The Madisonian. [volume], June 23, 1840, Image 1

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THE MADISONIAN.
VOL. HI.?NO. 108.J WASHINGTON CITY, TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 1840.
[WHOLE NO. 361.
THE BLOOD-HOUND W A ItIllOM
The Blood hound* with which the Florida Indian*
were to be conquered, prove worth lea*. They will
neither follow nor tight, but they are to be |Miil for,
ami that rounilly, a* will be aeen by the following bill
render ill by Col Fitxpatrick :
7 'he Territory of hlorida to It. Pit t put rick Or.
Jan. 1840?For U3 Blood hound* purchased
in Cuba, ,733 00
K\|n*ii*c* at Matamoras aiul Key Went, in
eluding |?irt charge* anil quarantine due*.
volante lure to go to the nouth *ide of
Cuba , aud expense* at Madrega ; Iran*
portution of the dog* to Matanuia: pro
vi?ton for the dog* at Matanzaa and Key
Wi'<i earja?nter'a bill for making dog*
lu>uar* ; lumber, old eanvaiw, Ae tk)3 W
Charter of the aloop Marahall for the voy
age to Malanza* and back to St Mark* <i00 00
The huiu advanced to the five Spaniard*
who aoeomjiany the dog* as per account
herewith, '-"j
I'aHHjxirth for tho*e 5 Spaniard*, &>
Paid for H7 lb* fre*h beef in Tallahassee
for dog*, *'
My cumpen*ation, 1,000 00
<1
( V?By the huu) received from the Union
Bank, by order of Gov. Call, 5,000 000
Balance, S*"'
SKETCH or THE
KfcMAKktf OK IHU. BTANLY,
On the bill " making appropriations for the
civil and diplomatic e.vpmse* of the Gorern
mefit for the year 1840.
Hoi ;<k or Kkprkhkntativfji, April iW, 1840.
Tin- I .?llownm sections of the bill being read,
viz.
" For coinpt'iisaUon to the officers and clerk of the
branch mini at Charlotte, North Carolina, nix thou
Hand dollar*
" For |?y of laborer* in the various departments of
the sauic, iliree thousand live hundred dollur?.
" For wastage of ijold, und for contingent oxpenaes
of the same, two thounund five hundred dollaro.
Mr. STANLY said: Mr. Chairman, during
the last Congress, a motion was made to strike
out this appropriation altogether. I opposed that
motion then ; I oppose it now. It is, I fear, sir,
too true that this branch mint has been thus far
a mere humbug. 1 I'ear, sir, it is destined to be
11 useless tax upon the nation. Hut I oppose the
proposition to discontinue operations there be
fore the experiment has beert tested. It has
been in operation but two years. And as North
Carolina has hitherto had little from the Gene
ral Government comparatively, I am more un
willing to lake from her whatever of advantage
this branch mint may be.
But, sir, while I cannot consent to stop opera
tions there, I wish to reduce the salary of the
superintendent, who has, from evidence in my
possession, wasted the public money, and been
anxious more to secure his own comfort than to
serve his country. 1 move, therefore, sir, to in
sert in this bill the words "provided that not
more than fifteen hundred dollars a year be
allowed to the Superintendent as his salary." I
ivish, sir, to test the pretended democracy of
some gentlemen on this floor. The Administra
tion party have now a decided majority in this
House. 1 demand of them some evidence of
heir sincerity in opposing extravagance. I will
loint them to what I think is an instance of
ibuse of station in this Superintendent, and I
;all especially on my Van Buren colleagues to
wlor-loving oflicer.
I hold in my hand a document printed during
he last Congress, (25th Congress, 3d session,
loc. 1811,) and, in examining this, on the 3d
page, I read as follows:
'Annual erpense iff the branrh mini at Charlotte'
Surth Carolina, r.rrhtsirc oj the buildings, ma'
ehinery, anil enclosing frrounit*, upparqtusl toolx
and Ji.rtures, agreeably to the resolution of the
House of Representative* of the \th February, 1839.
" 1837. Officers and clerks - $IO,4<>t> Ofi
Wantage of gold, and
contingent expense* fi,500 (10
Comiiensation to la
borers - - I,.rj00 00
$l7,4ti<*.
" 1838. Officers and clerk* - 87,000 00
Wantage of gold, anil
contingent expenses !>, 100 00
Compensation to la
I Hirers - 3,600 00
16,000 (Ml
$33, Kill lU>
" Tiikasitry Df.pabtmrvt,
Register's (tffire, February (5, 1839.
"T L SMITH, Register."
By this, it will be seen also, on the first page
of this document, that this branch mint did not
commence operations until '' December, 1837."
Here, then, we observe that the officers and
clerks received more money in 1837, although
the mint was in operation but one month of the
year, than they did for the whole of 1838 !
1837. Officers and clerks - - - $10,460 66
1838. Officers and clerks - - - 7,000 00
?>3,466 66
Three thousand four hundred and sixty-six dol
lars more in 1837 than in 1838 for "officers and
clerks."
1837. Wastage of gold, and con
tingent expenses - - - - $5,500 00
1838. Wastage of gold and con
tingent expenses - - - - 5,400 00
$100 00
One hundred dollars more for contingent expen
ses, also, for 1837 than for 1838.
My curiosity, as well as a sense of duty,
prompted me to inouire how this could be so.?
And having been placed on the Committee on
the Fixpenditures of the Public Buildings, I had
an opportunity of examining into this building.
I have examined the "contingent expenses"
of this mint, and, although I have but com
menced the investigation, I have found a beau
tif'ul specimen of economy in the Superintend
ent's accounts. I wish to remark, Mr. Chair
man. beforehand, that I do not know this Su
perintendent. If I ever saw him, I do not remem
ber it. I am not operated on by unkind feel- '
inajs. 1 discharge my duty, and, in so doing, if
1 give offence. I must answer for it, and I hope
1 am ready to do so.
But, sir, he is a regular professing democrat;
he thinks the banks are dangerous institutions,
no doubt ; lie <jocs for hard money, too, 1 sup
pose. He certainly understands i'wastage of
gold" pretty well, if this document speaks the
truth; and, coming from the department, I sup
pose it does.
This Superintendent, besides other things, is,
I learn,-a bank stockholder and a bank director!
Yes, sir; " tell it not in Gatli." The Superin
tendent of a bianch mint, coining hard money,
belonging to the party that promised the People
gold and silver as a common currency, attending
political meetings, advocating a divorce of Bank
and State, is really, I am informed, a bank stock
bolder and a bank director!
(Mr. Montgomery asked Mr. Stanly what
evidence he had that Col. Wheeler, the Super
intendent, was a bank stockholder ?]
Sir, I have never seen the bank book*. I have
never heard this Col. Wheeler say he was a
bank director; but I ask the gentleman does he
deny it 1 ' H,n informed he is, by respectable
authority l< will not be denied : if it is. I wiM
undertake to prove it
Hut, itir, let us come to the ''wastage of gold"
and the contingent expenses of autt-roik, anti
corporation, hard-money, Van Buren bank de
mocrat. In the contingent expenses of the
branch mint, 1 found one item charged 9218 25,
to L>. Landreth & Co. for trees! Yes, trees, for
the branch mint?218 dollar*' worth of trees and
(lowers for the branch mint!
Hers, sir, is a copy of the bill, and, for the be
uelit of my economical, hard-money colleagues,
I will read the items.
Phii.adklpuu, November 3, 1H3H.
U. B. Mint, Charlotte, N. C. per Col. Wheeler,
Bought of D. Landreth & Co.
50 Ailanthus Trees,
50 Horse Chesnut do
5 Magnolia Giandiflora,
5 do. Macrophylla,
5 Tulip Poplar*
5 Silver leaved Maples,
T> Kn^lish Walnut*,
6 Chinese Arbor Vila>,
5 American do
5 Balm of Gilead,
10 European Linden*,
10 Murus Multicaulin,
1 Chinese Roar,
I Tennessee do.,
1 Macrochilia do.
1 Green Bo* Tree,
I V ariegated do.
UK) yards Box Kdging,
1 Chacorus Japonieo,
1 PyruH do
12 Itest Double Dahlias,
I (.onirera Fluxuosa,
I Monthly Honeysuckle,
1'- Apple Trecs, assorted,
fl 00
I 00
1 50
1 Ml
1 00
1 00
I 50
I (tO
(S3 1-2
50
t> Peach do
3 Plum do
3 Apricot do
3 Pear do
I Garden Keel,
1 do Line,
I Scuffle Hoe,
1 Swan Neck do
1 Half round do
-25
25
091-2
75
021-2
14 and 31
50, 50 anil tW,
850 00
50 00
5 00
7 50
5 00
5 00
5 00
3 75
3 75
7 50
10 00
C 25
50 1
50
75
50
50
12 50
50
I 00
(j 00
37
25
3 00
1 50
1 H8
2 75
1 H7
1 25
50
50
75
I pair fancy Flower Pot*, 37 1-2 and 50,
I copy American Orcharding
I do do Gardener,
1 do Florist'* Guide,
I do Lindfey's Outline,
I Transplanting Trowel,
Packing 11 l?d'* ami 2
boxes, with porterage,
8218 85
Received Philadelphia, Tth November, 1838, of John
H. Wheeler, Superintendent of United Sutea Branch
Mint nt Charlotte, North Carolina, the above amount
of two hundred and eighteen dollar* and twenty-five
rents. D LANDRETH A CO.
I uiti not sure, Mr. Chairman, 1 have called
these hard names properly. Some of them I
certainly seldom, if ever, heard before. No
such things grow in my district, either in the
swamp, or turpentine woods, although we have
(lowers in abundance. Fifty dollars for horse
chesuut trees! Why, Mr. Chairman, there is
not a country under tiie sun where the chesnut
grows more abundantly than in Western North
Carolina. It is a land abounding in beautiful
trees. B)it plain North Carolina trees would not
suit the taste of the Superintendent. fSome
gentleman here remarked that the horse-cnesnut
was the same tree called the buckeye.] Mr.
Stanly said, well, sir, 1 have no doubt the buck
eye, from present indications, will flourish in
North Carolina, though 1 do not on this account
justify this expenditure in these hard times. But
the Superintendent, besides the American tree
the buckeye, has also the " magnolia grandi
llora," and the macrophylla, as it is spelt here,
aud silver-leaved maples, and, sir{the morus mul
IM^'uXltfsWflhftiea'uUs,' a fit emblem of ?k;?
humbugging Administration, is transplanted to
North Carolina.
Probably, sir, when the superintendent bought
the multicaulis, he remembered the prediction
of the Globe; in that paper, July 16th, 1834. it
was said, "in eight or nine- months from this
time, every substantial citizen will have a long
silken nurse of fine open net work, through the
interstices of which the yellow gold will shine
and glitter!" He may have intended, with his
'?garden reels," and "scuffle hoe," and "swan
neck hoe," to make silk for the purses to hold
the "yellow gold." This is really a multicaulis
Administration.
Well, Mr. Chairman, I have given this as a
specimen of the administration of affairs at
Charlotte. Just so the affairs of our nation are
managed every where. This Administration
holds out inducements to its partisans to disre- \
gard the will of th* People: it rewards negli- !
gence in public officers. If they have served
their party, no matter how much their country 1
has suffered by their misconduct, they are sure
to be remembered. I forbear, sir, from saying
more for the present. 1 do not wish to occupy
the time of the House unnecessarily.
There are other matters relative to this branch
mint, of which 1 may speak hereafter.
After some remarks from Mr. Connor, of
North Carolina, Mr. Stanly said?
Mr. Chairman, I did not intend to trespass on
the Committee again ; but ! cannot permit the
remarks of my colleague to pass entirely un
noticed.
My colleague says, sir, he did not expect this
attack from North Carolina. I do not suppose
my colleague did expect this, sir. It is hard to
say what he expects from any quarter. But
does he approve of this expenditure? No, sirj
he admits it is wrong, and utterly unjustifiable.
No man has said it was proper. hy, there
fore, should it surprise my colleague that I ob
ject to it ?
Is it because this branch mint is in North Ca
rolina that my colleague thinks I ought to suffer
these abuses to pass unnoticed ? Sir, my con
stituents would be ashamed of me if they
thought I could harbor such a thought.
1 object to extravagance any where. I cen
sure the improper expenditure of public money,
whether it be in Maine, in North Carolina, or
in Florida. 1 envy not that man's patriotism
who thinks otherwise. Extravagance may be
economy when the money is spent near home!
Sir, I made no attack on the State. When
North Carolina shall be assailed, my colleague
will not find me behind him in defending her. But
I fear, sir, an attack on a federal office-holder
with the gentleman is an attack on the State.?
The office-holders may be the State with him
There is a wide difference, in my estimation.
The gentleman says we had as well take our
cotton to Philadelphia and manufacture it, as to
take our gold there. 1 do not see the force of
this argument. The mint is a national institu
tion, intended to coin money for the whole
Union, for the Government. 1 have never heard
of any intention on the part of Government to
undertake the manufacturing of cotton.
Unless my colleague advocated the establish
ment of the branch mint at Charlotte merely for
the sake of personal advantage to a few wealthy
men who owned gold mines, his argument
amounts to nothing. I trust, sir, he will not say
this building at this enormous expense has been
constructed merely for the neighborhood. I did
not expect that, sir, from him. I thought this
branch mint was pur there to aid in giving us a
circulation of the "yellow boys." I expect mv
colleague from the Hillsborough district (Mr
Montgomery,) will want Congress to establish
a little branch of the Treasury Department in
his district to issue ten dollar Treasury notes,
which we wants, and which not one man of his
party voted for with him, for I observed it, and
called attention to it.
My colleague, if I understood him, spoke of
my arguments as "log cabin arguments.1 rhe
log cabin seems to haunt the gentleman. There
I is this difference between the gentleman'? opi
nions of lag cabin men and my opinion*: lie
thinks the fog cabin men will do pretty well for
voter*. I tnink an honest and capable man,
though he has lived in a log cabin and drank
hard cider, will do very well for President. That
is the difference between his democracy and
mine.
The gentleman said his eastern brethren had
received a little of the public money. True, sir,
we have, and as far as my district is concerned,
the gentleman will find the officers of the United
States report that the work has saved in the ex
penses of freight, dtc., in oue year, more than
it cost. But, sir, I believe we, in the eastern
part o! North Carolina, have never been indebt
ed to my colleague for any assistance. He has
never voted for any thing to benefit the eastern
pat of the State, nor even advocated it that I
know of.
[Mr. Connor said no, and he never would. ]
Well, sir, (said Mr. Stanly,) 1 do not great
ly grieve to hear this declaration. As his advo
cacy has never benefitted us, 1 do not fear his
opposition. It ia a matter of the utmost indif
ference to me whether he advocate* or opposes
the improvement of the eastern part of the State.
The gentleman, sir, thought it necessary to
say there were some Whig postmasters in his
district. 1 have no doubt of it, sir. Wherever
there is an office, worth four or five or ten dollars
a year, requiring more time aud trouble than it
is worth, held merely for neighborhood conveni
ence, in nine cases out of ten the postmaster is
a Whig. Let any sacrifice be necessary for nub
ile convenience, a Whig, a Democratic Whig,
is sure to be called on, and always to be relied
on. But show me a fat office under this Ad
ministration held by a Whig.
I hope, sir, the gentleman will unite with me
iu reducing this salary. Let us save enough to
Government to make up for the trees aud flowers.
This bank-directing superintendent, colonel, &.c.
has a salary, paid, I suppose, in gold, of two thou
sand dollars a year?a salary equal, to that of the
Governor ol our State. Tnis multieaulis de
mocrat has a better salary than the judges of
our superior courts: and tney perforin ten times
his labor, and never smell "double dahlias" aud
"chacorus japonicas," Ac. if they ever see
them. They nave no stationery furnished them
at public expense, nor fine houses to live in.
built by public money. Let it be reduced there
fore to suit the hard times and the value of his
services.
Sir, my colleague made another remark, which
I confess was not very welcome to me. He
said this was a "small matter." True, sir, this
flower hill is small in amount, but does that ex
cuse this abuse 1 Is it not our duty here u at
tend to small matters when they come n our
way ? 1 have been placed on a committee which
made it my duty to look into small milters
placed there without solicitation on my part, and
without my knowledge or consent before it was
done. But I shall think myself unworthy of a
seat on this floor when 1 shall be above attend
ing to small matters, from a foolish and criminal
pride, when my duty requires 1 should investigate
them.
I know these are "small matters," and, as
such, I especially recommend them to the con
sideration of my colleague. 1 respectfully sug
gest to him that they are as fit subjects for the
exercise of his genius as for mine.
But, Mr. Chairman, this flower bill is not the
only evidence I have of the maladministration
of affairs at the branch mint. And I give the
gentleman notice 1 will hereafter make known
other matthra, which the People of North Caro
lina j^ill..j'tt.AitKfti1 aj-ah " ,u%
democrat.
APPENDIX.
Since these remarks were made in the House
of Representatives, I have looked further into
the expenditures of the branch mint at Charlotte,
North Carolina. Believing it to be proper that
the people of this country should understand
how their money is squandered by those pro
fessing the most genuine democratic principles,
I shall give a few other items of the contingent
expenses of a sub-treasurer.
The superintendent was appointed in January,
1837. The mint did not commence operations
until December of that year. The salary of the
superintendent commenced in January. The
salary of the coiner commenced on the 18th
March, 1837. The salary of Will. T. Strange,
the clerk, commenced on the 5th May, 1837.
A commissioner of buildings was also there,
under whose superintendence the edifice was
constructed.
The superintendent charged the U. States
$50 for his travelling expenses from Washing
ton city to Charlotte, " to take charge of the
branch mint." *
From 30th June to 30th December, 1837,
Colonel J. H. Wheeler received pay, $10 per
month, for his servant for attending the offices,
making fires, brushing out rooms, &c.
March 4th, 1837, the superintendent charged
the United States $150 for his expenses to and
at Philadelphia.
The superintendent purchased of R. P. De
silver, stationer in Philadelphia, paper, 4c.,
amounting to $490 45. Here are a few speci
mens of what he purchased :
2 reams superfine satin post gilt edge paper,
$6 50?$13. 4 pair office shears, $1 50?$0.
4 inkstands, large size, $1 25?5. 3 Rodgers'
four-blade penknives, $7 50. 1 American Al
manac, SI 25. 1 Bennett's Book-keeping, $2.
1 large inkstand for Colonel Wheeler'* desk,
$8 75. 0 blank bank books, $3. 1 case mathe
matical instruments, $7. (Paid by Col. Wheeler
March 8, 1837.)
Here is a copy of a bill for articles for the
branch mint:
To a scroll sofa for office, boxing, cart ago, &<?.
SHI 50
Mi Dvor'? Kill.'- -j> > ? ?.g
Safking, W7
#131 87 1-2
Received, Washington, 13th March, 1837, the above
account of $131 87 1-2 of Col. J H. Wheeler
'For Jaines Green, EDWIN GREEN.
Curiosity prompted me to inquire what were
the items smuggled in, which composed the sum
of $49 50. Here they are :
I mahogany press bedstead, - - $25
Hair mattress, 45 pounds, at 50 cents, 22 ?
Walnut waiter,
Cartage, &c.
ry" Mr. Dyer's bill for furniture for office! I $4!* 54*
To one case of shelves, and putting thein up in ^
superintendent's office, - - - 90 00
To putting up seven Venetian blinds in the
mint, 5 00
S!?r> <k>
(Paid by Col Wheeler the 29th Sept. 1837.)
For National Intelligencer for Col. Wheeler, trom
March 10, 1K37, to March 10, 1838, $*>.
For one year'* sulmcription to Globe, trom 4th
March, 1837", to 4th March, 18118- ,
Copy of another bill for the branch mint:
February 28, 1837. United States, for Branch Mint
at Charlotte, North Carolina, to Geo Wevill, Dr
To 77 yards superfine ingrain carpeting, $1 37 ^ ^
Making and binding, ?
?1 floor cloths, $8 *?
2 hearth rugs, $10, - 20 00
?2 table covers, 14 00
5 Venetian blinds, #8 " 1
?2 do do, SIO, - - 20 00
?335 19
Received pavment in full, GEO WEVILL
Another bill fur a democratic superintendent
of a brunch mint:
"CHtoman and jmrlour furniture of the l?tf?t fash
ion, bedding, ilra|?'ry Ac., maile u|> according to the
laUait fuhioni, from Kurope, in the urtM manner,
and on moderate ternta "
Piiii.adu.pmia, Feb. 'X, 1K37.
United Ktate?, 'or Branch Mint at Charlotte, N. (*.,
Iiought of Alphonao Lejambre, UjihoUterer, No.
? 01, Chninut atreet
ti mahogany chaint, #!> 541 - - - S'M *>0
Box for the chair* - - 3 00
1 chair coverod with morocco, for olfice !M 00
, Bo* for the chair - - I DO
ft* I 00
A scroll sola, a mahogany press bedstead, a
hair inattrass, six mahogany chairs, and a chair
covered with morocco lor office?with the demo
cratic odor from best double dahlias, chaconi*
iaponicas, 4c., 4 c., must afford wonderful faci
lities for coining the yellow boys! Was ever a
nation humbugged as ours has been!
But this Administration tells the People banks
are dangerous to the liberties of the People.?
Still, many who rail at these institutions, which
they created, are enjoyiug the profits arising
from them. And some who are bank stockhol
ders and bank directors are kept in office by this
Administration. And the branch mint at Char
lotte was forced to apply to a "rag money insti
tution" for silver to commence coining gold, as
the following receipt will prove:
"Bank or the Statk op Nobtii Carolina,
SI,()00 "Charlotte, December'23, IH37
"Received of John H Wheeler, Ksq , acting trea
surer of the branch mint of the United States, at this
place, one thousand dollars for that amount of silver
furnished him for the use of the assaver.
J J BLACKWOOD, Agent
There are some of the ''small matters" un
worthy the consideration of those who profess
to practise "severe economy." Let the people
of North Carolina judge if they are unworthy
the attention of members of Congress. These
accounts were audited by some ol the very offi
cers wIk)sc negligence in the discharge of their
duty a/lowed Swartwout's defalcation to remain
so long undetected. But neglect in the dis
charge of duty is unreproved by this Adminis
tration. Squandering the public money is over
looked, if the offender will attend public meet
ings, and praise the democracy of Martin Van
Buren.
To pass from the examination of the botani
cal parts of the mint, and from the furniture for
the office, I will now show what are the. build
ings at the branch mint in Charlotte.
In 1835, Congress passed a law establishing a
branch of the mint of the United States at
Charlotte.
Congress never designed to erect a dwelling
house. and furnish an office in the style before
described.
The act of March 3,1835, provided,
"That soioon as the neremtury buildingt are erect
ed for the purpose of well-conducting the business of
each of the said branches, the following officers shall
be appointed upon the nomination of the President,
and with the advice and consent of the Senate: one
sujierinlcndent, one treusurer, one assayer, one chief
coiner, onemelter, and one refiner. And the superin
tendent of each mint shall engage and employ as
many clerks and as many subordinate workmen and
servants as shall be provided for by law," t&c., &c.
The buildings were not " erected for the pur
pose of well-conducting the business" until No
vember, 1837, as the following receipt shows
" Received, Charlotte, N. C , 2d November, 1837,
of Samuel McOomb, /'.arovvi???v>>?*,Atvi
for the uae of the United States, which I have now
in full possession
JUI1IM H WHEELER,
" Sup't of the Branch Mint at Charlotte, N. C.
Vet, notwithstanding the law, the superin
tendent was appointed in January, 1837, re
reiving his salary from the time of his appoint
inent, and the coiner and clerk receiving their
salaries also before the edifice was finished for
conducting the business ! This- is practising
"severe economy."
While Mr. McCobb was superintending the
buildings, the superintendent and clerk were re
ceiving their salaries, and the superintendent
charging his travelling expenses to Philadelphia
to buy ''double dahlias" and magnolia grandi
floras, &c. &c. and probably to witness the in
auguration on the 4th of March, 1837.
But what was the superintendent doinq; be
tween January and December, 1837 I Building
ice-houses and summer-houses, dcc. A c.
In September, 1835, '? Samuel McComb,
Commissioner of the Branch Mint at Charlotte,"
gave notice that he would receive proposals for
"the erection of a building intended for a branch
mint," &c. In these proposals nothing was said
af any summer-houses, ice-houses, This
was determined upon by the superintendent af
terwards. General R. M. Saunders drew the
contract between the builders and the commis
sioner, and was paid for it; he can testify that
there was no notice of any design to build any
thing else than an edifice for a branch mint.?
The General is now a candidate in North Caro
lina, ind, before he gets through the campaign,
I hope the democratic superintendent will in
tlulge him with a showei bath. He will need
its exhilarating influence before the month of
August.
The principal edifice rost .... $29,800
For extra work on mint edfice not in
cluded in contract - - i.i.'W
For building fences, sunnier house, ^
ice-house, &c. - - - i - - - 5,500
By the contract made tith Jonas Bost lor
fencing grounds and buildin{ the ice-house, ore.
it was stipulated as follows:
" All the vaults in the edifice to foe fitted out
?helves and pigeon holes, for the |>ur|s*te of holding
The following will show what was going on
between August and December, 1&37 :
" A contract was made for a stable and a carriage
house, I for the branch mint Mall the walls to be a brick
and a half thick ; the windows in the upper |*rt ot
the stable to foe in the form of a crescent, with green
slats fixed or moveable; roof to be covered with heart
shingles ; roof, doors, and windows to he painted with
three coaU of paint," 4c. &c
" Carriage-houte (for a branch mint! J to have a firm
plank floor, doors to foe uniform and foatten ; door and
window sills to l>e of atone," Sic.
" Ire house {for a foranch mint') to be It. feet .leep,
at least, with a wall and roof as per plan No. 4; the
roof to be shingled with heart shingles , the well to he
14 feet miuare at the top, walled with skid pine poles,
uood strong batten door, with lock, and a floor altovc
" Wood-houae to be 3r? feet long and *4 tcet wmjo,
anil 15 fort high, to have two doora on the end and
one in the centre , to bo underpinned with atone, to
lie weatherboarded and nhinglcd, and to he painted
with three good coaU of paint."
"Bathing-houac, [to aid in giving an exclusive me
tallic currency !1 to bo eight feet square, attached to
one end of the kitchen, bh per plan No '2, eight feat
high, covercd with a she*I roof, and ahingled; one
window in the rear, of the name ai*e and finished in
the Mine manner an the kitchen windowa, plastered
and whitewashed as the kitchen, with a fixture for a
shower bath; panel door, with a tranaom light, tin
nipea, to run from well and engine to kitchen' and
l?ath, and a drain from bath to lead oft' water to cul
vert."
[ W hat snug arrangements for coining money !
What glorious specimens of democratic econo
my !!]
" Simmer Hoi'ae, [for a branch mint!) to lie octago
nal, and plain, about twelve feet aero"*, to atand upon
eight poata, with a shingle roof, to be painted, to have
s?at? of plank, marked W in plan A.
" The whole of the building*, Ac herein deaenbed,
to be finiahed with good and suitable knob and stock
lock* and lungea, and all the walls U> be of the thick
new of a brick and a half, and all to be rough ctat,
except the wood-house, and all the wood work to have
three good coal* of paint, eicept where otherwise
specified."
The above is a part of the specifications, <&<r.
agreed upon for the constructiou of these " de
tiiocratic'' buildings, as certified by H ill. t'
Strange, clerk of Ihe Branch Mint at Charlotte,
N.C.
If the Sub-treasury bill shall become a law,
and the receivers general, Ac., who are to be
provided with "rooms," dtc. at the public ex
pense, shall, out of the ''contingent expenses,"
or " wantage of gold," &e., construct such
buildings, such palaces as this, what a comfort
able thing it will be to be a sub-treasurer! They
will steal as much as Swartwout did before they
leave such comforts.
lu December, 1839, the Imauin of Muscat
wrote the President of the United States a let'
ter, and sent him several presents. If the bottle
<>| oil of rotes could be retained by our demo
cratic Majesty, I hope one demijohn of rose
water will be senf to the brauch mint a. Char
lotte, N. ('. Here is a copy of the letter at
communicated to Congress m Senate Doc. 43b
ol the present session:
Muscat, Dec. 'J5, 1839
Sm I have the pleasure of sending to your Excel
lency, through friendship, vir.
8 good-bred Arabian Nijd horse*,
1 string containing 150 pearls,
separate largc-ti/.e peails,
I carpel,
1 bottle of oil of roses,
4 Cashmere shawl*,
fi demijohns of rose water,
Also, I gold-mounted sword, please to accept with
the other mentioned articles. Hoping you will be
pleased to accept these trifles from your friend,
SVED BIN SULTAN
Written by order of his highness :
SYED SYED BIN SULTAN BIN AHMED
Inisum of Mi***1
? SYED BIN, Calf*""
His Excellency Martin Van Bcrrn,
President of the IT S of N America. Washington
To this letter Mr. Van B>?~" "pliea.
commences, not with a hou. ' but "Great and
good friend ;" and he concludes his letter thus:
Wishing health and prosperity to your highness,
power fltsJ liability to your (loternment, and to your
people tranquillity and happiness, I pray that Qod may
nave vou. Krcat and good friend, in his holy keeping.
M VAN BUREfr
Bv the President
JOHN FORSYTH,
Sec of State.
Wa.'-iiini.ton, May 8, 1840.
I hope, if this "great and good friend" should
leave his tubjefta, and visit this free land ol
ours, to pay nis respects to our Imaum, who
wishes "power autf stability" to his "great
and good friend's" Government, that he will be
invited to visit the branch mint, where he him
self can enjoy the shade of '? tulip poplars and
silver-leaved maples," and regale himself in the
office on the "scroll sofa," or the chair covered
with morocco. If the weather is fine, the mag
nolia grandifiora. the Chinese arbor vita>, or the
best double duhlias, will afford him ,lodor" in
the "octagonal" summer-house! There, too,
he can enjoy in Eastern style the democratic
comforts of a warm bath or a shower bath. And
if he should dream that forty-thousand sub-trea
surers would in a few years be provided with
such comforts, and a standing army of 200,00(1
men be also created, he would consent to be
President of the United States ! His Arab Nijd
horses could be accommodated in a stable with
the Walls a brick and a half thick, roof, doors,
and windows painted with three coats of paint,
and the "windows in the form of a crescent!"
Here, too, he could study the art of humbug;
lie could learn the history of the mortis multicau
lis, and the branch mints, and laugh at the folly
of this great nation, which has suffered itself
so long to be deluded in the expectation of ulti
mately having a gold currency. He would tell
his people on his return that the "open sesame"
'".'tffivsi ivdiiUewf:" *u~*
But he must come before March, 1841, for the
wide-spreading branches of the flourishing Ame
rican tree, the buckeye, are casting a withering
shade on the Kinderhook multicaulis.
MAKE ROOM FOR THE OLD BAY
STATE1!'
The Convention of the old Buy State met on Wed
nesday. the 17th. being the anniversary of the Battle
of Bunker Hill, at Worcester?and such an assem
blage was never known in New England. It was es
timated that ten thousand delegates were on theground
The meeting was held in an immense Log Cabin ?
The greatest enthusiasm prevailed.
Myron Lawrence, of the late Senate, was chosen
President ; Francis Bavlis, of Taunton, late a dis
tinguished Van Buren man, was among the Vice
Presidents
JOHN OAVIS, the distinguished United State*
Senator, was nominated bv acclamation for Governor,
and George Hall, the present incumbent, renominated
for Lieutenant Governor The greatest poaaible
enthusiasm prevailed, and a number of excellent
speeches were delivered
Extract ?| a letter from Berlin, Sangamo, County
Illinois, of May 89, 1844)
" I have the satisfaction of knowing that wo have
riot now in our village a single opponent, and that in
the settlement around our grove, Harrison'* friends
number three to one. From our intercourse wjtii ?*?
central committee, we are assured of ???-"
State elections, and the bias wiW-*" letter* from Mi^
in the Presidential cootns of our prcssthat the < hange
soun confiriv/Vunidlv operating there. Our neig
we look for a latger majority^spare
meeting ot , ,ai, 1R40
Viun0p Hall, June l45ln, ltwu.
d i I That in the opinion of this, meeting,
"Resolved, 1 nat in ,? !i,? ?untrv call for the
the embarrassed ^"t^n'?of CongroM, who alone nos
immediate interposition ot ^ JS.*,...a rii.ba.
rassmcnU of the' people, so far as it car. be don.- by
legislation
" Congress having the Constitutional power to e?
I tablish laws on the subject of bankru^cies through
out the Union, by which the unfortunate and honest
j debtor may be discharged from the debts, on giving up
all his property for the l?-nefit of all the creditor*
" Resolved That we are in favor of the immedtalr
enactment of such a law. and respectfully urge the at
tention of our Representative, in Congress to this
important subject, <i???rin/? them that the feelings ol
the people arc in its favor .
"Resolved, "That a copy of these resolution" be
forwarded to the honorable Senators in Congress from
this State, and the honorable Charles Johnson, our
immediate representative in Congress
Signed, PETER P HAYES, Chairman
R C. SOI'TIIWOUK ?
John P Mrnia, I SecralancM
??KW UNIVERSAL GAZETTEER Just
published (IH40) mil thin day received, givinv
* complete ami full account, and jrencral hintory anil
description of the nations, countries, ciiir*. wan, river*,
lakes, canals, mountain*, volcanoes, Ac in the known
world. Willi the government, manner* and diatoms,
and religion, natural history and production!, trade*,
manufacture*, curiosities, statistics, Ac of each, illus
Iralcd with very numerous engravings. Ac , a Dic
tionary of Commerce The whole remodelled, and the
historical and statistical department brought down to
the prcnent time; complete in one octavo vol of 8(H)
pa pes?for sale by P. TAYLOR
June 1H
CURRENCY AND BANKING, BY CONDY
RAGUET.? Nrw and improred edition, at a re
duced price'? just published and thia day received,for
sale by F T At L( > K, who has for sale a collection of
the bent work* on Currency and Finance, and all
other branches of Political Economy, more complete
and extensive than can be found elaewhere in the
United State*, all for sale ?t the lowest price*.