The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-02-16
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THE PUBLIC DEBT.

q We ask attention to the following remarks
by Mr. Barnard, Of Now York, being part
of his speech the Treasury Note Bill IN the
House Of Representatives last week. The extra
session of Congress will probably afford occasion
for more disclosures o. Indebtedness the part of
the Government than have yet been indicated.
The language of the Presidents Message and of
Secretary Woodbary's Report on the subject Of
debt will appear in strange contrast by the side of
such facts as Mr. Barnard states:
IN looking into the recent report of the Quarter.
ter Master General, was struck with the tone oil
iust cosaplant--so read the document--in which
he there INDUCES Last year he pres ted an esti
mate, as was his duty, for the service in Florida
'The estimate six hundred thousand dollars
And he states the fact that he req uired to
nsodify and redu6c that estate one half Only three
hundred thousand dollars, therefore were appropri-
ated. And what has been the consequence? Why
Just what was known must happen Gen. Jesup
says, "ihere are outstanding claims to a consdera-
bic amount, arising out Of the volunteer and mill
iitia service which have been recognised by the
Executive, and for the prompt payment of VIII ich
funds arc required" and he urges approximately,
that, for this object and for current service, I'M
mediate application be made to Congress for ut least
four hundred thousand dollars. have seen a let
ter from highly respectable gentleman The
spot or near it, to his friend IN this House, in
(which the amount of arrearages due to voraeers
and militia, &c. is stated at not less than $500 900
So then Mr. Chairman, have here demands
for volunteer and militia service in Florida, due
and past due, running up 10 hundreds of thousands
Of dollars, recognised by the President and vet not
paid. And why not paid? Oh, of course, because
there no appropriation; and how money
be paid, be the Treasury never so fill without an
appropriation! Well and why was there not an
appropriation? Why tina. down-cut
down by positioe order and eommaad-when it was
just as we'll known as it is now, that the money
would be required and wanted.--In short, you-
this government-putting forth boastful claim
that you had met every demand prompuy-you dc
clined and refused at the proper time an appropra
ton TO meet debts and demands which that very
time, you meant TO contract and creule; and this
you did think you must be content 10 bear this
impeachment-this You did deliberately, intending
to cover yourself behind the legal excuse of " no
appropriation" from the approach and rsproaches
YOU employ citizen soldiers in the cid for months
together, you promise to pay them and provide for
their subsistence and comfort; you suffer large ar
rearages TO accumulate against you; yon recognize
the debt, but when pij nent is demanded your an
saver then is-"no appropriation. The true and
rthe secret why you do not pay tits incon venient
.atsleast for you, and you want the next Admins.
aration to pay it, No appropriation! Common
Honesty required you to make it at the last session.
but il was omitted then--thon the debt was o. " in
prospect; now, however, it is reality, and why
10 the appropriation not to be made? Look to the
estimates ofyour Secretnry--do you find any such
lite IN there this' No. no; after the dobt has be.
come due long since; after it has bee 'recognised
by the President" and after the earnest appeal
made by the Qnartermaster General nffer all your
old excuse stands good. You have no appropria.
tion, and you propose to make none! at least II is
not an the estimates of the Secretary who teaches
the President to make proclamation to all the
world that this is Government which PROMPTLY
meets all demands upon it.