Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-04-05
DEVELOPMENTS OF PRODloALrrY



to confirm the suspicion. But the hall could not
profled by the plumber OF the public. and were
mes, Interested in eoneealing the facts were they,
who had the evidences in their own possession. IL
more Post Office and Treasury building, were not
destroyed by fire, no one doubted but that startling
developments would be made, when the Wings got
power and came to investigate the accounts in the
various departments. The expecta ton has been
somewhat disappointed by the loss, which the
Wings sustained in the death Of Genr Harrison
the treaehery OF Capt Tyler. and his disposition
to make capital for himself, by screening the
Loeofoco delinquents. But notwithstanding these
obstacles, and the OF the important co opera.
ton Of the Exeeu,ivc-the Wing Congress have
succeeded in making some disclosures, which will
make the people stare. We gave last week a 70
port from Committee disclosing the loss OF some
100000 IN n single transaeton-in which the po-
litieal morality Of tho then Vice President was
strongly implicated. We have since heard some
other circumstances connected with tina, affair
which, If VIC were permitted TO disclose them, would
present that trans action and those concerned in IT,
IN more odious light, if possible.
In addition TO this, we give below n letter from
weN-iniormed and reliabl. conference.-the contents
oil when cannot tail TO make deep impression
uPon the public mind. Was there ever, since the
latter days Of the Roman Empire, such shocking
corruption IN the Administration Of public affairs ?
Can any Que be surprised, considering the waste
here disclosed, that the Government is bankrupt,
and that common honesty is OF no repute with the
incumbenis of office 7
Correspondence Of the Vhg.
WAsHIsoros, March 81, 1912.
DEAR SIR: Some time ago wrote you letter.
giving an account of the re,renchment which the
Wings had made in the contingent expenses of the
House OF Representatives; and taking birds. eve
view OF certain Developments OF wasteful expen-
dtures, IN the various departments. This letter ex
cited good deal Of attention. and gave rise TO sum
dry newspaper criticSms-some anonymous ana
others under the signature Of officers Of government.
You will recollect, that gave the statements
therein contained upon the authority OF rumour ;
and though believed them to lie correct in all re.
'peets, could not vouch for them upon my perso-
nal knowledge. As had been instrumental.
however, in giving publicity TO the statements,
felt 1t to be incumbent me to make more specia
examination of the facts, in order that il had done
injustice to any one, might repair it. have 40.
cordinsy made the ex animation, and find that my
statements ere substantially couect-ihe principal
error being in charging certain expenditures to the
Florida war; which properly belonged TO other 10
calIiis' At future day will revert 10 this sub
jeci, and give the documentary evidence. One OF
the statements was tina; the Government had been
charged $500 for making Wagon to he used in
the Florida sands and swamps. This price was SO
enormous, that the announcement shocked credulity
itself. But 1t is nevertheless true you will per-
eeivc by reference TO official repor, which
herewith send you. See pages and 10, Mer-
wether's report, No. 45s, made 2ls, March, 1912
For the edhcalion OF some Of your readers, l will
give some of the details OF the bill OF cost
For materials and workmanship, sI623 30
Expenses OF MIR Grant, IS 10
Superlntendeuce of Mr. Grant, 65I 50
Whole cost, s2,363 SO
The harness for two horses for this Wagon cost
according to report, 5000 (See page 10 }
This report of MIR Meriw ether, abounds m a
variety Of Instructive farfs upon the subject of
economy. some of which beg leave to extract for
the benefit of your readers. hope, moreover, that
you will give them the whole report at an early
day. My purpose in calling attention to particular
items, Is merely to whet the public appetite for the
page IOl
Amount paid Samuel IL. Peck, for ten
Wagons, engaged in transporting puO-
lie stores 80 days, at $40 50 per day, S4O95
Amount paid for transportation from Ac-
susia 10 Columbus, at sl2 30! per
page 81
For rent Of house at Picolata for one year,
$500 per month, $500
page Ill
For six teams transporting baggage from
Fort Jessup to Fort Towson, 30 days,
each team to carry 1900 pounds, and
travel IL miles per day-S2O per day, $4,000
What think you of these prices. wngsoners OF
Western Virginia team to carry half load,
half days journey, and get $50 per day,.,
will now pass on to some smaller matters. On
page -, find charge allowed for 57OO 900 bricks
at Apalnchicoa, at $40 96 per thousand!
On page II of same report, | find wood charged
at the following prices
Amount required at New Orleans, at $40 per
cord, On page :. find a charge of $4,000 Tor 500
per cord!D allowed for transporting 100 cords OF
wood from New Orleans to Fort Brooke
Bot the most wasteful OF all the ex expenditures
have been in tho hiring of steamboats,.
In many instances, Boats worth from ten 10
twenty thousand dollars, were hired at from $500
to $1,000 per day!
The owners Of he Boat Henry Croweu, which
Gen'l Jessup says was worth about $4,000, re-
ceIved $500 per day and the whole amount paid
them for hire Of that Boat, as appears from page
OF that report, was 49,. 555!
The following additional extracts Of prices How
ed as hire for steamboats, are submitted 20 a candid
public, that the people, when they come to pro
nounee their judgment on the great parties OF the
country, on the 9TH Thursday in April, may see
whether the Wings were justified in charging the
late Administration with wasteful and eItravagant
expenditures Of the public money
T.. 4. Forcsier-7 months, at g., 800
per month s2i, 500
Charleston-10 months, at
1000 per MONTH 10000
i. >. Wnlohmnn-I7 days, at $50
per JAY 1850
Trip from Mobile
TO Tampa Bay, with brig O, nm
and sehoonets-distance ~N''VV
usually run IN days
+. G. Lion Trip from Fort
Brooke to intellectually coo,
made in days; or $500 O'oVo
per day
r. 7. Oekmulgee-l Trip from Sa.
vnnnah to ST. Augustine 300
usually made in 3 days.
Bri'liani-i Trip from n. OF
10 Waterloo, Aln.-usually cooo