The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-08-28
For The Herald Of Freedom,
That Charge.


ED. HERALD OF FREEDoM-SIR My
attention has been called to an article in
your paper of last week, asking informs-
tion in regard to the preparation of the final
papers for pre-emption. In the absence
of Mr.. Baker-the relative to Col. Moore,
to whom you have, doubtless, reference
in the paragraph am engaged in making
out the proof papers, and am, therefore,
prepared to give the desired information.
You have simply been misinformed.
Col. Moore never has refused proof pa
per that was correct; but, at the same
time, no paper can be so, made outside of
the Office, unless by some one having di-
rect access to the records. To obviate the
delay that would be occasioned in correct
ing the errors in the papers, which pro-
miscuous business would certainly cause,
and to expedite the pre-emption entries,
the papers prepared by Mr.. Baker are re-
ceived and passed at once-not because of
his being a relative, but from his thorough
knowledge of the business and of the
records, acquired when formerly a clerk
in the Registers Department.
In regard to a division of the funds
acquired in making out these papers, be-
tween the Register and Mr.. Baker, the
assertion made by your informant is
ridiculously false. Col. Moore's reputation
as faithful public officer, for nearly the
fourth of century, is so well established
that no further refutation is needed on
this point. 1 am qualified, however, and
can speak also for Mr.. Baker, under any
circumstances, to say that not one cent OF
this money has been paid to Col. Moore
as perquisite of his own. In paying the
enormous expenses of the Office, MIR. Baker
has assisted Col. Moore in making gener-
Gus loans to defrsy the same. This is a
private matter between themselves, how
ever, and none of the public's business.
One word more, not in palliation of what
your informant would have the public
infer from his inuendoes, but to render
respect where it is most justly due. To
an officer whose zeal in the discharge OF
his official duties has jeopardized his
health to such an extent as to render him
confirmed invalid; whose private purse
supports, in a great measure, an office
which is at all hours open, to enable those
claiming the right of pre- emption to secure
their lands before the sale, and whose
generosity has saved to many helpless
families their humble homes, this treach-
erous whisper of mistrust is, to say the
least, most ungenerous return. 1t must
be gratifying to him, that kind endeavor
is observable, on the part of many of the
regular dealers, here and in your city, to
remove every impediment from his way,
in the easy and correct discharge of his
duties.
Great stress is laid upon the word rela-
the, and it is the only point in the para
graph to which special attention is direct
ed. With those who will think Justly in
this matter, it is a secondary eonsidera-
ton. feel desire, however, to be in
formed why it was that when the relatives
of Gen. Brindle, Messrs. Wynkoop and
Petrikin, made out the proof papers in the
Land Office, against the known wishes of
the Department, not one word was said by
the Herald of Freedom or any other paper.
Can your intormaant explain this :?
Feeling satisfied that your desire for
information arose from a wish to relieve
the minds of pre-emptors from doubt,
submit the above in all candor, and from
purely disinterested motives. With much
respect, your friend.
THO'S B. PRICE.