Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-09-16
Col. Fremont's Accounts.

Senator WILSON, in his speech on Senator
BigIers motion for an investigation into these
matters said:
Col. Fremont was entrusted with this gov
ernment with high and responsible duties
Those duties were far distant from the seat of
government, beyond the borders of the States
in the Territories, beyond the father of waters
lin the Rocky Mountains-in California
Those high and responsible duties were per-
formed IN such manner as won the com.nen-
dation OF the government, the approval OF hon.
cradle Senarors upon this floor, and the ap-
planse and admiration of a grateful people
itis name Is forever associated with the path
way OF the golden shores of the Pacific, through
Ire sorges OF the Rocky Mountains-with the
conquest and acquisition of California.
Money was entrusted to his hands In the
performance OF the duties assigned him. men.
property, money We're all for months--years-
entrusted TO his keeping. The people will de-
mand why John c. Fremont is arraiyned now
eight or ten years after his duties to the govern
ment were performed. Ii his accounts were
uhset'ieo-1i he had failed TO account for money
placed IN his hands-if he was in any sense
oefauiter' why" the people will demand
was he not reported as the laws require by
the proper officers? Why was his name left
out of the list of public officers whose accounts
We're reported unsettled %
On the 10th of January, 1854, the Hon. Eli
sha Whittlesey, Comptroller of the Treasury
made repor: to the House of Representatives
In which he SAYS:
In conformity with these provisions Of tle
Act of Congress approved March 3, 1907. emit;
tieo' " An act further to amend the several acts
Tor the establishment and regulation of the
treasury, War and Navy Departments" and Of
the act passed March 3. 1917, entitled. i. An
Act to provide for the prompt settlement of
puolc accounts | transmit herewith. state
ments OF the accounts which remain due prior
to the first day of July, 1850, on the books of
the Register of the Treasury, and on the books
Of the Second. Third and Fourth Auditors of the
Treasury. respectively"
This report, Mr.. President, contains ninety
SIX pages OF names reported in obedience 70 the
requirements OF the law, by Mr. Bigger. Regis
ter OF the Treasury, Mr.. Clayton, Second Audi
tor, Mr.. Burt, Third Auditor, and Mr.. DAYTON.
Fourth Auditor. These reports Of the Auditor
OF the Treasury Department contain the names
oil persons whose accounts have remained un
settled or on which balances TO have been dino
, more than three years prior to july lst. 1853
furnished III pursuance of the second section
OF me act OF Congress, approved March 3, 1909
entitled, An Act further to amend the several
Acts Tor the establishment and regulation of
the Treasury, War and Navy departments,
and the names of officers whose accounts for
advances made or balances accounted for. one
year prior to July l, 1883 and have not been
settled within the year, prepared in pursuance
81 the thirteenth section of the act of March Cd
1907.
In tins long list of names | find the names of
some of the noblcst sons of the Republic The
names of Generals Gaines, Worth and Harvey
are in this list, 6,a The name of yohn q Fr,ao,t
AZ not aasosg fhcps. IF his reeouEts were unset
tied II balances are against hirn, why as not
his name reported ?
On the LIST Of July, 1853, no MONEYS we're il,
his haads Tnaccounted for. lie oeees! tks f,or-
e'pafacns nothing. And at the very time be had
claim for supplies furnished the Government
as early rs July 1851. The claim was examined
and reported on by committee of the House of
Representatives, at the head of which was Col.
Orr, one OF the leaders of the Administration in
the House. That Committee reported a bill
allowing $ls3,s25, and that bill received the
unanimous vote of the House and Senate, and
the approval Of President Pierce on the 29th of
July, 1854
If his accounts we're unsettled-if money was
ID his hands unaccounted for-if the government
had any balance against him-whv, sir-whv
did not your Administration compel a settle
ment, and secure any claims of the government
when it held $lS3,S25 of John c. Fremont's
money in Its Golfers Will the Senator from
Pennsylvania-will any Senator answer the
question