Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-12-25
swamp Lauds-Frauss

erudite Black Republican Secretary Of State,
Hon. Erasmus b. Collins, explanatory Of the
telegraphic dispatches Of Hugh "0Ne Esq,
which appeared In our paper Of Saturday,
Upon the nice question of law, which the learn.
ed Secretary raises, we confess our Ignorance
to discuss. Mr. Collins however, seems en-
tirely satisfied that he is correct. As to the
facts in the case, that distinguished gentle
man brushes them all away rs easily a. a
good housewife removes the unsightly COO
webs. In regard to "hidng"-thc Secretary
says that on the 10Th he was "all day in this
city, attending to his official and other bust
ness" as was swell known to numerous OF
his friends" There is no disputing that
statement. We presume the Officer was
entirely satisfied that Mr.. Collins was very
much engaged with 'other'' duties. and this
clear and manly explanation of his where
abcuts relieves the gentleman of any suspic-
ion that "Collins hides" His "other" eD-
gagements kept him out Of tho way. Hide
as we'll as he, feel indignant, very indignant
at such an unjust insinuation. We repeat,
Mr.. Collins never hides, it is only 'othor
business"
Neither does the honorable Secretary in
tehd to further use "his excelencies name
in reference to swamp lands" This is fur
Their relief 1t appears that conc day ante.
rior to the motion for the restraining order -
Mr. Collins comedies that the thing was did,
and patents having bsen issued for nearly all
the swamp lands in the State, he presunles
he nerer slaHhaVs occasion to use the Cover
nor's name in reference to swamp lands"
We presume so too In fact it is highly
improbable presumption.
After looking the matter all over we think
the Secretary is safe in disposing the charges
made against him by saying, "to all of which
would interpose simple denial. 1--WE do not
know how Mr.. I" O'Neil " will feel upon read
ing the interesting and very elucdatory COM
munication of the Secretary of State, but as
he is DESTROYS that we should "feel relieved. y
we will state most sn,pAatically that that SIM
pie ;nte'position of the condite gentleman, is
highly satisfactory. 1t proves the whole sub
ject beyond controversy. I he humility of
the gentleman, however, bears very strong
resemblance to that of one Uriah Hoep, ESQ.
If that kind of humbleness is a virtue, we can
only say that Mr.. Heep would have made a
capital Secretary of State. if there had been
any swamp lands to dispose of, and if a ere
straining ORDER had been issued upon him,
he could not have dcdged it better than our
friend Mr.. Collins.
In conclusion we do "f feel relieved. . when
Mr.. Collins tells us that he "knows of no
frauds being, having been or about to be per-
petrated upon the s0amp lands" Certainly
not, they have only been drained. The Sec
rotary would not be guilty of perpetrating a
fraud upon the lands That's too simple. He
knows that the State is a better goose to
pick.
OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE,l
INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 10Th, 1856.
Editors of Daily Sentinel In your issue
OF this morning you publish two dispatches of
Hugh ONeil, Esq, one to Governor Wright,
at Jacksonville, and one to j. E. Mcdonald,
at Crawfordsville--inb both of which l am
charged with "hiding" to avoid service of an
injunction in reference to swamp lands In
the one to the Governor am also charged
with fraudulently using his Excelencie's
name. Heading which dispatches, are the
following, which appears to be superadded by
the Editor:
SWAMP LAND FRAUDS | /"
F" The Secretary of State hides to avoid le-
gal process b
To all of which would interpose a simple
denial. That appeared in Court--pending
the motion to restrain the State Oficers-is
susceptible of proof and that that fact was
known by Mr.. O'Neil he will not deny And
If Mr.. UNeil is as good a lawyer as he has
the reputation of being, he also knows that
copy of the notice left by the officer at my
office, is as good a service in law, as a per-
sonal service upon myself. And that 1 was
on yesterday all day in this city, attending to
my official and other business, is we'll known
to numerous of my friends. And that l at
tempted to avoid the service of the process, |
most enphatically deny. And as to the
fraudulent use of the Governors name,
would state that there has not been a single
patent for swamp lands issued since the 18th
inst, one day anterior to the motion for the
restraining order, since which time have not
had occasion to use his Excelencie's name in
reference to swamp lands, and presume l
never shall have.
1 abide with humble submission the order
of the Court, and hope Mr.. O'Neil and the
Editors of the Sentinel will feel relieved
when tell them / know of no frauds being,
having been, or about to be perpetrated upon
swamp lands.
ERASMUS B. COLLINS