New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-29

- the sd day OF June, 1906, and winch was up
proved by President Pierce, on the last day of
his Official term, there is set apart for the COM
mencemeDt Of fort opposite Fort Schuyler
| "New-York, I'm hundred and fifty thousand dol
Glars" Upcs the Administration Of Mr. Buchsn-
an, and especially upon the Secretary Of War, Mr.
| Floyd deyolyed the duty of expanding this cum.
Undoubtedly Congress must have had reason to
believe that at least the land suitable for fortif
cation could be had for the sum mentioned in the
appropriation. Indeed, every man living Oh the
land opposite Throgg' Neck, on Long Island Sound,
where il vas intended to erect the new fertilization,
knew that land there WAS not worth over 5000 to
$3.50 per acre, though, "a We will show, Mr..
Secretary Floyd finally paid for it at rate little
less than $4,000 per acre.
Within Few years past tract OF some 80
acres at Willetts Point, on Long Island Sound,
Immediately opposite Throgg's Neck, was pur-
chased for S3i, 800. This land came into the
hands Of Mr.. J.. Wissman, German resident of
this city or rather Of his wife, for whom it was held
by Mr.. &. J.. Van Blankensteyn as trustee Mr.
Wssman sold l6 acres for Sl5, 900, and retained
20 acres Cor himself while the residue amounting
to about IL acres, has been sold within seven
months past TO the United States, for the sum Of
5000, 900 The 90 acres yet held by Wissman
must W. we are credibly informed, also be pur-
chased in order TO make the III acrei entirely
useful. To this gigantic swindle we call the atten-
ton of Congress and the public.
We have already stated that Mr.. John c. Mather
has been connected with the War Department as
tIa 10. nl rta fort a hdI
asked that Mr. Mathcr might BE- examined before
the Fort Smelling Committee, as to bis connection
with that affair. We have charged that Mr.. Rich
ard Schcll and Mr.. Augustus Schell know sone-
thing in relation to that speculation and we now
introduce of the same parties as operators at
Willett's Point Ii being known in the War De-
partment or known somewhere that this Point
would be required for fertilization arrenge-
ment seems TO have been made to squeeze round
sum out Of the Treasury in the purchase. Prior t.
NAV, 1867, Nc>ttle to the land was, as we have
said, in Mrs. Wissman. Mr.. Nissman, who for
two years previous hsd offered il for various prices
from $4,000 to 100000, was called upon by
certain parties between whom ii was thought
proper that 5000 600 should be got out of the War
DEPARTMENT for the site. He agreed to their pro-
pos.,s. and the land was conveyed to Mr.. George
T. Irving, who executed to the trustee Of Mrs.
Wissman, mortgage for So1,OoO, payable April
II. 1862. On the same day Irving executed
mortgage to the same party, Oh the same prop
ertv. for Sl5, 500 81. How much money was paid
by Mr. Irving we will not pretend to say, but We
are informed that the whole amount to be PAID 10
Mr.. Wissman was $500 of which $4,000
has been paid to him IN cash or notes, including the
discharge of the $4,000 mortgage; while the resi-
due is secured by the mortgage OF $50, OOo 'ch''h
stM remains unpaid. The balance of S7OOOo has
been divided as clear profit among few individuals
say perhaps SEVEN making $4,000 zach, and We
hope that Congress will let lis hno" who these
fortunate men are.
Probably Mr.. Secretary Floyd, Mr.. Richard
Schel, Mr.. Augustus Schell, Mr.. Prosper NJ. Wet
more and Mr. George I. Irving can furnish light on
this subject. An appropriation bill is to be passed
BY the House OF Representatives, in which If Will
be necessary to insert provision to pay OF the
$50 900 mortgage; and before that bill is reported
to the House, We trust the Committee of Ways
and Means will send for certain witnesses. or
these the first should be Governor Floyd, Score
tary of War. Let him answer who called upon
hja ia relation the sale of Willetts Point What
amount was demanded and why did he 20 beyond
the appropriation of $4,000 Let him produce
tine certificates Of the value Of the property, so that
il may be seen whether OF not Messrs. Miller
Burling, aud Baker of this city certified snd TO
what amount, as to the value per acre. Had
Mr.. Floyd heard that either the Messrs. Schel, or
MatLer. or Prosper NJ. Wetmore had any knowl-
edge Of the intended purchase OF Wilett's Point :
The Secretary of War viii Perhsps defend him.
self by producing certificates of gen,lemea in the
vicinity Of Willctts Point that the property very
valuable. But WHY did the Secretary make bar
asn for 5000. 600 and get certificate that tn
land was worth That sum. when 'he real owner
Nissmsn. never received ANYTHING approaching
TOO, O00? That is the question TO be answered.
Gen. Totteu of the Engineers should also be IN
terrogatcd. Did he or not make inquiry as to the
| ySlue Of the land and having been told II was not
worth over $500 per acre, did hi not wish It I'M
derstood that he had nothing 70 DO with the pur-
! chase
| Mr.. George 7. Irving can then be examined with
1 "'""'"SS' ii' iVsIuts III queens O"en'!i =" '
s>tate, and conveyed the property To the United
States. Let him answer if he knows Mr.. Pros
| per 81. Wetmore, or Mr.. Richard Scheu OF
this city, and what business relations he had with
either Of those persons il connection with the sale
| of Wilett's Point. What Was the amount Of
| money paid 70 Mrs. WiSsnsn's trustee before May
l2 1857, for WiIlett's Point , Was ANYTHING paid
| beyond $1,000 Did Mr.. Irving go to Washington
L L. mi. To-, Ia.- nth A. W.T.