Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-05-30

IL further appears, that in the yea
fotY, having arrived in the United Stat,
m July, 1928. and his accounts hayin
been settled IN October oftha, year. Lieu
randolph paid 20 Thomas Norman $50
OF the funds remaining In his hands on ~
count OF Purser Undertake. proving ths
ne was not ignorant OF the fact that n
those funds had not been accounted for I
MS previous settlement with the Govern
ment.
~ further appears, that the accountin,
officers OF the Treasury were ignorant o
me money aad stores Icft by Mr. Timber
lake until an unaccountabie default exhib
tied IN the settlement OF his accounts lee
10 inquiry into the means by which il hat
produced; and when in the course of thai
enquiry It was ascertained that money &
stores LETT by him had come into Lieut.
hsndolph's possession: the latter wl,er
called on. refused to state amount. or rem.
der any account Of them, although he ac
knowledged that he had a memorandum
oil the amount ofthc money. indulgins in
passion and threats unbecoming an officer
ofthe Navy, and not to be expected from
man OF conscious integrity.
Considering these things so clearly es
taolished by the testimony. the Presidcn,
cannot approve Of so much of the findins
oil the Court as declares, III does not an
pear that Lieut.. Randolph said any thing
with intention to misiead or deceive the
commanding officer in relation to taking
Of inventories of articles left by Mr.. Tim
beriake, or of the disposition made OF
themi" nor can he approve of the opinion
expressed by the court, "thAt the before
mentioned neglect Of Lieut. Randoluh. h
the irregularities in his manner of perform
ing the duties Of acting Purser. in keeping
and making out his accounts, did not pro
ceed from any intention 10 defraud the u.
States or Mr.. Timberlake."
These conclusions, in the opinion OF the
PRESIDENT, are incompatible with Lieut.,
Rsndo'ph's failure to charge himself with
the transformation given by him to Com
modore Patterson in relation TO sending
the inventories to the Fourth Auditor
with the appropriation to his own use be
fore settlements of his accounts, of near
Ten Thousand Dollars OF the money sent
to him at Boston to pay off the ships com
pany,. showing that he had an accurate
knowledgc what would be the result of
that settlement--Sith payment of 5000 10
Mr.. Norman after the settlement of his
account, which is confession of his knowl
edge that he had retained money belong
ing to the United States or to Mr.. I'm
berlake. and his refusal TO give ipfor
nation ~ relation to the money and pro
perry left by Mr.. Undertake as he was
bound TO do. as Purser of the Navy by
law--and with the manifestation of excite.
ment and the violent language used by
him when called for explanations.
And finally. instead Of coming forward
and correcting the errors in his account
Which have been developed by the court
OF enquiry and returning to the Treasury
the "a, 303.iI-which that court after lii,
orally admitting every claim advanced by
him with show Of evidence, find to be
still in his hands, unaccouuted for, he has
presented to the accounting officers Of the
Treasury an account current, composed
IN great degree OF items which have no
toriousiy passed to hi, credit. or are un
founded and frivolous, showing balance
OF atout $500 in'his own favor against the
United States, thereby evincing a deter
mination not to refund any portion of the
money which he has improperly applied
to bis own use, if it be possible to avoid it.
In the opinion Of the President, the facts
which appear in this case and the conduct
of Lieut. Randolph throughout the inyes.
tigation, prove him to be unworthy the
Naval service Of this Republic. and an un
fit associate for those sons of chiyalry,
integrity, and honor, who adorn our Ma
Wy. The Secretary of the Navy is there
fore directed to dismiss Lieut.. Robert B
Randolph from the Naval service Of the
United States
And the President trusts that the most
efficient means will be resorted to by the
Navy Department to prevent IN future
that total neglect and disregard Of the
rights of deceased officers and their fami.
lies which form striking characteristics 10
this case.
(s,gnedy ANDREW JACKSON.
April IL, 1888
(B.)
NAVY DEPARTMENT !
January Gath, 1888.
Sir.-The Court Of Enquiry in relation
to your conduct having closed its sessions
and made report to this Department on
the questions submitted, seIze an early
opportunity to apprize you d this IA ct. s.
IF ek xfafsn tka If