Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-10-03

Letter from Ex-PreSIdenG Tyler o n Gen.
Pillows Address,
We find the following in the Richmond South,
of Monday, aud it will probably not be the last let
ter that will be called out by the late publication of
Gen. Pillow. The South says that this letter,
written with the good taste which distinguishes
all the authors productions scquits the TYLER Adj
ministratiOn of a very dsparaging charge. We
never gave the least credit TO the story"
NEW York, September %, 1857
Nh Dear Sir: Owing to my absence from home
it is only this morning that have been informed
of your call upon me, through your paper of the
l4th INST, to furnish explanation to the public
of the extraordinary statement to be found in Gen
Pillows late letter, which he bases on the authori
ty of Mr.. TrisT, that during the negotiation OF the
Washington Treaty, and to secure its consum
nation, had used five hundred thousand dollars
out of the secret service fund in purchase OF
the political press of the State of Maine. The
letter is not before me, but / quote the sub
stance of tue statement. confess that the utter
absurdiJy of the statement had consigned il to the
same class with the many similar descriptions and
absurdities which have from time to time been al
legged against me and my Administration, and
which have regarded wholly unworthy of no.
tice | am only surprised that one SO eng hteued
as Gen. Pillow is g-emed 10 be, should have re.
garded so ridiculous statement as worthy of re-
petition. Five hundred thousand dollars from the
secret service fund in purchase OF the press of the
State of Mainel 1t zen. Pillow had taken the
precauGion 10 have looked into the acts Of Con.
presR making appropriation 20 the contingent fund
Tor diplomatic intercourse, commonly known as the
secret service fund, he would have seen that the
largest amount appropriated any year during
the time OF my official residence in Washington
did not exceed $50, OO0 aud that, inasmueh as the
negotiations referred to occurred 10 1912 there
bad At that time been but ell gle appropriation
made TO the fund.- and that OF the session of 1871
/ think il would have puzzled Cocker to have ob-
tanned 100000 out of $4,000.
viii take occasion 10 add that the fund, although
called secret, is public in most Of its outlays as
any other fund belonging to the government IL
is applicable TO the many items growing OF the
ssities of foreign missions and the consular es
adjustment of the United States, which no specific
appropriation could well cover. They arc eoatin-
gent, shs very term implying their uncertainty.
The expenditures for these contingencies euter iu-
60 the general accounts OF the government, and
are annually published and ABSORB a large portion
Of the fund Ii often happens that not a dOlar ia
Withdrawn irom the fund for any confidential object
| OF the government. Such confidential objects
sometimes intervene in intercourse with foreign
countries, aud sometimes have their ctigin wishin
our own lmts-coutingsncies Which ID may DC
mpradent the time TO disclose. but which are in-
tnately connected with the preservation OF peace
| aud quistude. some such contingencies arose dur
| ing my official residence in Warrington and
have only add, that when l left that city d.
reeted The agent OF the fond % Ole away ia a draH-
eF Of the State Department. the vouchers for al the
/ expenditures made under my orders out OF that
| luHd; aud the day has nearly come when shall be
/ perfectly willing 20 have that dFaseF laid opea 10
/ the inspection OF any one who Possesses any cari.
1 osity 10 look iato It, Certainly, he would and 90
! item Tor the purchase Of the nessPaPess of the
State Of Maine, or Of any oIher SEate-auG. with
/ proper explanation Of the objects OF tie cxps0di-
/ Iure, bat iiitie o. nothing % disappEoVs OF.
Be pleased 90 pee down these oriei explanatons
/ 10 The respeet which have for yoa personals
and believe me 20 De,
Truly aad faithfully yoars. Sc.
JOHN TYLER