PETER H. SCHENCK. COPY. New York, August, 1829. SIR-At your request, we have this day examined at the public store, one bale of cloths marked H. No. 27, and do hereby certify, that in our judgment, said cloths could not have been Lought in England at a less price than is hereinafter stated. us the mode they proposed to adopt, (which was concur- The duties with the penalty, now amount to about 2,100 red m by us) to examine every piece critically-to mea-dollars instead of 600 dollars. The necessity of examinsure a few pieces in each package and weigh others, and ing whole invoices of cloths is thus additionally shewn to thusto be sure of the honesty of the invoice. The inves- be imperative, to guard the revenue and protect the matigation thus commenced, Mr. Coe observed that he nufacturer-and it also shows the utter mutility of lookcould not show us the invoices. We told him we had no ing at only a piece or two in a package. But the hope of wish to see them, but requested only to know under entirely arresting these frauds, (by men totally at variance what minimum the cloths were, that we should examine with the law they have to execute) is faint and doubtful, -which he consented to inform us.-The first package of and I have no hesitation in stating it as my fear, that these cloths we looked at was a small package of mixed cloths men never will execute the law in the manner the law has -which we found to be correct; the next was a package contemplated-and I have no hopes, as a woollen manuunder $2.50 minimum-they were also correct. The facturer, of being protected by that law, until men are next was four bales-on account, as we were told of the appointed to execute it, who are friendly to its provisions. Yorkshire manufacturers, that sent them; they were all, Half the import of cloths into the United States come as the appraisers informed us, invoiced under the dollar into the port of New York, and if the law is not executed minimum, we had scarcely seen half a dozen pieces be- here, its execution elsewhere will not protect us. It before there was a general burst of surprise by the gentle-hoves the manufacturers of woollens in the U. States men associated with me-that here was the fraud we to take the subject into their serious consideration, and were complaining of most of these cloths were worth as one of them, my feeble efforts shall continue to be 8s. to 10s. instead of 7s.--and could not therefore come exercised here, to arrest those frauds, which sacrifice under the dollar minimum, (see certificates below.) both revenue and manufacturer. I hope the time is not There were perhaps 15 to 20 pieces looked at from differ-far distant when the free people of these United States ent bales, in promiscuous order, three tourths of these will be as independent of foreign nations for their raiwe considered over the dollar minimum.-The consignee ment, as they now are for their tood. assured the appraiser and gentlemen present, that these were refuse goods, some of which were tender, and sent to New York to be sold at auction. I asked him if the invoice stated that they were either refuse or tender, he said it did not. I inquired if the appraisers had ever passed cloths as good as those were, under the dollar minimum-he said they had, and at least 12 per cent. cheaper than those,-that would bring 15 per cent. more at auction. Mr. Coe requested me and my associates to withdraw, and they would go on alone and examine those gopos-and as soon as they got through with them would send to us to come and examine theni. Mr. Coe did not fulfil his promise, and since the discovery of that fraud, has scrupulously excluded us to the utmost of his means and seems determined that what they do shall be done in secret. I have since learned that of said invoice of upwards of 80 pieces of cloths-the appraisers marked up about 15 pieces. The owner demurred and called in two appraisers in his behalt, one an auctioneer, the other the consignee of the bale of goods marked H. found fraudulent, certified to at loot. They all four agree that those 15 pieces should be marked up nine per cent only -which incurs no penalty-but ten per cent. would. Note-The above goods were all invoiced at 5s-plac Thus the interest of the government was compromiseding them under the 50 cents instead of the dollar miniby allowing an escape of the penalty, by only one per cent. Truly this was close judging. Messrs. Coe and John- We the subscribers, importing merchants of the city son are both violently opposed to the tariff, and to what of New York, do hereby certify, that we examined at the extent those teelings are brought to bear on that law, and public store, 15 to 20 pieces of cloth from four bales (as with what zeal they execute its provisions, is seen by the mentioned in the above communication) from the ship Silas above. The manufacturers of cloths are thus deprived Richards, as we were informed, which Mr. Coe the ap of that protection which the law gives them, either by praiser told us were all invoiced under the dollar minithe negligence, or want of skill of the appraisers, while mum (or at about 78. sterling the running yard.) That the government is defrauded of its revenue. These fraud-in our judgment at least three fourths of the cloths we alent entries with the great facilities of disposing of the saw, could not have been bought in England at less than goods at auction, are in my opinion one of the principal from 8s. to 10s. sterling the ranning yard. We were Causes of the fall in price of cloths which have been not called upon to examine the remaining cloths of the poured into this market the last 9 months-the govern-invoice. ERASTUS ELLSWORTH. inent defrauded of halt the duties, as can be seen by the CHESTER CLARK. jertificates below, and the manufacturers of their protection. 2 pieces mixt, 50 inches wide, 461 yd. at 4s. sterling. 16 pieces. [Signed] 16th July, 1829. mum. 13th August, 1829. do. do. do. do. 224 yd, at 6s6 do. do. do. 234 yd. at 7s6 do. Respectfully yours, ERASTUS ELLSWORTH, ROBERT JONES, CHESTER CLARK. We whose names are hereunto subscribed, were at the To the woollen cloth manufacturers of the United public store and saw a number of pieces of cloth on the States-1 here state it as my honest conviction, that if the counter, apparently under examination by the appraiser appraisers of the port of New York, continue to appraise and other gentlemen present, and their value in England in the superficial mode they have hitherto adopted, the was the subject of conversation. We understood them tariff law as a protection, is rendered a dead letter. The to belong to an invoice of four bales, above alluded to-we collector has the power by law to send goods to the pub-have no hesitation in stating it as our opinion that near lie store for particular Examination, and can order thely all the cloths that we saw, were worth in England from appraisers to examine every piece and parcel-but if they 8 to 10s. sterling the yard. choose to certify that they are right (as has been done in most instances) without such examination, the collector has no power to revise their decision. Frauds on the revenue are daily occurring. Some invoices, after a superficial examination only, have been CONSTITUTIONAL DOCTRINE! marked up, but within a few days the examinations have The following remarks on the treaty-making power, been more particular, and the results have corresponded are from the "Charleston Mercury with my expectations-within that period the appraisers Had such doctrines been advanced some years ago-they marked up one thousand yards of cloth, out of five pack-would not have been thought "republican;" but tempora ages, that had been attempted to be entered under the muntantur, &c. We shall submit the article, and add a dollar minimum, which they placed under the $2 50. few observations. From the Charleston Mercury. opposition papers still harp upon the instructions be given to our minister to England in relation to f. We know nothing of their character, and course, know as little as we do. But still they upon it that Mr. McLane has been directed to ate away an act of congress, and that the president, directing him, has committed an arbitrary and cal stretch of power. Now, as we do not know, her do we believe (particularly as it has been ly contradicted by the Telegraph) that any such "This constitution, and the laws of the United States, has been conceived or is about to be acted on by which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treament. But, certainly, if such instructions had ties made, or which shall be made, under the authority iven, or such a treaty were to be formed, there of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the be nothing arbitrary or unconstitutional in it. The land: and the judges in every state shall be bound theremaking power is expressly given by the constitu- by, any thing in the constitution or laws of any state to the president, with the advice and consent of the the contrary notwithstanding. It is given without restriction or limitation— Now if the treaty-making power is "given without e constitution also declares that "all treaties made, restriction or limitation," what is to prevent a president h shall be made, under the authority of the U. and senate, from negociating away all the forms and shall be the supreme law of the land; and the principles of our government? This is not so-it CANin every state shall be bound thereby; any thing NOT be sa "Treaties shall be the supreme law of the ws or constitution of any state notwithstanding." land," says the "Mercury"-and so they are, when cony thing be more clear and explicit than this? sistent with the "constitution and laws of the United ties shall be the supreme law of the land!" Does States"-the power in which is not only placed as precellow, as a matter of inevitable necessity, that all dent, BUT, OF NECESSITY, MUST BE SO, to the treaty hether state or national, which are repugnant to making power. And wherein is the "authority of the , would no longer possess authority or force-United States," but in the "constitution and the laws?" twhich is not supreme must yield to that which is e lesser must submit to and be anuulled by the Upon this question, it appears to us there cauthe shadow of a doubt. If a negociation be inwith Great Britain for the purpose of regulat- But we shall not argue the subject! The error of the procally the duties upon imports into both coun-editor of the Mercury" has arisen from not having read da treaty founded upon that principle, be assent- the whole of the article of the constitution as above quoy two thirds of the senate, and regularly ratified ted; and without reflecting, that by the power which he governments, it would become, ipso facto, the is willing to grant the president and senate, the slaves me law of the land," any thing in the tariff acts, of South Carolina may not only be emancipated, but reother acts, to the contrary notwithstanding. verse places with their present masters-if so it shall been said that such a treaty would come in col- please a president and senate to determine, in a treaty with and destroy the power of congress to "lay with. Hay. May the president and two thirds of the It would do no such thing. The power to serate-in all thirty three persons, by treaty with the aties" would still exist in as full force as ever- king of Great Britain, place one of the "royal dukes" y must be laid and regulated agreeably to the on a throne in these states?-May they, by treaty with the Where no commercial treaty exists, the power pope, build up an established church in the United States! ress "to lay duties" is unlimited. Where such a yes--and a great deal more, according to the “Mercury,” oes exist, the act of congress must be such as not for they arc omnipotent. They might cede to the bashaw te or infringe it. Indeed it has been stated and of Tripoli, the jurisdiction even of the ten miles square! eve correctly, that an instance has occurred, in treaty conflicted with an act of congress, and in he act was altered to correspond with the treaty. been also said that no treaty is of force, or can operation, without subsequent legislation on the congress. This may be the case in regard to which require appropriations of money for their execution. The house of representatives, by BRITISH CURRENCY AND COMMERCE. ding such appropriations, may embarrass or de- The two following articles from Bell's London Weekeaty-but this would not be a proper and legit-ly Messenger, of the 14th June, are well worthy of an xercise of power-but a factious and high hand-attentive and considerate perusal. cal. But we have no doubt that, in such an event the consequences we contend for would inevitably follow. It would have been well for the editor of the "Mercury" to have looked at the constitution of the U. States, before he attempted to explain its meaning. At least, we think so-recollecting that Fielding has a whole chapter shewing that man may not write the worse on a subject for understanding it. The following is the article of the constitution referred to There can be no "authority" to make treaties at all, unless found in these-it is therefore impossible that a treaty which is repugnant to them can be made. Effects cannot precede causes. The extract from the Mercury is given, however, simpy to shew the force of new doctrines and the lengths to which some are willing to go in support of them. All the charges preferred against old "federalism," if heaped together, contained not half so much political iniquity, as may be found in the principles herein proclaimed. sition to the rightful and constitutional authority In the most essential respects, the views of the curpresident and senate. In a commercial treaty, rency nearly correspond with those which we have often r, money can be seldom wanted to enforce it expressed, when speaking of the haste that was making onvention, such as is said to be contemplated with to pay off our public debt, by which the "currency" of Britain, would probably execute itself, without the country, as well as its coin, has been too rapidly diminthe generosity or temper of the house. ished; and the sudden breaking-up of the mushroom above remarks are founded altogether upon the banks that had been established, and the resumption of tion that a treaty, like the one supposed, should specie payments, some years ago, was hardly less det be made, and assented to by two-thirds of the rimental than the suspension of specie payments and In that case, we contend, that the treaty would the making of these banks had been. The "currency," ing, and the tariff acts, now existing, be of course estimated, we think, at 140 millions, was speeddy redu d, and mere dead letters in the statute book. ced to perhaps less than 50; and an appreciated value of are far from believing that any such treaty is in money followed, that ruined its tens of thousands of plation by the government. Still further are we worthy men. But it is well known that we are hostile to pposing that any such treaty, if entered into and an indiscreet, and not closely guarded paper currency, ed with Great Britain, would receive the sanc- though certainly not believing it either possible-or extwo-thirds of the senate. There was a majority pedient, if it were possible,-that all payments should body in favor of the very system which the pre- be made in coin. charged with intending to negociate away; and it The second article on "commerc," is only important be idle, of course, to expect, or even to hope, in shewing that its inactivity in the United States is the as undergone such a revolution of opinion, as result of natural operations, the world being, as it were, ossibly produce a vote of two-thirds for the pur- in a state of peace, and each nation doing its own busidestroying it. The event adverted to-the for-ness-not because of the tarif, or any other laws that we and ratification of a treaty-is purely hypotheti- have passed. From Bell's London W. Messenger of June 14. Re-red to the bank of England; the deposits add to its floatcent accommodation afforded to the public by the bank of England. No man can doubt that the bank, in its proper relation to the public, administers as readily to the general wants of the money market as is consistent with prudence and safety. Considerable difficulty has lately been found, at the winding up of the quarter, to obtain money for commercial purposes; and this difficulty is to be ascribed to the large payments made into the exchequer at the period when the dividends become due. Upon the present occasion, in order to support the public securities, and to prevent any extensive pressure for pecuniary accommodation, the bank has come forward with an offer to make a loan to the holders of exchequer bills at 4 per cent. The loan is not to exceed two millions; it is to be made in sums of any amount within those limits; and the advance may be taken for six weeks or six days, as the holder shall require. ing capital, and thus enable it to increase its discounts and, by this means, augment its issues.-The principles upon which the affairs of the bank are managed, appear, it is true, simple enough, but they are safe: they are well calculated to promote the interests of the proprietors of bank stock; nor can they, in any respect, prove injurious to the public. The accommodation just offered by the loan of the bank on exchequer bills, is a proof at once of the dispo sition of the bank to accommodate on all just occasions, and at the same time demonstrates their strict vigilance in requiring that species of security which will justify them to the proprietors of their stock A great deal of misconception prevails with respect to what constitutes the circulating medium of this country; and as this delusion may be injurious at present, particu larly as the small notes are withdrawn, we think it right to make it the subject of a few remarks. All nego Many persons conceive that our circulating medium consists solely of coined money, in conjunction with bank notes of all descriptions, country notes, and bank of England notes. But such an opinion is uttely untenable. The circulating medium does not consist solely, or even principally of coined money and bank notes. ciable paper, be its denomination what it may, constitutes an integral portion of our circulating medium. An ex chequer or a navy bill for one hundred pounds is as much a portion of our circulating medium as a hundred pound bank note. So likewise are the bills of exchange, espe cially at short dates, and also the checks of private persons. To conjecture what may be the amount of all, or any of these ingredients of our circulating medium, must at all times be utterably impracticable; but every person in the least acquainted with commercial affairs must know that they infinitely exceed the amount of coined money and bank notes at any given time in circulation. We trust that our readers will not mistake us on this head. We are not advocates for agam deluging the coun try with small notes; but at the same time we think that the paper circulation, provided it be of a solid character, ought not to be too much stinted; and we are persuaded that much harm and much injustice have been done by the late harshness of the government towards country bankers. When the bridge was strained by the passage of vehicles of unusual weight over it, the policy should have been to strengthen the arch, and not to have pulled down every stone of such an extensive fabric. We cannot omit this opportunity of remarking that the bank, as a public body, has never abused the extensive powers of monopoly confided to it, but it has in all respects, conducted its business on easy terms, and on principles of strict impartiality. As a great run has lately been made at this corporation, more particularly by the writers on political economy, we think it but fair to make this statement:-There is no foundation whatever for the hackneyed charge which has been urged against the directors of the bank of England, on the ground that, by augmenting or contracting their issues at pleasure, they have effected an arbitrary alteration in the price of commodities. This is a matter which does not depend upon mere argument: it is a fact capable of being substantiated by irrefragable evidence. Let any man look at the account of the bank issues for the last twelve years, and he will be satisfied that there is no ground of complaint against the bank upon this head. An inconceivable mass of delusion seems to prevail with respect to the functions and powers of the bank of England directors. They are not unfrequently supposed to exercise some mysterious control over the unchangeable value of our circulating medium; and many persons, we have no doubt, believe that they hold periodical meetings to discuss in what manner the establish ment over which they preside can be rendered most useful to the nation. This may make a very pretty appearance in a pamphlet on corn and currency; it may even sound well when introduced by a director, while haranguing a body of proprietors of bank stock; but we are strongly inclined to suspect that the affairs of that great establishment are conducted upon a very narrow principle, the principle of extracting the greatest possible profit from a given amount of capital at the least possible risk and expense. We mean nothing disparaging towards the most respectable body of merchants who manage the affairs of the bank, when we announce our conviction that in regulating the ordinary routine of the establishment, they think but little of the public at large, and a great deal of the profits of bank stock. It is but seldom, we believe, that they aspire, in their directorial capacity, to the dignity of deciding upon affairs of state; they content themselves with the more humble function of turning to the best account the capital entrusted to their management.-Their maxims appear to be, never to refuse a good account when offered to them, or to decline to discount a bill of exchange drawn and accept ed by persons to whom they think it safe to give credit. We apprehend that the directors of the bank of England never turn away from their doors either a customer or a bill of exchange, which may be safely dealt with. The amount of the issues of the bank of England, therefore, depend upon the amount of the available capital which may be placed at their disposal, and of the good bills which may be offered them for discount. This capital consists of two separate and distinct funds:-the payments which are made upon the original sharesthis may be called the fixed capital of the establishment; payments. and the deposits lodged by customers who keep a check | Our apprehension is, that we have come back to a me account at the bank, which may be termed its floating talic curreu y with too much precipitation. Like M capital, and varies in amount according to circumstances. das, in the table, we were anxious that every thing When any of the minor banking houses happen, for in- touched should be converted into gold; but let us beware, stance, to fall to pieces, many of the best accounts for lest, like Midas, the effect of granting uns petition stoo!! deposits and of the best bills for discount, are transfer-i reduce us to starvation and ruin. The advocates for a paper currency found their argu ments on the prosperous condition of the country during the suspension of cash payments, and the distress and difficulty which succeeded the restoration of a metalic standard in 1819. Now, in some degree, these reason ers have truth an experience on their side. It must, we apprehend, be conceded, even by the warmest supporters of a metalic standard, that the act of 1797, did, for a time, contribute to develope the resources of this country; and this effect became more et pecially apparent in the strenuous and successful efforts which were every where made to extend and improve the cultivation of the soil. We are inclined to think that during the period which elapsed between the suspension and resumption of cash payments, agriculture made greater progress in this country than it had made during the whole course of the eighteenth century. It is certa that more waste land was inclosed and brought under t lage between 1797 and 1819, than between 1897 and 1797. and the improvement of old inclosures at least kept pace with the exertions which were made to reclaim and cu uvate those neglected districts. That this flourishing condition of agriculture did in some measure spring of the suspension of cash payments, is a circumstance which admns of no doubt. But at the same time it mu be generally admitted, that the measure in question gradually lowered the standard of value; that is to say, gradually diminished the real amount of all fixed money From the same of the same date. Mr. verdict of guilty, came on for hearing yesterday. "It seems admitted upon all hands, that, with all the Coxe, in defence of his notion, made a very ingenious elements of prosperity about us,with abundance of and forcible argument of about two hours in defence of capital, with unrivalled skill and energy,-with unre-his motion, in which he quoted authorities to show that laxing industry, and the never-failing wheel of machine-neither in England nor in this country, had the courts ry,-with foreign importations pouring in upon us from considered that the conduct of public officers in transall quarters, and with all those indications of wealth cending the limits of their duties was cognizable by any and activity which are generally cited as proofs of a other authority than that by which they were originally prosperous condition of the country,-we are in a state appointed. He also went on to show the various detects of general calamity and distress. in the several indictments, which he considered to be We are fully prepared to admit with Mr. Peel, that fatal. Particular stress was laid upon the last indictthe great elements of our national wealth are still alto- ment, charging the obtainment of two thousand dollars, gether sound and untouched; but yet we think that he of the money of the United States, from Mr. Harris, undervalues the present existing distress of the country. navy agent at Boston. In this last indictment he pointed There is scarcely a parish or village in the manufactur-out various omissions, which he thought were sufficient ing districts in which the people are not supported, to a to vitiate the indictment altogether. greater or less extent, by contributions, in consequence In reply, Mr. Swann spoke for some time in opposiof insufficient employment; and such are the appalling dif- tion to the motion. He contended that the new authorficulties with which the productive industry of the coun-ities which had been quoted, had no application to the pretry is struggling, that unless some speedy change in the system of affairs takes place, we are convinced that some national convulsion will ensue. sent case. He defended the indictments against the charges of defectiveness which had been made against them. He insisted that although the president might remove officers, for transgression of their duties, yet if the transgression was criminal in its character, it was for the court to take cognizance of the offence, and, if prov Mr. Coxe then strengthened his own argument, and stated that nothing which he had laid down had been overturned. On the contrary, he considered some of the arguments of his opponent as conceding the principles for which he had contended. "Ministers appeal to some branch of our trade in which the distress is so loudly expressed, and tell us "to look at them, to inquire into the state of facts, and judge whether the complaints be not groundless." They ap-ed, to punish it. peal for instance, to our shipping, and state that the country possesses more mercantile shipping at this time than it ever had before; and that this number is daily augmenting by shipwrights putting new ships upon the stocks. Here then they exclaim with triumph, is the proof of our prosperity in navigation! But this is merely to regard the surface of things; for we believe that no interest ever suffered more than our shipping interests at the present time. The value of the ship owner's capital has sunk fifty per cent. within the last five years; and most persons engaged in that trade would retire from it, but that the sacrifice of capital to enable them to retire, forbids that attempt which prudence would otherwise suggest. "Ships, which cost in building from eight to ten thou sand pounds, are every where to be seen in our ports, with brooms in their heads, to be sold for four or five thousand pounds! Freights have diminished nearly twothirds; and ships have actually gone out to the East Indies, at fifteen or seventeen shillings per ton, in the hope of procuring a remunerating cargo homeward. Was this a proof of the prosperity of our shipping interest? Would any man venture to represent that building was a prosperous trade in London at the present day?-And yet Mr. Peel might as well urge, as a proof of the prosperity of the building trade, that houses were never so numerous as at this time; and that new houses were building daily. But if we should investigate the tacts, we should find that almost every tenth house in London is now to let, and that most of the new houses, on which builders have commenced, are suspended for want of means. The truth is, that ministers generally draw flattering pictures at the close of parliament to console us during a long vacation. But how comes it there is a prosperity in our trade, manufactures, and commerce, whilst there is such a failure in our revenue? After all, this is the true test of the consumption, enjoyment and productive industry of the people." CASE OF TOBIAS WATKINS A few words were then said by Mr. Swann, and the argument here closed. "From the National Intelligencer of Aug. 15. Tre court yesterday delivered its opinion on the motion of T. Watkins' counsel, in arrest of judgment, and for new trials. The objections to the indictments, and the motion in the arrest, were overruled by the court, and the defendant was ordered to be brought in to receive sentence. The marshal, accordingly, proceeded to the jail, and soon after returned into court with Dr. Watkins in custody, when the following sentence was pronounced by judge Cranch: In the indictment for 750 dollars: Fined $750 and be imprisoned for three calendar months from this 14th day of August, 1829, inclusive. In the 300 dollar case: Fined $300 and be imprisoned for three calendar months next following the termination of his imprisonment under the sentence in the preceding case. In the 2,000 dollar case: Fined $2,000 and to be imprisoned for three calendar months next following the termination of his imprisonment under the sentence in the next preceding case for $500. The prisoner was then re-conducted to jail; and the court was adjourned sine die, after a most laborious term of more than three months duration. And thus has terminated one of the most extraordina ry trials ever witnessed in our country-rightfully instituted by the government, but urged on by the public press in a manner as disgraceful as disgusting; bearing evidence, in the articles published, that they were derived from official sources, it not written by persons who' cannot be supposed ignorant of what a respect for the law and its officers and agents, and of justice to the acFrom the National Intelligencer of Aug. 7. Our circused, required of them. Hundreds and thousands of cuit court, (bench, bar, jurors, witnesses, auditors, and offences as flagrant as any that the unhappy Watkins all) has been completely wearied out by the long trials committed, have been committed and will be committed which have just terminated-for the present. The ar- by others, without producing an hundredth part of the gument upon the motion for a new trial, in the case of the matter with which the press has groaned, because of poUnited States vs. Watkins, was not gone into yesterday, litical excitement. That Watkins was guilty is manifest; the court having determmed to adjourn, after getting but the doubts raised whether he committed those acts through some civil business, to Wednesday next, when for which he suffers with intent to defraud, was the main it is supposed the motions in arrest of judgment, &c. of difficulty in the minds of the court and grand and petit which notice has been given, will be argued. juries-and the talent and zeal with which he has been The grand jury renewed its request for a discharge, prosecuted and defended, are not among the least reand, the attorney of the United States consenting, it was markable characteristics of the trial, together with the discharged, after an unprecedented attendance of forty-patient industry and profound law learning displayed by two days. The Journal of the 14th says. The motion of the counsel of Dr. Watkins for arrest of judgment, and new trials in the three cases on which the jury had found a the court. No man, perhaps, was ever appointed to office with stronger impressions in his favor than Dr. Watkins-an elegant scholar and an accomplished gentleman, capable of great exertion and of acute discrimination. His ser- and seventy thousand dollars, there would be no inability vices, as secretary to the board of commissioners to in- to meet its engagements. I had no fears of a diminution vestigate and adjust the claims under the Florida treaty, of revenue, so as to produce any embarrassment to the led the way to his appointment to the place of 4th audi-department, if I could manage its concerns so as to retain tor, on the decease of col. Freeman, by president Mon-the public confidence. If this should be withdrawn, I roe, on the earnest recommendation, among others, of was aware, that its receipts would be seriously affected Messrs. White and Tazewell, now senators of the Unit-by it. The prosperity of the department ought not to ed States from Tennessee and Virginia, who had been be estimated by the surplus of receipts over expenditures. members of the board of commissioners just above spoken A very bad administration of its affairs, might show & of, affording them a full opportunity to become well ac- considerable surplus. Had I remained in it, I should By extending quainted with his character and capacity. He has lost have graduated the expenditures, so as to absorb, within the good name that was then given him, as well as that a given period, the whole of its revenue. confidence which other equally worthy gentlemen but the operations of the department, the public interest is recently reposed. The offences for which he has been subserved, and the revenue encreased. The funds should found guilty, or any of like nature or tendency, were be kept active, and not suffered to accumulate in the never suspected; and we think it most probable that, in hands of postmasters and banks, unless they are to be committing them, he never intended to render ultimate appropriated to other objects. The true test of a successful administration of the dewrong to the government or individuals. We believe that this is nearly the unanimous opinion of the numer-partment, is in the extension of its operations, limited ous persons in Baltimore who have known him well and only by its means, and in the vigilance and faithfulness of long, whatever may be their political sentiments. The its agents. doctor was often culpably negligent as to money-engagements, and not schooled to economy even by privation; and though many have suffered by him, we never heard it suggested, in years past or recently, that he had acted with an intent to defraud, in his transactions with them. THE GENERAL POST OFFICE. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Gen. Duff Green. I have, very hastily, written the above, trusting to memory for the facts. DRY DOCKS. [From the Boston Patriot.] It has been more than once hinted that the pecuniary As the dry dock at Charleston is a matter of curiosity affairs of this department were left in an embarrassed state by the late postmaster-general, in consequence, and a subject of much conversation in this quarter, and he addressed the following letter to the editor of the Uni-as several accounts of this stupendous work have been published which were more or less inaccurate, we have ted States Telegraph. been at some pains to procure a full and correct account We would express our obligations to col. Baldof it. win and the engineers under him in the management of the work, for the facilities afforded us in making up the account. Columbus, July 18, 1829. Sir-In your paper of the 7th inst. which I have just seen, among other remarks respecting the post office, you observe that "Mr. Barry found the department with a high character, but involved in contracts beyond its ability to pay. This statement, I presume, was made through inadvertence, and without a knowledge of the actual condition of the department. You will see from my first report, that on the 1st of July, 1823, when I entered upon the duties of postmaster general, there was a large sum due from postmasters. By my last report, you will see, that during the time I remained in the department, the receipts exceeded the expenditures about two hundred thousand dollars.-As I state from memory, I may be inaccurate as to the exact sum. This surplus, together with a sum equal, or nearly equal, to the amount due to the department, at the commencement of my present administration, with the current revenue of the year, constitute the means in the hands of the postmaster general, to meet the current expenses. I then submit to you and the public, whether the present postmaster general found the "department involved in contracts beyond its ability to pay." An accurate account of the dry dock building at the navy yard, Charleston, Ms. In compliance with a joint resolution of congress passed May 224, 1826, "that the president of the United States cause an examination and accurate survey to be made by a skillful engineer of a site for a dry dock at the navy yards at Portsmouth, N. H. Charleston, Ms. Brooklyn, N. Y. and Gosport, Va. and that such engi neer be required to state the dimensions necessary for such docks," &o. col. Loamm: Baldwin was employed, and his report, transmitted to the secretary of the navy, was communicated to congress by the president, June 10, 1827. The building of two dry docks was provided for by an act of congress, passed March 3, 1827, the 4th section of which is as follows: "And be it further enacted, That the president of the United States be, and he is hereby authorised, to cause to be constructed two dry docks on the most approved plan, for the use of the navy of the United States, the ope of said docks to be erected at some point to the south, After the necessary preparations had been made, a and the other to the north of the Potomac river." It is known that I was opposed to the establishment of additional mail routes the session of congress before the Jast, as a large number had been established the previous Session. But, under the peculiar circumstances which at that time existed, there seemed to be a strong wish among the members of congress, to pass the bill which the committee on post roads had reported, and I stated that the department could meet the expense, by absorb-coffer dam was first built, in front of the old battery, in ing a part of its surplus funds. If I mistake not, a greater number of routes were established at this session, than at any previous session, which, consequently, greatly in creased the expenditures. the navy yard at Charlestown, extending beyond low water mark, consisting of two rows of sheet piles from eight to thirteen feet apart; the intermediate space being filled with earth; designed to resist effectually the pressure of the tide, during the building of the dock. Connecting with the dam in front, and for the same purpose, about six hundred feet of quay wall, with an embarkment, was built, principally on the north-east side of the dock, the earth for the embarkment being taken partly from the subsequent excavation. Last year the expense of the department exceeded its receipts about twenty-five thousand dollars, and I calcuJated that the excess of expenditures over the receipts of the present year, would probably amount to nearly double that sum. But, if the amount should be greater, there will be ample means in the hands of the postmaster genAbout the last of May, 1828, the excavation was com cral, to meet "all the contracts of the department.' During next year, I entertamed no doubt, that the rev-menced, and continued, excepting in the inclement ses enue would be more than equal to the expenditure, and son, to the present time. At the same time the carpe that a surplus of between two and three hundred thou-ters commenced preparing the sheet piles, planks and sand dollars would rercain in hands, and in the hands of other timber work for the foundation of the dock, and postmasters, subject to the order of the postmaster gen- the stone-cutters commenced hewing the stone for its formation. About three hundred men were employed on the work, when the weather admitted, to the present tune. A sterm-engine of fiteen horse power, built by eral. If the expenditures of the department for four years to come, should exceed the annual receipts between Sitty |