The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-09-11
ce.. Thoen,on and the Canal.

We noticed short time since that Gen. Thorn
Ton had succeeded in obtaining a loan in London
10 the amount Of me million of dollars, for the
contractors on the Illinois and Michigan Canal,
who had received bonds from the State TO that
amount, and employed Gen. Thornton TO proceed
to Europe and endeavor to dispose of them. The
General returned from his mission and met the
contractors at Lockpori on the Goth ultimo, for
the purpose Of informing them of the result OF his
labors, which he doubtless considered Of much inn
portance, as the following statement taken from
the Juliet Courier will show. The Courier says ::
..Tho bonds were negotiated at s5p per cent. in
London, and the commissions paid out amount to
81 per cent, to wit
To broker in London, for introduction, &c. per
cent $4,000
To house through which negotiation
was effected, 2 per cent, 10000
To Gen. Thornton for PERSONAL
SERVICES, II per cent, 1880
S37, 800
"Tho exchange between London and New
York is 8 per cent, and on sl2 500 would amount
TO sl.l25, which makes sl3625 in New York.
"rhe exchange between Chicago and New
York il about per cent, which on Sl3625 is
equal to so53,75 which makes Gen. Thornton's
compensation for his trip TO Europe, only the
trifing sum of sl4,57s 75!'
Thus Gen. Thornton has received fourteen
Thousand fire hundred and sevnty-eigh dollars
and seuentyfue cents from the contractors for his
labors, whilst at the same time he receives from
the State Sc per day as Canal Commissioner,
which will amount TO nearly $500 more, and all
for the labor Of few months.
As the State loses nothing by this ,deecing
operation practised upon the contractors, (savo
the IS per day which he receives as commissioners,
and the fac thousand he pockets, which might
aid in completing the work. the public OF large
have nothing to do with il, is entirely confined
20 the contractors and the General themselves
But, the Generals conduct in this transaction
places him in rather bad light before the public
Hero is public func,ionnry, elected by the lcgis-
lature. and at the time doubtless considered high.
minded and upright man--of marked ability aud
well qualified for the responsible station Of Cana
Commissioner. His correct department. won fol
him the confidence and esteem Of those who h:st
accepted contracts under him. They cmplo,
him TO negotiate for them, relying entirely on hi'
honesty for the faithful discharge of his duties
He negotiaies for them but docs he rely on ,hci
lnsayor Kbeyoitp for just compensation 70
his serv,ccsl No! Hecxacis himself, and that too
like shylock, the very "pound q. fe@." Thu
transaction carries on IFS face, TO say the least
Il, something akin to geteeI npindling, and w
Y msy well eSclaim "fhea things BE- dane IN NJ
.,yess hee ,ehat ,aay hare been dime in the dry?'
We have, on several occasions, heard the. Gene
raj, together with his contemporaries, accused o
pwfioEfy, and Of practising systemof jatmifisss
with tbs contractors on the Canal, which we here
tofore did not credit, but judging from his courr'
relative 10 this transaction, we are inclined 10 be
iseve that ti.ey arc MOI without foundation.
W. have hoard the cArsl Commissioner &C
" -@.Ss>