.-THE sale)
an application was made to the Department
from the Bank to anticipate the payment of
portion of the debt due from il TO the United
States upon certain terms proposed by its
agent This application failed of effect be-
cause the bank was dissatisfied with the con-
dltions, as to the kind Of currency to be paid,
which were prescribed by the Department )"
and he annexes the correspondence. Now
let us look at that. Ii commences with an
offer made by CHARLES MAcALEsrER, dated
2lst April, 1888, to anticipate the payment of
the bond Of the bank that would fall due in
September following, on certain conditions.
That is replied to by Mr.. Woodbury. on the
H''h OIL the same month, whose principal OBJ
Jo.' appeared TO be to ascertain whether the
"', was made under authority from the
DanN, Mr. Manchester replied on the 2s,h,