The Arkansas banner., 1846-03-11

Hon. A. Yell, to your Department, dated Feb 10th, l846, and also copy of paper from the Auditor of Arkansas, purporting to furnish "certifed evidence of the dedication of E. Woodruff to the State of Arkan- sas, as stated by the Hon. A. Yell. have nothing to say in relation to the removal ol B. Williams, late Post master at Little Rock, other than that It was done or good and iustiiable grounds, by the Department, with out any expressed wish or suggestion on my part So far from "happeningto to be few dol lars defaulter," he appears, by the record oi the Department, to have been indebted some S240O IS2432, ,53, as reported by the Auditor of P. o. Department and refused to accept drafts by the Department, or even answer their communications. The security of the funds of the Department, therefore, required his removal, and forbid his longer continu- ance in office But, in the case of Mr. Wood- ruff. this would not be true, even if all that is alleged was taken in the strongest sense against him. Let me therefore inquire, what the General Government has to do with this matter, unless, perhaps, as bearing evidence of moral wrong; and presume that neither the Hon. A.. ell, nor any other respectable person, would, with knowledge of the facts, attempt to charge hr. Woodruff with moral wrong in the case referred to. By reference to the certificate of the Auditor, 1t will be seen, that Mr. Woodruff refused to pay S2100 43, "being amount retained by me [him as my commission at lO per cent. on the amount paid in the Treasury for redemption of lands, from l2th Sept 1886, to 31st Oct 1887, aad to which l consider myself entitled by law;' and he had not paid over S294 75, the sum retained by him out of the surplus revenne, "part of the expenses incurred by me him in collect ing the portion of the surplus revenue due this State, and l consider it a necessary part of those expenses" If these claims were just, surely Mir. Woodruff cannot properly be chargeable as Public Defaulter. As an evidence that these claims were deemed just, leave to submit a petition to the Legislature to pass law to that effect, was presented, signed by q believe all the Judges of the Supreme Court, the Judge of the Circuit Court where the case was tried, the Attorney Gen. of the State, most of the Principal At torneys at the seat of Government, and by my colleague, Col Sevier, and myself, stat ing that Mr. Woodruff was equitably entitled to the moneys retained by him. deem this to be full evidence that he IS not esteemed detaultcr in Arkansas.
 On this claim sui! was instituted, and a judgement rendered, in the Circuit Court, against MT. Woodruff and his securities. as Treasurer MT. Woodruff was advised by his securities, ora portion oi them, 10 deiend on the ground that the claim was unjust. The judgement of the Circuit Court was carried to the Supreme Court of the State, rerersed, sent back 10 the Circuit Court for a new trial, and, believe, Is still pending be- fore that court, undecided. It was so i'll November, l844, know, and have never heard of any trial since, and do not believe there has been any.
 The securities of Mr Woodruff, on his bond as Treasurer, for S300,000, was en- dorsed by many of our most responsible citizens, and, whatever sum shall be finally determined 10 be due, IS fully secured to the State Under these circumstances, do not now, and never have deemed, Mir Woodruff a public defaulter to the State of Arkansas, and the certificate above referred to, does not conduee to show that he is so. So far, therefore, from assenting 10 the protest ''in the name of the Sovereign People of Arkan- sas,'' aganst Mr Woodrufl's continuance 1T office, would solemny protest, in behalf and in the name of the same sovereign peo- pie, against any attempt flo remoUe .nr Woodrmf from o6ice, for an attempt to en- force his just claims against the State ot Ar kansas and, so far from such being the de- sire of "the sovereign people of the State o Arkansas have no doubt, and therefore unhestatingly state, as my firm conviction that no man in the State, in or out of office enjoys more of the confidence of the people of Arkansas, than Mr. Woodruff; and thai his removal from office, for the cause alleged would be universally condemned, as gros: act of injustice, by at least nine-tenths of tht citizens of Arkansas, who are interested lr the Little Rock Post-oflice
 make this statement, in justice 10 Mir Woodruff, as what believe fairly expresses the sentiments of the people of Arkansas.
 most cheerfully unite with the Hon. A Cii, III tut titdt my 'N''S"E"S3 WI Sevier, shall be requested ''to testify as to the lacts;o and fail to see any motive for de- clning to call on him on account of sthe relation he occupies to the late Postmaster l at Little Rock,n as understand he deems the act of the Department, in removing MT Williams, fully justified by the cireumstan- ces.
 Allow me to add, that will transmit the papers furnished me to Arkansas, and will doubtless receive full statement of the whole matter, by due course of mail and will then do myself the honor of submitting the same to the Department. Until which time, trust, the final action of the Depart ment will be deferred.
 have the honor to be,
 your ob't serv't
 CHESTER ASHLEY.
 In letter from Col. Ashley, dated 1lth uIt, en closing the foregoing correspondence, he says that
 Finding Col. SEVER in front of the Ho tel, called him in, and read to him my letter to the P. M. General, a copy of which sent you. He assenled to its propriety, and sait he had received similar letter from the P Nj, General, to the one had received ane 1 which | enclose to you and that he Shoulf