Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-01-14
"The Cotton Trade--.COntraba
Traffic.


Under this head, the Cincinnati Gazette of
the 18th inst. quotes an article from the
New York Tribune of Jan. z relating to the
arrest aud incarceration, in Fort Lafayette
of A. NJ. PALMER implicated by the recent
disclosures of frauds in the New York Gus
tom House, and accused of complication
with parties "who have been shipping
goods to Nassau or Matamoras on their way
I, to Dixie, and giving bonds therefor, which
they never meant to fulfill" This Mr..
PALMER the Tribune describes as quite a
young man, whose first appearance on
any stage, was at the last Union (Abolition)
New York State Convention, by which he
was appointed amember of the State Com
mittee to the exclusion of such men as Ex-
Governor MORGAN, Ex-Mayor OpDYKE etc.
The Tribune calls upon Messrs. LINCOLN
y and CHASE fora thorough and prompt over
hauling of our whole revenue system, and
says that ''nothing less than this will satisfy
public opinion" The Gazette seconds the
TriJune's motion, and saysit has been prose-
cutting an investigation itself, and has
learned enough to satisfy it that the whole
business (the revenue service) is in a
:wretched condition. The Gazette declares
(mark the words of the most "loyal" Abo-
lition paper in Ohio3 f ,..-
at Is our conviction, and it is the popular
belief to-day, that the Government is in
MORE DANGER FROM CORRUPTION
AMONG IT'S OFFICIALS, than from the
power of the rebels. Rascalities committed
by officials not only discourage the people,
but have ademoralizing effect upon society.
This is so apparent that we need not argue
the point"
The Gazette refers to the fact that PALMER,
who occupied an important position in the
New York Custom House, was arrested up
on the charge of aiding smugglers in ship
ping goods to Nassau, for the benefit of the
rebels "because similar practices" it says,
shave prevailed on the Mississippi" The
Gazette reproduces letter it published
some days ago, written by an agent Of the
u. S. Sanitary Commission, who has since
. been appointed to an important position in
the War Department. We give the follow
ing extract from this letter:
You are right in saying THAT the government
should at put stop to the present system con-
nected with the cotton trade" There are grave
abuses and very serious charges connected with it,
and it is producing desire TO speculate and pecu-
late that is perfectly frighful. The oicersof the
ARMY. think, are fully awake to the abuses which
exist and will do what they can to put stop to
them. The abuses mainly arise from permits or or
ders to trade, emsn lng from the Treasury Depart
msnt or its agents. Men in high places are openly
charged with being directly connected with those to
whom special permits are granted, participating in
profits, etc. Distinguished names from Rhode Is
Of IN this conhection. AS to their truth or fasity.
do not pretend 10 decide. All that know is that
Ss0s 6m IN s he %
credbly informed for men of capital and protested
Loyalty, might say @ndou btedy loyalty to pro
doubtful loyalty, and these again sub-agents more
unscrupulous, and who are loyal only 70 their In
terets These men are paid $io per bale on al the
proceed to different points along the nver and es.
tablish direct connection with guerrilla chiefs and
bands, who, for consideration, will afford pr0ec-
tion to the cotton which they purchase. Supplies
are furnished; many articles contraband of war,
doubt not are smqggIsd hn and the enemy in this
stand in need of. These speculators, if loyal at
home, must need assume the garb Of traitors and
their sympathy. eommuncate an the Information
they are in possession Of and abuse and curse the
Yankees to the perfect satisfaction of their new
friends. -
The Gazette says the name of the author
of the letter is at the service of the Govern
ment whenever called for.
! From all the information it has the Ga
zette says it appears that the 'rlngs," as
some of the cotton spectators are called,
''enter into arrangements with agents of the
Government, to divide the proceeds of their
operations" 1t then proceeds to develop
these rascally operations as follows:
Furnished with permits, they, pass through the
lines and arrange with the guerrilas paying the lat
ter SO much bale or pound for all the cotton OBJ
tained, and smuggling goods through for their use
besides. Thus the monstrous spectacle IS presented
combinations of spectators, which keep the guer-
ras the Mississippi alive. and make it their in
tercst to keep together. These outlaws and murder
ers, who are plunderng the people, firing unarm-
ed steamers and destroying the property of the Gov
ernment, obtain their principal mean. of support
under contracts to divide the profits of their busi
ness with officers of the Government. This is the
most onstr0us aspect Of the that has yet beon
presented, and but for the convincing character of
the information before u.s. we should be slow to be-
leve that any loyal especially sworn officer OF
outlaws whoere numbering our soldiers, destroying
steamboats and robbing private citizens.
The above speaks for itself. We need add
no word of comment The reader can set
his own estimate upon the 'loyalty" en-
gagged In such nefarious transactions.