Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-07-17
MAJop WIfklAM q hE,ayIs.


Die sheet. the Baltimore Patriot, few evenings ago
attack, copied from its prototype, the National Jour.
no upon President Jackson because OF his appointment
OF Major VIM. b. Lewis the Office OF Second Auditor.
knowing him to be Gas the Journal said) public de-
fatatSr. From the conductors Of such papers the
National Journal anil Baltimore Patriot. we cannot
expect any acknowledgement OF error especially, il
by such acknowledgement an opponent is 10 receive
even justice; much less, IT, thereby, their attack il TO
rccol upon themselves their party. There would he
something too honorable and magnanimous in such q
course 10 he conceived Of by such as they whose
whole political skill consists in trick anc deception In
our paper OF to-day, however, publish their attack
End follow by atriumphant exposure, copied from the
PUBLIC DEFAULTERs.
The Journal asserts, that
Seen. Jackson affects patriotic horror Of dofaulers,
end all his purchased editors open In full
they fancy they have discovered one hunt him down.
Ye, Genera! Jackson appoints 10 be the Second Audi
tor Of the Treasury Major W. Lewis public default
cr,.known to General Jackson TO be such
HGenera Jackson reconcile IL to himself to place
public deiauter in responsible Office, after his decla-
raons against deiaulters, curious how he can
justify himself 10 the people
The multitude (says Jrnius) in all countries, pa
tent to certain point :"
Such charge. although originating in such source,
is worthy of reply.
ter Master General in 1872 In that capacity, he fur
nshed large supplies for the southern army Possess
ed of large fortune and almost unlimited credit he
horze6 the Governor to draw upon him. aud upon his
own responsibility he raised large sums, hen not
could be supplied upon the credit of the governments
thus enabling Gen jackson TO prosecute some Of his
most important campaigns.'
He under the ssy Of employing agents; and
from his desr promote the public interest,
tered losses through the ignorance, negligence,
or death OF his subordnates In he lost large
sum for the want OF the vouchers. which could only be
furnished by officer who killed at New Orleans.
We assured that his losses exceed the whole amount
| Of his pay during his service.
On the 9Th Of November, 1915, Major Lewis wroe
| to the accountant ofthe War Department "a follows
Extract from Mr. Leiciss letter to Col. lear IN No
uemJer 1915
"i request il as particular favor that my accounts
be put under examination speedily possible as am
particularly anxious to have them finally settled Ac-
counts Of such magnitude, amounting TO nearly one
million OF dollars ought TO be settled in the life time OF
the person WHO transacted the business is presua-
Bile he understands them better than any other person;
the uncertainty therefore, of life, makes imporunae
upon this subject The balance, whatever il may he,
and suppn,e there will he small balance in favor Of
the United States after all my settled ,rl
DC immediately paid Deer to any person authorized TO
reccv" the same when my accounts are finally settled
and such balance Gairly ascertained. [ hope my ac
counts will be settled without making il again necessa
~ for me to visit Washington for that purpose; bu,
should my presencs be necessary must try and get on
some time next spring summer"
The accounts were not settled until the winter OF
lS20-2i and upon notification Of the balance against
him. the amoSni was deposited to tho credit of the 90
vernment, in the Bark oil Nashville will appear from
the following, which is copy OF letter from the Au-
dtor:
COPY.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.,
8rd .4udifor's Office, Ap,ii I'd, 1921 {
SIR-l have received your letter of the ITih uit.-
The sum Of six thousand six hundred and fiiynin dol.
lars and ityve cents deposited by you in The Nashville
Bank 10 the credit oil the Treasurer Of the United States
having been passed your credit closes your account
on the books of this office Respectfully your oheden,
servant, PETER VI AGNER, Auditor.
WILLIAM b. LEWIS, Esq Nashville, Tenn.
True copy from the records OF this office
PETER HAGNER, .auiitor.
Upon the settlement of Governor Blount's accounts
il was believed that, further of $4,000 charged 10
him, should have been charged TO Major lie wis When
notified thereof he refused TO paw it, unless certain
lowed. This was refused because ii alleged that
his vouchers were informal Suit was broughtpari OF
his claims were allowed by the jury, and the balance
was paid into The Treasury.
Thus it appears, that Notwithstanding the positive
assertion OF the Journal Maj. Lewis is not defauer.
OWING SGss to . s 1ms esnt stood on the
books Of The Department such-bu' when il is re-
membcred that in addition 10 the 100000, TO which
have already referred he raised upon his resporsi
b,y other large and discussed arly million
OF dollars and when it is recollected aso that these
were made TO expedite the rapid marches
OF militia hro agents unacquainted with the forms
CURED at the Department. il is matter of SURPRISE that
he not involved in ruin.
There is another consideration. Maj Lewis, altho'
much more entitled 10 commission than Messrs NOmrse,
Fi!ebrown Hay, made charge, either for borrow
ing or dsbursing so large amount.
Ii was during these trying times, that Gen. jackson
saw the patriotism and integrity Of Mai Lewis put TO
the severest es-and it because he knew that both
above suspicion, that he appointed the re-
sponsibe station he now holds.
IL he hal pocketed large sums Of public money, and
endeavored 10 retain IL upon claim for commissions,
eStra services. the Journal if consistent, would have
auded him; hut as the stands, il is perfectly
in character for that print to asss him. II its object
were truth. il would re publish this sta'ement.Bui
its ayowed purpose is 10 censure the President,
onv expect repetition, version Of SANDERS
Ndshvte, st0leing Of these TRANSACTIONS II fooss
Ra b. Lss0is hos re! Books Of tie siue
J1!iowinE bills, OK
1914 src6 l6, yle BOrat's dratl Seorcsvo of NO