Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-03-01
THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
The following letter from the Secretary of the
Interior was read in the House of Representa-
tiues Saturday LAST
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
WAsHINGroN, February 25, 1858.
My DEAR SIR: Twas surprised to learn last
evening that had bee u assaed in the House of
Representatives Yesterday, for wrong alleged
to have been committed by me in regard to youth
named Collins, who is clerk in the Pension
Office. As you were kind enough to contribute
your aid in my defence, and as you are my inn
mediate representative, l beg leave to furnish
you with q statement of the facts of the case, in
the hope that you may be able to fluid a suitable
opportunity to present them TO the House of
Representatives and the country.
In the month of April, 1852. Mr.. Collins, a
clerk in the Pension Office, died suddenly, eav-
ing a widow and number of children. as | was
informed, in state of great destitution. On the
day of his death, and while his corpse still lay in
his house, the Rev. F. S. Evans, who had been
ministering to his wants during his illness. came
to the Department and with great feeling repre-
scented the distressed condition of the family, and
begged me to appoint son of the deceased
clerk to fill his fathers place. He represented
him to he boy about fifteen years of age, aud
candidly admitted that he not competent to
fill the position without assistance. But he inv
formed me that to obviate the difficulty he with
the consent of the family of Mr.. Collins, had spo-
ken to MIR. Kane, able and experienced clerk
who was friend Of the late Mr.. Collins, and that
he had consented to exercise tathery surervi-
sion over the boy-to instruct him in his duties
and to perform such parts of them as the boy
could not discharge; and it understood that
Mr.. Kane, in consideration of these services, was
| to receive suitable compensation out of the
salary of tho boy. Being thus assured that the
public interests would not suffer by the arrange
ment, Iagreed to appoint the boy to his fathers
office. In regard to the further details l know
| nothing, as the parties all strangers to me,
and up to the present hour do not k now that |
ever have seen one of them. lheard no complaint
from any quarter, and had flattered myself that
had done commendabe act in saving family
from want, and putting meritorous boy in the
path of promotion But in the month of Septem-
Der last Colonel Gentry called at the Department
and made some complaint on the subject to the
chief clerk who addressed letter to the Cor.-.
missioner of Pensions asking an explanation OF
the facts.
On the first of October last enclosed copy
ofthe report of the Commissioner of Pensions to
Colonel Gentry, with letter of my own expla-
natory of the facts of the case, which l regret
that Colonel Gentry did not think proper to read
to the House. | now send you IA copy of it.
Mr. Gentry has fallen into several errors of fact
l he boy was not represented to me as sixteen
years of age, but about fifteen, aud so far from
being competent clerk, he could not perform
the most simple duties of the station without MD
had nothing to do with the negotiation of the
arrangement. and certainly did nothing to require
that it should be entered into. 1t was Il family
arrangement, voluntarily agreed upon by the
parties interested. before | was consulted
presume l'should have known nothing about it,
but fol the fact that it was necessary to give me
some satisfactory reason 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 some such satisfactory assurance as
was afforded by the engagement of Mr.. Kane
certainywould not have appointed young Collins,
for would not have felt just fed in following the
dictate of humanity ut the expense of the pub
lie service When Col. Gentry called on me Of
fcially to annual this private contract between
these parties, declined to do so. The family
had procured the appointment of young Collins
in consequence CT the arrangement with Mr..
Kane, and thought that they had no right 10 call
on me to aid the m in repadiating their contract.
Kane had been their beuefnctor Through his
aid the family had obtained the means of sup
port, and if they begrudged the compensation
which they themselves had agreed to allow him
for his assistance aud instruction to the boy, did
not feel that it was proper for me to unite in
rying out such purpose.
| herewith submit, also, statement from Rev.
F. S. Evans on the subject
In conclusion, take the liberty of saying that
challenge the most rigid scrutiny into this and
every other official net. All desire is TINT the
facts shall be fully aud fairly investigated before
Judgment is pronounced.