Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1862-08-02

Republican, and at that time Chief Clerk in
! Gcn'l Ti!son's Office, in which he tried to
bride him, another sworn officer to pass the
work as correct; offering Hall the Chief
Clerkship during his (IIenry's) expected adj
ministraton."
1t will be perceived that it is not in my
power to disprovc charges OF this character by
positive evidence. am informed by a sister
Of tho decd Mr.. Hall, who has charge Of his
papers and letters, that no letter from me of
any kind is found among them. may have
written to Mr.. Hall as Chief Clerk, in refer
cnce to my contract, and probably did; but
that l ever offered him bride, directly or in
directly. verbally or in writing, is, false, and
challenge the world toproduce letter of mine
which will convict me of a dishonorablc act or
proposition. Entertaining a high opinion in
common with all who knew Mr.. Hall, of his
unbending integrity, is it reasonable to sup
pose that | would have offered him dclibcr
ate brihc to commit perjury; or that would
tender him the position Of Chief Clerk in the
Surveyor Generals Office as early as 1853
The charges carry rcfuation on their face.
The third specification, and the one most
relied upon to fix upon me the charge Of
"swindlng," is the following:
"Acting under power of attorney from
the other party. Henry obtained money from
I VIM. NJ. Rutlt;dsr, of Olympia, and from G..
c. Robbins, of Portland, p!cdging to each the
drafts TO be sent from the Department for
certain surveying accounts, TO repay the same.
Through a species of doublcdeaing, he man
aged to have the drafts sent to himself, and
spent the money, leaving Rulcdgo to obtain
his money long after from third party, and
leaving Robbins, we believe, still TO look in
vain for his. The report of this trans
action, made by Gcn'l Tltcn. is on file at
Washington, showing Iicnry's character in
no cnviahlc light; and that this report is II
sore to llrnry's unsettled eye, and calling to
his madlv ambitious mind, We have the best
means of Knowing"
| think am justified in the opinion that
the charges contained in the foregoing para
graphs are based upon letter written to the
Department by my predecessor Gen'l Tilton
September 3Oth, 1850, copy of which is on
file in my Office. except the words in italics,
which have been furnished me from Washing
! ton, they having been erased from the letter
book belonging TO this Office. The following
are the extracts:
Il believe Mr.. Smith to be IN honest mnn.
INT hare rc0son To doubt tie Honesty IF DIR.
Hcnry Smith is in Washington Territory
now. is lately elected prosecuting attorney for
the Judicial District, and highly esteemed in
the community. DIR. Henry has left the
country, and ] have reason to believe used
the letter in Oregon 10 raise money upon.
The letter or certificate in question, /. e., the
one to Alcck {. Smith, was given at the re-
quest OF DR.. Henry to be delivered to Mr..
Smith who was then in the field, at or near
Gray's llarbor, as evidence to Deputy Smith
of the state OF his work in the office. and
proof of the discharge by DR.. Henry of GER
tain directions given by Smith to Henry"
The abovcexract contains the direct charge
of dishonesty. as also the distinct charg, that
had used in Portland to raise money upon.
n " letter or certificate" given for an entirely
different purpose viz: ".ts evidence TO Dep.
uty Smith Of the state of the work in the Of
flee, aud proof Of the discharge by DIR. Henry
Of certain directions given by Smith to Hem
ry."
The following correspondence shows most
concl,lsively, that the LETTERS or certificates"
were obtained for the cypress purpose of rails
ing money on in Portland, and .tor no @her
purpose:
OLYMPIA, W. T., July 18th, 1859.
Hon. JAMES TLroN: Dear Sir: | am
anxious to realize funds in Portland on the
work now in this Office and approved, the pro.
ceeds of which will amount to about two thou
sand dollars. You will please inform me
about the time when my account will be ready
for transmission to Washington, and whether
there is any doubt of its being paid on present
alton to the proper department also, that YOU
have directed the department at Washington
to send my drafts for the proceeds Of thework
to Duncan. Sherman Il Co., New York city.
This particularly is necessary to enable me
to realize on my certified account in Portland,
III consequence of return of some ten thous.
and worth Of accounts from the Land Office,
under protest. on the ground that the Survey.
or General of Oregon transccndcd his author
ity, in contracting for work to that amount
over the appropriation. am confident that
this has not been dono on your part; and |
want the statement from you which will enable
me to make the negotiation. and thus enable
me to pay my debts in Portland and realize
funds sufficient to pay current expenses while
engaged in completing my contract.
Your attention to the subject will greatly
obligo Your obdt serv't,
ALECK q. SMITH.
by his Attorney A. G. Henry.
OLYMPIA. Sept. gath, 1859.
Col. JAMES TILToN: Sir win YOU be
so good as to direct the Land Department ut
Washington to send my draft for the proceeds
Of my survey Of Township 10 N. r. West,