The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-16
s65,737 43

There are other minor items which it is unncccs-
sary To give, and of them are doubtless unds-
putcd. But the charges thus specified are not ad J.
mitted at the Treasury Department, and the three
first OF them we're never allowed by the late admin
istration under Mr. Polk. As 70 the fourth charge,
Of S65o9l IS, one or two remarks are called for.
That item is part and parcel of the = los 20I 90,
duties reported by Mr.. Collins and on which he
charges the three per cent. commission, as above
mentioned. Now, however after treating them as
cash, and charging a commission on them, il il
sought To get clear of the defalcation by calling
them "uncollectcd duties" and further assuming
that sufficient amount is due on, and can be re-
allied from them, " cover all deficiencies.
No list or account, giving the names and data,
on which the credit OF s55, 59 IS rests, has been
furnished to me. Nor can find any book contain
ing the same, IN this office. Late In August last,
Mr. Collins's attorney, Mr.. Becking, called at this
office with two small books, which he said he wished
To leave and take my receipt for. One of these 10
said 70 be aprivate memorandum book, kept by
Mr. Collins, showing payments for duties; and the
other, an abstract recently made from the first I
requested MIR. Decking 10 leave these books with
me until could examine, and see from their CON
tents, whether II was proper for me TO give re-
ceipt Tor them, part Of the archives of the office.
This hc declined doing, and went away, taking the
books with him; and have never seen him since.
Ii IL very certain that the account which Mr.. Col
Inns caused 10 be stated before mentioned, needs
data vouchers TO sustain it-snd, if the books
which Mr.. Decking had correct vouchers, or
belong 10 this office, they should not have been
taken away by Mr. Collins at FIRST nor by Mr.
Decking afterwards. II they are mere private
memoranda of Mr.. Collins, they of course do not
long TO this Office and their value will appear
whe.i the occasion for production shall arrive.
On two previous occasions MIR. Becking had
called on me, bringing with him a large sack Of
papers, which he SAID were custom bonds and re-
CURED my receipt for them. | said TO him, If tho
papers IN question arc the property of the United
States, Mr. Collins ought not 10 have taken them
away from the surveyors office, but should have
obcyed his instructions, and delivered them TO me.
taking my receipt therefor at the time called for
them. But that now, If he would leave the sack
and papers, or give inc time and opportunity to
examine and make a schedule of them, would do
so, and give my receipt accordingly. This Mr..
Decking declined doing, and each occasion
Withdrew from the office, taking the papers away
with him.
On a subsequent day these papers were brought
back and left at the Office ! have assorted and
placed them in proper files, and, as far as have
been able to do SO, have brought these bonds TO the
notice OF the makers.
Many Of them are alleged to have been paid,
number Of others are admitted, and some few Of
the parties have not been able 10 Their, Is
doubtless a considerable OF money yet due
some of these bonds, and this Mr.. Collins should
have collected before he suffered the goods for which
bonds were given, 10 pass into the possession and
OF the parties. No certain result eau be arrived
AT fixing the sum actually due, nor the amount Of
the duties paid and payable here during the last
four years, until report can b. had from the
tom house at New Orleans, which now hope soon
TO receive, exhibiting the duplicate manfcsts Of all
imported goods forwarded 10 this post subject 90
the payment of duties here. These documents
ought 70 have been on file al this office, but they
are not found here except in partial instances IL
would seem 10 be not only proper but absolutely
necessary To keep an exact account OF all money