Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-05

Some very nice and interesting questions have arisen
under the SequesrAtion Act respecting the lease Of
these works. The lease was made by citizens OF the
NORTH oil Of vhom except one, have Withdrawn to their
native region having sold to the remaining one their in.
t.res by deed bearing date 10th April, 1861 and &C.
knowedged the ooh Aprl-sfer the secession Of tie
State This has appearance Of fraud about t. But,
p case of Forfeiture does the benefit to the lessor
or to the Confederate Government
The following statement of the facts has been furnish
ID " BY gentleman perfectly conversant with them:
In September, 1858, contract made by Thos L.
Preston of snythe county, Virginia, of the one part
and Hamilton White, Haruaa Ackermsn, T6os Spencer
and g. w. Palmer Of the city of Syracuse and State Of
New York. Of the other part by which the ssd Preston
covenanted to lease to the said parties Of the sco2d
part, the two Estates known the Preston aud King
sat-works for the term Of ten years yearly CT
$4,000 for the first and $4,000 fer the second esst
and guaranteed TO them quet possession and unds
turbsd Of the same for the period Of the lease
Three OF the lsssee. viz: Thos. Spencer u. Acker-
man and G. w. Palmer came to Virginia aud took,pos.
sssson Of the estates In December 1853. Toe rents fall
due the LIST of April Of each year, though the con-
tract from January ls 1882 TO January 1s 1869.
Before the expiration Of the hrst year. Thomas Spencer
returned to New York and Mr.. Parker U believe)
sent TO take his place as business mln u the I'm
or the lessees, Hamilton While regarded tho
capitalist and his fortune was estimated at mere than
81 900 900. He banker and stood high pfn.
dent safe man, Of very large property. Next was NJ.
H. Alderman, whose fortune was estimated st about
100000. Mr. 7. Spencer one of the mos. exp,ri-
enced sal! manufacturers Of Syracuse and his fortune
was estimated at S35 000 Mr. G. W. Palmer IL young
man OF conspicuous business talents and presume
taken into the psrDerhp that account. His fortune
esimated q: $4,000, and was nves ed cfisfJ Il in
fer from facts row In my knoElrdge) in real estate
These the parties whose means furnished ample
cutity for the execution OF the lease -
In 1860, II. Ackerman returned 10 New York he
was called there by the illness Of bis wife, Who died In
1851 the only party In Virginia Of the lessees was G.
W. Palmer. Mr. Parker, as II appears by papers fsd
by Mr.. Palmer, had purchased part Of Mr. Spencefa
interest: In the Fall Of $780, when sfor. va made
by Virginia parties to paIsts'e the lease fran Mr. Pal
mer, Understood be asked $40 900 year for HE inter-
es during the continuance Of the Lease besides share
in the pro6ts This gives idea o. his estimate Of
the value of the lease before the Of the
political troubles.
To the ipterogatores propou1ded to Mr.. Palmer, by
J. W. Johnston Esq., Receiver for the Confederate
S:ass be flies paper purpcrting to be transfer from
II. White, II. Alderman and Il beleve) T. Spencer to @.
W. Palmer of all their interest," etc in the lease TO-
I" value received" without other specification Thu p4
per Is dated April 10th, 1851 and is Acknowledged be-
fcrs notary public April s0th, 1861. coy Of viii
be forwarded soon a oil ,ned. f
The fact that the Acknowledgement was made the day
after the promugaon Of the Ordinance of Secession Of
perhaps taints Il with fraud.
In the latter part Of May June, Ne. G. ". Palmer
associated with him 10 business Ben X. Buchanan snd
- Stewart native VirgiuAns-aBd now the firm ia Puc.
hansu, Stewart Co. Mr. Palmer, am informed voted
in the las. election and by this act exercised the right
of citizen Of Virginia Was be citizen previous 70
that time? And did that constitute him one he
a. the Saltworks a citizen Of New York by viz
tue Of lien made IL Syracuse, New York He had no
visible property In the Commonwealth, and only r,pfe
ssned the partnership In such matters ard the extent
Of the private agreement among It's members.
In 1860 contract was made by which Salt was msnp.
featured and sacked az 10 cents per bushe Since tho
ii has raised to 70 cents AL thst aftsr pay
ing for SACKS, managers aud transportation, Is profit
BY an estimate made by Thcs Spencer. who was
State Superintendent Of the New York Saline 10
shows that by tho erection Of watts snd evsporaors,
sat Of the best kiud could be made at less than cent?
These watts to manufacture 00OO coo bushels would COS:
lisa than 100000 and is in the nature Of permanent
Investment
TUE requires wood or other fuel, and does not
interfere with the present mode OF manufacture.
Qlery<-What ths rights Of the lessee or hi, as
signee under this ttate OF facts
2. Was the lease snnned by the act Of secession Of
Virginia on the l7th April, 1881?
8. What the rights Of the Confederate States or
Is not the lease subject to representation.