Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-03-24
BREsLIN'S STATEMENT.
Statement of John G. Breslin, made
to Alfred P. Edgerton, one Of
the Treasury Investigating Com
mission, at Hamilton, Canada
West, January "a, 1859.

West, January "a, 1859.
l am unwilling to comply with the pro
positions in my behalf; made to your com
mission by Messrs. Borland and Gibson, or
the 2lst list, not that such propositions
were unexpected to me, nor because | d.
not intend to make the disclosures therein
anticipated; but for the reason that DO no
consider myself so protected, in the con
templated arrangement, from arrest anc
trial on the indictment in the Franklin
Common Pleas, as to justify my return a,
this time to Ohio.
My resolution is fixed and unchangeable
that viii never put myself in position te
be tried upon that indictment, in the pres.
ent state of public feeling, as l believe il
to be against me. Without some assurance
from competent authority of discontinusnce
or postponement of that trial, positive in
its character as to terms and time, | will
not place myself in the power of a Court
or in danger Of imprisonment; knowing as
l do that my acts were not criminal in their
character, and cannot be SO adjudgec when
the whole truth shall be disclosed. The
reasons which have produced this determi-
nation on my part. and impel me to this
course, it is due, should con muncate to
the public, if expect its justification; and
do not, OF proper time, Intend to With
hold them. II the commission is continued,
and any assurance can be given me that
shall not be tried on that indictment for
a year, | will return to Ohio, and make to
the Commission, during that time, full
disclosure of all the facts ard circumstances
of the defalcation known to me, and paw
over to the State everything in my posses
sion or control. At this time, ask an ex-
emption from condemnation. or suspen-
sion of opinion as to what deem it my
duty to do, as at present situated. in with
holding the names of certain parties in pos
session Of certain assets belonging to the
Treasury. These parties are in no ~av
connected with the defalcation, and hold
these assets at my solicitation, and for my
benefit, as indemnity 10 them for advances
made to protect valuable interests. These
assets cannot now make available, but
will Immediately proceed, in good faith. to
convert them into money, and if successful
psy over the proceeds; il not successful in
realizing the full amount, will pay over
such sums as may be realized, and upon my
statement under oath, that the whole sum
which could be. has been realized and paid
over. do not wish to diyulge the names
OF The parties referred to, or the eircum
e IL
them, until such times as | shall deem pro-
per, il at all.
In this, disclaim any intention of plac-
ing myself in a defiant attitude to the peo-
jle of o. 10; on the contrary, crave their
good up:nion, and ask that | be not con-
damned as criminal unheard. have not
remained in apparently contemptuous ST.
lence because conscious of security, or that
the power of full exoneration from crmi-
nal misconduct was not at my command.
have kept silent in the rope of subsidence
of popular, and, as feared, official preju-
dice against me. My erroro and follies-
the result of too great confidence in the in
tegrity of my fellow mani am willing to
expose TO just public censure. | know
that that cannot be more severe than the
condemnation of nv own conscience and
Judgment.
As the present is the first opportunity at
which | have felt authorized to initiate
such proceedings as will testify my con-
stsnt determination since nv departure
from the Stale-a determination always
expressed in nv interviews with those to
whom felt authorized to speak-to restore
to the State whatever of its property might
be in nv possession, or account for its ab-
sence or loss in truthful manner. | beg
leave now to make the following statement,
with such accompanying evidence, as will
fully corroborate it. | intend this state
ment, when completed, to be full and per-
feet disclosure of all my transactions as
Treasurer, and since; but not anticipating
the demand to be made, or the opportunity
presented just at this time, or in this man.
ner, | am unable to make the disclosures
as full as intended and desire.
| am at present entirely unable to &C
count for about $3.50 900 of ihe alleged de.
falcstion, fixing it at $552, 600. l either
never received this sum, or there has been
an error Of accounting by which it is i'm
properly charged to me, without cores
Ionding credi:- / am confident II has never
been diverted from or lost to the Treasury
by my action. do not wish TO charge m,
predecessor with Intentionally withholdin:
1t from me, or any other person with fraut
or misconduct in relation 10 it; but, in orde
10 scsouni for il in some manner TO th
satisfaction of all, and hope to the injury
os none, desire the continuation of tn
Commission, and its CO. operation in discov
sring in what manner this portion of th'
apparent defalca;ion occurred. If, upo
investigation, it shall be ascertained tha
any part of it was ever in my hands, or lot
by my errors or mistakes in keeping m
accounts, or otherwise, will at once al
knoa ledge that the increased burden i, in
poses upon me is just and proper. If, how
ever. it shall be discovered to be the error
or misconduct OF others, or a simple errt
of accounting, shall be rejoiced to be II
lieved from unjust suspicion as to tn
amount of the stated defalcation. sha
insist, until it is shown to the contrary, ar
and shall attempt to prove. that this amou
was never in my hands, and should not
charged sgainst me as part Of my defc
ency. will as cheerfully cooperate
the discovery of this loss. even if the r
sponsibility be fixed upon myself, as wou
to fix it upon others. | ask no conces
ment in relation to it. Since my departu
from the State, have, of course, had I
opportunity Of examining the books, or
ascertaining from any public documents