Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-07-06
(29.)
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Fourth .AuditOr's Office,


Fourth Audtor's Office,
February IN, 1880.
SIR: wish to tax your time TO aid me in an invest-
CATION Involving public good an private Justice.
You have seen in the newspapers certain charges
gans the Secretary of War, in connection with re-
ported efacaon of the late Parser J. b Timberlake
Timber LIKES account came into this office in October
lS2S IL was brought by his successor, Lieut. Robert
u Randolph, who rendered his own account at the
same time. The latter account was taken up and sc
tied by my predecessor. The former laid in the ofce
when came in unsettled, was taken up last Sumner
and reported while | was in the West, exhibiting
balance against Timberlake exceeding $4,000. Alter
my return, the family OF Mr.. Tmberlake expressed
me great surprise at the defacaion insisting that the
must be something wrong in the settlement Of the
count and requested me 10 turn individual attention
10 IT, did 50, and soon discovered that IL was
passed with mystery. lie had not received credit for
cent OF money hand when he died, nor was there
any entry OF cent OF money or OF property received
on his account by his successor. Following up cir
cumstances II has now been ascerainei that Timbe
lake Left OH board al the time of his death, upwards OF
ST. 900 in money, and large amount OF his property.
His successor Lieut. II 'ndolph being called on for
explanations, asserts that he eXpende all the money in
paymen OF Undertakes debts in the Mederr anean;
bat he Is unable TO give particulars. He says MIR.
Norman, now residing at the Navy Yard AZ Brooklyn,
can give correct account of the dispos ion OF the
ncy and told me that ne had written on AMI eudeavor-
ell 10 procure Mr.. Norman's attendance. To expedite
Mr.. Norman wrote TO him myself, promising that hi.
expenses shall be paid.
have since casually learnt, that Lieut. Randolph
had previously been 10 New York himself and con.
IeFreu WIN Mr. norman upon me SUBJECT and while
he i. assuring me that Mr.. Norman will be here in a
day or two, have letter from his wife stating that
lie IL confined TO his bed by bad col1 and will come
lie is able. have suspicious that he /:
not to come here at all. My object in addressing YOU
- TO get you 10 take with you the most adroit man al
cross xamining, your city Affords call on Norma n
question him 10 tho amount and disposition made Of
imberakes money and other property, request o. him
the names Of any officers and other persons
TO whom the money paid, AMI the amounts 10 each
as near as he can recosct; inquire what passed be.
| i'm ni,l.
Their he knows thing of the last officers cash book
belonging 10 Mr.. TimberlAke, how his letter book
came TO be mutilated what became of an inventory
| or memorandum of the account Of money, &c. made
ont by order Of Lieut. Vallee. These points indicate
| facts existing and apparent in his office. The cash
book is missing; the letter book il musted by having
~ or 80 leaves cut outs and inven tory, the making
Of which is proved, (and believe Mr.. Norman wa.
one OF those who counted the money! is missing. II i.
said that Lieut.. Randolph embarrassed in his cir.
cumsaucos and that he relieved shortly after hi.
return TO the United States Perhaps K would be vel
to question Norman about that. Possibly, Norman him.
sell may have shared this money, he may be in
disposed 10 tell the truth. 1 am informed, that re
wrote TO Mrs Eaton shortly alter his return from the
former husbands accounts but that he should give her
no Information, be cause she did induce her
husband TO get him Pursersbip, &c. You will soon
with what spirit he replies to your Inquiries and
II there be an evident equivocaon, il will be well
press him closely. II he can be OF To make state
meni in writing, provided you have any confidence in
its ver'ciiy it would be well. f this be not done
note down what he yourself, and soon as
BILE, put Inc in possession Of the result. have been
constantly intending TO write you in reply TO your yer
gratifying letter OF the IL umo, AMI still intend
II, but il must bs postponed until have little relief
from public concerns. Very respectfully,
Your ob't. serv't,
AMOS KENDALL.
j. X. rfT I,xn