Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-12-12
ImpoRrAyr MovEuEyr.-It will


Washington, December 8, 1885.
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ImPoRrAxT MoyEaENT.-It will be
seen by the list Of passengers who depar-
ted 10 the Liverpool this nerning cor EGG
land, that William NJ. Price, Esq, Uni
ted States District Attorney for the South
ern District Of New York, is Of the num-
Der. His business was probably urgent,
as he has embarked on sbeit notice. -
The Collector Of this port who spent last
evening with him, had no animation Of
his intention, and was no. aware of it I'M
til after the Liverpool had departed. Con-
lecture is already busy upon the circuln.
stance. Our own opinion, however, We
ry decidedly is, that the visit Mr.. Price
| to Europe is connected with the affair Of
his friend, Mr.. SwaItwout.--M Y. Com.
The Journal Of Commerce, after men.
toning the fact Of Mr.. P's. departure in
the steam ship Liverpool, says-The pas
sage of Mr.. Price was not engaged before
hand, nor was MIR. IIoyt the Collector up
prised of his intention, until be learned az
ter the ship had gone, that the District
Attorney was also gone. On the con-
trary, in a conversation between them on
the previous evening, Mr.. Price said he
should start for Washington yesterday
and he actually sent one Of his sons to
waitfo himat the Philadelphia boat; and he
was so waiting while his father was en-
barking III the Liverpool. Immense SUMS
of money have been passing through the
hands OF the District Attorney for long
time. The extended bonds he claimed
the right to retain at his office for colec-
ton, and they amounted to millions.
He has lost very heavily by bets on
the recent State election, and those bets
he has promptly paid. We are told he
left letter behind him addressed to the
/ President of the U. States, complaining
of the manner in which The Collector, Mr..
Swartwout has been heated. All the
members of Mr.. Prices family appear Il
have been entirely ignorant Of his design
The regular emoluments oil his office du.
i ring the last two years must have been We,
i ~ great.
The circumstances have excited muck
surprise, and much apprehension that un.
comfortable disclosures are to follow.
Before leaving New York Mr.. Price
addressedahes following note to the Pres
ident ofthe United States.
SIR--In the course of my public ano
personal relations with Samuel Swart
won't, Esq, former Collector of this Dis
trlct, have had no occasion TO questi or
either his intention or ability to absolve
himself from all obligations to govern.
ment or individuals.
The Solicitor of the Treasury has off
clally requested me to superintend anc
control the proceedings against HIM anc
his sureties, for the collection by distress
warrant against his person, and the goods
and chattles, lands and tenements of both
principal and sureties.
Inasmuch as doubt both that the claim
against him (Swartwout) has been truly
stated, and that the summary process tc
obtain 1t has been cunstltutionally ISSUED
by the Solicitor Of the Treasury, | beg
leave to decline any official connexior
with it.
Under these circumstances, cannot
consent to become the instrument of thei
destruction. My office Of District Attor-
ney ofthe United States is therefore here.
by surrendered 10 you, with the hope thai
you will speedily direct an account TO be
stated between the Treasury Department
and myself, in order that may be absol
we'd from any personal liability IN the
premises.
The amount ofcosts due to me for tn,
unfinished business OF the office hole
will far exceed that which have recently
received from debtors Of the Government
and will, upon final adjustment, entire.
ly acqult me Of any Indebtedness to 1t.
have the honor to be, with a great re.
spect, your ob't servant,
.. WIN. NJ. PRICE,
District Attorney for the Southern
District ofNew York.