The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-30


estate OF THE FINANCES AT THE
CLOSE OF THE LAST ADMINISTRA-
TON"
Such is the announcement, in the Globe of the
9th, of what it calls a copy of Mr. Woodbury's
Report to Mr.. Van Buren, at the close Of the last Ad
ministration." The Globe adds: 1t is an important
paper and should be universally repubished that the
nation may the condition Of the finances when
the present Administration came into power" See
the document in another column.
We sincerely second the wish that il may be uni
versalIy republished" universally read universally
pondered and universally commented upon by the
press deserves 1t is rarely curious document
curious gratuity uncalled for by any precedent,
custom iule curious for its dark conjectural I'M
certain unbus ness like statcments-curous as being
addressed the President the day before he retired
from power, having no practical use whatever con-
nected with the administration of the Government
curious, being semofficial, dated Treasury De-
parment, March 2 lssl," and signed respectfully,
LEVI WOODBURY., Secretary of the Treasury" with
being in fact addressed any body but apparent
ly and inferenially addressed to Mr.. Van Buren,,
whether as President, or private citizen, no one
can tell, but the whole are led to suppose the
later-curiors hating and stumbling vindica-
ton OF that which appears the the it is
looked at-curious abortiye dd captandum finale
of disgraced Administration and bankrupt Treasu-
ry, soliciting faith by conceahng iacts-and curious,
finally the most extraordinary anomaly be found
in history.
:" We have obtained copy says the Globe
Where, how, by whom, from whoml What is it z
What's its name Is it state paper not, official
or otherwise To whom addressed and what is it
for In fact it has address. But reading it,
we find that il appears TO be addressed to the then
President, going the next day "inio dgnified and
elegant reracy." 1t is, substance--or kindly in
tended to be- pripate cup of consolation, under a
scmi-o official garb.
Now to the business character of this document
Look, yc honest folks, who want 10 know facts and
see what virtue there is in mystification.
" In pursuance of suggestion by the President, "
&c Here we have the key to its origin. The Presi-
dent wants crumb Of comfort and this wise they
sonsoe one another. It's understood between them
to be difficult to be made out but there is no
telling what charm there may be in general state
mens, avoiding carefully every thing in particular.
So far yet oscertained, the ordinary expendi-
ture Tor 1910, since that (the ANNUALLY report, proved
to be less than those of 1882 by -" Observe
ordinary. What disguise Observe "--''
blank What valuable fact We have conscen-
tiously quoted the blank, that Mr.. Woodbury. may
have all the benefit OF il.
The revenue" Of that term "turned out, also.
nearly the same as there calculated" -. "hnic
or rariation from the estimates OF 1889" Give us
the figures, Mr.. Woodbury., and we will dispense with
all such terms nearly the same" " little or no
variation" &c.
The available balance in the Treasury at the
commencement of lSii, has proved to be about as
much as tcos anhcip, ted" Hon much, Mr.. Wood
bury and by ,chom anticipated
The only material difference in this balance,
:" since explained" SC. Hon MATERIAL Mr.. Wood
bury and what is the explanation Both these
important poii is.
The power remaining on the LIST Of January TO Is
Treasury Notes constituted another of the fiscal
means for the present year. and has been dseeridned
to exist in soeuha greater than has been
tmdted." Ascertaincd" somewhat greater" Then,
why not state it in figures The whole amount issu-
able after the annual report to the 3st of March, as
stated by Mr.. Woodbury. that occasion, was 1912,
6lS. MIR. Woodbury. knew exactly how much ofths
remained to be issued after the st of January. "Some-
what greater than was estimated Does Mr. Wood
bury mean 10 confess clerical here, what
How could this difference arise, except by incorrect
books, since il is business Of figures We glad
any how be richcr-but should like to know how
much richer. Besides, If MIR. Woodbury. did really
make mistakes in his annual report we think they
ought TO be publicly corrected.
Hence the present year commenced with resources
hand quite equal 10 the dnticipdfions previously
formed" Anticipation" apooilicsl sentiment, being
an item in the account OF the Treasurer Of the United
States But all dark, all vague all uncertain, nothing
specified, "The resources" Of the nation quite