Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1859-03-24


Gentlemen If l understand the report of
the Treasury committee in regard to my
sell, it consists substantially in the express
sion of an opinion that when the Central
Bank of Indiana was organized, Breslln
was stockholder in fact; because he was
to have part of the stock taken by JUDY dge
Brown and c. 7. Sherman, and that l knep
of such interest at the time, and also kne,0
he would use the funds of the Stale to OBJ
tain such interest.
Now, this opinion is erroneous in every
particular. I have very little acquaintance
with Mr.. Breslin, nothing more than a
casual and speaking acquaintance. l new
er had word of conversation with him in
regard TO business, directly or indirectly.
personally or by an agent; and if Breslin
had an understanding with any stockholder
in the Central Bank at the time of its Or
ganization, that he was to own any part Of
its stock, | did not know it.
The bank was organized by Judge Brown,
c. T. Sherman, William Sturgess and my
self in the fall. of 1858, in the city of New
York, where l was then doing business for
Mr.. Sturgess. 1 obtained from William
Sturgess las his letter herewith published
will show the money to pay for my share
of the cash capital. In the spring of 1854,
in May, l think, 1 sold my interest to Mr..
Sturgess, and transferred the same to him.
This transfer was forwarded Immediately
to Indianapolis, with orders to have it made
upon the books of the Bank, and in the
public offices. 1t was for sometime with
held, but against my orders, and without
my consent. At that time l lived in New
York and never had any part in the man.
agement of the bank.
l never knew of any transfer of stock to
Breslin; was never consulted about or in
formed of such transfer. If any of the
stockholders received money from Breslln,
it was without any knowledge or privity Of
mine, nor had any more power to prevent
it than any member of the Committee Of
Investigation.
l venture TO assert that l am as free
from any business connection with Breslln
in any way, and all ways, as either mem
Der of the committee, and no one doubts
their purity, l presume.
l cannot see what basis the committee
have for the opinion they have expressed
in regard to me. understand that the
evidence of Judge Bowen and Mr.. Sher-
man shows that Mr.. Breslin was not inter
ested when the bank was organized, and l
publish herewith letter from MIR. Stur-
CESS, showing that neither he nor myself
had any knowledge of such interest, if any
such in fact existed.
l have never been requested by the Com
mittee to appear before them, and until
their report appeared felt warranted in
believing that they would not venture to
charge any one in so important a matter
without giving notice. All the original
parties in organization of the Central Bank
except myself, were called upon and ex-
amined before the committee.
Several weeks ago, received a letter
from friend in Columbus, informing me
that Mr. Phelps, democrat of the Senate,
had stated that the report of the commit
Tee would destroy the prospects of two Re-
PUBLICAN candidates for Governor, and that,
being asked who? he replied by naming
myself and another, whose name omit to
mention did not head this, because 1
supposed it bit of electioneering diplo-
macy. Afterwards, and about the oath of
February, while in an adjoining county,
attending Court, 1 learned through lead
ing member of the democratic party, that
the report would probably introduce my
name but that the committee had, through
some influence, concluded to drop the name
of the other person mentioned by Mr..
Phelps; and this gentleman advised that
l should give the subject attention. Be-
ing unable TO leave my business, address
ed the committee letter, Of which the fol-
lowing is copy:
Mt. VERNON, O., February 26. 1859
MEssRs EDGERToN, REEMELN AND MORGAN
! Gcn,tlemcn:-I am informed that. as committee
appointed by the Legislature, you are investi-
eating the State Treasury defalcation.
A number of my friends at Columbus, and
elsewhere have informed me that quite recently
current rumor says your report will be shaped
so rs TO connect my name unfavorably with the
subject in some form, growing out of my owner
! ship OF Stock In Ine Central DanR, INDIANA.
Never having heard from your committee, or
any of its members, place no dependence on
| this rumor because | feel confident that such
committee as yours will make neither charge
nor insnuation in such report without giving
the party implicated due notice, and copy OF
the evidence in regard to himself, in time for ex
PLANTATION and vindication. think the charac-
| Ter of your committee warrants me IN believing
that you will be governed by the rule OF justice
and fairness TO which have alluded.
beg to assure you that any effort TO connect
me uni;vorably with the subject of your inyesti-
cations will be unjust and erroneous, and be-
lieve it is in my power, when time and oppor-
tunity occur, to demonstrate what say.
To satisfy you that this opinion is IN earnest
one, shall send herewith for your perusal a let
ter which l have recently received from VIM.
Sturgess, who knows fully every circumstance
in regard to my ownership of stock in, and of
my connection with the Central Bank, Inyiana.
Mr.. c. 7. Sherman indorses this letter, and you
are at liberty to copy it if you desire.
| l trust the circumstance will justify this COM
munication, and that l may expect before be-
ing implicated by your report, directly or indi-
rectly, that you will not only notify me that
am assiled, but that you will furnish me with
the evidence thereof, and afford me time to re-
ply. Very respectfully
Your obedient servant,
@. DELANO.
here give Mr.. Sturgess' letter to me,
alluded to in my letter to the committee,
containing also the endorsement of Mr..