The Trinity journal., 1856-11-15
A Singular Document.

October last which We think one of the most sim
gular productions we have ever read
The subject of the Lecture was d" Dr. Scott,th
/ Vigilance Committee and the Church, The lee
turer is the Assayer of the United States Mint in
San Francisco, but on the occasion of the lecture
assumed the name of W. Carroll. lie was notiii-
ed by J. Ross Browne special agent of the Gov
crnment for the Pacific Coast, not to deliver the
lecture or, if he, the said Carroll should persist
in giving the lecture, the said Browne sbCId dis
place him from office.
! The following amusing conversation took place
between Mr.. Browne and Mr. Carroll. 1t is
portion of the lecture. Mr. c. commenced
! How far an honorable man is warranted in
| publicly recting officially personal conyersa-
tion is a matter of doubt in my mind, but the i'm
portance of this subject seems to outweigh minor
doubts Of propriety, just as much as right does
etiquette. tis fraught with interest and moment,
not only locally. to the members of the Vigilance
Committee, but to all who sympathze with them,
and with genuine Democracy. liberty and inde-
pendence, blended with virtue throughout the
world. | am resolved, therefore, to hold back
nothing.
The special agent of the Federal Government
on this coast (Nir j. Ross Browne, who is per
sonally friend | highly esteem) yesterday
threatened to suspend me from office. if persist in
lecturing upon DIR. Scott, and the Vigilance Com
mlttee, as have announced will do. On this
subject trust even II long communication, mar
rating what was said, and hOW will find space in
your columns. BY request of Mr. Browne, called
upon him at the Custom House, and being closet
ed, the following conversation in substance, took
place.
Mr. B." have heard numerous complaints
about your connection with an evening paper,
which is opposed to the policy, if not principles
of the Democratic party and of the Adminstra-
tion at Washington"
81 have been connected with an evening paper
as writer for the chldien, and | have likewise
contributed communications of more serious
nature | wrote to the Treasury Department
giving informa lion of that fact, and also aha {
received and will receive no pay for my servic, s.
Mr. B." But you have offended very many
prominent Democrats, who have complained bit
terly to me to stop you, and have you removed
have not seen all that you have written, but
have portion. | was shown an advertisement
OF lecture, that you announce to deliver, review
ing DR.. Scott on the Vigilance Committee"
Yes, sir. intend to deliver that lecture and
the name, W. Carroll, is the one which assume
in print aud lceturing."
Mr.. b. Well sir, in accordance with instruc-
tl0ns from Washington, must torbid you, whilst
you are an officer of the Government, on duty.
from delivering that lectuTe.n
lie then read about as fellows, Mentioning that
Collector Latham and Superintendent Lott had
among others received similar Instructions 1t
will be seen that the Young Mems Democratic
Club is not alone bat is decidedly Ndti0ha in its
party.
Lastruetions-slM Mr. Browne vow are required to
dismiss from the service of the government all
who are opposed to the principles of the Demo
at ~ ,,,IN ~ n ,b,,
with the unlawful organization which has arrayed
ltsell IN defiance of the constituted authorities of
the state. No man who would aid in oppo sing
the law, and its formally constituted officers can
be retained in Federal employ, nor can any of
hcer." The signature was fOt given.
Mr.. b. then continued Now Mr.. Wiegand, |
deem it only fair to tell you, that in two months
you will inevitably be removed from office. and |
think it your duty, as gentleman, if you in
tend to deliver that lecture, which | suppose ri
will favor the Vigilance Committee, to resign
your post as a Government officer"
- respect your views upon all subjects Mr..
Browne, even to my duty gentleman but |
respect my rights as an American citizen, and my
duties as an officer even yet morc highly will
not resign. When Mr.. Fremont is elected. as he
certainly will be, 'OiA thrn resign, il not remov'd
before but the Democratic party mnst turn me
0@ | mW not resign"
Mr. b GU arc taking improper and singu-
man is appointed to Office by the administration,
that he holds to and will support the views and
measures of the party in power"
mover so agreed, and neVerWill regard |
myself as the officer of the American nation and !
am responsible in bond, for my right discharge
of duty to the Government. according to law ;
but am nOtwi outstanding free mn | will ad- |
vocate and support what views as an American
citizen, entertain as have right to, and |
VIII support none others"
Mr.. B. But to review DR.. Scott on the Vig- !
lance Committee nor, is very inopportune and |
unwise. The excitement has all died away and !
people are returning to old, well established and
wholesome rules of action. DR.. SCOTS views
are known, and if you review them whilst you are |
yet an officer of the government you will only |
stir up and excite the people [great hugbears |
those people j atresh, which would be particular
y unfortunate Just now."
Mr.. Browne, although | feel it my religious
and political duty to oppose the national success
OF the Democratic party, as far and as powerfully
as eau consistently with my other official aud
social duties, still fOresaw the impropriety [not
toTOhgI OF my either so writing speaking over
my proper name whilst government officer |
hence, partly, assumed that of w. Carroll"
Mr.. B. But when you come out before two
or three hundred people to lecture, do you mean
to tell Inc that you, the officer will not be there
and be recognized as such ~
Yes sir--l assert that only Mr. Carroll will
speak, whilst will not be in the room as an Off
Ger. The administration might construe that into |
disrespect!' y
Well, there is no use in discussing the mat
ter; if you intend after this to give that lecture,
I'll suspend you from Office =
- think you can't do it, sir"
Yes, can sir"
VIII you suspend my pay at the same tme?''
8 don't know about that, but I'll talk over |
the matter with Superintendent Judge Lott"
How will know when am suspended, sr?"
Through the Superintendent
When do you want an answer to the request
not to lecture ~
Tomorrow.
V on shall have il sir. desire not to act i'm
pulsively, but of this am resolved will act in .
strict accordance with true theory and sound
moral principles. Good day, sir"
Mr. Carroll did deliver the said lecture, and
still retains his Office in the Mint, we believe.
TIE BALL AT NORTH FORK-The lovers of the !