The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-21

VI
necessarily qualify him for the duty which devoved
the head OF this commission.
He was appointed about the time have named |
think the first letter which he received from the Secretary
Of State dated about the Goth or 2oh OF January hs
commission matter Of course existing at that time
When he was confirmed by the Senate, am unable to
state definitely The letter which he received dfech
him. in the rst place. when he has formed his corps 10
report to the Secretary OF State the persons whom he has
employed and to give ~ that report the particular dulles
which he assigns each individual and also the amount
OF compensation 10 each These were exceedingly lm
portan instructions, especially necessary in case where
80 much money had to be advanced upon the epoaso -,
ought to have known what disposition he was going 70
make Of that money; whom be employed. fog what he
and What salary s pa, ns ass
be rendered promptly and they 60 further and require
him to report to the department quarterly bis accounts
in saying tha, his instructions exactly eonesponde 70
the provisions OF the law; they more stringent hab
the terms OF the law. under the circumstances they
ought TO have been. read from the letter OF Mr. Bu-
chaaan 10 MI. w. Of the 2aih Of January. IsiS;
"oi all these expenses ycu viii keep regular socouni
which, together with tue necessary voucher you will
der and transmit quartery 70 the Fh Auditor io settle
49, ssssss Ssuss ro pruscy me
public service. But the appointment OF this officer was
made, and bis instructions given. by an administration
which would not exist when the commission was 10 be
executed Now ii it necessary for this officer to 60
out to execute this daty, when il important for hin
o leave the United Satrsl Something has been e. sa,a
field OF their duty before they had received confirmation
by the Senate. This officer required to be at San
Diego by the 30th OF May. II w6uld have given hun
time enough If he had lett New York on ihe first OF April
Had be remained until that time, he could have commu
ncated with the new administration, and received IN
slrucons from those under whom he was TO act in this
service on the Pacific coast or to learn whether he
acceptable TO those under whom these duties were to be
performed, and who were responsible for their perform
ance and whether they disposed to conde tins I'm
portant trust to him. But two days before the incoming
OF the administration, the second OF March, ls49
and before e!egraphc despatch from the ne Secretary
could by possibility reach him, excusing him from the
seyce or giving him instructions as to s execution he
left the United States Nor did he hasten his arrival al
San Diego by his hasty departure He was no nearer the
than il he had remained at New Orleans. No. sir; he
was much further off, il would. on every reasonable CAL
culaion take him and his party much longer TO get TO
in the April steamer from New York. But when he ar
rived at Panama, without having procured passage N
steamer beyond that point he was as he says himself
compelled 10 wait there for the OF conveyance
His total OF forecast and preparation Is disclosed In
his letter the Secretary OF State dated al Panama,
March 20, ls49, in which he says
There transportation here now, and from present
il exceedingly doubtful whether the party
be gotten San Diego for months TO come, unless
government vessel should touch at this point"
He had gotten himself out OF the United States, be-
yond the reach Of ready communication with the dePa
ment and beyond that he had made provision what
soever. but depended upon the chance OF United States
ship touching at Panama
Now let us stop here for moment and look al the
condition OF this commission under the management oil
Colonel Weller He had received on the 18th OF Feb
out, the condition into which he had on the oolh OF
March brought himself and his thirtythree employees,
have already shown. Now. would any man tt to be
trusted with the control OF such commssion having
hand abundant means have reduced himself to straits
like these in short time, leaving his party without
any OF reaching their place Of destination Was
such iii TO conduct so important survey! Will
any say he was the proper man to do a.! Why all
the intelligent young men who went TO California took
get their tickets through that they need not be
detained upon the coast al Panama But this ofcer oil
the government, going 10 execute important duty Tor
the govenmenl-was il excusabe that he faied to make
the ordinary provision for the future which every ine.
gent private citizen took TO make for himsei Would
democratic President who wished 10 do his duty have
retained Colonel Weller under these crcumsances--es
peciay when add TO this that be had wholly neg.
lected to make the report required by the Secretary of
the names, duties and pay OF the persons employed on
the commission, failed TO render his accounts and
vouchers pursuant TO insiuctionss
The senator from Cafornla says that the corps was
not fully organized Panama. and could not therefore
be reported He is mistaken. Col Weller, in his letter
the Secretary OF State OF the 10th OF March, says:
from your department Of the 2Ih January last embarked
from New Orleans with tho necessary number Of
iesi'' issss." % 'A' : ''' - ''''''' - ~ : -
In his letter to wm Nelson, United States consul at
Panama, he says;
al have with me full complement Of enaineers and
employees all of whom arr necessary 10 enable me to
execute the orders Of the government"
There he is then at Panama, with his whole party,
asking the United States consul 10 provide the means for
him 10 get 10 San Diego and he says not word to the
Departmsn nj OF State as to the number oil bis employees
He has his whole corps with him al New Orleans and
Panama waiting for accident TO furnish the means oi
proceeding ci gives information TO the Secretary
Slate excep, that he had his full corps with him thai
he was Panama, and had provided no means oil get
ting further on rendering no account but letting hin
know that The money with which he set out insult
Gent and that more must be placed under his control
and substantially. his letter showed that the whole com
mission was in state OF the most admirable confusion
The senator from California says there were no CON
paiats made against Col Weller by those who were en-
gagged with him on the commission tie is mistaken.
Lieut. Whipple who al Panama with him, complain
ed in very strong terms oil the course oil treatment PUT
sued by Col. Weller towards him and whoever will
read the letter OF Lieut. Whipple OF the l7th OF May,
contempt. Il is as follows:
PANAMA. May ~, 1870
sai sen herewith copy OF ls,ter 20 Colonel Weller,
and his reply that yon understand the condition n
which ain lett by the commissioner
In the rs place, several dsys since made up my ac-
counts for trsnsp oration aud DER diem allowance, accord
ing To the expressed desire Of the commissioned which
when he willing take and send 70 the de
,partnont at home, bat refused % pay
and reauson the subsisence OF those lett under
| charge This req quision he never answered
Finding myself about be penniess and absolutely ou
reach Of assistance the correspondence Of this dan
followed. .H . ,
/ sent TO him also message by Mr.. Gardner, with 70
quest that he would send TO 800, and take rcceP
such as follows .'Rcocivcd OF tho Hon john D. weler
United States commss sioner, the sum SsU wncn sun
is designed pay for subsistence and o
myself 70 San Diego, and s be refunded 70 the comms
vouchers" This ne returned