Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-18

appears that for the amount of sls,Sl2 he received
actually S6377 rs, fraction over thrty-ihree and
a third cents on the dollar, and higher rate than
the market value al the time they We're expended
We are therefore of opinion that the most equta-
bic arrangement would be 10 require the actual
proceeds only of the deprecated currency TO be
accounted for; which makes a deduction of $l2-
| 49, % to be placed 10 the credit OF Commodore
Moore.
In addition 10 the accounts stated upon the ali
stract Of the comptroller, the committee believe
that there are other credits justly due Commodore
Moore.
The comptroller has deducted from the credits
allowed, the sum of S777 %, the items Of which
will be seen by reference TO exhibit marked b
accompanying this report these deductions are
made on the ground that no strictly legal vouchers
existed for this portion of the disbursements
The evidence before US shows sufficiently that
this amount was actually expended for the use OF
the navy, over and above what is allowed by the
comptroller. The greater part is for medicines
and clothing proper for the service; and the want
OF strictly formal vouchers ought not, in our opIn
/ ion, TO preclude recognition of the claim.
/ Another portion Of the accounts of Commodore
Moore are not allowed by the comptroller, on the
ground that the disbursements were made through
third persons acting for, him. We are convinced
that all the expenditures ofthis character, amount
ing TO 81 ass 573 were incurred for the OF the
navy and paid for by Commodore Moore; and
as they were actually received on board the differ
ent vessels, We can perceive no objection TO
allowing the account. An abstract of the various
items included in this amount will be seen by
| reference 10 exhibit marked e.
Another account marked ID, exhibits state
ment of various cash disbursements for the use of
the navy, for which no formal vouchers are shown,
but which have every appearance of being equita-
| BILE and Just. This account is for s 1859 50 aud
all the items contained in it are for naval supplies
| and bounty 10 seamen; except one item of fifty
dollars for cash advanced Thomas S. Lubbock
while engaged in the service of the government.
The committee are of opinion that this item, al
thongh,for money expended for the use OF govern
| ment, ought not TO be allowed, inasmuch the
disbursement was not strictly for the use of the
| navy. The last two accounts amount 10 ST.
| 49S 091.
| II is 10 be observed, so far as relates 10 the
| greater part of the disbursements made by Com
| modore Moore, that the informally of the vouch-
ers arises from the fact that he was after the pas
sage of act of Congress Of 18th January A. d.
| 1911, naval storekeeper and navy agent as well
as commander of the entire fleet had the Two
| former Offices been held by separate individuals,
! II would have been proper that acquisitions should
be made by the commanding officer for whatever
| supplies were needed for the service. But as he
held all three of the Offices, this Formally might
| well be dispensed with; for il would be unneces-
| sary for an officer 10 make acquisitions upon
| himself. As this Is the only formaliiy wanting in
a large majority of the vouchers. il is mere tech
| meal bubble 10 reject voucher for a defect so
| tri1ing and unimportant.
Your committee satisfied that il was the in
tention of the legislature in passing the joint reso-
luton under which the comptroller acted that the
| accounts Of Commodore Moore should be settled
| upon equitable basis, and they have been gov
erned by this construction OF the resolution. There
| is no voucher approved by which has not upon
| the face of H. evidence of intrinsic correctness.
| Taking into view the circumstances of the times,
| and The embarrassments which surrounded the
naval service, il is 10 be wondered that even in
\ hav haa W.
| discover Ivy reference 10 the former settlement
made by the auditor, that many accounts are
| passed Of the same character Of those embraced
| IN the the present settlement and upon vouchers
equally informal.
So far as regards that class Of accounts amount
ing 10 Sl40ll So, liqudaied by the individual
notes of Commodore Moore, an abstract of which
accompanies this report, marked E. the committee
are Of opinion that they should mol be estimated
| IN settling the accounts of that officer with the
government; and they are of The same opinion in
regard 10 the other class of accounts for 81 100 90
the items OF which will be by reference 10
exhibit ~ which are unquidated by any obliga
ton of Commodore Moore, but like the last men
toned were purchased by him for the of the
navy. and upon a credit. The vouchers for both
{ these classes with the papers submitted 10 us
and belong 10 the archives of the auditoral de
partment. These should be made the subject O.
a separate adjustment.
A recapitulation of the accounts OF Commodore
Moore shows the following result:
Balance due by Commodore Moore; as per ac.
count Of Charles Mason auditor. sos SIS SO
BY cash disburs ements, for the use of
the navy-frst class. S35l35 IS
Cash disbursements for
enlisting men, bounty,
&c.-second class. s,l3s so
Cash disbursements for
the of The navy
third class. 2,lO6 "A
Cash disbursement for
the use OF the navy
fourth class. ....... 1883 80
| Deductions made by ...
comptroller for want Of
strict vouchers, see ex. ..-.
| hlblt b.. ....:....... . III %
Disbursements not allow
| ed by com2trolers for
want of formal vouch.
ers, see exhibits aud
D................... 2d9s O9l
Over charge in exchequer
bils.................. I243i %
Balance. .sG2 .273 72l slI39s oGs
IL will be perceived that balance is left in favor
of Commodore Moore OF Sl1 .39S 36l which
amount includes only the actual cash ex pc nditures
made IN furnishing supplies for the navy, paying
Tor repairs, and procuring enlIsiments in the naval
service. In addition 10 this, Commodore Moore
holds The pursers certificate for his pay from the
time Of entering the service up 10 the 18th Of July
1913 The sum OF $500 was drawn by him in June
1910, aud The balance in his favor up 10 the 25b
July 1913, is Sill, 725 81 Il further appears from
the statement Of the comptroller, that Commodore
Moore has received no part Of his pay under the
| act OF Congress passed 9Th February, 1914, by
which the sum Of $4,000 was appropriated 10 be
paid pro rata 10 the officers Of the navy which will
appear by reference to a certificate from the comp
troler accompanying this report, marked w.
| AT the time when the disbursements above
stated were made, the act OF Congress passsd
July %, 1912, was ~ force That act appropriated
$4,000 for the outfit OF The Steamship Zavala I;
$4,000 for the outfit and provisioning OF the navy
then IN the service of the government SIS 23l for
the pay due the officers, seamen and marines OF
the navy on the lst of July, 1872 and s29,42S 50
for SIX months pay Of the officers, seamen, and
marines Of the navy for the six months from and
after the LIST OF July, 1912, which amount by The
act was required TO be paid Of the first money
in the treasury" No part Of this was drawn, ex.
cept s7,1S7 -, by the secretary Of war and ma /.
rnc, in December. 1913, from the appropriation 70