Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-06-22


Not wishing to act sngly in an affair so delicate and
important. and presnming that the Second Comptro!.
Ter might have TO decide on the case, suggested to
the President the expedency OF requesting him and
Commodore Patterson, who commanded the ship to
aid me in the inve .tgation. On the 1at instant we
examined I-cutenants Randolph, vallette, and Tall
madEe. The statement of Lieutenant Randolph was
not closed, because it was intended question him
further after examining the other gentleman; but he
was called out on business, and did return OH that
day. Commodore Patterson Inns, at my request, also
made out statement, and, delivering il to ne
said he was confident the of money was nearer
twelve thousand dollars than eleven. I also submit
the statements OF Mr. GETTY and Mr., Handy. the two
clerks who settled the accounts of Lieutenant Ran
dolph and sIr. Timbersse.-c, III, In.
Lieutenant Randolph assured M. tat II had en-
deavored to procure tho attendance of Mr. Norman
and had sent money to pey his travelling expenses
inquired whether my writing TO him would expedite
ms arrival ad was answered that it probably would
De paid by the Government. After consulting you
On the instant. wrote him to that effect In re-
ply l received two letters; from Mrs. Norman
stating that her husband was ill., but would come on
as soon as he was able, the other from Air. Norman
few days subsequent in date, in which he informed
me he could not come without advance OF his tray
cling expenses.
In the mean time, doubling whether attendance
could be procured in this city, took steps to have him
nterrogated in New York. On the ed instant, 1
that city. letter dated 9th inst of which the fol
lowing is extracts
after the receipt of your letter enclosing the
| request Mr Norman that he would call and see me
at my office, and he this morning On my sta t
ing tn him the reasons for my requesting this int
view, his reply that he knev nothing on the sub.
jcct of the money property lief, by Mr Tmberlake
except having understood generally that there vas
some money and property. What became of it he
could not tel. lie neither assisted in counting the
one or taking inventory of the other.
! a few minutes after had received this letter, !
received word from Lieut. Randolph through Lieut.
Bell, that Mr. Norman in the CT v, nn1 that he
tired him. 4
see him until this day He now alleges, that Mr
I1mher!ake's money, which Gas counted on the ed
or ID April, 1928 was prd away, at least par,
oft his pay roll which is dated and closed on the
3lst March, and Lieut. Randolph requests access 10
the papers end payroll of Timberake. all dated be-
tore his death for the purpose Of selecting items and
making out an account current, to show what was
done with the money left by him. On consultations
Com Patterson, the Second COMPTROLLER and myself
we're unanimously Of opinion. that access ought not
be granted, unless general description
could first be given of the items claimed. and some
fact stated, tcodingto show the proba bty of claim
which conra;cts all tho records and pa pers which
was nevcr before heard of by the other officers
of the ship and which eis wholly inconsistent with
Mr. Norunns declarations TO Mir. Pauldn1.
Surprising ii possible that something which nigh,
throw hight the SUBJECT had been overlooked I
| recently directed two ofmy Clerks, Messrs HANDY
and Rlves, carefully to examine Mr.. TmberIake s
books and papers, one by one The only mate rial
result was the discovery that Err. Timberlake's In
test account book with the officers of the shin q
book often referred in the papers, and very essen
al to an investigation of his accounts, was also mis-
sing
Ii is impossible yet, to determine what balance if
any, Is due from Mr. Timberske to the Government
In various settlements of his accounts there have
been suspensions to the amour, of many thousand
dollars, portion of which may ultimately come to
his credit; but that is branch Of the subject have
not Investigated.
Upon these facts, Sir you 1ss;,at rf.sv be
ane to form some opinion upon the subjects of their
iDQairy.
| The means by which you and myself first received
formati ofthe existence of Major Eaton's letters
now on file IN It's Office, and the motive of our in
fornant eppeas t. ine 20 constitute essential part
OF the history oil this transaction Il is proved that
those letters read aloud in the office and copies
taken ou 1t was by an anonymous letter which
you showed to me, that you first became aprpzed
OF their ext, encc. A few days aft.rw ards rec w.
ed ore of which the following is q copy:
'Sir; on are very vgilant IN discovering abuses
among pubic officers as to money matters but why
vent your spleen worms, Even these can 1nrn
as you may find out Let say to YOU, inouir
what became of the money drawn by Purser Tim
berlske, that was paid to Major Eaton who under
took the guardianship of his children and the man.
agement of his property, for the sake of has o,fe
Take peep into the bank, if you can ind who
bought tho house, and where the money came from
You are the man to find out and your own Office
aiio Tie pahh CAL throw much lght on these matters
PAUL PRY.'
L always distrust the who Processes to rive
me information anonymously. The ano.ive of This
lntormer is seen in the following copy of an anon
ytnous letter received by Major Eaton, on the same
dav:
Sir have written letter to Mr.. Kendall about
the money that paid for ONeals houses; YOU know
what mean! Revenge is sweet, and I have you in
my power and will roast you, and boil you, and
bake you and hope you may long live to prolone
my pleasure. Lay moi the fatterng JUNCTION to your
soul that you cau escape / would not that
death or any other evil thing should take you from
my grasp for half the world. IAGO'
These two letters, and that to yourself are found
on comparison to be written in the same disguised
band Who IL is, that would make YOU and me- IN
the performance of our Official duties the instruments
OF bis Smeet reoenge, know not. But cannot help
asking myself, whether he who took copies of Ma
!or natons letters from the Office, did not know, at
the time the use Which was to be made of ibem -
Did he not then know that Mr. Timbcrakc vas TO
be reporici dc:auer, and intend to use those
letters precisely as he has done How could he |
Row thai Mr. Timberake would be q dcfauIter m |