The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-04-25

! by which similar provision To that which nav
exists was made Tor the settlement uf such ex-
pendinres as, in the judgment Of The President,
ought not to be made public This act was
limited in its duration. II was continued for /,
limited term in 1898 and between that time and
! the date of the act of May ! 1910. which is now
IN iorce, the same provision was revived and con-
timed. Expenditures were made aud settled
under presidential certificates, in pursuance OF
these laws.
IL The Preslden; may answer The present call
he must answer similar calls for every such en-
pendiiure of confidential character, made under
every administration, in war and in peace from
the organization OF the government 10 the present
period. To break the seal Of confidence imposed
ny the law, and neretoiore uniformly preserved
would ne subverSlVe oil the very purpose for
which the law was enacted and might be pro-
ductive OF the most disastrous consequences -
The expenditures of this confidential character.
it is believed. were never before sought to he
made public; and should greatly apprehend the
consequences of establishing precedent which
would render such disclosures hereafter inev,a-
ble r -t. r .......,..,-. ~
am fully aware of the strong and correct pub-
lie feeling which exists throughout the country
against secrecy of any kind in the administration
OF the government. and especially in Iefsfence Il,
public expenditures; yet foreign negotiations
are wisely and properly confined tothe knowledge
OF the Executive during their pendency Our
laws require the accounts of every particular ex-
penSilure 10 be rendered and publicly settled at
The Treasury Department. The single excep
ton which exists Is, not that the amount embracL
. ed under Presidents certificates shall be with {
held from the public, but merely that the items
OF which these composed sha not be diyuIred
To this extent, and further is secrecy observed
The lauIable vigilance Of the people in regard
to all the expenditures of the government as well
as sense OF duty on the part of ihs President
and desire To retain the good opinion of his feI
low citizens, will prevent any sum expended
from being accounted fur by the Presidents Ger
uhcale, unless IN cases of urgent necessity Suck
certificates have heretofore been resorred 10 bar
seldom throughout our past history.
For my own part. have not caused any ac
count what ever TO be settled on presidential
certificate have had no occasion renderinu il
necessary, in my Judgment. 10 make such Ger
uhcate and it would be an extreme case which
would induce me To exercise this authority vet
II such case should arise, it would be nv dntx
to assume the responsibility devolyed on me by
the law.
During my administration. all expenditures for
contingent expenses of foreign intercourse in
which the accounts have been closed have been
settled upon regular vouchers, as all other public
accounts are settled at the treasury
Ii may be alleged that the power of impeach
ment belongs to the Honse Of Representatives.
ID
power, that House has the right TO investigate
the conduct of all public officers under the gov
eminent. This is cheerfully admitted In such
case, the safety OF the republic would be the
supreme law and the power of the House in the
pursuit of this object would penetrate into the
most secret recesses Of the Executive depart
menIs 1t could command The attendance of anv
ana every agent ot the government, and compel
them TO produce all papers, public or private. Of
1CIdI unUfIIClal. and fesfify nj
facts within their knowledge. But even in a case
ut that kind, they would adopt all wise pIecap
IONS 10 prevent the exposure Of all such matters
the publication of which might niuriousy affect
The public interest, except so far as this mich, be
necessary to accomplish the great ends of public
justice. II the House of Representatives, as the
grand inquest Of the nation, should at any fine
have reasons ~ believe that there has been nal
version in office, by an improper use or applica
ZION OF the public money by public officer, and
should think proper to institute an inquiry into
The matter, all the archives and pa pers of the
Executive departments, public or private, would
be subject TO the inspection and control of a com
mlttee of their body, and every facility in the
power Of the Executive be afforded to enable Them
TO prosecute the investigation
The experience of every nation on earth has
demonstrated that emergencies may arise in which
1t becomes absolutely necessary for the public
safety or the public good, to make expenditnres
the very object Of which would be defeated bv
publicity. Some governments have very large
amounts at their disposal. and have made vastly
greater expenditures than lbe small amounts
which have from time TO time been accoun ted for
on Presidents certificates IN 30 nation is tho
application of such sums ever made public In
time Of war, or impending danger, the situation
Of the country may make il necessary To emnlov
individuals for the purpose Of obtaining infofms
ton, rendering other important services. who
could never be prevailed upon to act if they en-
teTtained the least apprehension that their names
or their agency would in any contingency be di.
volged So it may often become necessary to
incur an expenditure for an object highly useful
to the country for example, the conclusion of
treaty with barbarian power, whose customs re-
cure on such occasions the use Of presents but
this object might be altogether defeated by the
lnifigues Of other powers, If our purposes were
to be made known by the exhibition Of the orioi
nal papers and vouchers to the accounting oficefs
Of the treasury Il would be easy TO specify
other cases which may occur in the history Of
great nation. IN its intercourse with other nations
wherein il might become absolutely necessary to
ncOr expenditures for objects which could never
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