Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-04-04
Published every Thursday
The Georgia Lnnds.

- We publish, with pleasure, the following commu-
nicatlon from Governor Dunning, relative TO tho
statements of the New Albany Bulletin and the Rich
mond Palladium, in regard to the Georgia Land.
And We commend it to the careful consideration Uf
readers, who sure. have no desire to con-
demn any party hastily or unheard.
MsssRs. CHAPaANs g. SPANN IL had pluced in
my hands by friend day two since whilst at
tending court at this pluce, yuur paper Of the 2sh
instant, containing article from the "New Albany
Bulletu. in relation to the SALE by me. Of the Geor-
giu Lands to Martin R. Green, ESQ.,. during the time
held the Office of Governor of this State should
have noticed this matter immediately had not my
business in court prevented until this day. My pb-
jeci at the present time, is barely TO give brief ex
planation Of the matter, which think will satisfy
every intelligent and candid mind. that there is moth
ing wrong my part. On the 9th uf March last,
or thereaboui. snd to Mr. Green the lands common
ly denominated the ''Georaa Lands" for the amount
named in the Join, Resolution of the Legislature,
to-w: 81 900; between the 25ih and 30th Of Sep
tember. l549: be paid me between four and five
hundred dOars. which paid to Mr.. Hannah,
lowing receipt:
indianapolis. Ocf. /, 1649.
Received Of his Ex. r. C. Dunnng. four hundred
md twenty-five dollars, to be applied to the payment
on account Of Georgia Land..
SAML. HANNAH, Tyeasurer.
On the Thursday before the meeting of the Legis-
lature, Mr. Green came to Indiana polls, and paid me
the residue. At this time had on deposit with Mr.
Hannah, larger amount of money of my own, Ito
say nothing of balance due me my salary, and
one two other claims which had allowed official
ly, and was requested and authorized to settle with
the Treasurer,) than would cover the amount paid me
by Mr. Green. Immediately preceding the meeting
of the Legislature was very busy and did not go and
settle with Mr.. Hannah, supposng there no great
hurry required about the matter. Very early, how
ever in December, did call upon Mr. Hannah and
tell him, that If he would hand the money OF my
own deposited with him. that would hand him out
OF it what | supposed would pay off the amount of
the 81 900 for the Georgia Lands after including
the balance due me, and the alluded
above. told Dir. Hannah my object, and that
would call at some convenient lime, and we would
settle the whole matter. Mr.. Hannah took The
ey, and told the accounts could be'set,led any
lime. did not ak him for receipt, nor did he
give me any. All these facts. and many more, were
stated befre the committee of ways and means dur
ing the session. IN Pre-cDce rf Mr. Hannah 10 which
he gave his assent tie committee will well recol-
lect. On the 22d of January, | called upon Mr..
Hannah. as was rbout 10 leave Indianapolis, with
view at making final settlement, when Mr.. Han
nah returned me $3.50 of the mnney had handed
bin in December, saying that the money good,
but at a small discount | took ii back, aud told
him bad not funds enough pay it all off, having
loaned two three friends money, aud not 4
pectlng the money 10 DC returned Oy nlm. lie re-
marked that 1t made difference, that he would
ceipt TO for the residue due the Georgia Lands,
and could send up in February by the Treasurer Of
my (Monrue) county. / replied that would not
trespass upon his kindness far, that he might just
receipt me for what there was in muney, excluding
the Sl6O and the account, and that would either
send il up by the county treasurer, come myself;
he did so. and General Drake has the receipt in his
possession at this time. According TO promise. l
| was al Indianapolis the dny my county treasurer
let that place. and rendered my receipts and the
sdue Of the money to General Drake, whose written
statement Of that fact have in my possession, and
likewise ss Gen. Drake. Mr.. Hannah, and myself
know. paid $500 more to Gen. Drake, for gentle
man to whom agreed to luan that amount, and
received .an. advance from Mr.. Hannah Of $3.50 on
/ my word that it should be refunded to him by MIR.
Abel, the Monroe county treasurer, with offer to
advance the whole $500 if | said so; if Mr.. Hannah
| and Gen. Drake do bear m in every state
ment have mades 1 will surrender the question. As
To any fraud ia The sale, simply refer to The report
of the committee of ways aud means of tile last
House of Representatives, To which that portion of
my message referred. and which you will find bv
reference TO the House journal. In reply the
ment OF the value OF those lands contained in the
,cle fron Senator Hploway's paper, will say that
Mr. Bright reports, during the time he Agent of
State that he had offered the lands for sale and could
not get higher bid than $500. and that the lands
are utterly worthless. Mr.. Collins, the late Agent
of Sate, IN his report to the Legislature in 1913,
says that the lands wholly worthless and in a
letter written in October last. from New York.
he states, that he had lately conversed with the
Agent, long ago appointed by the late Gov Noble,
and that he pronounced the lands wholly worthless
without very large expenditure of money, and even
then the rnue of the lands is very questionable, and
expressing the opinion that the purchaser will
make anything on the purchase. Any correspond
ence have had with Mr.. Collins, (wiom esteem
as gentleman) II of public character. aud Of
course, am very willing that il shall be published.
| have also his lettefs 10 me, aud will publish than
so far il may be necessary defend myself
will here say. however. that they contain nothing
that know of in the least derogatory to him
man an officer. 81 soon the Brown circuit
curt is over you shall hear from again upon
ther branch Of this question. Before closing this
communication. already too long by a minute detail
OF facts, which desire your readers to know
dersiand the whole question. In justice TO Mr.. Han
nah must bo permitted 10 state, that presume he
did not know the precise language Of his receipt
the time the Legislature called upon him for inform
alton. as he has not seen it since he gave il to
| will make fuller explanation of this matter in my
next. / will add, that during my term of service,
always fourd Mr.. Hannah gentlemanly and accom-
modaflng. have deposited with him for sufe-keep-
ing Of my own, but mostly for the Professors in our
Stale University, (whose quarterly payments have
drawn during part of the time) thousands of dol
/ lars, aud that there never cent counted
recounted between us and am proud to say, that
there was no time mt which, in my opinion. he would
not have receiped to for the full amount Of the
Georga Lands. had intimased to him that it was
my wish. PARIS G. DUNNING.
Mariinsrile, March Oath, 1850.
| INDIANAPOLIS AND BELLEFoNrArsE RAILROAD
Wa Lon IN that tba pros;dont and Trcs surev If ths