The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-04-11
A SUB-TREASURY BEFORE THE. REVOLT


I, is fact not generally known that the Subtreasu-
ry in full operation in this State, under the
governors sent by the soveregns Of England
From the "Hstory of New York. from the first dis
covery, to The year 1882, by VIM. Smith, A. M. with
continuation the year lS40," make the follow
ing extracts which 60 to prove that our democratic
President has been searching among monarchies for
presidents, without some success; though he very
wisely confined his Investigations to the eastern side OF
the Atlantic. Who will say that Revolutions never
move backward I"
In the year 1891, 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,
may mention that for the establishment Of
which was drawn into precedent That sums raised by
it made payable into the hands Of the receiver
general, and issued by the Governors warrant. BY
this the Governor became, for season, indc
pendent Of the people, and hence we find frequent in
stances Of the assemblys contendng with him for the
payment Of the debts to individuals contracted the
faith Of the government."-Pagc 1876.
Gov Slaughter was succeeded by Col. Benjamin
Fletcher, Of strong passions, very active and
equally avarcious In September, sixteen hundred and
nlnetyto, the revenue established for the year pre-
ceding, continued for five years longer. Governor
Fletcher proved 10 be Sub-treasurer OF the first wa
! ter, according to the history:
AT that day the assembly had no treasure--but the
amount Of taxes went of course into The hands of the
receiper general, WHO WAS APPOINTED BY
| THE CROWN Out OF this fund moneys were is
suabe only by the Governors warrant; so that every
officer in the Government, from Mr. Blathwait, who
drew annually FIVE per cent out Of the revenue, as
dltor general, down to the meaDest of the pub
| lIc. became dependent solely the Governor and
hence find the house at the close Of every session,
hunbly addressing has Ercelicnpy for The nifing
,caees Of their o,ca clerks'-Page l42
| Gov. Fletcher succeeded by Richard, Earl of
Beamon who, in his opening speech gave the assembly
| IF hnnar ha NJ fbe
neg.
| a shall take care that there be no misapplca-
ton OF the public money. ! will pocket none OF it
myself nor shall there be any embezzement by others
but shall be given you when and as often
as you shall requre,"-P l55
| Fortunately for the people, Lord Bclamont was a
man of his word but his successor Lord Cornbury,
was so prone to practical subtreasurysm that the s.
semby refused to raise money to be put in his hands,
and addressed the Queen of England
Complaining Of the i'll state Of the revenue, through
the frauds which had formerly been committed The bet
ter to facilitate the important design Of having rea-
surer dependent on the assembly Page TT.
! Lord Cornbury was removed and in June, 1871 the
assembly, according to permission from the Queen,
| elected a treasurer.
In l74l, Lieut. Gov. Clark, in his speech to the as
semby, complained Of the encroachmen Of the egisla
ture upon his prerogatives His lamenta'ion in
this wise:
" Late assemblies have grown wanton by prosperity
had abused the clemency Of the crown, and had de-
manded the nomination Of their treasurer; this de-
mand having been granted they had farther insisted on
the particular appointment Of the salaries Of the officers
Of government, and absolutely refused 10 any
venue unless this demand was likewise granted p
444.
The Assembly in their address in reply to the COVE
nor, said
THAT while the public moneys at the disposal
Of the governor and council they misapplied
and tina, the Assembly to correct the evil directed such
moneys raised for the forces intended for the Sc
cnr,y Of the colony pass through the hands Of per
son APPOINTED BY THR LEGisLATURE-that Queen Anne
had sanctioned that procedure, and allowed the
LaTuRR TO APPOINT ITS OWN TREAsuRER."-P AT
Waiertolra Reg.