Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-06-16

L
WASHINGTON, D. c., June II, 1854
select Committee, consisting OF fivc members,
two Democrats two Black Republicans, and
one Auti-AGministra;iGn Democrat was ap-
p,inted by resolution of the House on the 9th
of February last, for the purpose OF inyestI-
eating the facts and circumstances connected
with the sale and purchase Of tract OF land
ut wilkins or Willetfs Point, in the County
Of Queens and State Of New York, opposite
Fort Schuyler, purchased by the Government
tor fertilization purposes during the year
1857, with power to send for persons and
papers. If the limits of letter would per-
nit, | think it might be clearly shown that
this Investigation, as TO the purchase OF Will
let's POINT, is but part second OF the inves-
tication for the sale Of Fort SnelIing, to which
/ called tho attention of your readers In my
letter of the u instant. 10 the sale of Fort
Smelling an attempt was made TO condemn
the Secretary of War for selling the Fort be-
low its value, but the action OF the House, IN
LAYING the subject on the table as unworthy
of further Investigation, shows the correct
ness of the views presented. In the purchase
Of "WIiiett's Point" the purpose was to
show that the price paid for the property was
extfagagant, if not exorbitant.
The very able report of Hons. Geo. w.
Hopkins and Thos. i. Florence, two men,
hers Of the Committee, in which in all ma
terial points Mes-rs. Wood and Hale both
members Of the Committee, concur, clearly
shows that the purchase OF this site Tor lorti'
ii5stiOns was imperatively demanded by the
public interest. Judge HOPKINS, in his re-
port says, ";.s far back as the year 1870 the
necessity for o fertilization at Willett's Point
as q most important national defence, was
urged upon the Government by the highest
authority" The purchase Of this important
site was, however, delayed from time to time,
OWING 10 one cause and another, until by the
act of Sd March, 1857, an appropriation was
made OF $4,000, "t9r the commencement
of y fort opposite Fort Schuyler, New York"
On the l3,D of April, 1857, Mr.. Schell and
Mr.. Fowler, the Collector and Postmaster OF
New York, were appointed Commission by
the Secretary "to ascertain, as far as Preetl-
cable, aud by such means as they could fully
RELY upon, the fair value Of the land" And
they were desired to "lortify their opinions
By those of such real-estate agents as deserve
the confidence Of the community, from their
standing and intelligence" Ga the oath OF
April, this commission reported to the War
Department that they had made inquiry as
t. the value of the property known as Willetfs
Point; and that from the result of their in
Gui!ies and from personal inspection of the
property, they thought "it the quantity OF
land was a. represented, the suu Of 100000
could not be considered 40 exorbltaDt price"
The opinion Of these gentlemen should be re-
garied ~ conclusive as 10 the value OF the
land They ate gentlemen Of high standing
and high pOsitun 10 the service and conf
deHce Of the Government, and under no mo-
tive 70 render any but an impartial decision;
and this option OF the Commissioners is
SUSTAINED by an overwhelming amount Of cor
rOtoratinS testimony.
The Secretary Of War being fully aware
of the importance Of this site as one Of great
necessity Tor the defence Of our commerce 10
the harbor Of New York, where two-thirds Of
the revenue Is collected, and of the strenuous
cxertjons heretofore made for the purchase
Of Wllett'S Point, would have been clearly
ieTeliCt in bis duty, as the head of the War
Department. having this matter 10 charge, II
he had failed TO carry out the intent aud pur-
pose Of Congress 10 taking the necessary
steps for the commerceme Of this important
fort. The Secretary of War knew as well
IL any other well informed person, that every
foot and acre Of land 10 the vicinity of New
York is annually Increasing in price. Judge
Hopkins in his report, says that 1t was sound
policy in the Secretary TO make the purchase
IT once; &Ed that be has saved money to the
G,ycrnmeut by d0log go. And the report
also sGya, tho; sitter a most extraordinary
course Ut interrogation, 10 which all the rules
ot legal evidence were set ar naught, and the
mos; papatlc irrclcvaDcg tolerated, there is
not solitary circumstance, not one OF or
;Itt!c ot evidence to Affect toe personal honor
or official integrity 0! the Secretary of War.
There have been, believe, ten Investiga-
ting Committees appointed at this session Of
Congress; and what have they amounted to ?
Nothing at all. The very gentleman who
was the lnstigator OF he Willotts Point Com
ml,tec, has placed himself 10 o very "bad
tx" by his course Of conduct on the Commit
tee, ADD viii probably be brought before the
bar Of ;he House. and receive their condem.
nation at the next session. Instead of con-
yicting the Secretary, he has convicted him-
self. The appointment of Investigating Com
Inlttees, unless there DO specific charges, and
responsible acCuscr-, is wrong, and ought not
t. bg permitted. The following extract from
Judge Hopkins report IN regard 20 these In
ycstigatug Committees, is admirably suited
to this session of Congress, Tor it not only ap-
plies 10 Gov. Floyd, but TO any one connected
with tho Government, who may be unfortu-
nate enough TO incur the disp!easure of mem.
bers of Congress.
Tine result IL an outrage upon all Justice
and right. While there is no named aliega-
t!on against Governor Floyd, and himself all
the while absent, his official conduct, and
even bis private affairs having no sort of
conncxion with his public relations, were
made the sui ject Of a prying scrutiny for
months together; he is placed before the
cuuntry in the attitude of public functiona-
ry aliaigucd for malfeasance, when 10 the
recess Of the committee room, il is known
that no one has dared to specify a charge;
suspicion Is aroused by the mere fact Of the
inVosugatl5b; defamation IL set at work;
lasebUod does It's task; and yet, after q most
pro'racted aud searching, and even inquisi-
tOIIal investigation, not one single circum-
stance Is developed to impcsch 10 the slight.
ct degree, bis honor as d man, or his W
rl-h'uess IS public agent"
"Ihe justice Of this great nation revolts at
snch course Of procedure, ard Congress
owes It 10 the cOuurry and the character OF
tie nation at once to apply the corrective, by
refusing any committee Of Inypstipation nm