That in every case of suspension, all pay and emoluments cease from the date thereof, unless the persons suspended be, upon trial, acquitted and restored; and the Superintendent shall have power to supply the place when it may be necessary, by a temporary appointment, to continue until the person suspended be restored or dismissed.
That the aforesaid powers shall not be construed to interfere with the rank, commission, or military duty of any officer in the line of the army, or those who may be duly intrusted with money for secret services by Congress, or the Commander in Chief of the army, or commanding officer of a separate department.
That the powers aforesaid be exercised during the pleasure of Congress, but not to extend beyond the duration of the war.
_April 27th._ On a further report of the committee on Mr Morris's letter of the 13th ultimo,
_Resolved_, that in order that the Superintendent of Finance may be at liberty to devote his time and attention to the more immediate duties of his office, he be, and hereby is authorised, to appoint by letter of attorney, or otherwise, such person or persons, as he may think proper, to prosecute or defend for him, in his official capacity, or in behalf of the United States, in all places where the same may be necessary.
The honor conferred by Congress in appointing me Superintendent of Finance, their several resolutions of the 20th of March, and the 21st and 27th of April, which your Excellency has been pleased to transmit, and a serious conviction of that duty, which every citizen owes to his country, especially in times of public calamity, will no longer permit me to hesitate about the acceptance of that office, although I must again repeat, that I have the fullest sense of my own inability. I shall, however, strive to find such assistance as will enable me, in some measure, to answer the reasonable expectations of Congress, to whom I can promise for myself nothing more than honest industry.
You will readily perceive, that much time must be consumed in procuring proper officers; fixing on men for assistants, whose abilities and integrity may be depended on; in laying plans for obtaining money with the greatest ease to the people, and expending it with the greatest advantage to the public; forming arrangements necessary to carry these plans into execution; and obtaining information as to the present state of things, in order that abuses may be, if possible, speedily and effectually remedied.