The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-08-27
TO TIIE PUBLIC.


have refrained from making a statement
of the facts connected with the recent charge
preferred against me by the General Govern
ment for two reasons: LIST. / have been
quite sick since and before the conclusion of
the investigation of the case, and am still so
unwel as to be confined to my room much
of my time. I'd, have been endravOring,
rs far rs ! was able by correspondence, and
by the industrious labors of many friends,
to ferret out and throw more light upon the
matter.
believe that short, plain statement of
the facts is due to myself, especially in view
of the fact that many rumors have been cir
culated, which, uncOnlradictrd are calculated
TO do me injustice.
The facts of the case are about rs follows
On the day after my return from the Harrison
Circuit Court, 10Th of April last,) man
whose name understood from himself to be
"B. F. Ferguson" of genteel appearance and
address, called on me at my office in Chatta-
Eooga and asked me to draw him up some
Blank Declarations for appyiT for Bounty
Lands from the General Government; stating
that he had been referred to me as being con-
yersant. with the forms, &c. | made him
out some four blank forms according to his
instructions, and handed them to him with
instructions how to have them attested, sign
ed aud certified, and thought no more of it.
short time after that, perhaps week, ten
DAYS or longer, letter came to the Post
Office addressed 10 "B. L. Farquaharson" to
my care, which ! took out as have always
done in such cases, and kept it at our office
unopened, among our office papers until call
ed for. AZ the time the letter came, | did
not recognize the name as that of any that
knew, and remarked to my partner, Gen.
Walker, more than once, that there was that
letter and did not know anything about
where its owner lived. But some DAYS after
wards, when the man called for it, recog-
nized him as the same man had known MS
"Forguson," and for whom had done the
business as before stated lie explained
that he had directed the papers to be sent to
my care because he did not expect to be at
Chattanooga when they returned-and that
the proper spelling of his name was "Far-
quaharson." ! have no doubt from recent
developments that grent fraud was intend
ed, and was made to some extent, an igno-
rant and innocent agent of its Preparation
but no further or other than that agency
which any Attorney would have taken, who
would draw deed or any instrument which
would afterwards be fraudulently dealt with
by his client
Having seen the man Farquaharson but
two or three times, and that only casually on
business, ! am not able to give any further
description of him than those given by 9TH
ers, (Which il, that lie is n man of medium
or full size, smooth spoken, of rather dark
complexion, and of genleel address and APP
pearance.) That he isa cunning knave and
well skilled in his business, have no doubt.
He seems from what have as yet been able
to learn, man without local habtatiOn.-
Several gentlemen have told me that they
have seen him in different places in Virginia,
N. Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Ala
bama. He represents himself to some as
having partner in Washington, and as hav-
ing very superior advantages and facilities
for the prosecution of claims against the
General Government. was fortunate in the
investigation which has been had, to prove
the facts substantially as have stated them,
beside some other facts which have come to
my knowledge since that time. desire my
friends everywhere, to still aid me in ferret
ing out and making clear this unpleasant
matter. As matter of course, connected
us Ha'c UteI WIN tHc cUse, 4 nave UetH
much mortified. cannot express to my
many friends the feelings which their kind
and confding sympathy have bego,ten, and
feel that the best return | can ever make
to them is, to still strive to deserve such
friends.
cannot refrain from expressing my kind
feeling toward Gen. Ramsey, Col. Pcyton,
and Mr.. Deputy Marshal Vaughn, for their
liberal, kind and courteous department
through the investigation. And although, |
can but regret the occurrence, feel that |
cannot in justice to any gentleman whose
name is connected with the matter, reflect
upon any one, or say that anything but de-
sire to vindcate the law actuated any one
And while can never cease to be mortified |
ut the mere thought of the charge, I feel tina.
it is one which might be made against any
Attorney whose client without his knowl- |
edge, did wrong with the papers after they
left his control.
would feel much obliged to such papers
as are friendly to me, ard also those who
have given circulation to such rumors as
have been in circulation, rs matter of Justice
to me, to insert this article.
J. w. WHITE.