But, if we suppose them to have had a view to gain, it was to legitimate gain.

Their conduct was the very opposite of corrupt.

Not only had they taken no money.

They had disbursed money largely, and had disbursed it with the certainty that they should never be reimbursed unless the outlay proved beneficial to the public.

That they meant well they proved by staking thousands on the success of their plan; and, if they erred in judgment, the loss of those thousands was surely a sufficient punishment for such an error.