The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-02-23
THE LEGACY OF VAN suRENIsm.

How lamentably unsuccessful, even as COM
pared with Gen. Jackson's administration, will
this fact prove Mr.. Van Buren, TO have been
Gen. Jackson left 40 millions surplus in the
Treasury. Mr.. Van Buren, leaves 40 millions
debt, or deficit
| We proceed to state the grounds of the faith
that is in us, and present the following bill Of
particulars, derived from public documents, &C.:
Balances Of " old appropriations (the representa-
tives Of old and imperative obigatons) remaining
| liqudated in 1910, tsl4,OO0,0OO 90
Indian trust funds used at the Treasury
| wholly unaccouned for such 100000 90
Indian treaty stipuations falling duo in
/ lS4l, exclusive of the ordinary expen
| ditures, 800 900 90
Excess Of Florida war expenditures over
all appropriations for that service -2500000 90
Individual claims arising in Florida, 100000 90
Pensions unappropriated for in lS40 and
postponed to ls4l, contrary to the
| usage Of former years 1000 900 90
Claims of the States of Massachusetts,
| Connecticut, Virginia, Georgia, Ala
bama. Maine, and Territory Of Florida
/ Gas territory mostly long postponed, 100000 90
Navy Pension Fund, or pensions, 100000 90
Navy Hospital Fund, 100000 90
| Trusts for indemntes, 1876 ISL 90
Trianguation coast U. States, 100000 90
Cost Of the census of lSi0 100000 90
/ Debts assumed for the District of Co
/ lumba, 100000 90
Outstanding warrants, the oyerplus 100000 90
Dilapidatons to make good, in public
/ works, and buildings to finish, 100000 90
Declarations to be made good by other
appropriations, I 100000 90
Private claimants postponed of late years
to the necessities of the Treasury, 100000 90
Total, S42, 1896, 7sl, 9s
All this is exclusive of the French Spoliation and
Meade claims which, long acharge impending over the
Treasury, received their strongest confirmation during
Mr.. Van Buren's administration, and ought then to
have been arranged
Some forty three millions thus appear probable
charge on the Treasury. That it will fully equal
that amount when tested by experience and every
principle Of equal justice, could be proven, think
in detail We will only add, that if round numbers
have been used due allowance has also been made for
smaller items omitted.
Take for example the first item Mr.. Woodbury.
computes the uaiances OF Old appropriations at The
close of the year ls4o at sl0,549,905. The follow
ing table shows that the military and naval branches
of the Government alone exceed that sum, and also
affords contrast with analogous eras.
Comparison of balances of cold appropriations" of
the last year of euch administration for the four last
Presidential eras
MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT.
1925 j, 1897 1896 49, See House Doc. No 49,
I'd session, Goth Congress.
1882 81 939, 70S IT, See House Doc, No 1873
I'd session, 22d Congress
1886 $40, SIT, 1872 so, See House Doc, No 49,
I'd session, Oath Congress.
1s40-$ Ola, 1877 as. See House Doc, No "a
ID session, Goth Congress
NAVAL ESTABLISHMENT.
1929 81 ,0Ss, $50 &c. House Doc, l33 I'd SEES
sion, Goth Congress.
Is32--$2, 100000 65 House Doc 49, I'd session,
22d Congress.
1864, 1888 ,9Os l6 House Doc. l26, ID
sion, Gath Congress.
ls4o--Sl 900, ASP 80 House Doc, ss, I'd session,
Goth Congress.
| 1928 1857 ,OS2 go. House Doc, No. 49, I'd ses-
sion, Goth Congress
ls4o--$3, 5C0,0 900 CO. See Report Of Secretary of
Treasury ID session. goth Congress. Seriatm.
POST OFFICE ESTABLISHMENT.
ls2S--Nothing See House Doc, No. 40, I'd scs-
sion, Doth Congress.
lS40--$2l9, s45 II, See Presidents Message, p. II,
and accompanying documents p. 476, 'ofth session
Elsewhere estimated as deficiency of about $780,
| 600
BY comparing the purposes &c, of the appropria-
/ of S,pith of mill aria If
1928 conspcuousy distinguishes that docs
the economy Of its amounts.
The difference will appear remarkable between the
unfulfled obligations Of the two eras As to those
Of 1910, analysis of their items and reference to
other facts will show the positive nature of this debt
Of Van Burensm II was notorious that the partisan
majority in Congress refused to act all appropria
tons but such as the Executive deemed absolutely
needfu and requisite Private claims have been thus
postponed that the estimates might no, be exceeded
This principle has regulated the party for the last
two years. within which time the Secretary of the
Treasury has been compelled to postpone his liquda-
tons by his increasing necessities In view, there
fore, Of the wellscanned items of the appropriation
acts, and of their liquidation delayed materially TO this
day, it may be assumed that the obligations that
remain still one and all of an imperative nature
Such must be the fortifcations SC, introduced into
the bill of 1910 despite the fiscal difficulties Of the
Treasury, in view of great national quarrel, for
which Congress deemed il necessary Ito prepare the
extent at least of"rcpars" Of Notifications The for
tiication bill and debate will show this very clearly
The statement, Ho. Doc. No. a. will show that scarce
dollar has been expended for this intent ofthe Legs-
la,urc. The moneys have not been applied. The de
fences Of the nation are, consequently, diapidatng in