The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-04-06
A Message from Mr.. Buchanan

gress message which is eliciting volumi
nous and not very fat,ering comments from
the press. This extraordinary and uncalled-
for demonstration was drawn out BY the fol-
lowing resolutions submitted to the House
of Representatives by Mr.. Covode If Penn
sylvania, few days since:
Resolred, That a Committee Of five men,
bers be appointed by the Speaker for the
purpose of investigating whether the Presi-
Cent Of the United States, or any other OIL
Ger Of the Government, has by money, pat
ronage. or other improper means, sought to
influence the action Of Congress, or any COM
mittee thereof, for or against the passage Of
any law appertaining to the rights of any
State or Territory; and also to inquire into
and investigate whether any officer or officers
of the Government have by combination or
otherwise, prevented and defeated,or attemp-
ted to prevent or defeat, the execution of any
law or laws now on the statate-book, and
whether the President has failed or refused
to compel the execution Of any law thereof?
That said Committee shall investigate and
inquire into the abuse of the Chicago or 9TH
er POST Offices, and at the Philadelphia and
other Navy Yards, and any abuses in connec-
ton with the public buildings and other pub
lie works of the United States.
Rssolred further, That as the President in
his letter to the Pittsburgh Centenary Cele-
bration on the 18th November, 1858, speaks
Of 1.-The employment Of money to carry cleo
tions," said Committee shall inquire into and
ascertain the amount so used in Pennsylva-
MIA or any other State or States; in what
districts it was expended, and by whom, and
by whose authority it was done. ard from
what sources the money was derived, and re-
port the names Of the parties implicated
and for the purpose aforesaid, said Commit
tee shall have power to send for persons and
papers, and to report at any time.
To fully understand why such resolutions
as the above should be introduced into our
national legislature, it may be necessary to
80 into little matter Of history. During
the hard times Of 1858, Mr.. Buchanan re-
ceived from one of his confidential partizan,
in Philadelphia the following letter, which We
have heretofore published, but which We re
produce now to assist in explaining the reso
lu,ions above quoted:
"PHlLADELrHIA, Sept. IL, 1853.
"Dedr Sir: venture to suggest to 20,
the importance of awarding the contracts fol
the machinery Of the sloop now building al
the Navy Yard at this time, and if it can b.
done without prejudice to the public service
to Merrick & Sons. Theirs is the only rs
Establishment in the LIST District which EN-
ploys large number of mechanics at thi
time. 800; when in full work. $50.
The managing partners (Mr. NJ, sen., be
ing absent in bad health,) are full of energy
straining every nerve to keep their force du
ring this depression, and, in SO far as know
the only Old Wings of any influence in tina
district who are in favor Of the reelection o
Col. Florence.
II know, from former experience, the val
ue Of that influence, and feel persuaded tina
it is the interest of the Democratic party I,
increase it.
THE LIST District will, l hope, be carrie,
in any event; but with that shop at work
full-handed, two weeks prior to the election
the result would, think, be placed beyon,
all doubt. With much respect,
Nv. c. PATTERSON.
1.-The President"
Instead Of rebuking this corrupt wire
worker, and assigning his missive to tn
flames and its author to obscurity, Mr.. Bu
chanan inclosed it to his Secretary of the NJ
w with the following endorsement:
"SEPT. Is. 1858.
THE incloeed letter from Col. Patterso
Of Philadelphia is submitted to the attentio
Of the Secretary Of the Navy. J. B."
As matter of course, Mr.. Toucey CAV
the attention" asked BY y. B." and thos
"old whigs," Merrick & Sons, obtained tn
contract they asked for, though the Novelt
Works Of New York city offered to do tn
job for $4,000 less than Merrick & Sons OF
tanned. Many elections to the present Cor
gress were obtained in this way. The Nav
Yard and Custom House were prostituted ,
this behalf. Mr.. Covode was one Of the in
mediate objects Of this kind of work, bu
having triumphed over the democratic part,
with all its money, he has now offered tn
resolutions that he has in the House, an
which the President has undertaken to SUI
press. Such is a brief history of the caus
Of President Buchanan's message to Congre.
last week.
Mr.. Buchanan is unwilling to let Congre.
investigate the means be took to have Ii