Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-03-07
Albert 0allatin as Secretary of the
Treasury


Albert Gallatia was hnin in Geneva
III l1sl. After receiving liberal
education. at the age of eighteen he
came 10 America, thoroughly imbued
with the progressive spirit of our polit-
ical institutions and four years after
his arrival, depending upon the bust
ness of teacher for support. he be-
came a tutor in Harvard College.
CARRYING out his original idea of an
active life, he finally settled in Phila-
delphia, then the national capital, be :
came acquainted with the leading
statesmen. and rose so rapidly in pub
lie estimation that he was. in the year
1870, elected to Congress, aud was
shortly after transferred to the Senate.
In this prominent field OF national
legislation his surprising abilities.
especially his reports on matters Of
finance, attracted universal attention.
Characteristic of the political bitter
ness OF the era, and illustrating how
great men rise above its influence, we
quote Mr.. Gallatin's statements regard
ing his intro iuction to the responsible
lltles of his oillce.
He relates that Mr. jefferson, upon
handing him his commission, said
Your most important duty, Mr.. Gal
latin, will be to examine the accounts
and all the records of Your department.
IN order TO discover the blunders and
frauds Of Hamilton, and to ascertain
what changes will be required in the
system. This is most important
duty, and will require all your industry
and acuteness. To do it thoroughly,
YOU may employ whatever extra ser.
vice YOU may acquire"
Gallatln was at heart with the Pre.l-
dent, and as strong partisan ~ posi-
bic, else, with all his abilities, he prob
ably would not have been selected for
the important position he held. He
admits that he undertook his assigned
task with good appetite, and that he
performed the searching work assigned
10 him with great thoroughness. Al.
the accounts and correspondence were
examined with the minutcst attention.
What was at first TO be work Of fault
hndlng, criticism, and a hunt for de-
fccts, soon become to Mr.. Gallatin a
labor Of love. Gradually Iiamilton's
perfect system developed Itself, and
when Mr.. Gallatin mastered the details
completely, he was filled with admira-
ton. In the honest enthusiasm of
truly great mind, he finally went to
Mr. Jefferson and said. Mr.. President,
have, as YOU directed made thorough
examination OF the books, accounts,
and correspondence of my department
from Its commencement Il have
found said the conscientious Secre-
tary, 1.-THE most perfect system ever
formed. Any change under il would
lnJure 1t. Hamilton made no hlundcrs,
committed no frauds he di nothing
wrong"
Tie administration Of Albert Gala
TIN was distinguished by u series of re-
ports regarding the best method Of
cancellng the national debt, the proper
policy OF disposing Of the public lands,
and the legality and necessity of es-
tahllshlng u national bank.
The purchase Of Louisiana required
hitcen millions of dollars, in addition
TO the current expenses, yet the Treas
ury met all demands with promptness,
mainly owing 10 the activity of our
foreign commerce, our shipping. in the
gsneral war then ragln. in Europe.
being preferred carriers on the seas
The war also created a great demand
for our agricultural products. and
thereby encouraged the settlement of
the then great wilderness of the
West. Colonel L. b. TnoRPE, in
Hdrper's Magazine for March.