Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-01-14

The President tad Drectofs bave relied TOO ;iush Oh
the vigilance of the Cashier and he as relied too nluci
on the fidelity of the Teller. They have not exanInec
into the funds entrusted 10 the Cashier (Which. III
truth, all the funds OF the Bank az The bylaws
rendered proper, and lie has allowed the Teller TO re
tain more money in his hands than necessary for
the daily operations Of the Bank without examining his
vault. The practice of frequent examinations OF the
Cashier vault by the Board, has grown into d'suse
icr many years, in consequence OF the UNIFORM cor
RICHNESS Of his accounts
Was TIE President placed there TO trust Dabney or
any other individual? or, was he placed there to see
that the laws which adopted safeguards Tor ire
Bank were fully carried out, and generally supern-
tend the whole affairs of the Bank. II the President
placed too much confidence in the Cashier, why did
lie do so Was lie again to be placed in that situation,
where he nigh, again offend in like manner Here
was direct admission on the face Of his own letter,
that the late dealcation TO be ascbed to his own
negligence. But there an argument on the face
of that letter (Which furnished to the gentleman from
Accomac such conclusive evidence of the innocence
of the Presidency which satisfied him that the Presl-
den, knew of the conduct Of Green that he must nave
known that Green receiving funds unauthorized
by law-or appeared by his letter, that although
The Bank was cur,alng its discounts and drawing IN
It's circulation yet that The balance against lhe BaK IN
creased Now if the Bank lessenns its business,
and withdrawing its discounts, how could il happen
that its circulation increased unless by some frauds
going on in the Bank The President must have known
that the circulation could not have increased, II the
discounts were decreased, unless by unfair means IL
was morally impossible 10 have decrease OF business
with an increase of circulation The President must
have known that something was wrong, and might have
known that Green concerned III IT, for he found IN
his letter the following omnous passage:
alt is proper TO remark that many months previous
10 the discovery of this great dedication, the teers
and book keepers repeatedly admonlshed and
cautioned against allowing B. W. Green and his seve-
raj concerns TO over.dr2w or impose checks on
other banks unless they knew they had funds there to
redeem them
lie thus cautioned the officers of the Bank against
Green: he suspicious Of HIM; he doubted him.
and the Clerks were cautioned, repeatedly cautioned
against being duped by Green. This very caution I'M
Piled the possibility of their being duped. Now,
when the President of the Bank found the affairs that
institution in most unnatural positions when he found
that his circulation increasing, notwithstanding all
his efforts decrease twas it no, natural that ne
should have netnctivey turned TO the accounts of that
man against whose practices he had repeatedly adj
monished the book-Seepers: That would have been
the course pursued hy any Of ordinary prudence
course which, if taken, would at once have untoded
he fraud lie thought this fact sufficient of itself
10 satisfy that House and the country, that he
faithful to the trust cunfded in him, and oug; 10 be
removed.
But they were called upon not 10 make sacrifice o!
the President Of The Bank Of Virginia they
minded OF his long scrviccs,hs grey hairs,hs great
financial abilities. Did the gentleman from the City
Of Richmond know, that The President of the Bank oi
Virginia belonged 10, nay. the head of party
who had never looked 10 ability grey hairs, nor long
services where they had an appointment make did
know that grey hairs, long abilities,
formed any shield against their prosecutions even
when the parties could no. be charged with the shadow
OF f,ult ? With that party the most unwearied servl-
ces, the profnunjest abilities were recommendation;
IT, the candidate bow 10 party lie unfit for
Office. Did he rccoec the many who were known
10 have long served the public with distinguished
ability, who had been turned out Of their situations,
not for uuiithiuln.ss III the discharge Of their Gntes,
not Tor inability fully 10 perform every duty, bu! simply
because they did not entertain certain political senii-
nien;s considered indispensable Il public officer -:
The gentleman in question belonged TO that party who
lad never shown mercy when they had the power .!
prescription. He thanked God that the people Of this
country the Wings did not entertain these sentiments
they were satisfied with discharge al pub
lie duties without surrender of private opinion, and
he merely mentioned these circumstances TO express
his surprise that the members OF such party should
come there 10 plead length Of service and grey hairs
rs a reason Tor removal from Office. When, how
ever, they (thc Whigs) found officer unai,hful TO
his trust; whenever lie made Of that office, or
abused il, to the prejudice Of the public, then they
went for turning him out. With respect 10 the injury
10 his feelings, the gentleman in question had no right
to complain that score; he not the only person
who had uflcred;-thcrc was already Of the Of
fccrs of the Bank whose feelings had been sacrificed,
and there no lamentations over him. How
nv individuals, too, there in the community,
whose feelings and interests had been trodden in the
dust BY tic neglect Of these Bank officers: But the
President was wealthy and influential man He
had been taught to believe that they should respect
mans feelings in consequence Of his wealth, or III
Guence, standing in society. Let once the doctrine
be carried out that because rich, or great,
influential that therefore, lis feelings were to be re-
SPECIFIED, whilst they might trample with IMMUNITY upon
the poor man. and there end 10 their boosted
litv ch cd all ne puual "
were rich poor That was a doctrine peculiar TO
some people, but it one not more unknown in his
District than hostile TO the genius Of their Republican
institutions. Under their form OF Government all
held 10 he equal-entltled 10 the same re-
spect-that neither wealth, nor power, nor influence,
should shield any many from the penalties of guilt
the censures for negeci-that they looked 10 merit,
correct department. and faithful discharge of duties,
as the only criterion of acting.
But with reference to the President of the Bank, he
would remark, that supposIng there had been proof
of his fatal negligence yet that the fact that the
Bank had been unfortunate under his management,
Of itselfa sufficient for his removal. How many
examples did the history of the world furnish in sup
port of that position? In England, how many minis
crs Of commanding talents, of tried and acknowledged
patriotism, of devotion 10 the public interest, had been
compelled retire from office, because they had been
unfortunate in carrying out of the plans for the
public good, These men had been dismissed, not for
want Of patriotism or evoton 10 the interests, and love
for the glory OF their country, but because they had
proved unfortunate. How frequently had it happened
that Generals had been removed from command not be-
cause they were wanting in military skill, or bravery,
general fitness for their post, hut simply because
they had been unfortunate in one engagement
If they looked back TO their own revolutionary war,
they would find memorable instance of the truth Of
his position. He alluded TO the of General Gates
Who did not remember when the Lion of England was
compelled TO bow to the dust on the plains of Sarato
ga ?-and they would also remember the affair the
plains of Camden. That General there unortu-
nate, and he displaced He was unfortunate, the
country bad lost confidence in his skill aud he was
displaced. The simple fact that under Doctor Brock
enbrough the Bank had been unfortunate, would
alone seem sufficient case for his removal from Of
flee. 1t had been said that every blessing in life de-
pended credit and trust and confidence in our fell
low beings. He freely acknowledged the blessings and
the general benefits resulting from confidence between
man and man, but when they were convinced, by BIT
ter experience that that confidence had been mis-
placed it not the part Of wise legislators Of sane
Voluntarily Mace themselves in the hands