Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-06-04
Alleged Pension Frauds in vt.


ing. The writer processes to be giving
some account of the hearings on the
charges of fraud on the Government, in
procuring Or applying for Bounty Land
Warrants. But he has transmitted "false
papers" in this instance to say the least,
and done gross injustice to innocent and
respectable men. Firstly, in relation to
the case of Moses Wallace, of whom
"Boston" says: ''He was admitted to bail
in the sum of $1,000" And adds: "There
was not much of interest in his examina-
ton" Now, firstly, sir, Mr.. Wallace had
no examination at all. Secondly, he qoas
discharged aOithout bail, by direction of
the Attorney for the Government. And
thirdly, l will add that although accused
with the others, of transmitting "false pa
pers" to the Department, &c, Mr.. Wal
lace is an old gentleman of unquestioned
integrity, long residing at Topsham, VT,
himself volunteer at the invasion of
Plattsburg, and free of the slightest faint
or suspicion of fraud. Somuch for ''Bcs-
toms" story, as be well terms it, about
Mr.. Wallace. Now for Mr.. Boswell.
Of him, "Boston" says he has 'heretofore
sustained good character" l will add
that Mr.. Boswell sustains good, an IN
blemished character now, notwithstand-
ing the ISLANDERS of'Boston," and others
like him, promoting this prosecution. 1t
is true, Mr.. Boswell was ordered by the
Z. S. Commissioner TO recognize, but for
what crime, or even fraud, it would puz-
zle any one who heard the case to de-
termine. heard the whole of the proof
believe, and hazard the assertion that
there was no evidence of one attempt Jy
BotssoeH to prove false or fraudulent
claim to Bounty Land. "Boston" most
UNANIMOUSLY says /: HE has in his official
position as Bounty Land agent, has been
able toprogress successfully in his frauds. 2"
Quite new, that oficiaI position but no
matter. "Progress successfully in his
frauds !t'' To any man who knows Mr..
Boswell, this is simply ridiculous malice.
Vermont has no man tn 1t more apright,
repeat, not one fraud, in fact or intent,
was proved. The whole pith of the
charges against these three men, Wal
lace, Boswell and Bickford, consists in
aiding Pittsburgh Volunteers to procure
their Bounty Land, under the law of
March, 1855.
The applicants declare on oath that
they, on or about the - day of Septem-
Der, 1914, volunteered at the invasion of
Pittsburgh. The proof not showing
them TO have started out before the battle,
the Commissioner Of Pensions decides
that they are not entitled, and refuses to
issue warrants, although these volunteers
may have travelled 100 miles under arms
before getting news of the retreat. This
it seems is not all. The United States
are attempting to create constructive
out of even asking for this bounty. The
government claimed on these hearings
that il was crime to swear they volun-
teered at the invasion of Pittsburgh, in
case the Commissioner of Pensions at-
teraCards decided that such men were not
volunteers within the act In other
words, an act strictly innocent when done
may be made perjury by the order of the
Commissioner of Pensions. 1t is not
pretended that land warrants have been
obtained, but only that such declarations
as above have been forwarded.
"Buswell," says Boston " has for:
warded upwards of four hundred claims
to the Department" He might have
added, with propriety too, they will al
be allowed in the end, for no other sen
sjble construction can be given to the
act. Senator Foote of VT, in his letter
of May II, 1857, says, eff they were
en- route for Plattsburgh, whether they
= reached that place or not, they como
within the provisions Of the act, and are
entitled to bounty land" At that time
the Commissioner of Pensions held the
same construction.
But here is no place to try causes.
only ask in justice to the accused tina
, Judgment be not rendered on the scand
alous statements of Boston" Of Mr.
Bickford the same may be said as o
} Mr.. Boswell, but as {" Boston" does no
treat of his case as yet, l will refrain
: simply adding that the prosecutions art
2 utterly groundleSS, and that the moUedt
a Of the accusation is the only excuse 70
e the U. S. Commissioners action in tn
D cases. Boston" is obviously alarme'
e lest no body wins Immortality out of thu
e business and is quite unwilling to avail
. the judgment of an intelligent Gran
i. Jury.
: One word more and leave the subjec
i to its proper forum Boston" manifest
e a high ambition to establish the reputs
2 ton of GREAT FRAUDS having been pei
q petrated from Vermont, on the Unite
: States Pension office. Fifty companie
Z. called into existence ~ "Twenty
y sixty counts in the complaints % Th
It mass of evidence that the governmer
- have in their hands is truly surprising
S Now, just so many companies have mad
t. applications as there were which turne
= out at the invasion of Plattsburgh. Jus
Y so many counts were put in the com
e plants as the government choose to il
e sert, being one from each volunteers d.
e claration, and the " mass Of eUidence
!. is simply the budget of the Pension o
o fee. On the same proof, and the sam
n theory of law, more than fifty agents an
/ thousands of applicants may be prosecl
e ted in this State, and held as well I
e Wallace, Boswell and Bickford, and y
|. not a fraud has been done, or attemp