The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-03-02
PREDATORY REMARKS OF THE
COMMITTEES REPORT.

The Select Committee chosen by the House of
Representatives on the 9Th and 10Th ultimo 10 in
vesigate the defalcaons Of Samuel Swartwoui, late
collector of the customs al the port OF New York
and OF other officers, have devoted To the faithful
discharge Of the duties assigned them the limited
time allowed for the purpose by the shortness Of the
present session of Congress.
II was most obvious however, that the whole field
of inquiry presented by the resolution appointing
the Committee, could not be properly iraversed 10
report thereon, either satisfactorily to the country or
to the Committee, during the short remainder OF
the present Congress This impressed upon the
Committee al once resolution, which has been
rigidly adhered to, Of limiting the investigation to
such branches Of the subjects referred 10 them had
most deeply excited public anxiety and alarm, and
10 undertake only so much Of these as might be
thoroughly exhausted within the allotted period Of
the Committees researches But the important re-
suits which have been attained, Notwithstanding the
disadvantages advered TO- cannot fail to inspire the
country with confident hope, that the high Obliga
ton which will rest upon the successors of the pre-
sent Congress in the Legislature Of the nation TO
resume and complete the great work Of invesiga-
tion and reform of the alarming condition and abuses
of the Executive departments of the Government
from the highest to the lowest and from the nearest
to the remotest functionaries will engage the prompt
and efficient attention which its magnitude demands
Guided solely by the character of the develop
menis which the investigation imposed upon them
by the House has elucidaied, the Committee cannot
resist the conviction, that at period in the history
of the Federal Government has there been deeper
or better founded cause than exists at the present
moment, for every patriot heart TO desire prompt
contamination of that signal "task Of reform" ,rhieh
public sentiment many years since inscribed on The list
Of Erecure duties characters too kgible 10 be orer
leaked, requiring, particularly the correction of
those abuses that have brought the patronage Of the
Federal Government into conflict with the freedom
OF elections, and the counteracon Of those causes
which have disturbed the rghtfu course of appoint
menf, and have placed or continued power in
faithful or incompetent hands,
Gr.f l.,rz .xrt ~ ~
ganizing itself for business was to visit the city Of
New York. TO inspect there, in person, the original
records and papers of the custom house. in conjunc
ton h the examination of such witnesses as might
be supposed capable Of shedding light upon The in
curry involved by the defalcaions of Mr. Swart-
won't. Thenceforward this branch Of the nvestiga-
ton conducted pursuant 10 the resolution Of the
House, viz: to ascertain "the causes and extent Of
those defalcaions the length of time they have ex
listed the correctness OF the returns which have
been made by Mr. Swartwout, and by the naval Of
fcer at New York. and by other officers connected
with the adjustment of his accounts.
Conveniently with the investigation OF MIR SwaH-
wouts defalcations, those of William NJ. Price,
late district attorney in New York, were likewise
kept in view; and the fullest practicable extent
of information respecting them has been Oh
tained and will be advered TO in the sequel OF this
report.
The correctness of the returns which have been
made by the present collector of andthe naval
officer at the port of New York was also sought to be
examined BY the Committee while in that city Con-
sidering that the customs collected at New York
equal nearly two-thirds OF the whole amount in all
the United States" stated the special report of
the Secretary Of The Treasury on Mr.. Swartwout's
defalcations, blouse document b. p. g, OF the pre-
sent session the Committee did suppose that they
should faithfully discharge their duty 10 the House,
or pay proper Difference to that patriotic disiruSt
which pervadeS the country at the present time In
regard TO the affairs Of the custom house at New
York. were they to limit their inquiries TO the re-
turns Of the late collector and naval officer and
gec entirely those Of their successors, which must,
at all times be to the country Of equal interest with
the former, and at the present time, Of even more
immediate importance TO the security OF the national
Treasury. But, in the execution Of so much Of this
part of their inquiries related to the present col
lector of New York, they were compelled to encoun.
lector himself, aud setting at defiance the authority
delegated TO the Committee by the House The
facts connected with the baffled endeavors Of the
Committee TO obtain information for the House and
country from this officer of the Executive branch OF
the Government, who is in immediate charge Of and
control public moneys that equal nearly ilco-
thirds of the Uholc amount collected from customs
NAH The United States" will be more specially de-
tailed in subsequent portion Oft this report.
The Committee will remark here that, in the
onset of the investigation they have made they sup
posed il both proper and safe to place themselves
somewhat confidently under the guidance Of the Sc.
vera special reports which have been made 10 the
House upon the subject Of Mr. Swarlwouts defalca.
tons, by the Treasury officers previous TO the APP
pontment of the Committee combining In this
view, reports from the Secretary Of the Treasury
the First Comptroller, the Solicitor and First An
ditorof the Treasury exhibited House document
Inaugural address OF President Jackson, March
A. 1929.