Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-03-17
The State Treasury Investigation
THOMAS II. FoRD's DEPOSITION.
[Exiracts.]

or 20 years ago. He was then a printer,
and worked regularly at his trade.
After Gibson had been elected, and while
boarding together at the same hotel, and
aftprw ards when Breslin had taken house
at Columbus, we had conversations about
the Treasury, and Mr.. Bres'in would then
complain of the injustice of those having
control of things, and would also speak of
his efforts to raise means. Said that he
had interests west. He tod me he had lots
in Omaha, LeaveRworth City, and othe:
places. He had 40 lots at one o. these
towns. This was before the exposure of the
defalcation. Breslih, Baker and myself.
and others, were together at Minnesota, and
| was there informed, am perfectly GER
tain by Breslin, that he had sixty shares Of
the Minnesota Land Co. Much was said
about 10 900 acres of land in Illinois which
Breslin owned. but cannot fix my mind
upon any particular person from whom the
information came, though it was not denied
by any one present. have an impression
that at the time they were said to be in
Breslin's name, though do no: know Ger.
tain.
After Breslin had absconGed, Gibson and
Breslin, and Gibson's securities, were anx-
ions to make an arrangement BY which these
securities should be released. and Bresin
should be free from arrest. They called on
me to cary the matter through; Breslin
wrote 20 me; SO did Gibson; have not the
letters with me; they amount to nothing
beyond the above. had frequent interviews
W irh Gib-On; also Gum, of Cleveland. who
showed himself most man abou, the mat.
ter; also with Pennington and others.
Before would agree to make any effort
with others who were to act with me, in.
sisted on having some positive assurance
that any offer that should be made to the
State should be lived up to. and that it would
eventually be made good. S40o 900 was
first talked about, but it seemed as if enough
could not be made up to cover that sun
certain. advised that they should offer nc
more than what should certainly and with
out any doubt be made good afterwards.
felt that to be instrumental in bringing
about an acceptance Of the offer, and ther
for them TO fail in meeting il fully, woul,
subject me and all who participated in it I,
scorn, and obloquy. sa5o,OOO was thel
fixed upon as the sum. Gibson would, il
all his conversation. profess his ability tt
control Breslin, and that he could make hin
do hat is right, and that he would max
him do so. Gibson seemed to speak as
he was certain of what he was saying an
promising, but always said that the asset
; were under Bresin's control.
He spoke of the property as being scat
tered from Nova Scotia to Minnesota, bu
did not name or otherwise designate. O
point out any property particularly. ] wa
to have a fee if succeeded, and undertoo
the matter without understanding that
!; should he paid, though no definite sum wa
named.
undertook it as the friend of all parties
and saw Gov Chase, and various member
of the Legislature about it. and also had con
versation with Auditor Wright.
/ Gov. Chase at first favored the propose
and prepared draft of message to ,h
General Assembly, which he submitted t
me. and which have now at home.
(, suited me and SO informed the Goverro OF
, Subsequently Gov. Chase wavered in hi
, position, and Attorney General Wolcott or
posed it bitterly, and the Governor then re
drafted the message, the terms of which W
s would not accept, and no message was sen
: Pennington. of Titfin, also assisted me.
The facts in this matter are these: In
conversation between Gov. Chase and nv
self, it was suggested that petition shoul
T be gotten up and signed by Breslin's an
t Glbson's sureties, to be presented 10 tn
I Governor. and then the Governor to send
message to the General Assembly in fave
of the proposal already named. telegraph
> ed and wrote by mail to ell the parties, an
a the petition was made up and signed. ian
t after being immaterialy altered, presente
4 to the Governor. Pennington and myse
drew the bill introduced last winter; Aud
tor Wright, in talking to me, favored tn
proposal, but understand oppos ed it, wit
e others. saw sundry members of the GeI
e eral Assembly, and many favored it. Judg
Y Satin was for it.
We had private meetings, at which men
: bers Of the Legislature were present. o.
l. efforts were mainly directed to the Hous,
}, we felt certain of its going through ii
. Senate. When this thing was moote
o among the securities and others. wei
twice TO Tiffin, and after it was understoe
that the efforts should be made, told the
e that wanted my expenses paid; after SON
consultation was informed that | mig
e draw on Toomh, Huss g. Co., if neede
n money.
drew upon Toomb, Huss g. Co. for 81
which does not cover ali expended; | W,
u also told that if warteu any money hel
e in Columbus, knew where to get il. The
n named nobody, and named nobody; | wou
have gone to Bartlett g. Smith, because
. had been in the habit Of getting money
IS the several surities, went with Gibson
O his office, and he told me, after had int
mated that certain sum should be fixed f
expenses, etc:
1--WE do not want to name any defni
amount. You draw on Toomb, Huss & C
You know how to get the money at Man
u field" drew through the Man field Ban
J. and my drafts wore honored. Gibson furt
er said: "As you draw, we will repleni.
d u our Treasury" meanings ,as suppose, ,Toom
u Huss & Co.
Is In speaking of expenses, it was we'll III
J. derstood between US that the word incIud,
y all expenses to insure success. was a
IS tnorized 10 draw my own discretion and I