Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1846-04-30

Il
proper sense, become thereby public records.
They are never seen or examined by the ac-
counting officers of the Treasury when they
settle an account on the presidents cerlifi-
cate" The first Congress of the United States,
on the lst of July, 1870, passed an act pro'i.
ding the means of intercourse between the Uni
led States and foreign nations" by which
similar provision 10 that which now exists was
made for the settlement of such expenditures
as. in the Judgment of the President, ought not
10 be made public. This act was limited in It's
duration Ii was continued for a limited term
in 1893 and between lha, time and the date OF
the act Of May l, 1910, which is now in force,
the same provision was revived and continued
Expenditures were made and settled under
Presidential certificates, in pursuance oil these
laws.
If the President may answer the present
call, he must answer similar calls for every
such expenditure of confidential character,
made under every administration, in war and
IN peace, from The organization the Govern
ment 10 The present period. To breaklhe seal
Of confidence imposed by The law. and hereto
fore uniformly preserved, would be subversve
ofthe very purpose for which the law was en-
acted, and might be productive of the most dis
aslIous consequences. The expenditures of
This confidential character, il is believed, were
never before sought to be made public; and
should greatly apprehend the consequences Of
establishing precedent which would render
such disclosures hereafter inevitable.
| am fully aware of the strong and correct
public feeling which exists throughout the
country against secresy of any kind in the ad
minsiration of the government, and especially
IN reference 10 public expenditures; yel our for
eign negotiations are wisely and properly con-
fined 10 The knowledge OF the executive during
their pendency. Our laws require the ac-
counts of every particular expenditure 10 be
rendered and publicly settled al The treasury
Department. The single exception which ex
isis is, not that the amount embraced under
Presidents certificates shall be withheld from
The public but merely that The items Of which
these are composed shall no, be dvuged, To
this extent and no farther, is secrecy observed
The landable vigilance of the people in re-
gard TO all The expenditures of The Government
as well as sense of duty on the part of the
President, and a desire 10 retain the good opin-
ION OF his fellow citIZens, will prevent any
sum expended from being accounted for by the
Presidents certificate, unless in cases ofurgeni
necessIy.-- Such certificates have therefore
been resorled 10 but seldom ,hroughou, our past
history.
For my own part, | have not caused any ac-
count whatever 10 be settled on a presidential
certificate. | have had no occasion rendering
it necessary, in my judgment, 10 make such
certificate; and it would be an extreme case
which would ever induce me TO exercise this
authority; ye, if such case should arise, il
he 1,,I,y tha ~
devolved OH me by 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 9TH
er public accounts are setIled al the Treasury.
|, may be alleged thai The power of impeach-
ment belongs 10 the House Of Representatives,
and that with view 10 the exercise Of this
power, the House has The right TO investigate
the conduct Of all public officers under the
Government. 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 pene-
iraie into the most secret recesses OF the Exc
cuive departments. Il could command the al
tendance Of any and every agent of the Gov
eminent, and compel them 10 produce all pa
pers public or private, official or unofficial, and
to testify on oath 10 all facts within their
knowledge. But even in a case of that kind
they would adopt all wise precautions 10 pre-
vent the exposure Of all such matters, the pub
lication Of which might injuriousy effect the
public interest, except so far as this might be
necessary to accomplish the great ends of pub
lie justice. If the House of Representatives,
as the grand inquest OF the nation, should at
any time have reason 10 believe tha, there has
been malversalion in Office, by an improper
or application of the public money by a
public officer, and should think proper 10 nsi-
lue an inquiry into the matter, all the archives
and papers Of The Executive Departments, pub
lie or private, would be subject to The inspec-
,ion and control OF committee of their body.
and every facility in the power of the Execu-
live be afforded 10 enable them TO prosecute
the investigation.
The experience Of every nation on earth has
demonstrated that emergencies may arise in
which il becomes absolutely necessary for the
public safety or the public good, 10 make ex-
penditures, the very object of which would be
defeated by publicity. Some Governments have