Daily national Democrat., 1859-07-03
Nallg NatlOnal Democrat.
Another Chapter In the Life of james
Buchanan.


The Lecomptonites have and ,rsod lana.
buchanan and his Admipis,rat;on al La,,s
challenged the country TO sus,aio ,i,an, -"
that proposition. The AntiI. .ecomnton ,,'i ne
mocracy repudate him and his Administro.
tlon for various reaeons-one Of Which :
their patronage Of corrupt men and their nm.
proyal Of corrupt transactions.
In the Congressional report Of transactions
in the Brooklyn Navy Yard (p. 79.) we find
the following-relatiye to o contract for ma =
chinery--
"0n the Goth of July 1858. sealed propo-
Gals were invited by the Secretary of the
Navy, fer the steam machinery for seven
sloops Of. war, authorized by the Act of June
1858 The specifications did not prescribe
the form, plan, or dctailes of the machinery.
but promised drawing OF the section of the
vessel Under these specifications proposals
were made by most Of the leading builders
in the United States. Before the Secretary
had passed upon any of the bids, the follow
ing letter was sent 10y Col. Patterson, Of
Philadelphia, the President.
PnJLADELPnIA September -.
DEAR SIRi--I venture TO suggest to you
the Importance Of awarding the contracts
for the machinery Of the sloop, now building
at the Navy Yard, and if it can be done
wvithoG' prejudice to tie public service, to
Merriek & Sons. J.
The managing partners Nre full Of energy,
and 80 far as know, the ONLY old
Wings Of any influence in that district who
are in favor Of the re election of Col. Flor
cnce
know from former experience the value
Of that influence, and feel pursuaded it Is the
interest Of the Democratic party to increase
| IT,
The first district will, hope. be carried
/ in any event but with that shop at worl,
full handed, two weeks prior to the election.
the result would, think, be placed beyond
oil doubt. W G p P.rrrps0x
The president.
This letter was sent TO the Secretary of the
Navy by the President, with this endorse
rneut
September 10, 1858.
"The inelosed letter from Col. Patterson. o
Philadelphia, is submitted to the attention o
the Secretary Of the Navy J. p"
1t was shown in committee that when tho
President approved Of any proposition made
to him it was his practice thus to ndorse the
communication. Now, q tiian occurying the
! Presidents high position. when an attcnp,
/ was thus made to sacrifice the public interest.
/ for the aakc Of partisan obie,,s. should have
torn up that letter and handed Col. Patter-
son over to the hands of Justice. But we sec
hin--a Democrat-endorsing dishonorablc
proposal to grstiiy the Wings, and calling
the particular utteution of the Secretary O
the Navy to Tie matter And the committe,
say-"We regard this ns a serious offence
and further
"lf the President had suggested to Judge
of the United States Courts that he render q
judgment in favor Of one of the parties liti-
giant, in cause pending before him, because
that Judgment would aid him in the election
Of party iavorite, the general voice Of the
| people would demand his impeachment. Ii
| it a less serious offence when this suggestion
| is made by the President to the Secretary o
the Navy The Judge is beyond the powel
of the President; the Secretary is within hi
power. Each is required to perform iudieia
functions The suggestion by the Presden
OF corrupt motives to either is equally Oar
gerous."
1t is needless perhaps to say that the cor
tract was awarded to Merrick & Sons.
The committees report shows beyond di.
pute that all the contracts were given out i
the same manner, Letters are given il
which party advantages and the enrichmen
or party favorites were the only object
sought to be attained. And It sa IS thnt th,
lion. J. Clancy Jones. now Minister to Aus
tria, had received money from the Reading
forge for his services. in obtaining for it q
contract with the Governmen.7 From let
ter written by Mr. Clancy Jones to General
keisn We take the following extract
a have had an interview with the Setre.
tary Of the Navy. lie informs me that he
will advertise for bids, but wiH not give tn,
contracts to the iosest bidder. Now, / think
l can serve my town and constituents by Sc
curing a fair proportion from those who want
! these contracts" j. CLANCY JoNEs,"
He got the work for The steamer Wabash
and received five per cent Of the proceeds
for his services
Enough for to-day Who will nov stand
by the Latham Administration party in in
l.,,U T.,