The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-04-14
ALEAF OF HISTORY.
A suB-rREAsuRY BEFORE THE REVOLUTION.

Ii is fact not generally known that the sub
Treasury was once in full operation IN New York.
under the Governors sent over by the Sovereigns
Of England. From the History OF New York,
from the first discovery to the year 1872, by VIM.
Smith, A. NJ, with continuation to the year
1870" we make the following extracts, which go
to prove that our democratic President has not
been searching among monarchies for precedcnts
without some success; though he very wisely
confined his Investigations 10 the eastern side OF
the Atlantic. Who will say that revolutions
never move backwards I?
In the year 1851, under the administration of
Gov Henry Slaughter the General Assembly es-
tablished a revenue, Of which the history speaks
thus:
Among the principal acts enacted this session. mny
mention that for the establishment Of revenue, which
drawn into precedent The raised by i, were made
into the hands of the Receiver General and issued by
the Governors warrant BY this the Governor be-
came for season. Independent Of the People, and hence
find frequent instances of the Assemby's contendng with
him for the payment Of the debts to individuals contracted
on the faith of the Goyernment."-Page l26.
Gov Slaughter was succeeded by Colonel Benz
iamin Fletcher a man OF strong passions, very
live, and equally avaricious. In September 1892
the revenue established for the year preceding
was continued for five years longer. Governor
Fletcher proved TO be sub-treasurer OF the first
water, according TO the history
cat that day the Assembly had treasure but the
amount of Of into the hands of the Recercr
General WHO WAS APPOINTED THE CROWN Out of this
fund moneys were suabe only by the Governors warrant
SO that every officer in the Government from Mr. Bahwat
who drew annually five cent out OF the revenue as Audi
tor General down the meanest servant OF the Public be-
dependant solely the Governor; and hence we lind
the House. the close Of every session. humby addressing
his Ercency for the trfing lsages Of their clerk
Page l42
Gov. Fletcher was succeeded by Richard. Earl
Of Bellamont who, in his opening speech, gave the
Assembly his word OF honor that he could not steal
the public money,
II shall take that there be mapplcation OF the
public money. l will pocket Of II myself shall
there be any embzzlement by ohes but exact accounts
shall be given you when, and often you shall require
Page 1856.
Fortunately for the People, Lord BelIamont was
a man of his word but his successor, Lord Corn
bury, was so prone to practical sub-treasuryism.
that the Assembly refused to raise money to be
put in his hands, and addressed the Queen Of
England,
Accomplishing the i'll of the revenue through the
frauds which had formerly been committed the better ia
cate the important design Of having treasurer dependant
| on The Assembiy"-Page IT.
| Lord Cornbury was removed, and in June, 1921,
the Assembly according TO permission from the
Queen, elected a treasurer
| In l71I Lieut.. Gov. Clark, in his speech to the
Assembly, complained Of the encroachment of the
Legislature upon his prerogatives. His lamena-
ton ran in this wise:
Late Assemblies having grown wanon by prosperity, had
abused the cemency Of the Crown and had demanded the
nomination Of their treasurer this demand having been
granted they had further insisted the particular appoint
men of the salaries Of the officers of Government and abso
uey refused to raise any unless this demand
likewise granted."-Pago d4i.
The Assembly, in their address, in reply to the
Governor, said
That while the public moneys the disposal of the
Governor and Council, they misapped and that the
Assembly the evil directed such moneys were
raised the forces intended for the security of the colony
pass through the hands OF person LE-
osTuRE that Queen Anne had sanctioned that procedure
and allowed the LEGISLATURE TREAsU-
RER."- Uatertonn Reg