Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-03-05
CIVIL AND DIPLOMATIC BILL.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

The SPEAKER stated that when the House adjourned
yesterday the Clerk in the act of reading paper
from Secretary the Interior in reference to certain
charges made against him in debate which the gentleman
from North Carolina Mr. STANLY) supposed involved
question of privilege
Mr. STANLY hoped the papers would be read as an
act Of courtesy and that nobody would object
Mr. JONES, of Tennessee, hoped the papers would be
read the House and disposed Of that they might pro-
coed with the business.
Mr.. LETCHER said that such course would be salts
factory 10 him.
The papers were then read as sf fGllp NTrnroR
WASHINGTON, FEBRUARY 25, 1853.
MYDEAR SIR surprised to learn last evening that
had been assaled in the House of Representatives yes
terday, for wrong alleged to have been committed by
me, in regard youth named Collins who is clerk in
the Pension Office As you kind enough to contri-
butte your aid in my defence, and you my imme-
date representative beg leave to furnish you with
statement of the facts the case in the hope that you
may be able to find suitable opportunity to present them
to the House and the country.
In the month of April 1852 Mr. Collins clerk in the
Pension office, died suddenly, leaving widow and
number of children informed in of great
restitution. On the day of his death, and while his
corpse still lay in his house. the Rev. F. s. Evans who had
been minterng his wants during his Illness
the Department and with great feeling, represented the
distressed condition of the family and begged APP
point Of the deceased clerk fill his fathers place
He represented him be boy about fifteen years age
and candidly admitted that he not competent to fill
the position without assistance But he informed
that to obviate the difficulty he with the consent of the
family Of Mr. Collins had spoken to Mr.. Kane able
and experienced clerk, who a friend of the late
Mr.. Collins, and that he had consented to exercise
fatherly supervision the boy-to instruct him in
his duties, and to perform such parts of them the boy
could not dischargeand that it understood that Mr.
Kane in consideration of these services was to receive
suitable compensation Of the salary of the boy Being
thus assured that the public interests would not suffer by
the arrangement | agreed to appoint the boy to his
fathers Office In regard to the further details knew
nothing the parties all strangers to me- and up
to the present hour do not know that have
Of them. heard complaint from any quarter and
had fatered myself that had done a commendabe act
in saving family from want, and putting meritorious
boy in the path of promotion But in the month of Sep
TENDER last Col Gentry called at the Department and
made complaint the subject to the chief clerk
who addressed letter to the Commissioner of Pensions
asking explanation of the facts
On the lst day of October last enclosed copy Of the
report Of the Commissioner of Pensions Col Gentry
with letter Of my own explanatory of the facts of the
,ase which regret that COL Gentry did think proper
o read to the House | now send you copy of it,
Mr. Gentry has fallen into several of fact The
was not represented to sixteen years Of age but
bout fifteen, and, far from being competent clerk he
Gould not perform the most simple duties of the station
Without aid. had nothing do with the negotiation Of
the arrangement, and certainly did nothing require
that should be entered into. Ii family arrange
ment voluntarily agreed upon by the parties interested
before was consulted. presume should have known
nothing about but for the fact that it necessary
give satisfactory for appointing boy of
such tender years. and who was acknowledged not to be
competent without aid to discharge the duties Of the
Office.
Without such satisfactory assurance as was af
forded by the engagement Of Mr. Kane certainly would
not have appointed young Collins for would have felt
Jushed IN following the dictates Of humanity at the
pense Of the public service. When Col. Gentry called on
me ocay to annu this private contract between these
parties declined to do The family had procured the
appointment of young Collins in consequence of the ar
rung2ment with Mr. Kane, and thought that they had
no right TO call to aid them In repudiatng their
contract Kane had been their benefactor Through his
aid the family had obtained the Of support and If
they begrudged the compensation which they had them
selves agreed TO allow him for his assistance and nsruc
ton to the boy, did not feel that was proper for
unite in carrying out such purpose.
herewith submit also statement from Rev. F. s.
Evans the subject.
In conclusion, take the liberty of saying that chal-
enge the most rigid scrutiny into this and every other
official act All desire is that the facts shall be fully
and fairly investigated before judgment pronounced
have the honor to be, very respectfully
Your friend and obedient servant
ALIEN. II. II. STUART.
Hon. JSo. LETcHER, House Of Representatives