The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-04-23

all, that punctualiiy in making your returns, and
deposites Of the public money are TO be regarded as
paramount duties, the neglect OF which will be re-
| ported for the action OF the Executive"
Again. Feb %, 1885, in a circular 10 some fifteen
| receivers
~ cannot omit the occasion TO impress upon
you the necessity of strict attention TO, and pune
tua compliance with, the duties required of you in
regard to the prompt Opposite Of the public money,
and transmission of your returns and TO say 10
you that the performance of those duties must be
regarded as paramount TO all others an your off,
CiaL station"
give these extracts from the letters and circu
lars of the Secretary 10 show that the periodical
deposite OF the public money was n paramount du-
ty of the collectors and receivers.
If then, show that the Secretary neglected to
enforce the performance punish the neglect of
he either unwilling or incompetent to enforce in
his sub ordinate, the performance ofanY duty what
ever.
come now to the case Of Harris, which l will
present in the shape OF fourteen letters from the
Secretary, and rarer specimen of official cores
pondence cannot be easily found. ...-.
TMr Prentiss then read the letters alluded to
rom the Secretary Of the Treasury to Mr. Harris
The correspondence embraces n period Of nearly
two years, during which Time the Secretary threat
ems and begs by turns, all to purpose. Finally,
Mr. Harris, with 100000 of the peoples money
IN his pockets resigns and Mr. Woodbury., in his
last letter expresses his regret that legal steps had
been taken to "attempt to recover what was due
the GovernmentI
NOW, VIII any one dare DENY that Gene al jack
son and Secretary Woodbury. were literally guilty
of this deialcaton Did it not result from their
wilfu neg lect Of duty-from absolute and unquali-
fed connivance For two years and half this
receiver never for single instant out of de-
fault he was during the whole period in continu-
ed violation OF the acknowe dyed "pGramOunt du-
ties of his office" The Secretary was aware of
the whole of it. The case at length becomes so
pie of the value of $lOo, 900 and upwards. And
yet the Secretary swears that no such fruit grows
in his garden.
But let again take brdseye view of this
respondence. Let us groub il without giving tho
exact language, we will take the meaning-the
idea.
Letter LIST. Mr. Harris, am sorry to tell you a.
gain, you hav'n made your returns.
Cd Mr. Harris, you hav'nt made your returns.
Sd Mr. Harris, if you don't make your returns,
I'll tell the President.
4.h. Mr. Harris, you had better settle up, if you,
don't, out you CO.
9Th. Mr. Harris, please to tell me why you
hav'nt settled do, that's good man
9th. MIR Harris, now don't behave so.
9Th, Mr. Harris, how would you feel it you
were dismissed from Office ? Better pay up, or
you'll know.
9Th. Mr. Harris, it's lucky for you you've got
strong friends that's the reason don't turn
you out But you'd better mind your eye
9Th. Mr. Harris, he
10TH Mr. Harris, amt you ashamed
l1th, Mr. Harris, perhaps you don't know it,
but you are very much behindhand Do you in
teHu 10 pay up or NOT wish you would. lis
very strange you will hurt my feeling so, and the
Presidents too.
18th Mr. Harris, how comes it that you are a
defaulter for $12S, 1884 ZOE don't wish to hurt
your feelings, but should like TO know have
a curiousiy on the subject can't you tell me
18th Mr. Harris, you'vo resigned, hare goa p
Well, that beats any thing. What a cunning dog
you are Featheied your nest well, ha ? III tell
the President all about II when he comes home
How he will laugh
18th Dear Mr. Harris, regret to tell you that
the rascally Solicitor of the Treasury is agoing to
try and recover back that money you've got,which
belongs to the Government Never mind we II
fix it some way.
Such is an epitome of the correspondence of Le-
vi Woodbury., Secretary of the Treasury, and con-
sttuional adviser of the President. What a rich
specimen Of an American statesman
Gro CoNTINUED)