Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-12-29
Letter from Hon. Samuel A. smith.

1
Letter from Hon. Samuel A. SmitIn.
WASHINGTON, d. c.. Dec. %. 1859.
EDITORS OF THE NASHVILLE PATRIoT--SsTs
A friend has enclosed me the following,
taken from your paper of late date:
"SERIoUs CHAKGE.-The editor of the
Knoxville Wing writes from New York to his
paper the following. Mr. Smith is now fill
ing All important Office In Washington, and
be owes it to himself tn meet so serious a
charge promptly, if true, and un-refuted, it
should blast him forever:
ITO learn that viIlainy is going on at home
it is necessary to come far North as this
city l am now able to state, without the
fear of contrad ction, that in former con-
tract for the House printing, Wendell paid
to .Sdml. Il. Smuh of East Tennessee, 81 500,
as his part OF the profits, and for services
rendered in getting him the big fat job. This
payment was made in whole, or in part
through the Ocoee Bank at Cleveland
through which. as fiscal agent. Smith drew
his drafts, every one of which Wendell hon
ored. Great heavens! just to think of a
member OF Congress becoming sbarer of
the profit in such frauds p.rpetrated On the
. National Treasury"
. A movement bas, for some, time been going
on in Cleveland and elsew here in the Third
Congressional District, "a attack my charac-
ter and official integrity through the columns
of the Knoxville Wing. While it was cou-
fined to that journal alone, did notconsider
it necessary to notice it, AS, however, you
have given the foregoing extract from the
Why place in your columns, with editorial
comments, must ask the favor of you to
publish my reply.
The men who instigate these charges are
too couoardIy TO show their hand. and yet base
enough to attempt TO destroy mans char
acter Tor political purposes. These calum-
mics cannot affect me where L and my pecu-
mary condition are known, but justice to
myself and friends requires me to notice
them. They false in letter and spirit
from the beginning to the end. and defy
my enemies to produce single fact to sus-
tain them.
have never drawn but one draft on Mr..
WENDELL through the Ocoee Bank. or any
other bank or person. That was a draft for
one thousand dollars--drawn about the last
Of August, lS57--was cashed by the Ocoec
Bank, and the amount was paid to WENDELL
Representatives. out of my OWN money, then
in his hands. Tie object of drawing this
draft was simply to save the risk of trans
hitting the money from this city to Tennessee
This draft was drawn long after the expira
ton of the thirty-fourth Congress, TO which
Mr.. WENDELL was printer, and is the only one
ever drawn on him by me for any purpose
whatever. There have been many drafts
drawn on me through the OcOee Bank, and
many sent me by that bank for collection
ali of which either paid or collected, as the
case might he and placed the amount to its
credit in its corresponding bank in New York
City. This did as an accommodation 10
the bank and received nothing for it. Inas-
much, however, as many charges had been
made against Mr.. WENDELL in reference to
the public printing / have no doubt that
some one connected with the bank, or a
behind its counter, obtained a knowledge of
the fact that bad drawn the draft referred
to Gu WENDELL, and used it with a view to
iniure me both personally and politically.
The late officers of the bank, to preserve
their own character for integrity and honor
able dealing as business men, owe it TO them
selves to disavow any completely with the
instigators of this foul calumny, and to
SKATE the facts as they appear upon the books
of the bank.
i hope the present owners OF the Bank will
throw open its books TO my enemies aud al
low them Il rigid examination Of my affairs,
whether of a private or of public nature.
AS all my business in the way OF deposites,
drawing drafts. accepting drafts. or collecting
drafts has been done through the 0coee
Bank since its organization, il is impossible
that should recollect all, or even one half,
of the transactions which. from time to time.
have occurred. Nor have any uoie Of them
here. Knowing, however. that have never
done any business with that Bank. or any
other, that was not honest, proper and legiti-
mate, am willing that The books of the Back
may speak for themselves. and that my pri-
vate business may be paraded before the
public, il it will be any satisfaction 10 thos-
Infamous creatures who iusiigated the char
ges against me.
Mr.. WENDELL was elected public printer to
the House of Representatives for the s4th
Congress. He bad been recommended TO me
by leading Tennessee editors, an eminent
practical printer. good democrat. and an
honest man. There were but seventy four
democrats in the House of Representatives
at that time. Mr.. WENDELL. bad no opposition
in the democratic caucus, and was unani-
moasly nominated. did not know him, even
BY sight, at the time Of his nomination. nor
was introduced to him until three weeks
Afterwards. l had no idea Of bis election,
nor did any one else, | sHpPose. In the demo
cratic caucus. | advocated his nominstion
uppu the recommendations Of Tennesseans
alone, as before remarked. without knowing
him. When The election came on, more than
tao months afterwards. to my asteaishment
srery Southern hs0ss--takAiHg or American
voted with the democratic party for WENDELL
lie was supported by every Tennesseean in
the House. OF both parties. j never asked a
man, demoerator American, 10 vote for WAY
DILL. and no one can be found Who will as
sert the contrary. IL was charged here At
the time, and subsequently, by The cores
pondenss OF th- New York Hersld and oths z
papers that there was q disrepuiable eombi.
nation between wENDgIL and the South
Americans, 10 secure his election No one,
sappose, believed &c certainly did not and
90 notice vas taken OF Il In Congress. That
charge Was. undoubtedly. more plausible,
than the one against me. Of recslving con.
pessatlnn for voting fnr the nominee nf &