Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-05-29
The Fort Smelling Swindle.

Our readers will remember that ma jority of
the committee appointed to investigate the cir
cumstances connected with the sale of Fort
Smelling reported that the sale was without au-
thority of law, inasmuch as it sold property re-
quired for military purposes-that the Secre-
tary of War is guilty Of grave official fault in
the sale-and appointed incompetent men as
his agents--that the manner Of the sale en-
couragcd successful combination against the
government to its loss--and that the fact that
one of the agents for the sale was a party in the
combination makes the sale void. The minority
full, and that the evidence does not impeach the
fairness of the sale or the integrity of the gov
eminent officials concerned in it. The evidence
is elaborate and embraces some rich revelations.
The majority of the committee, says the Ed
itor of the Udtchmdn, comment with consider
able force upon the suboined piece of testimony
in the case-taking it as an illustration of the
too general truth that party services are regard
ed as sufficient consideration, not merely for
fat officers, but for favors and bargains" at the
expense of the government and the people
Such seems to be the current idea with the dem
ocratic organ in this quarter, and such notions
Judging from the manner in which the " Eng
fish juggle" was carried through the House, are
by far too prevalent in the administration of the
general government. The letter of the distin.
guished Vermont democrat quoted from Re
port No. Sol, page 40, will show how some OF
the high minded and honorable leaders regard
such things 1t is interesting as a specimen OF
a class of communications that go to Washing
ton from needy politicians;
"Leter Of Pam Dillingham;.
WATERBURY, VI, May l. 1857.
/" Sir;-AS a stranger to you. permit me to intro
duce myself as Mr.. Dillingham; of Vermont | have
lived here from infancy Of good standing at the
bar il, this State, and always have been, and vet
sound reliable Democrat; and though never skcd
an office of the General Government and don't mean
to now, vet am none the worse for that. ! possess
some pecuniary ability and have several relatives and
acquaintances in Minnesota Territory. where | want
to remove myself, so ms to get out Of State where
genuine democracy is poorly thought of by the great
colored party who rule and always will here.
81 notice that by the legislation of the past winter
the Secretary of War is authorized to sell such lands
and forts belonging to the United States rs are not
longer needed by them and it has occurred TO me that
under the authority, you will sell Fort Smelling, near
which would like locate in that Territory. When
say Fort Smelling lmean the land owned by the gov
eminent in connection with the Fort.
Il" II this property is to be Sold very much desire
to purchase the whole part Of it; and may not
ask that it is to be sold, you will have the goodness
10 apprse Of the fact also of the mode can adopt
TO make definite ofterY Iii is for SALE should es-
teen it favor-perhaps il is my right, but that do
not discuss now-to be so informed, that may have
chance for bargain and think should come to
Washington to confer personally with you.
4" Let me add another word as TO myself l was a
member of the 2sth and 80 Congress Il think from
Vermont, and was very well acquainted with several
members from Virginia, among whom were George W.
Hopkins and Governor Mcdowell. Mr. Cobb, the pre-
sent Secretary OF the Treasury, and Mr. Thompson,
Secretary of the Interior, will remember me well 50,
believe, the Postmaster General; OF any and ali
the United States officers at Vermont and believe.
on being referred to- will. any OF ALL vouch for me as
man standing well wherever known
DO You want to know why am anxious to get
good ioot-hold in the West? give the reason in
few words; have four fine boys, the oldest Of which
Is now twenty years, the youngest eight years. and if
this is not enough will speak again.
VERY respectfully your obd't serv't,
paul DILLINGHAM;.
To the Secretary of War"