Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1864-04-23

require. and the regulations prescribe. But
was startled to find evidences of frauds and
official misconduct Of thesespst glaring char
acter. Prompted by what I conceived to be
my duty as sworn officer of the Government,
at once proceeded to make rigid investi-
cation of the affairs of the Custom House dur.
ing Mr.. Smiths administration Of the same.
The result Of that investigation now pro-
ceed to give you in eztens0.
The accompanying statement marked ga"
is made up from the books and memoranda,
found in the Office and exhibits the sums thus
acknowledged by Smith to have been drawn
from the public moneys, for his own uses,
also the salary and official emoluments to
which he is entitled for nine months, and
which placed to his credit together with three
other items of credits show the amount of
$4,354 SO Orerdraaon.
In the treasure chest were two certificates
of deposits, which were turned over to me as
cash they are as follows, viz:
Received, Port Townsend April 20, 1862,
of Victor Smith, Collector of the Customs for
the Puget Sound District, three thousand two
hundred and sixty seven dollars, public mon
eys. as a special deposit, sebject to the draft
II. Mcrriman in his official capacity.
(Signcd,) L. B. HASTINGS.
81 900.
Received, this date from Victor Smith,
Collector of Customs, Puget Sound District,
w. IT,, the sum of one thousand dollars, say
81 ,0OO-thc same subject to his ordr, and
at bis risk.
Victoria, v. l., January Is, 1862.
(Signed,) j. HARDIsrY,
Cashier H. B. Co., Victoria.
Payable to John Allyn.
(Sisuea.) VICTOR SMITH.
Mr.. Smith requested me not to disturb
these deposits, but believing it to be my
duty to rescue if possible, the Government
funds. thus illegally lodged with private par
tics, demanded on the 18th inst, of L. B.
Hastings the sum named in his certificate
(S3,257) and after a delay of one hour, re-
ccivcl from him S2.948 go in coin ahd the
collectors draft for 1918 40 endorsed upon the
following extraordinary document VII:
Custom House, Ponr TOWNSEND.
April, 3, 1862.
On demand promise to pay to the order
of L. B. Aastings five hundred and ten dol
lars, value received.
(sisned,) vtc1oR SMITH,
4, Collector.
~. S. Marine Hospital advancc.)
Endorsed as follows. viz Paid Aprii
2sth, 1852, one hundred and cighty-six CO.
100.
L. B. Hastings will pay to bearer e31s 10
on demand and charge
(Signcd,) VICroR Smith.
Collector.
Port Townsend, April 20, 1862.
find that by the check book, on the 2sth
of April, check No. IS for $l86 60 IN favor
of L. b. Hastings was drawn against the as
sistant treasurer Of the United States at San
Francisco.
1t was pretended by Smith that this money
was lodged with Hastings on account of the
insecurity of the Custom House safe. Ihayc
seen Hastings safe, and am confident thai
two able bodied men could run away with
it, while the Government safe, is a ponder
our affair, that six men could scarcely move.
and has been faithful depository for many
years. Mr.. Smiths real motive however, is
readily explained BY the prenissory note sur
rendered with the Hastings deposit, it was q
security for the payment of that note.
In regard to the sum Of one thousand dol.
lars deposited with the Hudson Bay Com
pany. have letter from w. +. Tolmie. a
follows:
VICTORIA, VANCOUVER ISLAND.
-. May 19, 1862.
ACTING COLLECTOR OF CUsfoAs,
PoRr TOWNSEND, W.T..
Strive have received your note of l7th
inst, inquiring whether we will pay to y3ur
order tho sum Of one thousand dollars LODGED
with lis BY Mr.. v. Smith, ON return OF hia Re.
ceipts for the same. In reply, beg to in
form you, that we cannot pay the balance Of
that amount yet due Mr.. Smith, save to his
own order. l am Sir. Respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant,
(Signed,) w. F. ToLxIE.
For Hudson Bay CO.
This letter is certified by TIC U. s. Con-
sui there. Allen Francis. who presented 10
DIR. Tolmie my letter of the l7thi inst. The
Consul advisps me that he was informed bv
the cashier of the company, that the balance
alluded to by d. Tolmie amounts to Sl34.
These deposits wcfe made in violation Of
the 10th and 18th Sections of thc act of Con.
gress. approved August 9th, 1886. and find
that the principal portion Of the monry thus
appropriated to his own use has been expend.
ed in wild chinicrical scheme ut Port An
gelcs, where he has purchased land claim;
erected store, and has now number Of
men employed whose wages amount in the
aggregate to 5000 per month. '' 20
The sum of $3.24l % due the U. s. from
tho sale of the Revenue Gutter jefferson
Davis" in Januaty last does hot appear I'd
the credit of the United States on tho books;