Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-28
'Evcnsy-fourth Congress--Ist sess.
in SENATE--9fonday. Jonnary rs.
JUDGE WHITES SPEECH

I sinud
why III offered and the object wish accomplish it
Is duty incumbent me, to accompany il with sone
| your table: - -
Resored, That the Secretary of War be- and he here
oy requested TO inform the Senate what Office Benia
MN f. Curry holds in the Cherokee nation undcr Win,
law ne was appointed and at what time hat salary he
receives, and whether he has any time received anv
allowance IN addition to his salary, and how much stat
year.
This Mr. Curry went into the nation some time after
,ne election Of the Present Chief Magistrate, and be-
"e'ro untii about twelve month ago. he had been eu-
poyed as an interior agent TO supcrnend enrolment
OF Cherokees for emigration, to have their improve
During the last winter he was here and when I re-
turned home last Spring, understood he was making
hsorc as politician that out Of his head or
oy e instigation of person cced than him.
SELL he had, while here written letters for publca
'n, 70 small newspaper in my State which had
engaged IN Tie business of traducing In the course
OF the summer, had in some OF our Congressional
districts, animated contests between candidates for Can
gres' ms gentleman l understood, took an active
part. lie sometimes travelled of The nation and
even out of his Congressional District was jealous in
ptoPasaung ms opinions and rs am informed and be-
hcve either himself furnished the for
one or mere pieces, for the vehicle Of SANDER 10
which he had written while in Washington.
In the District including the Cherokee Agency, he
was Jealous opposing the election of former menu
per- and with a view to enable him efficiently was
IN The habit OF reading and showing conIidcniiay let
Ter SAID 10 be written by the President himself fndno
aui' with The former member by name, and using gene
raj expressions. which Mr. Curry said were intended for
me- have likewise been informed, that still farther to
succeed IN ms plans OF defamation he conidrntay used
letter, said 10 be written TO him bY my honorable col
Icague, IN which my used, not much 10 INV
advantage; and now take this occasion in The Sen.,e
IN presence OF our brother Senator's presence of this
audience, and in the face of the world, TO ask my col
league to say whether at any time he any letter
10 Dir Curry, IN which my is used
MIR. Grundy said this 10 him, a new and unex
pecteu proceeding lie did not know that he had
ever written TO nlr Curry in his life but of one hing
he was certain he him speaking disrespeci
iully oil his colleague.
Mr. White Prccceded-I then satisfied with the
answer given for the present nd this artcc must have
been used by Blr. Curry the more effcctuaIlv 10 d.
ceive and ms, ad those to whom he made such state
ments.
worthy to be made of conversation Our cleo
uons terminated, the former member was re- elected:
anu wncn INC Legislature met was again honored with
scat here, by unanimous vote.
some time ago, friend brought n Georgia news.
Pafe ana pointed me letter under the signature ef Mr.
Curry dated LIST December, 1885 and addressed 10 tle
editor of newspaper called the Federal Union In that
paper had been published, and from copied in var
Gus other papers, and finally into in my own State
called The Nashville Union, gotten up by funds furnished
here expressly for the purpose of dstributng in NV
own State and elsewhere all the dirty filth and SANDER
my humble standing. 800
The time at which this letter published as well ms
the place where, and the matter OF it, struck me with
much force. The Legislatures of Georgia of Alabaua
oil tennessee, OF North Carolina Virginia. asd several
other States, were then in Session. if mistake not and
do hope gentlemen will correct me- and thai of
mississippi was soon TO meet Four of these States had
deep stake IN the Indian question: because the Indians
now reside in portions of them.
saw that the most gross aud base false hoods co,
tanned IN IT, as TO myself This did not so much re-
gard; but saw further, that with view 10 reach me
Statement. was made respecting Mr.. Mcconnell one of
my constituents, an humble and ncficnsve citizen which
would, In all probability, cost him his life felt hurt
ny this, as had been the medium through which The
Secretary of War had induced him 10 unde rake tbs do
hcale, confidential and hazardous agency
ne alsehoods were garing. and the n,ischievons
tendency OF ihe letter so obvious, that at first hoped us
a. "a fla1 fi.,.,,
would be set right without any application from ,
quarter Alter waiting time without any siep bay
ing Deen tIken and having good TO believe that
e letter had been seen by al east member of the
Administration, addressed letter to the Secretary of
War, under date of the I'd inst, copy of which will
read: wa
WAsmSoToN, Jan 2, 1886
DEAR Sir: must take the liberty Of INVITING vour
attention 70 letter under the signature of benjamin
+, curry, published in newspaper called the Federal
1885" agency Dec. Isl,
In 1t you will sec, in speaking of Samuel Mcconnell
MI, curry uses this language lie " has for some years
past, under the procurement Of Judge White of Ten
nessee been receiving pay from The United States Co
Vernmeht, as secret and confidential agent; while all
ms visible efforts have been defeat the measures of
INC osirnsibe Agents IN bringing about treaty"
ieei assured your own sense OF justice will at
pronounce that this statement, far as am concerned
is entirely unf0unded.
The name Of Mr.. Mcconnell not brought TO your
notice by me, never asked procured the Department
to appoint him. Any agency | had in the matte was
at the instance Of the Department and 10 carry into e
lect us Wishes as rs luy disclosed
acting Secretary of ar me; and my answer will IN,
enclosure to him, to which beg leave 10 refer you
In that, as IN every thing else, willing TO do all
IN my power TO aid IN carrying into effect tic wishes of
The Department IN relation To Tire indians and ,uust
tblnk ain treated with great injustice If your agents
attached TO your Department thus 10
and calumniate From all the information possess
must think, in the charges against Mcdonnell hpr, 10
great disregard Of truth had ever believed and vel
DO That he acted with great fidelity and that ftom his
services much benefit resulted.
But, sir, 1t Mr.. Mcdonnell was a secret AGENT an.
Poin%a by your department does he merit that his lie
should be endangered by this statement Of your AGENT
II he was not secret Agent is it riaht that he
should b. endangered by the statement Of such false.
hood,
In another partof Mr. Currys letter he states short
ly before the council, Lewis Ross came 20 Knoxville
aud aer ms return rumors were put 0Oat connected
with my
The inference Mr.. Curry wishes should be drawn
from tins statement no doubt was that Lewis Ross came
TO Knoxville To consult assure you, if Mr. Ross
was at Knoxville, fYou the time I left Washington in
March, I'LL my return this fall never heard Of IL mill
Whatever with him
The whole tenor Of this letter SO far as am concerned
IS tssdc OF misrepresentation, intended to place nv
conduct in false view before the world
am well aware that those vino know Mr. Curry
would not excuse for taking any notice of s Sian.
ders generally bot from the peculiar nature of his charge
ana the circumstance Of bis xion with your De.
parment his statement may be though entitled to some
credit should IL pass without rcbnke
He your officer, you the witness who knows tho
gross injustice done me- and 10 you confidently appeal
fos suc steps viii do that which lust TO the country
70 Dir. Curry, and to myselc
beg TO BE- informed what course you will pursue in
this matter.
have tho honor to be- most
Respectfully, your obcdient servant.