The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-04-30
SPEECH OF NaR. PRENTXSS,
ON THE DEFALcATIoNs OF THE GOVERNMENT
COncluded.


ON THE DEFALcATIoNs OF THE GOVERNMENT.
[Concluded
But to our task. The next defauIter whom
shall mention Boyd, the successor of Harris,
"follower in the footsteps" In little better thar
six months after he had been in office, find the
following account of his fidelity. 1t is extracted
from the report of one V. M Garesche, who was
sent out by the Secretary to examine the condition
of the land Offices 1t is dated 18th June 1887. In
relation to Boyd, he says
"The account of the receiver, which have
made out and transmit herewith, presents against
him balance of $55, 965 Sd. His account
makes it $50, 272 73 1t is also annexed. His as
sets, of which also send you list, amount TO
$61 54S SO, rating the land 81 25 only, but might
probably realize double the amount. The man
seems really penitent and am inclined to think,
in common with his friends, that he is honest, and
has been led away from his duty by the example of
his predecessor, and looseness in the code
of morality which here does not move in limit
ed circle as it does with us at home Another
receiver would probably follow in the footsteps of
the You will not therefore, be surprised If /
recommend his being retained, in preference to a.
mother appointment for he has his hands full now
and will not be disposed to speculate any more
He will have his bond signed by the same sureri-
ties and forwarded in a few days to Washington !;
this speaks favorabiy. He has moreover, spedged
his word that if retained, he will strictly obey the
law, and receive nothing but specie in payment for
lands. He tells me that he is about selling great
portion of his lands !; that and some other negoca-
lion viii enable him discharge a large portion of
his debt to the United States before the expiration
of the present quarter Lenity toward him, there
fore might stimulate him to exertions which severi
ty might perhaps parayze. l have, in the mean
time, enjoined the closing of the land office, until
the bond is completed and returned No land has
been sold since liie 23tii oirmo
Sir, who but prohigate pander could have writ
ten the above? Who but a political bawd could
have received it without Indignation and contempt?
&C You ,ptI not be surprised If | recommend his
being retained for he has his hands full aaoso.'
No l presume the Secretary was not surprised
though any honest man would have been, at the
corrupt and wicked proposition.
The centious familiarity of this, as well as 9TH
of the reports and letters to the Secretary cannot
fail of arousing in The breast of every pure mind
ed man sentiments of scorn and disgust
But, says this polypus faeer of Levi Woodbury.,
"the man seems really pentent and am inclin
ed TO think, in common with his friends, that he is
honest and has been led away from his duty by
ness in the code of morality which here does not
move in so limited circle as it does with us at
home" Now, Sir, more infamous SANDER was
never promulgated against an intelligent and moral
community /; for more upright, intelligent, and
moral community cannot be found IN the Republic
than that which is the subject of this vile libel
Why, sir, do not believe there is citizen in thai
community, who would not spurn, with honest and
indignant scorn, the prohgatc sentiments of this
self constituted "censor moram.'
No, sir it was that looseness of political moral
ity which marks the party in power, when more
especially illustrates the official conduct of the
,
embezzle the public properly.
And he did it with vengeance. His accounts
ex hibt his defalcation of some $50 900 or 500
900 in money. But it more splendid robbery
than This, it was of some 900 acres of the pub
lie domain, which, by virtue of his office, he trans
ferred to himself without even paying for it sin
gle dollar. Sir this was bold operation; most OF
the appropriations of the peoples property prefer
personal chattels-something which can be conceal
ed, and If necessary, taken across the waters But
Mthere be land rats as well as water rats : and
Boyd, it seems, was land rat. What a huge slice
he cut from the public loaf! %, 900 acres of land
Why it is more than German priucipality The
Norman robber, when he divided out the broad
lands of merry England, gavo not to his naughty
barons such wide extent of wood and field who
would not be the feudatory of this administrators
when the tenure is easy, and the reward would
constitute materials for dukedom
Sir, the Secretary deserves impeachment for this
the illegal and false titles these lands z The re-
ceiver never had shadow of right to them. Y ct
his pretended title has been recognised and portions
of the land now being sold by the officers OF
the Government, the property of the delinquent
Aftor this extensive land piracy, what does the
Secretary do Does he, with virtuous indignation
turn him out OF office No, sir. He permits him
to resign at his leisure. Two months after Cares
ches report, he writes to him as follows
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Aug. 8, 1887.
SIR am happy to hear of the Farmland honor
able course proposed in your letter OF the 24th ui
limo. 1t would be convenient to have the bond
and resignation arrive here by the early part of
LEVI WOODBURY. Sec. Treasury
G. ID. Boyd, Esq. Receiver &c Columbus, Mi
Yes, sir, according the morality ,of the Secre
tary, resgning, after robbing the Government of
&c, 900 or 10000 acres of land is very "frank and
will give you more land then am done
1t is the of Linn receiver of public money at
Vandalia.
AS early as June 90, 1884, Mr. fancy wrote to !