Autograph Letter Signed

Appointment of a National Printer

Discusses the legality of the President hiring a printer. He says that if a permanent, paid position serving all the government departments is contemplated, the position must be signed into law. Quotes the Constitution on presidential appointment powers; notes that if the documents printed by the man in question are supposed to carry the authority of the president and other government officials, he must be approved by the Senate. Notes that while the president and departments may use a common printer, he must be paid for work as a private citizen. Agrees on the necessity of having a printer to publish public documents produced by both the president and Congress, and notes that while the government will shortly move to Washington, no printer resides in that city. Recommends the passage of a law authorizing the president to appoint as necessary a Printer of the United States, to publish all public government documents, and to be paid either by salary or by the job (McHenry prefers the latter, as the former might encourage sloth).

1800

04

29

War Department

John Adams

James McHenry

Heads of Departments

Attorney General

Charles Lee

printer

Senate

War Department

City of Washington

appointment

Constitution

salary

public acts

proclamations

publications

state papers

treaties

official papers

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