Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-01-05
AN ALLEGED DEFALCATloN.


| The following, from the New York Evening
Post contains more particulars than any other state
ment that we have seen of rumor which has cir
culated for day two past, but of which we our
selves know no more than is published in the news.
papers:
NEW YORK EVENING POST.
| TaE ALLEGED DEFALcATIoN.-The citizens of New York
will read with establishment and the following para
graph which appears the Philadelphia North American Of
| this morning
--a. WAsHISGros, DECEMBER 81, ls49.
The accounting officers of the Treasury have reported
PROSPER NJ. WETMoRE, late Navy Agent OF the United
States New York, the Solicitor Of the Treasury de-
fauer in the enormous Of FIVE HUNDRED FiFTY-
THOUSAND DOLLARS and have that pro-
secuion shall be commenced against him forthwith In
of this report and recommendation instructions have
been issued from the Department to Prescott Hail. District
Attorney of New York. institute immediate proceedings
against the alleged delinquent
The balances against Mr. Wetmore have, il is reported
been accommodating throughout the entire of the late Ad
minsaton The surety in his official bond is only thirty
thousand dollars.
As might be expected great sensation is felt in circles
where it is known at this extraordinary disclosure.
The above comes to US from very reliable but,
from knowledge and his high public position,
have long been accustomed to regard Mr. Wemore
most worthy and estimable gentleman, that but
express confident hope that the alleged deficit will in
way be satisfactorily expaiaed.-Eds North Amer.]
faith in this charge, far affects that gentlemans
moral obligations his Government, until it is confirmed
from authentic Meantime have no hest
taon in expressing conviction that the whole spirit of the
above paragraph is caulnnious.
is well known that the Navy Agent has salary for spe
cc services defined by law Since the passage of that law
additional duties have been imposed upon the agent at this
port for which have understood he claims commissions
For example, the funds for the construction of the Apalach
dry DOCK also for the lines of steamers leaving this
city, have been disbursed at their agency.
As the propney of Mr.. Wetmore's claim we have no
opinion, is there present any occasion express
He asserts such claim and take it for granted that when
it has been legally determined that such claim is invalid he
will be prepared respond faithfully to this Government for
all which it claims from him. "~ ...,s q
Precisely the claim has been made by Mr. Hall, the
Navy Agent at Boston, which is in litigation, and by
the decision of which understood that the Secretary Of
the Treasury had agreed to abide.
The stated by the Philadelphia paper is all wrong
We have good grounds for believing that the deficit does
exceed $40, 900. Pc"
Since writing the above, have been grafed by recev
ing the following note from Mr.. Wetmore, which confirms
impressions
A CARD. %.". .."
A rumor from Washington is announced by teegraphic
dispatch in the morning papers, affecting the integrity Of
undoubtedly applies myself beg leave say the pub
lie and my friends, that have furnished legal vouchers to
the proper officers of the Government for all my expenditures
the examination OF which has not yet been completed My
accounts therefore, still open for adjustment The diff
ferences arising between the Department and myself pre-
cisey like those which have occurred and still exist between
the Department and other of its agents.
The amount in dispute is limited one and consists of
charges for disbursements during the late war; entirely of
the usual province of the Navy Agency Whatever balance
may be found to be due the Government the final audit of
my accounts will be promptly paid; :, ,u,,onr
New York, December :sth, ls49.
The New York Courier gives the following
statement of the case:
eve understand that the case is simply this The Navy,
Agents receive fixed salary, for the performance of certain
specified duties dsbursng the moneys of the Government
for certain purposes &c. which distinctly specified
That service is paid for by the salaries they receive.
Z" During the late with Mexico, and subsequently,, a
great variety of extra business has been committed their
hands They have been required to act for other stations to
discharge the duties Of Pension Agents, dburse moneys
for the Ocean steamers &C. duties which do not within
the specifications of the law in regard to their office. And
for this service they claim extra pay. ..,.. #,@at.
The correctness of the claim Of only be tested
by law, and for the purpose of testing it suit commenced
in Boston against the Navy Agent there, and it was under
stood that the decision of the Court in that to decide
all the rest After had been thus asceraned what charges
could be legally made, Mr.. Wemore could have made out
his account with the Government. The Government, it
whole amount of money sent to him during the last quarter
without in the first instance, deducng the disburse
mens for which they held vouchers. These, however,
will be deducted, and from the balance, stated about
100000, to be deducted Mr. Wetmore charges to the
amount fixed by the decision OF the legal tribunals After
this has been ascertaned, Mr. Wetmore the public
and his friends whatever balance may be found to be due
the Government will be promptly paid and the public has
no to doubt that the pledge made in good faith
and that it will be amply and satisfactorily redeemed"
The Journal of Commerce understands the the Cou
rer does, viz that this $685. OPS 90 is the whole Of
public moneys received by Mr. Wetmoe during the past quar-
ter that he in office without any deduction for his very
large disbursements during the period, Of which the
vouchers have been forwarded Washington and doubt
less in possession of the Treasury Department"
may be so, (ays the Express, but assured per-
haps incorrectly, that such received during the
last quarter service and consequently that
of accounts goes back eyond that period.
MINING IN CALIFORNIA.
Mr.. JAMES B. HUE, who went to California in
command of one of the Louisville (ky.) companies,
writes home that he is carrying on the auction and
commission business in San Francisco, and is well
pleased with his prospects He says there are
many ways for making money. Working in the