, 1859-06-24

! Nh. EDIroR-Not having been present at the dis
cusson between the rival candidates for delegate "a
Congress at Stella, oom, have jnst learned that Col
Wallace, the abolition and know nothing candidate
made himself merry over that portion OF the Thlrd
/ Auditors report which relates 10 my accounts as
l Quartormaster and Commissary Of Subsistence at
Steilacoom, and beg leave to make brief reply
/ through your columns-frst, to the Auditor, and a
l few parting words TO Col. Wallace.
j Mr.. Atkinson charges me with rendering my ac-
counts in an irregular and unsatisfactory manner.
made no attempt to follow army forms or regulations
In rendering those accounts;-l had never form
/ book, nor have yet but did render plain state
ment, in which the government was credited with
every thing | received, and charged with what
issued and sold at auction. The Auditor himself does
not pretend 10 charge with not accounting for the
property that responsible for, it is the mode he
objects to; and any body but narrow minded, petty
logging lawyer would have had sense enough to know
that such an organization ours was, hurredly got
ten up, without means, except willing hearts and
hands, none Of us clerks or soldiers, or acquainted
with the circumOcutionn ramihcatiOn Of army ac-
counts, could not possibly have system OF accouna-
bhty organized 50 perfect 10 pass muster at head
quarters, compare with the one they have been
/ sixty or seventy years In peiiecting.
} take this broad ground in answering all the
charges OF the Third Auditor: ! was faithful to my
trust accounted for every thing that passed through
my hands, and il an abstract was wrongly headed
Hospital instead of Subsistence - stores, it has
very little to do with the honesty correctness OF
the returns.
]
ery sold at auction at Steacoom, this Auditor who
says he caused these accounts " be examined re-
malks "For want Of vouchers 1t is impossible to
what the property here sold for bot except clothing
believed to be about what it cost. A large quantity
OF clothing was sold at, II is believed, less than cost
In reply to this charge have only to say that it is
eold-blooded ialsehoood. | rendered an account oi
sales and as have since learned it is nearly Anala.
gOus in form to that used in the regular service,
That document shows that nearly every thing sold for
more than cost. Sugar that Purchased OF Balch y
Weber for sixteen cents per pound, sold tor twenty
five some that cost twenty five, sold for tiftyOne
and other things sold in proportion OF the clothing
but one or two small lots were sod-probaby two or
three suits, not more-that did not bring cost (; and
the clothing was withdrawn and Afterwards shipped
to Olympia.
have finished with the Third Auditors letter but
before entirely leaving the subject think it but just
to compliment the heads of the volunteer organization
for their sagacity, and the knowledge they displayed
OF the character and habits Of some OF the officers
Col. Vim. ii. Wallace having bad command OF conf
pany OF volunteers was, while in the service, contnu
ally Trunk. or Dutch courage he had plenty. new
eT heard him accused Of possessing any other kind
consequently the brandy and whisky sent to my
| post being nearer the gallant Colonel.
In the clothing line too tue Colonel displayed more
| than ordinary powers. member OF his company a
kaDaka, was coatless and could not take the field in
consequence. He applied to me for u coat; q was not
yet QuaItermaster) happened to have an extra one
aud gave IL to him. supposing he would keep himself
comfortable with il. But his hardy captain, who
I
probably always kept good ready on to keep his
" courage TO the fighting p0int,H coveted the poor
devils coat and by some quk, (of the law probably
got hold OF it, giving the kanaka an old worn-Out rag
Of thing in rctura. This same garment, this woGld
be delegate to Congress- this drunken captain Of vol
unteer wore while serving in the Territorial Legsla
tuie in the winter Of 1886 for which service he
drew his three dollars per day in cash for sixty days
and afterwards certified ON his muster roll that he was
entitled to pay 4 volunteer Tor those very sixty
days, implying that he was on active service during
tie whole time.
i Let il also be remembered that Col. W. II. Wallace
was an accounting officer in the Washington Terri
tory volunteer service How did he fulfill his trust
V Where his accounts! his muster rolls, clothing
accounts &c. Are they regular, in good order, and
fit TO pass muster at Washington? II they are the
Colonel had no hand in adjusting them, for it was
with the utmost difficulty the authorities at Olympia
coad get any data at ali from him. And let me make
it known that in one instance at least he gave a dis
charge to a member of his company for the whole
term Of service when the man had actually been ab
sent from his home but three day
Had this gentleman who aspires to the highest Of
flee in the gift Of the people Of this Territory forgot
ten when he attacked my character, and ridiculed
my conduct officer in the voanter service, thai
he had vulnerable points to defend? Had he forgot
ten that he living in and enjoying possession Of
house and grounds that he had despoiled the widow
gallant officer Of the army Off No, But he did not
know that others knew it as well. All this assert
is true, and dare him to contradict what | affirm.
say that the property he lives on in Steacoom
he obtained without giving value in return that it is
the nghtfu property of the widow Of Lieut. Slaughter
who was killed while defending the citizens Of thi.
Territory from the hostile savages; and that it Is only
by some mysterious qnirk OF the law that he holds it
When reflect upon all this, and think that it will
be generally known to the people before whom he Mt
tackled me, his contumely passes me by as the dlt
wind that heed not"
1 am, sir respectfully &c.
i WARREN COVE.