Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-05-10


The pubic IS aware, that the Devils Darnlng Needle,
uhe christening given TO Poindexler By Col. Boon,)
was early in seeking, at Washington, his reward tor
y, pc LAYING IN the late Presidential Election
lie sought the mission to Mexico, as The least re
maneralion he would take, and was amused with pro-
misses of IT, But he knew too many important secrets,
and was too INSCRIPTIONS to be put OH with mere pro-
misses ls character is such, that The Executive dared
not trus, his nomination national Representative
10 the censure of the Senate and the country and II
would not do to disappoint the Darn'ng Needle, and
incense HIM make disclosures OF the frauds and brIbe
rv of the last campaign. 1t was determined there.
fore, that he should be put upon another scent, and
be employed in !erreting out suspected frauds IN
another quarter. Tins would at once furnish hun
with money to sport, and give HIM business 10
pursue at intervals perfectly congenla with his
character and admirably suited to call out his ia
culties 10 their best exertion A commission was
riven him hunt up the frauds and corrupons OF the
New York custom house, and it would seem, IRON ri
NOR that what with the doInns of the Swartwoutins
collectors (incudlng Curts,) aud of the smuggling
merchants aud brlbinr manufacturers there has been
prodgous extent OF dropped stitches in the Govern
there for the Darning Needle TO pick up: and al
though perfectly satisfied that the President
transcribed his authority in establishing such an nqui
s,ion we great hopes that good will come out
evil and that the Devil has been able 10 do something
for his dues which, by the way, conceive nobody bu
Congress has the constitutional right to appropriate IL
him cut of;he Treasury Congress should, IN our oPni
on have continued the inquiries which 1t had begun a
y York aud then probably, full and not one sided inves
,iratons would have been made. All concerned wonlt
have had toll and fair hearing, and whatever was re
ported might have been believed. Now nothing tina
depends on Poindexier's mere showing can have thf
least trust re posed in it, What he asserts himself
unless supported by unquestionablc testimony, can ne
more be relied than the brief of an Old Bailey attor
ney hired 10 convict, matter whether The accused
be innocent or guilty.
The course OF the debate in the House on printing
this report is singular enough 1t would seem that tn,
President and his friends not willing that the finding
of their grand nqusitor should see the light 1T IS Ger
tain that he qnarreed with Of his conductors ane
that he has made separate report Whatever they he
or however they differ, all should be published The
ground taken by the President, that e has right 10
tabsh such commission, and pay Tor 1t out OF The pub
lc Treasury, "foR MS owS iSFoRMATioS, and not fo
the public, adds another TO the monstrous features
such secret, parie commission emanang from Eek
cutve authority alone If he has right To appoln
such funcionares for his 'orn information, he nigh
Gll the land with spies and ntormeIs, ''communcGt
tie entire rtportto Congress, oherarise make nb
Hc content himse uuh adopting its recommendations
and urring than on Congress-; or bury the whole, d
Il part ust as he pleased The President assumes, ii
effect the right TO establish secret p0i,cc at pleasure
and IT his precedent, and the principle asserted in hi
letter, br allowed, 1t might be made all pervadnl
as that of Napoleon under Fouche BY the way, Pom
dexter would make capital Fouehe and we do no
why lie nigh, not nj once be put at the head OF Tho
Government system of espionage. 1t is little remark
able that THIS most dangerous Executive inqnistoria
power Should be- for the first time in this country pre-
tended tn by President Of that sect Of politicians who
have made Executive power and Executive patronage
the theme of incessant denuncatlon. There is n,
mode in which The Chief Magistrates power in ou
Government may be abused so eiecually as through
The secretly operating Inqusltoral authority, which
according 10 MIR. Tyler's idea, may he pushed to any
extent; which may give command OF a universal espi
ouage; which may make the whole corps of forty thou
sand office holders absolutely subscrvent to him, he
having no; merely their places, but their characters in
his power.
| Bat il is not necessary TO dlate the doctrine Of
the Presidents letter, quoted in the proceedings His
star chamber commission, in the character of the prn
cpa employee, and the result of his report after m
dernoing the scrutiny of Congress- which has reached
il with the left hand, will be sufficient comment.
Gi0be, .9gra 30