, 1861-02-08

LfdH0r OF EI0tecr Gnd Democrat:
SR:-I am~gratifed to notice that YOU
have rendered to me the use of your col
umns, through which to defend myself from
the attack made upon me by Isaac w
Smith, Register of the Land Office. Fol
this offer you have my thanks, and | trust
it will be carried out in a spirit of greater
fairness and equity than was usually mani
Tested by the former editor.
Urgent business at Port Townsend, in
preparing for the ensuing term of the dis
trict court at that place, prevents a full
answer at this time, but l will answer more
fully in your next issue. For the present
| must be content with statement of the
following facts:
lSt. l believe that the Registers inter.
ference with my affairs is the result of a
scheme for the purpose of damaging me
politically. 1t bears the impress Of its
daddy" and looks as like the Register
political godfather as two peas. 1t is one
scene in the political drama which has been
playing here for three years past. Certain
men must be slaughtered, and to that end
all possible means must be used. Tools,
plant in the hands of political trcksers,
are abundant on this coast, and it would
be almost an anomaly to find federal ap-
pointee Of less than two years standing
who is not willing to pay well for his posi-
ton and his living.
I'd. 1t is true, that while acting as Re-
ceiver, / received various sums on deposit
| from parties residing on unsurIeyed land,
with the express agreement to pay the
same into the treasury when the lands were
Surveyed, and make the entries. did not
seek these deposits, and only received them
at the urgent solicitation of the parties.
1t is none of the Registers business, if, as
he says, became banker for A., B. and
c. If the public has not the same conf
dence in him, it is no fault of mine.
3d. 1t is also true, that promised the
depositors to protect their claims against
intruders or Jumpers to the best of my
ability. This l have scrupuIously done
and the ancient dame of the Registers Of
fee will find it an uphill business to stir
up popular indignation among the honest
settlers in this Territory on that account.
Let the public re-read my letter to Mr..
Creecy, published in the Registers "Card"
Of last issue, and then say whether there is
aught in it to condemn. The Register
whines because 1 did not condescend to
consult him before sending it. When Mr..
Smith shows me his authority for supervis-
ing my private correspondence, shall con-
suit him in regard to the contents thereof /;
not before.
4tb. 1t is true, as charged by the Reg
lister, that have paid over no moneys to
my successor in Office; butSthis is only half
of the truth. l never shall pay over any
to him until he presents to me a treasury
draft, drawn upon me in his favor, and
signed by the treasurer of the United
States. As yet, have no order to turn
over any funds into his hands. And as to
the private deposits in my hands, and for
which l am personally responsible to the
depoSitors, l must be permitted to say that
not one dollar thereof will leave my possess
sion, except either to make an entry Of the
land or to be returned to the lawful own
er. If Mr.. Smith don't like this arrange
ment 1 am very sorry, on his account, but
don't see very well how he is to help him.
SELF.
9th. In every case where deposits have
been made with me on unsurveyed land,
and the surveys have been afterwards ex-
tended over such lands, the claimants pa
pers perfected, and my deposit receipt pre-
sented for cancellation, have had the land
entered accordingly. In one Of the cases,
| in which Mr. b. p. Anderson'S name has
been brought into this controversy, un-
derstood that my receipt was not here, and
the best they could do was to give an
agent's receipt against it. This deemed
insufficient for my own protection.
9th. 1 expect to receive instructions
from the Department within a month in
regard to the balance of deposits in my
hands If l am directed to pay the amount
into the treasury, shall do so; if l am. in
sructed to return it to the deposltors, |
shall at once comply; and if l get no an
swer within six weeks, shall take the re-
sponsibility of returning the money at once
to the depositors. The Register wonders
that should consult the Department on
this matter. Well, although this is none
of his business, yet as he has interested
himSely largely in my affairs, and might
feel slighted without an "eye-opener" l
will eHlighten him on this subject. A form
er Receiver received moneys iu the same
way, and when he went out of Office he
consulted the Department, and was direct
ed to pay them into the treasury. Think
ing that the same direction might be given
again, l took the same liberty. 1t may
have been a rash act, to take such step
without consulting the high functionary
who presides over the Registers Office, but
| did it and am not badly alarmed at the
consequences.
7th 1t is tue that Mary Hustled paid
in fifty dollars for forty acre tract Of
land, for which she holds my Receivers re-
ceipt. 1t is also true that the Acting Reg,
ister, Mr.. Randall, refused to make the en-,
try, because government had refused to pay
him for his services This was no fault Of
mine. When the lady in question secs fit
II L.