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Editorial
July 8, 1800
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Editorial defends Secretary Pickering against Aurora's false charges of financial misconduct, citing official Treasury statement by Oliver Wolcott confirming proper accounts and return of $500 balance.
Merged-components note: The official statement from Oliver Wolcott is a direct continuation and key part of the editorial refuting charges against Pickering.
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COMPLETE REFUTATION.
After the experience which the Public has had of the convicted falsehoods of the Aurora, in the impudent, bold, and circumstantial charges of public: plunder made against President Washington, Secretary Hamilton, and others:--It was not to be expected that any similar attempts would be treated but with contempt and indignation. --With the well-informed this has been the fate of the recent charges against Mr. Pickering, issuing from the same source :-But there is a part of the community whose circumstances and situation do not admit their acquiring the most correct information ; and who from the defect may be liable to deception. The opinions of these people are entitled to respect and attention; and hence results the necessity of producing facts to disprove the Aurora accusations. These facts are given in the following
OFFICIAL STATEMENT.
"I AM impelled by considerations of justice and personal attachment to Col. Pickering to declare, that the recent publications: in the Aurora, respecting his pecuniary transactions while Secretary of State, are unfounded.
" The accounts of the Department, while it was conducted by Col. Pickering, have been exhibited at the Treasury. and it is expected that they will be finally settled soon after the Offices are opened at Washington. It appears from these accounts, that a balance of about 500 dollars remained in his hands when he retired from office ;-this sum was deposited in the bank U. States, and has this day been returned to the Treasury.
" The balances to which the publications in the Aurora refer, are the aggregate amounts of sums, which have been remitted to ministers and other public agents chiefly residing in foreign countries; the payments made by the late Secretary of State are supported by regular vouchers, and although in many instances they constitute charges against individuals in the books of that department ; they will exonerate the Secretary from pecuniary responsibility.
" The nature of the public service requires that monies should be trusted by agents on account, and the practice has been common in every department, since the first establishment of the Government.
OLIVER WOLCOTT.
"Treasury Department, June 23, 1800."
After the experience which the Public has had of the convicted falsehoods of the Aurora, in the impudent, bold, and circumstantial charges of public: plunder made against President Washington, Secretary Hamilton, and others:--It was not to be expected that any similar attempts would be treated but with contempt and indignation. --With the well-informed this has been the fate of the recent charges against Mr. Pickering, issuing from the same source :-But there is a part of the community whose circumstances and situation do not admit their acquiring the most correct information ; and who from the defect may be liable to deception. The opinions of these people are entitled to respect and attention; and hence results the necessity of producing facts to disprove the Aurora accusations. These facts are given in the following
OFFICIAL STATEMENT.
"I AM impelled by considerations of justice and personal attachment to Col. Pickering to declare, that the recent publications: in the Aurora, respecting his pecuniary transactions while Secretary of State, are unfounded.
" The accounts of the Department, while it was conducted by Col. Pickering, have been exhibited at the Treasury. and it is expected that they will be finally settled soon after the Offices are opened at Washington. It appears from these accounts, that a balance of about 500 dollars remained in his hands when he retired from office ;-this sum was deposited in the bank U. States, and has this day been returned to the Treasury.
" The balances to which the publications in the Aurora refer, are the aggregate amounts of sums, which have been remitted to ministers and other public agents chiefly residing in foreign countries; the payments made by the late Secretary of State are supported by regular vouchers, and although in many instances they constitute charges against individuals in the books of that department ; they will exonerate the Secretary from pecuniary responsibility.
" The nature of the public service requires that monies should be trusted by agents on account, and the practice has been common in every department, since the first establishment of the Government.
OLIVER WOLCOTT.
"Treasury Department, June 23, 1800."
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
Press Freedom
What keywords are associated?
Aurora Refutation
Pickering Defense
Financial Accusations
Treasury Accounts
Political Falsehoods
What entities or persons were involved?
Timothy Pickering
George Washington
Alexander Hamilton
Oliver Wolcott
Aurora
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Refutation Of Aurora's Charges Against Timothy Pickering
Stance / Tone
Strong Defense And Condemnation Of Falsehoods
Key Figures
Timothy Pickering
George Washington
Alexander Hamilton
Oliver Wolcott
Aurora
Key Arguments
Aurora's Charges Against Washington, Hamilton, And Others Were Convicted Falsehoods
Recent Charges Against Pickering From Aurora Treated With Contempt By Informed Public
Official Accounts Show $500 Balance Returned To Treasury
Remittances To Foreign Agents Supported By Vouchers, Exonerating Pickering
Trusting Monies To Agents Is Standard Government Practice