Gazette Of The United States

COMMUNICATION.

It must afford genuine satisfaction to the public of the United States to learn, that after the severe scrutiny by the Representatives of the people into the official conduct of the Secretary of the Treasury—it has appeared unblemished and honorable.

There was a mistake in saying that the Secretary had been acquitted * because acquittal implies trial, and trial presumes the accused party being heard in his defence, which was not the case in this instance; The charges brought against the Secretary were submitted to the House when crowded with business and but three days before an unavoidable adjournment; and though their object and tendency involved his removal from office, his ruin and his disgrace, he had no opportunity of answering them or vindicating his conduct and character. But even under this disadvantage, he has been completely exculpated—and his proceedings fully justified by the Representatives of the nation, and sanctioned by the approving voice of many hundreds of respectable citizens who attended the debates.

Inquiries into the conduct of public officers are in general attended with very salutary effects, and when they originate in motives truly patriotic and in a conviction of misconduct, they reflect credit on those who institute them—at the same time every candid mind will allow that charges of a high nature against a public officer, vested with the execution of an important and delicate trust, charges which excite alarm and distrust, and threaten the national tranquility, ought to be preferred with caution and temperance. Any previous symptoms of personal dislike or altercation—any long continued evidence of a rooted disgust, or any avowed reprobation of systems connected with the officer's stability and reputation must in the eyes of a judicious public, essentially detract from that merit, which is alone due to the virtuous and disinterested patriot, prompted only by pure republican principles.

* See Federal Gazette of Saturday last.