Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-04-29


In regard 10 statements Of the Banner, of yester-
day, regarding purported application by the Gen.
eral Government to the three principal banks Of
this city for ' loan" of $500 600, We publish the
annexed very conclusive statement from Col JoHE.
SON, President Of The State Bank:
To The EDIroRs OF THE UNION AND AMERICAN: I
have noticed the article published in the Banner
Of this norning-in which an effort is made to ere
ate en- impression that the Post Office Department
had been in some way connected with tie appliea-
ton to the Banks in Nashville for money TO ray the
contractors in tas State.
The truth is, that 1 apprehended some inconven-
fence to the citizens of the State that they might be
put 10 from the omission of Congress to pass the
usual appropriation Bill for the Post Office Depart
ment, either by the reduction Of the service in the
Slate, or by the inability of some Of the contractors
to comply with their contracts The idea occurred to
me that the three old Banks in Nashville night
without Inconvenience, make payment 10 the con>
tractors until Congress should meet and make the
appropriations went to the Post Office to ascer-
tain from Gen. Anderson the amount of money that
would be necessary fer the purpose, and found
Gen. Sui h in his room. The information which
Gen Anderson could give was not as specific as 1
desired, and requested Gen. Smith to write to the
Department for the information. I then called ups
the officers of the Union and Planters banks to
ascertain how far could get their cooperation and
ascertaining that they would probably unite with
me, wrote myself to the Post Master General, SO as
to ascertain precisely the amount necessary. re-
csived his reply which submitted to the direct
ors of these Banks, and they at once concurred in
the views which had presented, and to advance to
the contractors, each an equal proportion of the
amount of money necessary to sustain the mail SER
vice, and so informed the Post Master General The
Post Cfice Department, nor any one of its agents,
made any suggestions to me- directly or indirectly,
in relation to this movement-it was suggestion Of
INV own, and alone for the purpose above stated
C. JOHNSON.
We trast that the Banner will be able to see, ihag
voluntary offer by the banks to cash the certified
statements of contractors accounts is very differs
ent matter from an application for loan of
$500, 600 to the General Government. That was the
charge, and we confess to some curiosity to see
what the Banner will now do with it.
The Banner says:
awe reiterate, substantially, what the Wig assert.
UesfSf tseNtttetJ
Col. johnson did approach officers Of the UaioR end
Planters Banks to ascertain whether an arrange
ment could not be made by which Government Ger
tificates given to mail contractors, could be dis
counted. We assert thst not only Cave Johnson
did this thing bat also that Dr. Grsnvlle p Smith,
agent Of Tie Department, and Gen. S. r. Anderson,
Postmaster did approach the Planters and perhaps
the Union Bank, upon the same subject. The state
ment of the Wing that Col. johnson applied for
lean for the General Government is technically in
correct bat substantially true twas to take up the
accounts, Fay the servants, and the credit Of
the General Government that the move made.
We make these statements suthOsitstiyey, and if
they denied, refer the person to our au~
thOriy."
Repeating the remark, that voluntary offer by
the Banks to discount for the contractors is neither
in 'su5stcncs," nor in shadow even, an application
for loan of $500 900, as originally charged in the
article copied by the Banner from the Knoxville
Wig, we only add, that the Banner is not warrant
ed in the use it makes of Gen. AxDERsox's name,
and that Gen. SMITH approached" the banks only
to ascertain the progress of negotiation instituted
by themselves and not Cor the purpose of asking
advising it on the part Of the Department.