Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-03-22
THE WAY The MONEY WENT-C. p.
VAN NESS.

Below is a beginning of Developments which
will show where millions of the public money
have gone; and at the very beginning, we find
that man, not unknown to the peopls of Yer.
mont, is deeply implicated, Our limits will not
permit us to comment, MS the occasion demands,
upon the facts disclosed in the following letter
from the Hon. r. Halves, u distinguished menu
Der of the last Congress from Kentucky. Suffice
it to say now, that the following propositions are
pretty conclusively established:
LIST. That Mr.. Van Ness, in the opinion of the
late Secretary of State, drew S26,4ls of the pub
lie money wrongfuly, and was therefore consider
ed by that high officer TO be somewhat in the char
acter of delauer.
I'd. That the late administration has suffered
Mr.. Van Ness to retain the money! thus wrongful
ly drawn, for five long years. ncgIecling to bring
the matter to an issue by judicial investigation
3D. That Mr.. Van Ness was jus, as disinierested
in his late extraordinary eflurts to sustain the Van
Buren, administration in Vermont, ms he could be.
with 26,ilS Spccie-ous reasons against turning out
men who had long suffered him to retain lii
spos; and just as honest any other man could
he, who supports men whom lie knows to be neg
lectful Of her duty.
We trust that this discovery late as it is, will
not be without advantage to those who honestly
supported the late administration. Let them here
catch glimpse Of the true character of the lac
dynasty, and of its chief supporter in Vermont
TO editors Of tac National Iotellgenccr.
House of Representatives, Mach |, lSll
AlcSsrs GALES 8 SEAToN: had intended, while
the Civil aud Diplomatic Appropriation Bill was
under consideration, 10 have called ihe attention OF
Congress TO the extraordinary expenses OF the mis-
SION To Spain IrOm 1929 to 1896, hut was prevent
ed by resolution Of the House arresling all de-
bate before that part Of the bill was reached to
which The subject properly apperlained. With re.
gard TO the authenticity of the facts stated, will
observe that they were obtained from the archives
oilhe State Department., and may be re led on rs
accurate.
Cornelius p. Van Ness was appointed Minister
70 Spain on the OBI Sept. 1899 aud his mission
was terminated on the lSt Oct. 1885, being serv-
ice of five years and seven DAYS. Mr. Van Ness
continued at Madrid, Notwithstanding hS recall.
claiming to he Minister ill the 2l-t Dec. 1885, be.
ing period of service tor which he claims the
emolumenls OF Office OF six years and ;hree months
MIR Forsyth Hate Secretary OF State, says that Mr.
Van Ness was recalled on the 1T Oct. 1885, and
refuses to allow him any compensation for his gra-
tuous residence after his recall. Mr. Van Ness
says that, in consequence Of the death OF MIR Bar
~, who was appointed his successor, and who di-
ed at Liverpool on the 31:h ui Aug 1885, lie felt
ut liberty to remain at tie mission.
The controversy between MIR ForsJ tn and MI
Van Ness TO the question whether 'r Van Ness
was Minister after The l> Oct 1885, is most sin
guar; aud TO state it fully would greatly extend
This communication and involve Mr. Van Ness in
Il matter which will no doubt become u subject o
judicial investigation.
My main purpose is to call The attention of Con
gress to the enormous expenditure wIIirh has beer
CT arged on account Oflhs mission, with the hope
III at this aud all oihcr dponniic accounts will b,
CLOSELY AND thoroughly investigated.
Mr. Van Ness was in office, rs Mr. Forsyth MS
sei1s, land he is the best possible Witness, for tie
pc Rod Of five years and seven days. He was au-
TIN ,rZed to draw on the Bunker of the U. ). n
Ln ndon for his salary, onl6E etc and he has got
tea into his hauds the suin.of ,G0S 81. The
res rIlar npensaton would he thus, $4,000 outfit
81 5,l75 salary and S2,250 return allowance, max
ina altogether S56,425. How is the balance o
thi sum accounted for? Mr. Van Ness claims we
n aance of about 50, 100, while the Secretary o
S.i lie makes balance against him Of S26,4lS Al
If Mr. Forsyth he right, this balance OF S26,4l6
81 should have been paid into the treasury IN the
fal of 1885 or rather should not have been cXtrac
tea from it. Mr. Van Ness, however, married Z
81 ansh lady in Madrid, in The month ofDec. 1885
an d continued his residence there until about the
fn or winter of l639-l0 thus holding and usin.
hi S large sum for more than five years He la:
no yet been brought to IL settlement, and, havin.
pr session OF the money, will be III no hurry Il
came to q settlement.
Some of Mr. Van Ness charges for conlingen
ci es are somewhat extra ordinary. | will state
me OF them:
J. .ostage and irank,ng $l,305 O.
u ransIations $500 0(
> tationary ,324 6s
Expenses in following the Court of Spain
in changes Of residence 44H lC
Office rent l,7l2 o.
Examinations aud dressing house 2}5 81
Presents go
In the month Of March, 1888, Mr. Barry was ap-
pointed Minister TO succeed Mr. Van Ness, and u.
before stated died on his way 10 the mission. Iii,
representatives drew from the Treasury for hi.
outfit $4,000, return allowance 81 $50, and salary
and other charges the entire sun of Sl4,5l4 60
NJ Eaton was appointed 10 the same mission il
The spring of 1896, and up The Dist Of Dee. 1886
when he reached Cadz, was entitled Ia Sl4 l6s
for outfit and salary. The ) .crelary of Legation
is by law entitled 10 $4,000 per annun
The expenses AS charged To his mission, and nc
tualy drawn from the treasury, from the % Sep
1929, till 2lst Dec. 1886. being about six ears anc
rhrec months, are MS follows:
Mr. Van Ness S99,60S 81
Mr. Barry I45l4 7:
MIR Eaton l4,lG2 OF
Secretary OF Legation 1850 OF