Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-05-24

Nor make the liquor how ..t ....
But let that old jug stay. t...t...
MORE FUN.-We trust our readers have not
forgotten the San Diego Herald, and its editor
pro- tem., whose graphic pen they will recognize
in the following letter in answer to the gratify-
inc epistle of Mr.. Charles De Selden:
Interesting and Curious Correspondence on
the Military Allowances.
We have received for publication the follow
ing correspondence, which is more than rich I;
it is positively luscious: ...i.a'
W WASHINGTON, Jan ii, 1854.
Lieut.. G. Fl. Derby, U. s. Army,
San Diego, California.
SIR:-An effort having been made by me, in
connection with others, to obtain an act of Con-
gress during its present session, by which army
officers will receive the same allowances whilst
they served in California and Oregon, as were
granted to navy officers, beg to call your at
tepton thereto, and especially ask your approx
al of the contemplated attempt.
You are aware that Congress, at its last ses-
sion, granted in the Naval Appropriation bill,
extra pay (S2 per diem) to the officers, and
double pay to sailors and others, serving in the
2Sth of September 1850. This allowance was
based upon the suppositon that the officers of
the army serving in California, had received the
same allowance by previous acts of Congress,
when, in fact, this extra pay had only been gran.
ted them from lst July, 1850.
There are n large number of army officers
justly entitled to an additional allowance, and
precisely the same reasons which have induced
Congress to grant it to the navy, and especially
those who served there subsequent to the lst
Of January, lS4S, when they were compelled to
pay the most exor5itant prices for the necessa-
res of life, having no other alternative, and no
means of leaving the country like the officers of
the Pacific squadron, who could have left the
coast of California and gone to q cheaper sta
ton. "a ai ul Us I'LL
| have been requested by number Of officers
stationed in Texas to solicit your cooperation
in carrying out this desirable object, by contrib
uting, in the event of success, the proportiona-
bic per centum agreed upon by them, viz: five
or ten per cent on the amount that may accrue
to you as a remuneration for services rendered.
Your concurrence is, therefore, requested; and
it is understood that if there should be failure,
which, however, is not anticipated, no charge of
any kind shall be made. a,l
reply, remain, very respectfully your obedient
servant, CHARLES De SELDING.
My DEAR CHARLES Il have received your
modest request Of the 4th Of January, that |
will give you five or ten per cent of any sum
that Congress may hereafter, in its infinite be-
ne6cence, appropriate to my relief, request
which you state you make TO me at the instance
nf n nhar Of nff otofi IN -
For the benefit of those gentlemen, as well
as yourself, have asked Mr.. Ames to print
your letter and my answer in the word.renown.
ed San Diego Hcrald-the only method see
of communicating with your advisers, rs let
ter directed to ga number of officers stationed
in Texas" might, possibly, never reach them
through the ordinary channels.
Upon mature reflection, Of nearly five min.
utes, have come to the conclusion to decline
acceding to your proposal This decision has
resulted from several considerations.
In the first place, don't know you, Charles
| never heard of you before in all my life. TC
be sure, see by your card, which you so kindly
enclosed, and which my wife has just stuck uI
in q corner of cracked looking.glass tha
adorns our humble chamber, that you are geu
eral agent (Which may be a new military rank
ioi All huON Will tuc lLicutcIIhIb bCu
eralcy and if it is beg your pardon and toucl
my hat, for have great respect for rank,) ant
a notary public, and that you live on Seventh
street opposite the Odd Fellows Hall. (Wh.
not move across the streetO But all this doe
not amount to friendship, intimacy, or eye1
common acquaintance; and, declare, Charles
do not even know now whether you may no
be some designing person, who, seeing that
bill is likely to pass for the relief of certain dis
tressed officers, seeks to levy little black mai
say five, or even ten per cent--on the scant
pttance, under the pretext of having influences
Congress in its humane decision--a thing tina
| believe all the general agents, notaries public
United States commissioners, and commission
ers of deeds, that ever lived opposite or in Cd
Fellows Hall would fail to accomplish, had no
Congress made up its benevolent mind to do
without consulting them.
Second. Why should Ipromise to give yo
ten per cent of that allowance? ooh, don
you wish you might get it ?-I-hope shall.
You say you have made an effort to get it 70
u.s. All, Charles, love and honor you for dc
ing so if you have, but how, when and where
tell me, where did you make that effort! Bu
If you did SO, what-of it? Perhaps-startlin
thought-you will be writing to me for " five Q
ten per cent" Of that humble income! Don