Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1829-06-03

penueuCe dSo'ho 49, - - on
to oppose the inyeterate habhlis ana gu
deayors of an entire contenent, whlcn
has placed on its alters, the IDOL OF iee"-
macy.
Dr.. WatEins.-The following letter
from the correspondent of the United
States Gazette at Washington, furnishes
the fullest and latest information OF the re,
suit of the investigation before the Grand
Jury.
How the trial will end we. cannot toresee,
but we shall be less surprised than sorry, IT
the character of DIR. Watkins does not
come out unstaned. Weknowthe man
his fine talents-the amiable character he
has always borne-the deep interest he
had to preserve it for others sakes, as well
as his own, (his numerous and promising
children and it requires something strong
or than the affidavit of Mr. Kendall, to
make us believe that he has forfeited all,
for the consideration SlS00-lor though
his enemies at first alledged his defalcatlOn
to be $4,000 they have fallen and fallen,
until it now is made not to exceed $500.
That the affair, whatever the truth Oft
may be, has been used for political effect
IS demonstrable from many circumstances.
Its announcement to the public was pre-
coded by dark and Delphic givings out
from the Oracle Telegraph. Something
was speedily to be revealed It is said, that
would astonish the world, astonlsh all but
the guilty culprits themselves. About this
time, Dr.. Watkins name was FIRST con-
nected with the rumOr, and after lnslnuat-
inc that he was the man who had commit
q ted enormous delinquencles, it was art
fuVy added, that he had passed on to New
Jersey to see Mr.. SOuthard, and that
measures were taking by the late Admins
raton party in Baltimore, to set up new
! Press at Washington, and place Watkins
at its head. The design in all this, was to
insinuate, that Mr.. Southland knew more
than he cared to tell, of Watkins defaca-
ton, and thus to throw upon the late Ad-
minisration through one Of the prominent
members, the suspicion of connivine at or
conceallng, dishonest practices upon the
Treasury; and the addition that a comb-
nation was forming TO establish new
Press at Washington, with DR.. Watkins
at its head, was to leave the impression
that the money thus employed, was the pub.
lie money. We saw the unprincipled and
artful direction given to the afiair at the
time, but did not choose to expose 1t, until
the proper hour had arrived.
We are further informed, that Kendall
knew all the circumstances upon which
the arrest Of Dr.. Watkins was founded, a
lccek or ten days, before the letter left
Was hington for Boston, but for the purpose
of giving eclat to the matter, and that the
vigilance of Amos might be conspicuous
to the whole world, proceedings were de.
layed until Watkins had got to Philadel
phia, or perhaps Boston, when the order
for his arrest was sent to all the north
cities, accompanied by all necessary cir
cumstances of mystery, in order 20 create
sensation, and attract observation. Lei
DR.. Watkins be innocent or guilty, the
partizans of the administration stand con
victed of the uufairness of using the cir
cumstances of his case TO prejudice the
reputation Of the late administration, anC
to Justify that course of indiscriminate pro
scriphon which was previously determine
upon, and which cannot be justified by th'
argument, provided DR.. Watkins instead
of taking $500 as they say, had robbed
the Treasury of every cent in it. We yer
lily believe that his case has been mistifeC
his offence (if any greatly exaggerated
and misrepresentation artful but guard
ed ostentation displayed in the circum
II stances of his pursuit and arrest for the
three-fold purpose, ofthrowlng Odium upoI
, the late administration, falsely magnifyinl
the vigilance of the present, and excusing
the cruel and unnecessary prescription 0
faithful officers, by the iaSiRaatiOR. that a.
one of them was delinquent, all of then
might be so, or possibly were so. Th,
following is the letter to the u. 5. Gazette
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON
WAsHNGToY May TO- 1929
Conference.-The grand jury who
have have had the case Of DR.. Watkins
4 before them, have agreed upon a present
ment, which was laid before the court, &
on which bill is to be drawn, TO be sub
mtted to the Grand Jury, probably on
{ Monday. The presentment is in effect,
that Dr. Watkins by false representations
to the Navy Department, induced that de-
Partment to make a requisition upon the
Treasury Department, on which DR.. Wat
kins made drafts on Mr.. Paulding, in his
official character, and for his private use,
Whether the ball founded on this present