The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-08-21
INTELLIGENCE BY THE MAILS,
Oar Washington correspondence.
WASHINGTON CRY, Aug 10, 1919.
Ths Cass of Coiomsk JOh, r. HITLER

WASHINGTON CrrY, Aug. ~, 1873.
The Case of Colomsi John b. Weller
Iwrote you some time since, with reference 10
the recall of Mr.. John Weller, late Mexican
Boundary Commissioner; and in contradiction Of
a statement made by a correspondent OF the
Herald, that Mr. Weller had been recalled merely
upon political grounds, made brief exposition of
facts-to the effect that he had, previous to eav-
ing Panama, expended upwards of 200, which
had been paid out of the Treasury Department,
out of the $4,000 appropriated by Congress for
the completion of the whole survey; that this sum
did not cover the salaries of the corps for several
months; that besides this, drafts for 1000 had
been received from him and protested, and that at
the time wrote the government had no know
ledge that he had gone to San Diego at all.
This statement OF mine, made with no desire to
reflect upon MIR. John b.. Weller's honesty, but
certainly with desire to let the public know the
extraordinary, and what must appear extravagant,
expenditure OF money, which had doubtless in
duced Wellers recall, has been called into ques;;
might, possibly, find Just cause for declining to
answer Mr.. G. l.. Wellers production, composed
it Is of tissue OF abuse and incoherent denun-
citation, but as consider the style aperson may see
fit to use in writing matter OF taste, do not feel
disposed to raise question upon II In the present
instance. Mr.. c. l.. Weller, then-divestng his
letter of its ornamental work of abuse-denies my
WnOle statement. lie denies, In the IlrSt pace,
that as large a sum as $4,000 has been expended
by Col. Weller before leaving Panama; but he
cOntesses in the same breath that he has drawn
$34 600, and that besides, about half o. the corps
only were paid up to the LIST of April, some up to
the LIST of May, and "two or three to whom an
indefinite amount OF salary was due-that is they
were not paid up to the LIST of April, and perhaps
not at all. Now, think, If the salaries and ex-
penses OF these men were added to the $3f 600, it
would somewhat swell the sum, and as the Com
missioner would require something in pocket
when he reached San Diego, why that also would
BE- likely to increase the aggregate. The Rep.blic
has, however, made a statement OF the natter
drawn from official sources, which so completely
bears out all that said, that beg you will give
place TO an extract;--
Congress appropriated but $50 900 to defrsy all the
expenses Of the boundary commission. Before reach
ing his place of destination, Mr. Weller made drafts
the Secretary to an amount which we have not pre-
csely sscertaned but which there have been paid
$33325 by acquisitions upon the treasury or this
amount, s24S4Y 80 accompanied by hers; aud
contrary to the regular mode of doing business 1T the
DEPARTING drafts paid to the of S8i7b g.
without the production OF any vouchers But when
new drafts came pouring in to swell this uavouched-
for balance and the departing mt that IL they
tnued to honor these drafts the whole fund would be
exhausted before the commissioner had reached the
Of his labors 1t was very properly determined to
cut short the whole business, by calling Mr.. Weller
home.
1t is scarcely necessary perhaps to quote this
extract from the Republic. C. l.. Weller himself
has made out the case, doubtless Internationally,
even more strongly. And If he deems that the
mere publishing statement oil the large amount
expended by Col. Weller, is an imputdtion upon
that gentlemans honesty it must be from more
intimate knowledge of the details, aud not from
anything had expressed. made the statement
Of the money expended, without any thought that
the fact, and for this Mr. G. L. Weller, with great
psthos, quotes 'he good old aiage," as he calls it.
I" He who steals my purse" &c as applying to
the ex-commissioner. Poor g. l.. Weller is evil
IDENTITY beyond his depth. The Inference of dis
10 h,e nnf MIN Ind vat fwi thafa nd
ing the i'll temper he displays, will return good
for evil, and inpart to hun, for his own informa-
ton, another "good old adage," which trust he
will reflect upon when he again takes up hi, pen to
abuse all who may say Col. Weller expended two
thirds Of the sum appropriated by Congress before
even reaching his destination; Z" Save me from
my friends" 1t will be useful to him, and still
more advantageous to Col. Weller.
As to my statement that the government had no
knowledge of Col. Weller's having gone to San
Diego, 1t of course meant official knowledge.