The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-10-06

his hopes. They have embraced and kissed
and, like the two knights in the Fairy Queen,
--"Of all old dislikes they made fair weather;
Yet all was forgd and spread with golden foil,
And under il hidden hate and hollow guile"
And Mr. Van Buren, was one of those who
warmly denounced Mr.. Adams for appointing,
by the invitation Of the Republics of South Ame-
RIGA, and OF Congress, and the sense of this ma
ton, minister TO Panama 10 cause kindly rela-
tons with neighboring Republics. But what is
worse than this is the attempt 10 force so despo-
tic an engine Of power on the free and too con-
fiding people Of this vast republic.
| The earliest history of human governments
proves that one of the most effective means of
subyerting the liberties Of the people is gather
their money in the Executive hand. We read
in the Book Of Genesis, 47th chapter, that more
than four thousand years ago Pharaoh establish
ed the sub Treasury system, and appointed Jo-
seph his chief steward and receiver-general, who
gathered money for corn as the receivers-gene-
raj are intended 10 do for customs, dues, and the
sales of the public lands and postage under this
bill. And that the King got possession of all
the money of the people will be found recorded
In the l4th verse in these words
And Joseph gathered up all the money that was
found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan
for corn which they bought and Joseph brought the
MONEY INTO PHARAOH HOUSE"
| IL
sub-Treasury scheme. Let us pursue its his
tory little further, and see how il operated on
| the people.
The next year, when "money failed" the
people brought to Joseph their horses, their
focks, the cattle of the herds, and the asses for
that year. When that year was ended, the peo-
pie said they had not aught left but their . bo-
dies and their land, !" and they said buy us and
our land" and "aoe and our land ioiH be SER
rants unto Pharaoh"
After this transaction, he removed them TO
cities from one end ofthe borders Of Egypt even to
the other end thereof and allowed them to till the
land by giving one-ffth of the increase to Pha-
raoh, excepting the priests, who were exempted
from this condition, as the office-holders Of the
General Government are exempt from military
duty, and ines and Imprisonment, by the stand
ing-army bill of Mr.. Poinsett Of two hundred
thousand men, recommended BY the President
in his message
The first sub-treasury scheme effected total
enslavement of the people, and made the Execu-
tive absolute. If it will not cause SO perfect a
despotism now, il is only because the people are
more intelligent, and may not endure as much
in this country; but the principle Of the scheme
is as odious to liberty and independence now as
then.
And this historical fact, to which have allu-
ded, induced the Jews, whose captivity made
them familiar with the expressions Of the sub
treasury system, 10 supulate IN tnelr conStltu-
tons, we are informed by some of their
J learned commentators TO disallow to the chief
executive officer the control Of the purse of the
nation.
And surely it is a warning which no wise peo-
pie will omit to heed. That in after times po-
tent generals and cunning men who seized the
rens OF Governments, oppressed the people by
the sub Treasury system, history is full of
amples. But every free people, from that day
al. L..l Ill
and connection with the money of their respect
i've nations So we find in Rome. But when
Caesar subdued his rival and the Senate, to per
feet his usurpatlon OF power, he seized the trea-
sury, after touching the hilt of his sword in a
threatening manner TO the treasurer, who was
appointed by the Senate, and surrendered with
reluctance the keys TO the naughty and imperi-
Gus Cesar.
There are many other instances which Mr.
Van Buren, might have quoted besides these,
which have alluded to, if he had looked into
the history of the past. Indeed he could have
found in the history Of his own State an exam
pie for the sub-treasury, and the influence which
il gave the Executive over the Legislature and
the people. As he has omitted 10 quote any but
trans atlantic authority will supply the neglect
with the following history of the sub Treasury
experiment, as practised in the early history of
New York.
It's fact not generally known that the Sub-trea-
sury once in full operation in New York, under
the Governors sent over by the Sovereigns of Eng
land. From the History of New York, from the first
discovery to the year 1882, by William Smith A. M,
with continuation to the year $780, make the fol-
lowing extracts:
"In the year 1861, under the administration of Gov
Henry Slaughter, the General Assembly established
revenue, of which the history speaks thus:
:" Among the principal acts enacted at this session.
we may mention that for the establishment of
venue, which was drawn into precedent. The sums
ialscd by it made payable into the hands of the
Receiver General, and issued by the Governors war
rant BY this means the Governor became for a sea
son. Independent Of the people and hence we find
frequent instances Of the Assemblys contending with
him for the payment of the debts to individuals con-
tractcd on the faith of the Government Page l26
Governor Slaughter was succeeded by Col. Benja-
min Fletcher, man of strong passions, very active
and equally avaricious. In September, 1892 the re-
venue established for the year preceding continued
for five years longer Governor Fletcher proved to be
Subtrcasurcr ofthe first water according TO the his
tory:
AT that day the Assembly had no treasure but
the amount of taxes went of into the hands Of
/ The Receiper General VINO WAS APPOINTED BY Tng
| Crown! Out of this fund moneys issuable
only by the Governors warrant; that every officer
in the Government, from Mr.. Baithwait, who drew
annually five per cent out of the revenue as Auditor
General down TO the 'neancst servant Of the public
became dependent solely on the Governor; and hence
we find the House. at the close Of every session, hum
| bly, addressing his Erceiiency for the hifing pages
| Of their onn clerk-Page H2.
Governor Fletcher succeeded by Richard Earl
of Bellamont, who, in his opening speech, gave the
Assembly his word of honor that he ,rouid steal
the public money!
al shall take care that there be no misappcaton
of the public money. will pocket of il myself
nor shall there be any embezzement by others but
exact accounts shall be given YOU when, and often
as you shall require. 1856.
/ Fortunately for the people Lord Bellamont was a
man Of his word but his successor, Lord Cornbury
was prone to practical Sub-treasuryism that the