Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-06-12

VESPASIAN ELLIS,
First Vice President
JOHN T. TOWERS,
Mayor Of Washington and ex-officio I'd v. Prest.
GEORGE II. PLANT,
Third Vice President.
JOHN N. MccALLA,
@ Treasurer.
Secretary.
Aanagrrs:
HKsRY ADDISON, JOS II. BRADLEY,
CHAs. X. BELr, SAMUEL G. BUsEY,
FRENcH 8. EVANS, JAMES GoRDos,
CHAs. w. DAVIS, RoBERT T. KNIGHT,
JoHs N. CRAIG, JOSEPH LIBBY ST.,
SAMUEL Il. DOUGLASS, THOMAS A. BROOKE.
THOMAS d. SANDY,
The following statements made by Mr.. Briggs,
Mr.. Penn, and Mr.. Hilton, those referred TO In
the foregoing report:
WASHINGTON, June 8, 1858.
To the Board Of Managers ofhe
Washington National Monument Society !:
GENTLEMEN: Having seen In the Star Of the 30th
ult, q statemsnt made by Mr.. William Dougherty,
in regard TO the proceedings which took place be-
tween him and myself at the Monument, and that
statement not being in strict accordance with the
fasts in the case, feel it my duty to set the mat
ter right by presenting to you true version OF the
affair.
As you are aware, on the evening of the 9th of
March last when / was elected by the Board of
Managers to the superintendent Of the work, that
was Immediately put in possession of all the le-
climate keys belonging to the various buildings
upon the Monument grounds.
Whereupon proceeded to the Monument, and,
after examining the premises and seeing every
thing secure, left for my home.
On the following morning Saturday returned
to the ground and opened my Office, as well as the
other buildings necessary to be opened, and after
remaining short time, went to the city, leaving
the office door unlocked, which is necessary, on
account Of the Waterman having to 60 in frequently
with visiters. On my return, in short time, |
found Mr.. Dougherty and some one or two persons
in the Office. After passing the compliments of
the morning. took my scat, and handed Mr.. d..
tho note to which he refers In his statement after
the reading of which, he remarked to me pretty
much in substance as he has stated We then
entered into conversation witt reference to the
matter, in which gave him to understand that
considered had been placed here by the proper
authority, and should expect to conduct matters
accordingly.
In the course of conversation, Mr.. Dougherty
remarked that our intercourse thus far had been of
the most friendly character. and he did not think
It was necessary for us to quarrel about this
matter to which (of course) readily assented
| remained until after IL o'clock, when remarked
to Mr.. d. thought it was about dinner time, and
left the premises for the purpose Of attending to
that matter, leaving the door of the Office unlock
ed, for the reasons previously stated and leaving
the same parties sitting in the Office which found
there on my return from the city, which i my
usual custom when visiters are in the office, and
my duty calls me out Of 1t.
When returned, between one and two o'clock,
found the door had been nailed on the inside,
and nail driven behind the window-shutter, on
the outside. After being informed that Mr.. d. had
nailed up the place, and conceiving that he had no
right to pursue that course while / was in posses
sion Of the proper keys for fastening the same, ]
gave direction for the nails to be drawn out which
was done without any beraking of doors and locks
has boon enormously stated On the evening OF
the same day locked up every place secure before
left for home.
On the next afternoon Sunday walked TO the
grounds for the purpose Of seeing that everything
was right. While there, was Informed by Mr.
Hilton 1.-THE day watch) that Mr.. Frere had inform
ed him that Mr. Dougherty would be over the next
day, and he would show US what he would do.
Not knowing what might be attempted, and
not wishing to have any serious collision with
any one, ! called the next morning at the
watch.house, aud stated the facts as / bad
been informed, and requested the captain Of the
night-watch and the chief Of police with few Of
their men if they thought il necessary to be
present at the times peci6ed. Accordingly, those
two gentlemen, with some two Or three OF their
men, came over to the Monument, mot for the
purpose Of making any arrests, as has been stated
but simply at my request, for the purpose Of pre-
venting any violence on either side, should any be
attempted. About ten o'clock, A. NJ, 1.-THE time
Of which | had been previously notihed,) Mr..
Dougherty, In company with Mr.. Frerc, came into
the office. Mr.. ID. then stated that he had been
informed that the Mayor had given orders that if
he attempted TO interfere with anything about the
Monument, he 1.-THE Mayor would have him arrest.
ed and inquired whether il was for that purpose
that the police were now presently Whereupon
Mr.. D. was most positively assured, by both Of the
chiefs Of police, that the Mayor had never opened
his mouth TO them upon any such subject also
informed him that had never breathed the mat
ter 10 the Mayor, nor did ! believe that any one
else had.
Mr. Dougherty also stated about in substance as
Is set forth In his communication with reference 10
his authority and intentions, when, as he states,
assured him that the ground which he had assumed
was precisely the same which i occupied and in.
tended TO maintain Mr.. ID. then remarked that
the only way we could get clear Of him was, TO re-.
him by legal process or by force; and contin.
ued by saying that II Mr.. Briggs will undertake to
put me out, he viii find me the easiest man handled
that he ever had hold of as ! shall make no fur.
tber resistance than to have to say was put out;
and at the same time stated that he would promise
Mr.. Briggs never to enter suit against him for as.
sault or for any damage he might sustain, IA he
(Dougherty) would fall as easy as he could when
thrown out. then requested Mr. Dougherty to
postpone the performance until the afternoon or
the next morning, las was satisfied that the oh.
ject was to get something upon which to base a
lawsuit, and desired TO have the opportunity to
obtain legal advice,) but Mr.. ID. said II il was not
done now, perhaps IL would not be so easily done
at any other time, and stated that he wanted II
done now, for he was tired oft and wanted to get
clear OF Il.
Both Of the police chiefs volunteered to be pro
sent at any time We might appoint; but Mr.. Dough.
erty insisted on the thing being finished at this
time, assuring us at the time that he was not
frightened into this matter, but was acting under
instructions though, il he we're to consult his own
views and feelings, we would have 10 carry him out
dead from that door, pointing to the office floor y
TO which remarked in playful manner that might
easily be done, TO which he replied he did not know
about that. After other unimportant conversation,
one Of the chief Of police invited Mr. Dougherty to
accompany them 10 the Smithsonian Inst ute; TO
which he answered he could not go until he was