The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-11-04
Another Leak in the National Treasury
More about Tie Lire Oak C0ntructS-
Iun1naanY und Timber.

[CorrespondDce of the Evening Post.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 1853.
According to the accounts which have
reached this place, your "Democratio'
State Central Committee must have had
a lively time at the ST. Nicholas on We'd
nesday last. An attempt on the part of
Mr.. Buchanan to reward one of bis polit-
cal friends for financial services rendered
in Pennsylvania in the Presidential ca N :
paign of 1856, by giving him against the
established rules of the Navy Department,
contracts to supply quantity of live oak
timber, was the subject of discussion, and
was censured in the strongest terms; and
it was agreed upon that certain gentle.
men should visit Washington, and wait
upon the President and Secretary of the
Navy, and demand an explanation, iras-
II nuch as parties from New York and
Maine, who fairly and legally obtained
the contracts to furnish the timber, BIZ
bids offered under the proposals issued
by the chief of the Bureau Of Construc
ton, have been unceremoniouslys set aside
to give place to Mr.. B1chanan's fayorite.
The New York and Maine contractor,
were the lowest bidders, while Mr.. Bu-
chan's friend was the highest bider.-
This fact alone is considered sufficient to
warrant an investigation into the subject
The details are as follows, and are not
without interest, especially to those W bo
are ignorant of the m0IuS 0pefaudI of
President making.
During the Presidential campaign OF
1856, gentleman from Massachusetts,.
heretofore unknown 10 the political world,
entered the contest in Pennsylvania, in
favor of Mr.. Buchanan. He was actua.
ted, it was said, by "pure and patriotic
motives He contributed literally, very
literally for disintcre>ted person, as he
was declared to be. IIeSoon became pop
uIar with the leading democrats" of the
States. He frequented Wheatland as the
guest Of Mr.. Buchanan. After, however,
realizing his hopes in Mr.. Buchanan's G.
lection, it was observed that be frequent.
ed Wheatland less and Washington more.
Within one month after the inauoura.
ton of Mr.. Buchanan, we End him in the
Navy Department. with schedule of di.
mensions of live oak, which be offered TO
sell to the Government, amounting to one
hundred and fifty thosand cubic feet
He procured an introduction from Mr..
Buchanan of the Secretary of tue Navy, !
also to the Chief of the Bureau of Con
struetiou. The latter Office decid ding ia. |
vorably to the purchase of the timbe the
Secretary of the Navy was about to seal
the contract, when be was informed that
he could not legally buy on open purchase
unless the timber was wanted for imme-
diate use. Such was not the fact; the
timber was not wanted. To advertise for
sealed proposals would provoke competi.
ton, and perhaps defeat the sale, as 9th.
er parties, with less patriotism, might
have the audacity to bid for the contract.
Advertising, however, was fnally resort.
ed to as the onl means of settling the
matter; but the advertisement, singular
to say, described almost eractIy Me kaad
2f tln1ber achlch tie contractor offered Me
Government at 2DtU0te sale E! The time
for receiving proposals expired, and, after
an unusual delay, for some unexplained
reason, the Presidents Massachusetts
TREND and supporter was declared success
Iul, and the contracts were made with him
lated July l, 1857, for 10000 cubic
teet of live oak. at prices ranging from
81 20 to 81 75 per cubic foot, amounting
% S225, $40, and on the 3O:h of the same
month, aoithot advertisement or chance Of
another contract was made
With him for an additional quantity, at
prices ranging from 81 SO to So Der Gu.
,ic foot. The time allowed for the de.
lvery of this timber extends to July lst
Ioo9-two years from the date of the
Contrast this fact with anoth-
IS about to be stated. The contractor
proceeded at once to fit out an expedition
o procure tho timber which he had pre-
'iouSly represented on paper as already