Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-09-14


Thomas from all blame whatever: 2
The following isa statement of the charges brought
against John W. Thomas, Senator from Davidson
county, in the Senate Of North Carolina relative to
his recent trip to New York. together with the ac-
ton Of the Senate thereon
WHEREAS j. W. Thomas member Of the SEN
ate of North Carolina has lately paid visit TO the
city Of New York, and whereas, It is currently
ported that the said Thomas repeatedly told, while
on his way there, that he had in his possession
Union speeches made by himself which would
greatly facilitate his movements; and whereas, 1t is
futher currently reported that the said Thomas,
while in the said city Of New York purchased claims
upon divers good citizens OF North Carolina and is
now endeavoring collect the same which reports,
fthey be true giving aid and comfort to our enc
mics: Therefore,
Be IL Resolred That committee Of three Sena-
tors be appointed to investigate the truth of SAID
reports and make report thereof to the Senate that
the Senate may take such steps as to the Senators
may seem meet
Be 10 further Resolred That the said committee
shall inquire into the fact to whether the said j.
w. Thomas is now or has been since his return,
acting as agent for the collection securing debts,
for any of the citizens of New York.
Be 10 further Resolred, That the said committee
shall have full power to send for persons and papers
to facilitate their Investigations and have power to
examine persons on OATH
On this resolution the Speaker appointed MeSsrs.
Barringer Eure and Dobson to constitute the COM
mittee, who after full investigation, made the fol-
lowing
REPORT
Immediately upon the appointment Of the COM
mittee Mr.. Thomas proffered and has afforded Us
every facility for the prosecution of the inquiry, by
furnishing letters private memoranda and other pa
pcrs, which show the character and object of his
late visit to New York From these sources the
committee submit to the Senate the following state
ment Of facts, which must be regarded as coming
from the Senator himself
On the 23d of July last, Mr.. Thomas left North
Carolina for New York city, by the way Of Louis
vile, Ky. Neither the time nor the occasion of his
visit was concealed His original design was, in
connection with MessrS. NJ l.. Holmes and r j.
Holmes, Of Rowan county, TO establish CONNER
cal house in Louisville, for the purpose of furnish
ing such supplies to the Confederate States, by that
route as their people might need during the pres
ent war. This design was, however, abandoned,
upon reaching Louisville, and he proceeded imme-
diaielv to New York.
IL is proper to remark here, before going further
with this statement that Mr.. Thomas started on his
trip with but $245 in cash, which was intended to
bear his travelling and personal expenses. He also
took with him several thousand dollars of bank
stock ned by various citizens of this State in the
banks of New York. These stocks were iutruSted
to him by the holders with directions to sell them
and account for the proceeds on his return.
1t was further understood that he might use the
cash realized from such sale, with n view to accom-
plish his general object Of supplying the Confeder
ate States with such articles as he could purchase
and introduce in violation of the blockade. Besides
the cash and stocks above referred tn. he had
check on New York firm for about $4,000 The
check was drawn by his partners in the present att
venture 1.-THE MessrS. Holmes of Rowan county, for
the proceeds of = sale of cotton made by the firm
for them, and shipped to New York just before the
declaration of war. The Messrs Holmes had put
the amount of check in the copartnership stock Of
the firm between them and Mr. Thomas, and they
were very anxious 10 get the funds ont of the hands
Of the New York house. Mr. Thomas repeats that
the above named cash, bank-stock and check, con-
Sttuted all the money or source of money which he
had on his visit 10 New York.
On arriving in New York he executed his drec-
tons in reference the sale Of the bank stocks held
by citizens, so far as he could do with advan-
tage. Meanwhile an opportune chance presented
itself to him in connection with another worthy cit
izen of this State TO purchase a vessel and cargo,
with view Of running the blockade our coast.
Mr.. Thomas embarked in this enterprise with high
hopes of success the particulars Of which the CON-
mittee do not deem necessary to relate. But he de-
MES that he put any money in the purchase of the
vessel and cargo other than what he had realized
from the sale Of bank stock due and held by cit
izens above stated The scheme ultimately failed
and was utterly abandoned by him. The contrac.
cancelled. In consequence owing to the ex-
IRENE hazard Of bringing it home. the money de-
rived from the stocks, well those owned by him.
self by others, deposited in certain banks of
New York. As appears by certfc tc Of deposit ex-
hibited to the committee by Mr.. Thomas
With regard to the check on the New York firm
above alluded to, it was presented for payment but
with every disposition on the part Of the firm to
meet If, they were wholly unable to do So Their
trade having been chiefly if not entirely with the
Confederate States, it had been for several months
almost completely cut off and the house was trcm-
bling on the Verg, Of suspension. After proposing
and rejecting mutually several mods of paying the
debt, the gentlemen composing the firm finally Of.
fered to place in the hands of Mr.. Thomas such
Southern paper as they had or could procure in the
city, out OF which the check debt could he paid
and the balance If any, he accounted for to them
soon as practicable. Whereupon, some $40, 900 in
notes and accounts on citizens of this State was
transferred to Mr.. Thomas, with the authority to
collect the and carry out the above agreement
He admits that the letters hereto attached refer to
claims citizens so assigned to him. lie declares
his innocence of any purpose to violate any known
law in this transaction. lie never intended, and
does not now intend to harrass or Cypress the deb
tors referred to. lie sought only to secure just
debt due from the New York house to himself and
the Messrs Holmes. lie will cheerfully abide the
decision Of our Courts under the law of the land,
the liabilities of the parties lie denies emphatca-
ly that he is now, has been at any time acting
agent to collect or secure any debts due from our
citizens to any persons in New York, except
in the single instance and in the manner here set
FORTH
As to the rumor that he had made Union speech
es or carried his own Union speeches. delivered
last winter with him his late trip he protests
that it is utterly untrue, and far as any such al
legation is meant Imputation upon his loyalty
to the Confederate States, he repels it with indg-
nation.
Upon this statement, which is uncontradicted by
any evidence submitted to the committee, we are
unable to discover in the purposes of the Senator
from Davidson, in making his late visit to the ene-
mys country or in his conduct while there, any
thing which calls for censure other action of the
Senate and the committee respectfully ask to be
discharged from the further consideration Of the