The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 11
History
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 11
United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources
All persons employed as Commissaries of military stores, of clothing,
or any other denomination, wherein the expenditure of public money or
property is connected, ought to be subjected to this authority. The
expenses in the medical department are said to have exceeded those of
the like kind in any other country. It is, therefore, evident that the
Purveyors, Commissaries, &c. in this department should be subject to
the same immediate control as others; and although the Financier
cannot judge of the medical skill of the Director General and his
officers, yet if any waste or misapplication of public property in
their department should come to his knowledge, he should have
authority to bring offenders to a Court Martial.
There is no possibility of introducing public economy without the
frequent adjustment of accounts; and the more various these may be,
the greater is the necessity of constant attention to liquidate them
speedily and well. The Financier ought, therefore, to have the power
of removing any of the officers, whose business it is to examine and
settle the public accounts, that so he may be enabled to obtain a
proper and early settlement, and prevent the dangerous effects of
inattention or corruption on one hand, or of delay, insolence, and
tyranny to individuals concerned in such accounts, on the other. And
on account of this power the Financier should have no accounts with
the public himself, but wherever expenditures are necessary in his
department, he should employ proper persons therein, subject to the
same powers and modes of accounting with every other person employed
in expending public property; or if of necessity he shall at any time
have accounts with the public, Congress can appoint a committee, or
special board, to examine and settle his accounts.
From what I have already said, I think it is evident, that the power I
have stipulated for is absolutely necessary; and although it is not
possible to enumerate every object of that power, yet the general
lines within which they may be comprehended can be drawn from the
observations I have made, although I have said our foreign
departments, as these may be brought into consideration hereafter when
it shall appear necessary.
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