, 1859-02-18
Letter from Gov. matteson to the ae1s
ate Finance Committee.

Sir al the date Of my former communication
to the Chairman Of the Senate Committee, l sup,
posed tue validity Of The bonds i.sued to me fol
Canal scrip Of the issue Of May aud August, 1899
vas supposed to depend upon the genuinencsa VI
tile tcip. Sncc. to my erea' surprise, the fact il
established that these scrip OF checks, though gen
ufnt, have been redeemed BY the officers and
agents OF tue State many years since, sud hare
bcen, by SOME person or persons unknown to nc
ahstrac1ed from tue places wllere they were 1cpo-
tied, and again put in circulation. With perfect
innocence N my part, Ind without the rcInotc>t
suspicion tlhat the scrip had ever been redeemed.
hese checks were purchased by me of different
persons, for their cash value at the time uD3u
ACTUAL Payment Of money therefor. hare thus
usconsc!ousiE and !unocently been made the iii.
Strumens through whom gross fraud upon the
State las been pcrpctrltcd.
Ny past relations to the people Of this State,
end my earnest desire 1or the preservation Of nv
own reputation, pure and spottess, render me un-
willing to retain these Ids, although rurcAasetl
By anu issued to nc bona 5ide, and for q valuable
consideration. I am willing, rather than possess
one cent which the State Of Illinois ought uot to
pay. even though the courts might decide that,
by tue strict rules Of law, my right to the bonds
couil uot le isupcached, to sustain, myself, the
whole less. and to return all the money aud eyi.
dences Of Indebtedness Of every Kind have re.
celved OF the Slate on account Of these cheeks or
any bonds issued for them. The bonds ure al.
AS4au$ i'll eESAIIl4 luE Of
tho state Bank, I will indemnify the State
again,t all liability on these bombs, and provide
for the repayment Of any MONEY or e;iaepces or
Indebtedness received as Aforesaid. BY mud with
any klul Of security that may reasonably be re.
4u'1el thorcfor. OF course, it may take some
time II replace 60 large IN amount; and pru-
pose that, upon my giving The heeusty a}uve in.
dcatcd, satisfactory 10 the proper officers, the
bonds remain aud he held as security Tor tue cir
cula'ion OF thc State Bank, With the privilege to
me, frnn time to time, to replace thpW with other
securities; md. as titus replaced, they shall b.
cancelled by tile Governor.
The same regard for my reputation (which ia
now OF mere value to me tLan Guy amount Of
money that. in connection with my onxiiliugness
to proGt by the loss to the State, has prompted
the foregoing proposition, also leads me 10 ask, as
IN act of Justice tn myself that the gaton
commenced By tile COMMITTEE shall be continued.
will lend every assistance in my power to render
1t thorough and searching, resulting In the dis
corery Of tue commencement Of the wrong, il not
The perpetrators. For Ills purpose, hopc, If
necessary, the committee will be authorized to act
IN vacation. From my acquaintance with the
gentlemen comprising tlis committee, as well a.
inom the courtesy already 1nanisested to me,
don,t not they will be willing 10 continue tie in.
vestlgasion even after adjournment, it necessary.
J. 4. MArrEsos.
To Tie Chairman Of fhe Soaate Coa.mt1<e on
ETurnr<