Virginia Advocate

On economy.--We do not profess to belong to that class of politicians, who feel, or pretend to feel, a desire to be economical at the expense of the public good. On the contrary; we desire to see liberality governed by prudence, and expenditures controlled by necessity. Nevertheless, when wanton extravagance and waste of public money are sanctioned by the administration, the sooner the people change their public servants, the better it will be for the coffers of the nation.

We have before us the report of the Committee on the expenditures of the department of state; in which there are some items which would make a republican cabinet blush. viz:--

"Maurice Furst for a gold medal of John Quincy Adams', $100."

Now, the sum of $100, it is true, is not of much consequence, but it is the principle it involves. For what public use, or benefit, is this gold medal of Mr. Adams', intended? who is to wear it? is it Mr. Clay? we think he has weight enough of the original around his neck. Where is the appropriation, by congress, for this gold medal? If you give away $100 of the public money, for a gold medal of the President, there is nothing to prevent the payment of a pension, to him, and allowance to his eldest son. To the next--

Do. M. M. Cruickshank, for blue velvet port folio, embroidered with chenille (with gold tassels) $100.

Monstrous! $100 for a port folio, when a neat morocco, in a plain republican style, may be had for $10, which would answer the purpose--besides; where is the appropriation, or who is it for? Probably it is the identical golden port folio, in which Prince John carries the messages to both houses of congress.

Cash paid Richard Rush, for sundry books and newspapers, procured by him in London, $799.93.

Nearly $800 dollars for foreign newspapers without reference to the sum for newspapers at home, which print by "authority." For whose use were these newspapers imported, and where is the appropriation?

Do. to Robert Ellis for Lives and Portraits of eminent Englishmen! $40.

Has not President Adams given sufficient proof of his attachment to eminent Englishmen without making the freemen of this country pay the expense? Is this a proper expenditure of public money?

Do. W. A. Davis 16 reams English laid 4to post paper, gilt, at 9 dollars per ream, $144.

Well done American System. Mr. Clay, who calls himself the father, or he should rather say the step father of this system, expending 144 dollars of the people's money for English writing paper. We know the reason, however; although American hot pressed letter paper is equally as good as English, yet it has no little stamp of a crown on the corner of the quire.

Do. G. Gaither for a dozen Silver Pens, $2 50.

Silver pens--vanitas vanitatum--or as some ill natured Latinists would say, Ebony and Topaz. Mr. Adams wears a thimble when he writes, and probably requires some equally hard substance in the composition of his pens--but why a dozen silver pens? if plain continental goose quills would not answer, one silver pen might do.

Do. G. E. Ironside, for a platina pen. $6.

Just now a whole dozen silver pens cost but $2 50; but as silver was cheap and plenty in Washington, (which is not the case in Wall-street) something more costly must be sought for, or the people's money would continue to rust in the coffers.

Do. Davis and Force, for printing 50 copies P directions for Minister's dress, $2 50.

Shades of Benj. Franklin, Thomas Jefferson Roger Sherman, Patrick Henry and other venerable patriots, who founded our Republic--what would you say, could you be familiar with such expenditures, in the 50th year of American Independence? Bonaparte, amidst the Splendour of his Court; took pleasure in singling out Chancellor Livingston, and always conversed with him, though he wore a snuff-colored coat: but, to make people pay for directions for such trash, or indeed to meddle with a Minister's coat and breeches, is contemptible, and beneath the character of a free and enlightened people.

Do. W. Slade, for bearing despatches to New York, $100.

This is an impudent charge; to say the least of it. It is true, that political partizans have had a few newspapers tied up and sent to foreign Courts, as despatches, and they have received $1000, 1500, and 1900 dollars, for expenses, but to send a despatch messenger to New-York, when a daily mail runs from Washington, is a shameful expense. We can inform them, however, that the person who received one hundred dollars for carrying despatches to N. York, actually carried them to Vermont, to which place, he was sent on an electioneering mission.

We must lay by the black book for the present, with the simple remark, that extravagance and impudent waste of public money, are sanctioned at Washington, while the remnant of our revolutionary officers, are in vain praying for the pittance which is due to them--and we are daily losing sight of that simplicity and economy, which should characterise a Republican Government.--Noah.