Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1860-06-28

that influence, aud feel persuaded that it is
the interest Of the Democratic party to increase
| it.
''The first district will, hope be carried in
any event, bit ,oih that shop at ,cork full-hand
ed t,Oo 'ceeks prior 10 the election, the result
would, | think, be placed beyond all doubt.
"With much respect,
W. c. PATTERSON.
'.The PRESIDENT"
Upon the letter is the following endorse
ment written, as the geltleman's report shors,
by the President hlmSef:
September 10, 1853.
The inclosed letter from Colonel Patterson,
of Philadelphia, is submitted to the attention
of the Secretary of the Navy. j. B.
The gentleman, in the report, says the wri.
ting of such letter .'cannot be too strongly
condemned;' but, he asks, shall the Ple>i-
dent and Secretary be blamed Tor the act of
Colonel Patterson? and insists that there IS
no proof that they were Influenced by it to
give the contract 10 Merrick & Sons. Sir it
is not for receiving this letter that L blame
the Presidcn'. bat for the consideration he
gave it, and for submitting it 10 the Secre-
tary of the Navy, with Endorsement, in
his own handwriting, calling the attention
of the Secretary to it.
What is the proposition contained in the
letter? 1t is TO bribe the President and to
contract to Merrick d Sons-the considera-
ton, being the procurement of votes, to
secure the election TO this House of friend
of the Administration. The Secretary of
the Navy stood at the head of his Depart
ment as judge to decide between these
bidders for the contract; to determine, on his
oath, as 4 judicial officer, to whoul-looking
exclusively to the public good-the contract
should be given. What does the President
do? He deliberately sits down, aud by an
Endorsement i'll his own handwriting. in
which speaks familiarity 90 Colonel Patter-
son, Of Philadelphia" calls the attention of
the Secretary 10 letter, in which it is stated
that if the contract is given TO Merrick d
Sons, they will control the vote of their eS-
adjustment for Colonel Florence, friend of
the President, and certainly secure his cleo
ton to Congress.
Who got the contract? Merrick 4 Sons.-
Were they the lowest bidders? Trey were
not. The Novelty Iron Works, the largest
establishment of the kind in the United
States, proposed to do the work for $4,000
less. Was Colonel Florence elected? He
sets on my left here, whether elected by
Merrick x Sons, | am not certainly informed
The fact of the President receiving this
letter, of his considering it, and of ind0rsing
it with his own hand, calling 10 it the atten-
ton of the Secretary of the Navy, has been
made the subject of free comment and debate
upon the other side of the Atlantic. The
fact was stated, and deliberately commented
upon by Earl Grey in an'argument upon the
reform bill, delivered in the House OF Lords,
on the 18th of April, of this year. Compar-
ing the character of the British Government
with that of-our own, he says, in speaking of
the United States:
There has been an inquiry into the stale
of the Navy OF of the United States, and the
result OF that Inquiry has been the publica-
tion of mass OF documents which, am sure,
no man can read without the greatest aston
ishment. Contracts are proved to have been
habitnally and avowedly made to promote.
not the interest of the public, but OF the ind-
vidual. A physician Is shown to have been
appointed to be agent for the purchase oil
coal, who knew nothing about al, who
never did anything in the purchase of coal
but signing the certificates brought to him.
and WHO received the appointment in order
10 share with others tbs profits of the con-
tract. More than this: we have letters ad-
dressed to the highest officers of the Govern
ment calling on them to grant contracts to
particular individuals Tor eiectioneering pur-
poses.
call attention to what he SAYS OF this
Patterson letter. When L first read it my
cheeks burned with shame aud indignation:
Zone letter is addressed to Mr.. Buchanan
himself, urging him, in the strongest manner
IL
steam sloop assigned to particular house in
Philadelphia, with Il view TO the eiectioc-
There is no disguise. 1t is put openly that
it is OF Importance, IN the tuen state of the
election, that the contract should be given
TO this particular house. l appeal to your
lordships, whether, If aletter was addressed
to the First Lord of the Admiralty, making
demand OF that kind, and it ere proved
that he had listened TO it for a 4sonent he
yRrl1 nv lp midi of
all parties, in Parliament and o1aOf IL, be driv-
en- from the councils of the State. ECheers
But the letter to which have referred bore
this Endorsement: 1.-THE incloSed letter IRON
Colonel Patterson, of Philadelphia, is sub
mitted to the attention of The Secretary OF
the Navy. b. [Laughter.l Such cor
rupiion produces its natural effects upon
every interest in the country"
This learnedund justly distinguished states
man announces that SUCH u fragrant eXhib-
ton of corruption and wrong was indicated
by the reception and consideration of this
letter by the President and his S, cretary,
that had 1t occurred in the British Govern
ment 1T would have resulted in summary
| and indignant dismissal from office of the
party implicated. Yet, we hear gentlemen
upon this floor, announcing that they attach
| very little Importance to this matter. /, sr,
regard this conduct OF the President and Sec
Rotary of the Navy as q deliberate insult to
The American character; and insult to each
lndls iduai Voter IN his country. The Presi-s
den: was entertaining proposition Tor what?
To dispose OF at Wholesale, the suffrages Of
ireemen. Tie proposition was nothing more or
less than an oner 10 the President Tor the sale
and delivery OF u sufficient number of votes
70 secure The election of one OF his partisans.
That il was not instantly repelled by the
President. and that its reference 10 the Sec
Rotary was not indignantly resented by that