The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-05-02

II may he here remarked that Mr.. IIciske is well
known citizen of Virginia farmer y occupation gen
teman Of intelligence and high character, who had been
member of the general assembly of that State and
in whose honesty integrity and irmness of char
acer Governor Floyd had from personal knowledge the
fullest confidence.
IL will he seen from the above instructions first that
in accordance with suggestion contained in the commu
ncation Of Gen. Jesup of the 14th Of November 1854
previously referred to- and endorsed by Secretary Davis
his annual report of the 4th Of December following
minimum fixed, below which the land was not to be
sold That minimum was 81 so per acre, price exceed
ing the highest sum at which any of military
walton had ever in the history Of this government been
before sold out Of the limits Of coporntc city.
Secondly They were required, if upon examination
they thought proper to be retained military depot
to from sale the buildings and much land
they might consider suitable, not less than forty acres
Thirdly They authorized to sell the land in forty
lots at public auction IT, In their Judgment the pub
c interests would thereby be best promoted
Fourthly. They authorized to sell at public or
private sale, in whole in part rs, in their Judgment
they might deem BEST but in no at less than 81 SO
per acre. tf t
Assuming the commissioners TO I've competent and hon
est men, II is difficult TO conceive how any instructions
could have been better devised to protect the interest of
the government. The commissioners closely inter-
ogaed upon tho point whether they had received from
the Secretary Of War any private instructions beyond
thoso contained in the above letter Major Eastman
at Fort Smelling at the dno of his appointment
and did not the Secretary had he any correspond
cncc with him from that period until after the sale Mr.
Heiskell, who bore to Major Eastman his appointment
states that the only further instructions he received
were u want you TO do the very best you can for the
government want that sale TO be the best ever made
10 the United States You will have parcel of sharpers
to deal with md you must keep your eyes OPEN
From the date of their appointment until after the sale
1t appears from the evidence thai there commun
cation between tho Secretary of War and the agents ap
pointed by him, and that the latter keeping within the
limits Of their instructions proceeded to exercise all the
discretionary powers vested In them, upon their own
Judgment and responsibility.
After satisfactory examination OF the property which
was quite familiar to oof them, from residence of
nine years at the place. the commissioners decided that
Ae public service did not require the retention of any
portion of the for military that in view of
the experience Of recent land sales and of the combna
tions then formed and forming to force the sales at the
minimum price, il expcdcnt 10 avoid the hazards Of
public sale. and, possible to dispose of it or lis full
and TAR value to some responsible purchaser and finding
in the person Of Franklin Steele gentleman who
bncd all the essentials of fair responsible, and honora
bic purchaser and having first estimated the value Of the
government interest in that property they opened
rcspondence in writing with him 10 learn If he desired 10
purchase and what price he dispoed to give FOR it
Mr. Steele, in reply expressed his wish 10 become the
purchaser OF the property, and offered the gross of
$4,000 for 1t, the which he had proficrcd 10 give
IN 1886 They informed him that they had estimated
the interest of tho government in that fairly
worth the sum of 800, goo that they would not sell il
at private sale below that sum- and II he would give that