The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-01-11
Tho Alleged Frauds I'm the Navy Yark.
TO TUE EDtTOR or TnK nERALD.

BRooKLvS, Jan. 10, 1864
ON reading Quotations In several daily papers OF
New YORK AMI Brooklyn relative to certain charges
brought against mo- and there seems to DO great
ado drfa enormous amount, which
almost 'uin'rs the government, while employed as
carcner OF the Navy Yard. beg leave TO oder
explanations, hoping that the public will be
willing 10 hear the ruth ~ eagerly as tho false state
ncn,s, which have published cy those who bavc
never dared to append their names 10 ANY conmunica
tons which they have scn for publication TO the news.
IL" Navy vii merely give 's few facts IL 70
futation OF those which defy any person per-
conract with proofs or even dare 70 out
boldly and append heir names vouchers.
In the iist ,lace. am charged with having mon at
work vessels outside Of the yard at different times
whie being paid oy the government Second, that |
had lumber and material belonging to the govern
taken out OF the yard for my own
TINT I had wheels built, chests, boxes aud humber
less other articles made from government material.
and by working 10 the yard, and taken for my
own private that appropriated for my use
money colec ted aud intended for the Of the General
Committee OF Kings county and, worst OF ALL and what
collected for the cic Association Of the carpenter
asps.msnt ofS1psea !o the svus awsesy
recy from tho shipcarpsners department all OF which
charges pronounce 10 be most false, and sent TO Wash
ipgton for the perasa u the Secretary OF the Navy
without the names o. the authors OF the communica.
tons, aud with usme5 appended thereto witnesses
against mo before the board OF Inquiry OF my most bit
ter enemiesen who have been heard TO that they
would resort to ex;remes maj Ter at what cost TO
themselves or Others 10 hurl me from my position.
ut the instisaion Of others unprncpled
themselves, intended 70 kill me POLITICALLY.
TO accomplish thor purpose my removal was neces-
arcoriauce with deep laid plans as the events OF
the next Ias nominations by these able designers will
prove and any for that cherished object would
suffice, even u the blasting OF my reputation neces
sny.
In RECITATION OF these charges I would say that II Is
utterly impossible for self any person In the Navy
Yard 10 send Of the yard the purpose or
dang other than government work, or to take any
material away without the knowledge o. the officers OF
the yard.
IN re;uti,n % The third chargein regard 10 hav ng
wheels. chests boxes, and so forth. madeI never did
ythne in that shape and DEFY contradictory evidence
except by the Naval Constructors orders, what
customary the making OF chests for apprentices and
boxes for quartermen for keeping ship ausrs aud
tools safely locked As the General Committee fund,
can posltisoly that returned dollar collect
81 or that purpose to the proper person appointed &
receive the same can d;sprove the statement made
that appropriated reel money In my charge BY simply
referring 10 the books of the Secretary from the first
organization of that association WHICH be seen AT
any time. The amount has been paid TO families, and
every cent which has been collected and the books will
that not has heen appropriated for any
other purpose than the weekly stipend allowed and
meant Tor the families ot those who calamity serving
their country rs volunteers. Respect ully, &c.,
ROBERT W. STEELE.