Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-09-17
THE ADVOCATE.
FRIDAY, sEsTEmBER II.

lII, Oh tnc ktouSo oil REPRESENTATIVES, com. |
piled in obedience TO Tho resolution OF 4th
February, 1880, by Mr. Kendall, exhibits
striking picture of the matohlcss beauties of
the late administration. Tso people must
become enrapturod with it, and feol utter
establishment that they have not before dis.
covered the perfection of past rulers.
Tho wanton, illegal, aud fraudulent waste
Of the public money by the precious coalition
culprits is almost incredible and their har-
dened effrontery, unblushing, bare faced NAL.
versation, is only cqualled by the incorrigi-
BILE cupidity and interchangeable "agony of
prayer" with which Messrs. Allen & Leon
ard, for years, wearied Congress with their
pretended claims amounting to over Sl1 goo
of which Com. Chauncey asserts th,t they
were not entitled to u single dollar. And
yet the unassuming, modest, immaculate
Secretary Southard-whose sensibility over.
powered him when he was brought into
court to testify against his companion in
guilt-allowsd and paid out the money ho-
nest Toby Watkins however being permit
ted to finger 81 900 of it by way of loan -
known TO older governments-the John An
derson bribery acted out in fine style!
Case of allen and Leonard.-In January,
1916, Mcssrs Allen &. Leonard contracted
with Commodore Chauncy, acting for the
Navy Department, to deliver 10000 gallons
Of" good whiskey' at Sacketts Harbour, at
80 cents per gallon, and the original Cos, of
the casks.
They proceeded to deliver upwards of 5000
gallons at Sacketl's Harbor, agreeably to con.
tract. They then received notice, that, in
consequence Of the peace, no moro would be
received at that place.
Upon the peace, the price of whiskey fell
about 30 per cent. and the contractors were
anxious 10 fulfil their contract
Under date of March 10Th, 1916, Commo-
dore Chauncey wrote letter to the Navy
Department, of which the following is an e1-
tract.
g The contractors complain that they will
suffer great loss because they have laid in the
quantity Of grain which would be required to
complete the contract, besides having given
bonds to the United States for the whole
amount of duties. They, however, offered
to detirer the 1ohiskey at Noto York instead
of Saokett's Harbor, and the contractors of
shot, iron, ballast, and beef and pork, have
made the same offer; all those articles will
be required at New York, it would save much
litigation to allow those people TO complete
their contracts, and deliver at New York in
stead Of Sackett's Harbour"
10 this the Secretary of the Navy under
date of 29sh March, 1915, wrote as follows.
"You will accept the proposals of the con-
traitors 10 deliver the whiskey, provisions, shot
4c. at New York, instead of Sackett's Har-
Dor"
Messrs. Allen & Leonard proceeded to de.
liver, at New York 2S,325 IA gallons of
whiskey, for which they were paid 80 cents
per gallon, and the costs of the casks. No
claim was advanced by them, at that time,
for any extra allowances in consequence of
change of contract.
In 1919, however, through David b, Ogden
a member OF Congress, they presented a
claim to the Secretary of the Navy for cost of
transportation, which they say in their letter
TO MI Ogden, was about $780,"
The Secretary made inquiry of Commo-
dore ChauDcy, and received letter in reply
dated 18th 1919, Of which the following
is an extract
made an arrangement with Messrs. j.
IL. IL ). Leonard, and others TO deliver the
whiskey at New York instead of Sackett's
Harbor. ] have no documents with me to
show what that arrangement was; but / am
confident 1t was such as was satisfactory to
the contractors at the time, and that no a.
t0ioance TOR transportation aoaS either pro-
miscd or expected.
On the same day the Secretary wrote to
Mr.. Ogden, as follows: "I have the honor
to enclose, herewith copy of a letter from
Commodore Chauncy, in relation to the claims
OF Messrs, j. Fl. d S. Leonard, from which
IL appears that there is nothing due to those
gentlemen"
In 1922 they presented their claims, by
petition, to the House of Representatives.
They were now increased, and were composed
OF tho following ITEMS viz:
To difference in expense between TRANSPORT.
ing 33,32S IA gallons of whiskey from
Lewis county, New York, to city of New
York and to Sackett's Harbor, 27O miles,
4. at Is cents per gallon $500 CT. Extra
loss sustained by leakage, &c. at ] ct. 1888
%. Extra expense attending the delivery
OF whiskey in New York, &c. $3.50. To
tai $5,4l5 o.
Here was All increase in the Transportation
from 1919 up to 1922, of more than 500; and
two new charges appeared, not before thought
OF, amounting to 81 1888 28.-The claim was
accompanied by an affidavit of James Fl
Leonard and Samuel Allen. in which they |
swear that " the above amount is now instly |
due to these deponents, and that the charges
are moderate and reasonable, &c.
On the 25th Of March, 1922, the petition
and papers were referred to the Committee
OF Claims, (but do not discover that they
acted on 1T at that session.
AT the next session these were again pre-. |
scented, and referred to the COMMITTEES of
Siaims That committee applied to Commo-
oore Chauncy for information; and in his |
reply, dated 18th January, 1928, he says:
rnat L accordingly entered into such
engagements, to deliver in New York in
stead of Sackett's Harbor] aohich oere the
more readily assented to on the part of the
whiskcy had fallen about 80 per
cent. although believe it rose again before
Inc deliveries were completed TO about 10
per cent above the contract Price.
That Messrs. Allen g. Leonard agreed
Q deliver at New York, instead of Sackett's
Harbor, at the original contract price, say 90
tents per gallon.
That Mcssrs. J. Mappa 81 Co. agreed TO
ieliver at New York at two cents per gallon
ess than their original contract price, say 80
;ents."
With all Mossrs. Allen & Leonard g aftida-
,its and certificates before them, asserting
nat they e1Pcctcd extra compensation, &c. |
N the 10th of January, 1923, they reported |
gainst the claim. In conclusion, they say (: !
we invite the attention of the House to |