Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-05-14
10

by amount paid for ration money TO officers
boys, credited Oh tho same Roll, 100 OC
And by u further amount paid TO a tailor
named Cihla tor articles made by order aud Tor
the benefit OF Mr.. Undertake, whose biIli is
~reee'pted as though paid 10y MIR. Timbcrlake, 1859 sc
S7.s5s 81
Leaving sill 10 be accounted Tor, A 800 n
Aud further, that Lieutenant Randolph received of the
small stores leh by Nh TImberlake to the value OF 5000.
Aud that he paid to Thomas Norman, after his return to
tbs United States, a sum stated TO have been due from
MIR. Tinberlake at his death 10 the said Norman, amount
ing 20 the sum oil 5000.
That Lieutenant Randolph's conduct in relation to his
transactions "a Acting Purser OF the frigate Constitution,
was incorrect aud censurable in the following particulars,
duties oil Purser, and taking charge of any of the property
aud effects lett by his predecessor, before a proper order
had been given Tor taking such surveys and inventories OF
ue property leit by MIR. TImberiake,a s the regulations OF
The Navy Department required, and before such inven'o.
ries had been duty taken aud handed to him.
In not charging himself and c~rediiing his predecessor
MIR. Undertake., in his accounts, with the amount of mo.
ney and other articles left by the said Tinberlake. Of
which he took possession, aud which he expended as act
ing Purser, and IN not mentioning such receipts TO the Oh
heers OF the treasury, or at the time OF settling his ac-
counts.
In making payments and taking receipts for the same as
though the payments had been made by Mr.. Undertake
during his life, and thereby rendering it impossible tode-
'ernine with accuracy the precise amounts which were
respectively paid by Mr.. Timberlake and by himself.
In not taking greater care 10 separate The articles left bv
hs predecessors, and OF which he did not assume the con-
troll and expenditure from those OF which he did assume
me control, so as to prevent any OF the former from being
ei'herissued or returned and passed to his own credit.
In returning Into the Navy store and receiving credit
ior linen or duck as slop clothing, when in fact il had not
been purchased as such nor any part OF the whole quantity
originally purchased, had been issued or charged AS s!op
clothing.
The Court are further of opinion that the before. mention.
ed neglects OF 1t. Randolph and the irregularities in his
manner oil performing the duties OF Acting purser, and in
Keeping and making out his accounts, did not proceed
from any intention 10 dcfraud the United States or MIR.
Timberlake.
The Court are also Of opinion that the amount of money
let III the possession of lIcui,nAut RandnlnE uLo IL.
accounts were lett at Washington in 1928, was SO large
That 1t ought OF itself 10 have excited doubts in his mind as
TO me correctness OF the accounts which he had rendered
OF the amounts which he had actually paid on account OF
MIR. Timberiakc, and TO have Induced some voluntary AZ.
.e"Pt on as Part TO procure a further investigation before
the 'me when lie was called upon by the present ih Au-
ditor Tor explanations.
The Court are further of opinion, that the conduct and
language OF 1t. Randolph tow ards the Second ComptrolIer
and The Fourth Auditor OF the Treasury was not intended
by him TO embarrass or intimidate either Of them in the
iars etuenento oil his accounts, but that the warmth or in
temperance oil his language was occasioncd by his having
adopted an opinion that they were disposed to treat him
with injustice in relation TO his accounts.
lhe Court arc further OF opinion, that 1t. Randolph had
u agency ulrect or indirect, IN writing or causing 10 be
written, any OF the anonymous letters referred TO in the
precep'' or that he had any knowledge OF such letters hav-
ing being written previous To their publication.
Inc Court then adjourned until Tomorrow at ~ o'clock
meridian.
Saturday, January 10, 1888.
The Court met according to adjournment: present. all
the members and the Judges Advocate.
The proceedings OF yesterday were read and the inves-
(Signed) C.. MORRIS,
President Of the Court.
Decision OF The President on the Proceedings of the
Court Of Enquiry in the case Of Lieutenant Ran
dOlph.
The President of the United States has carefully ok.
ainlned the proceedings of the Court Of Enquiry charged
with the investigation OF the conductoi Lieutenant Robert
Ii. Randolph in connection with his account as acting Pur-
ser OF the trigate Constitution.
1t appears by the evidence of Commodore Patterson.
commander OF the ship, that upon the death of Purser
John B. Timberlake at Port Mahon, on Ihe I'd of Anril
1873, Lieutenant Randolph was appointed acting Purser;
and that verbal orders orders were given directing an in.
Ventofy TO be taken according 10 law, OF all the money and
stores, public and private, left by the said TimberIake
which were about TO pass into the possession OF the ACTING
Purser; and that it was reported this duty had been per9
formed, with the exception OF some stores which were
slowed away under the ships provisions, she being nearly
ready 10 sail Tor the United States.
1t appears by the same testimony, that when the shin
arrived near the Light House at Boston, Commodore pa,.
terson enquired OF Lieutenant Randolph whether the in.
yentories OF the money and property left by Mr.. Timber.
lake had been sent 10 the Fourth Auditor of the Treasury
and was answered in the affirmative.
Nevertheless 1t appears by the evidence of those who
were directed to take the inventories that slthoug, The
money was counted, no Inventories OF the stores were taken;
and by the records and files OF the Fourth Auditors Office
IL also appears That no account, either of the money or
stores were furnished TO that Office by Lieut.. Randolph,
or any other person. '
1t further appears, that in the settlement of his accounts
al the ONCE OF Tie Fourth Auditor, Lieut.. Randolph nei-
ther charged himself with any portion Of the money or
stores LEFT by MIR. Timberlake, nor gave any intimSGon
that any had come into his possession.
ltiurthcr appears, that after Lieut. RandoIpb had rom.
pleted The payment Of the ships company on her arrival
~ the v states, he had left OF the public money nut into
DIS hdnds Tor That purpose upwards Of $40, 900, of which.
upon the settlement OF his accounts. he returned into re
Treasury a little more than $40, 600 applying the rest IN
ms own use, aud that he refused 10 stale in his defence
before The Court oil Enquiry in what manner This surnlus
OF funds had accrued.
IL iurthar appears, that in the year 1929, having arrived
in the United States in July, 1928. and his account ba.ina
been settled IN October OF that year, Lieutenant RandolpR
paid To Thomas Norman 5000 Of the funds renaininy
IN DIS hands on account OF Purser TimberIake. proving
t1"t ne was moi Ignorant Of the fact that all those funds had
rot been accounted for in his previous Sc uI,ueus viii, ue
Government. "o
II iufther appears, that The accounting officers If ue
Treasury were ignorant of the money and stores Ist bv
hr. llinberldkc until an unaccOuntable default exhititeJ
IN TIC settlement Of his accounts led 10 inuuirv into te
means ny Whlch II bad been produced; and when i'm fine
course u t'dt enquiry u was asceTtincd that money and
s'ofc5 'cit Oy MN hdd come into Lieut.. X indolpl,s nos.
SESSION., inc ldtter when called or, refused TO state the
amount or render any account Of them, although Ire ac.
knoNledgc1 that lie bad a memstauduu of Inc ,n,,u,, ~
the money, %indulging 10 passion and threat. unbccomin@
an "IlcrF OF me Navy, aud not TO be expected from 4 man
Of conscious integrity.
ConhdelnE These things so clearly established bv the
testimony, tie President canno. approve of So much nj
INC in'lng OF INC Court as declares, at does not appear
tha' Lieutenant Randolph said any thing with an intention
10 instead or deceive the commanding officer i'm relation.
10 'sFing OF inventories OF articles LEFT by Mr.. Timberske.
or OF te JisPo'iiion male VI tIep;" nor can lac spprovo
oil lie option expressed by the court. dj,,t te L,Crc
he'Oonvu neglect oI Lieutenant Randolph, and the ine.
gnliHlIes IN hts manner Of performing the duties Of acnng
Htef' AMI 10 Keeping and mtkiug ont lis accounts. did
noI proceed hon any intention 10 dt fFsud lie limited
states or Nh TmberaAe''