The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-01
DEPARTMENT. OF THE INTERIOR,
Washington. Eebruaty2S 1875,

Washington, February 49, 1853
My DEAR SIN / was surprised TO learn las; evening
that had been assast IN the House OF Representative
yesterday for wrong alleged tShaye been committed by
me- regard 10 ayouth named Collins who is clerk in
the Pension Office. As you were kind enouyh to
tribute your aid in my defence, and you my inme
date representative, beg leave TO furnish you with
statement of the facts of the case, in the hope that you
may be able to find suitable opportunity TO present them
In the month of April 1861. Mr. Collins clerk in the
Pension Office, died suddenly leaving widow and
number of children, as was informed in state OF great
deslituton, On the day OF bis death, and while his
corpse still lay In the house, the Rev f. s. Evans, who had
been mniserng to the wants during his Illness to
the department. and with great feeling represented the
point OF the deceased clerk fill his fathers place
He represented him to be boy about fifteen years of age
and canddly admitted that he not competent fill the
position without assistance But he informed me hiatt OBJ
vaie he difficulty he with the consent OF the family OF
Mi. Collins had spokento Mr. Kane, able and expert
enced clerk who was a friend OF the late Mr. Collins
and thai he had consented exercise fathery supervs
ion the boyto instruct him in his duties and 10
perform such parts OF them as the boy could dis
charge--and that it understood that Mr. Kane, in
consideration OF these services 10 receive suitable
compensation out OF the salary OF the boy Being thus
assured that the public interests would moi suffer by the
arrangement, agreed 10 appoint The boy TO his fathers
Office In regard TO the further details knew nothing,
the parties were all strangers to me, and, up 10 the
present hour, do not know that | have one
Of them / heard no complaint from any quarter, and
had hattered myself that had done commendabe act
saving family from wat and putting meritorous
boy in the path OF promotion But in the month of Sep.
TENDER last Colonel Gentry called at the department. and
made some complaint on the subject to the chief clerk
who addressed letter TO the Commissioner OF Pensions,
asking explanation OF the facts
On The LIST day OF October last enclosed copy of
report OF the Commissioner OF Pensions TO Col Gentry
with letter OF my own explanatory of the facts of the
which regret that Col Gentry did not think proper
to read to the House now send you a copy Of it,
Mr.. Gentry has fallen into several errors of fact. The
boy not represented to sixteen years Of age, but
about fifteen and, so far from being competent clerk he
could perform the most simple duties of the station
without aid had nothing to do with the negotiation OF
the arrangement and certainly did nothing 10 require
that it should be entered into II family arrange
men voluntarily agreed upon by the parties interested
before was Consulted. presume should have known
nothing about il but for the fact that it necessary
such tender years. and who acknowledged not be
competent, without aid, to discharge the duties of the
office,
Without some such satisfactory assurance as was af-
forded by the engagement of Mr. Kane, certainly would
have appointed young Collins, for would not have
felt justified in following the dictates OF humanity at the
expense OF the public service. When Colonel Gentry
called officially to annu this private contract be-
tween these parties declined to do So The family had
procured the appointment of young Collins in conse-
quence OF the arrangement with Mr. Kane and thought
that they had right to call 10 aid them in repu-
dating 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 themselves agreed to allow him for his assist
and instruction TO the boy did not feel that il
proper for TO unite in carrying out such purpose
herewith submit also statement from Rev +. s.
Evans On the subject.
In conclusion take the liberty of saying that cha.
official All desire is that the facts shall be fully
and fairly investigated before judgment is pronounced
have the honor 10 be, very respectfully your friend
and obedient servant,
Hon. j. LETCHER, ..#.=
House of Representatives