The southern press., 1850-09-04

regard that question as one vital to this claim IT,
however, that rejection was improper, it greatly
strengthens the grounds on which the claim rests
And that it was improper, appears to be clear from
the testimony submitted.
! Mr.. PauIding, in his letter Of March 8, l64S
addressed to Mr.. Myerle, and above referred, to
says: "Had been at the head of the Navy De
would most assuredly have taken upon myself
the responsibility Of directing it to be received
Notwithstanding il reported inferior, not in
quality believe, but in cleanliness, or something
of that sort. 3"
Now, Mr.. PauIdmg was the author Of the con-
tract with Myere, and, of course, understood all
its terms and conditions Occupying that posi-
ton his declaration IL entitled to much weight,
when he says that the hemp improperly re-
jected" In his letter Of the 25th Of March, 1886,
addressed to the same, he says 81 never had the
slightest doubt that you were the pictim on the
trial of your hemp at the Boston navy yard. "
Aud in his letter of February %, l949, he says
81 had been for some time very desirous to pro.
cure supply of American water-rotted hemp for
the navy in order to render the United States indie
pendent of foreign nations for this indispensable
article, especially in time Of war; and when you
first called on me at the Department on business
connected with your machinery for manufacturing
hemp, | suggested the matter to you. You
thought the thing practicable, but stated many
objections, and declined the undertaking until
offered such encouragement as overcame your OBJ
jectons. You sought no contract; the proposal
came from me; and have always believed that
one Of your leading motives that by which
| was myself overwhelmingly, a wish to confer
benefit on your country. You succeeded, and
| were ruined
"A change of administration had occurred, and
| left the Department before could redeem the
engagement had entered into with you, and
which, us said before, induced you, in some
measure, to enter on this laborious and hazard
Gus undertaking.
"Thougl, the object had in view has been
completely attained, through your energy, perse-
verance, and sacrifices, and the country is now
thoroughly supplied with water-rotted hemp of
domestic production, cannot but regret that it
has been by the sacrifice Of your own property,
aggravated by repeated disappointment in seek
ing some little recompense for your labors, losses,
and modification.
| "Having forever retired from public life, am
greatly disincIined to seeing my name connected
with any species of discussion or controversy
about past transactions in the Department over
which presided. But it was in a great de-
gree through my encouragement and solicitations
you were induced to enter on this hazardous ell
terprise, have been, am, and always shall be,
willing to lend my aid; so far truth will sustain
me, in placing your claim on the Justice Of your
country on the footing it merits.
"After you had shown that the impression OF
It's being peculiarly unWholesome and danger.
were not wanting sufficient number of applicants
to the Department for contracts"
But, independently of this testimony Of Mr..
Paulding, there is other testimony going to es-
tabsh that the hemp was sufficiently strong, and
indeed, much stronger than that imported from
| Russia, and, according to tests actually made,
proved its capacity to bear weight Of several
hundred pounds more than that prescribed by the
regulations of the Department. Messrs. Lom-
bard & Whtmore, shippers, Of Boston, to whom
Myerle's hemp was consigned, in part, and whc
were privy to all the facts, clearly intimate tha
opinion; while Ben jamin Srwall, who purchased
portion Of the same hemp from them, says 'tha
it was perfect article, clean, free from tow, anc
Of strong fibre"
The Committee are unable to- resist the conclu
sion, that, looking to the nature, terms, and in
ducements Of Myerle's contract with the Govern
ment, and also to the character Of his hemp,
should not have been rejected. The examination
made by the inspectors was, probably, not sutfi
GENTLY thorough. A few bales less thoroughly
cleaned than the rest, by falling first under exami
nation were permitted to cause the whole to b.
condemned
From this condemnation Of Myeres hemp a
Boston in lS4l, and subsequently, amounting il
all to near two hundred tons, sprang his grievou
loss. The manner of his loss is sufficiently ex
planned by Mr.. Holmes s report. Its extent it il
difficult to determine. The actual loss in the re
duced price Of the hemp on hand could not hav
loss to his other property, resulting from with
drawal Of his personal attention during the TIM
that he was engaged in this enterprise for the Go
vernmen, and more especially from the overthrow
Of his credit by the rejection Of his hemp, mus
have amounted to fifty thousand dollars at the
least. 1t is proper to bear in mind that Myerle
was forced to incur heavy liabilities in the way OF
loans, in consequence Of his failure to obtain the
advances from the Government which were pro-
missed him by Mr.. Paulding. These liabilities,
upon failure Of his credit caused above stated
iell"vith crushing weight upon him.
In the uncertainty that hangs about his actual
loss, the committee have determined to report Il
bill so clearly within limits to recommend itself
for its moderation to the closest and most parsi-
monious. Additional evidence filed in the case
since the former reports more than sustain the al
lowance made.
They report a bill for thirty thousand dollars
and recommend its passage.
q