Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-10-16

= 3 SUPER point black lace shawls, 1850, 80
2 suPerhne point black lace shawls.....-..S5O, 81
white point lace shawl lOng................ ? Ou
white point lace dress, unm ade..-.-......- 4 "
white point lace fiounce..... ............... Is
white point lace araso eover...........-.... .
, white point lace handkerchief.---. ..........
russian sable 50
ttusAlAu SABLE
Also many other articles, Including diamonds
rings, etc, etc
We find the following description o
these articles in New York journal:
: AS one enters the room where thesu
articles are exhibited, the first that at
tracts the eye are five elegant camel
hair shawls hanging earslessly on tn,
back Of a chair. They are OF the fines
, texture, and were considered the mos
B. expensive in the market at the time o
2 their purchase, the largest costing $780,
IN gold and the others from 1925 TO S50l
each. Two white Paisley shawls lie Oh
the lounge. They are Of remarkable
fneness and delicate finish, and are
valued at $500 each. On the show case
lies an exquisite and magnificent white
point-lace shawl which cost $1,000, anC
near by are five of the same, averaging
from 500 to S400 each. Seven heavy
double point-lsce shawls included in the
list are worth $500, and a parasol, COW
cred with the richest of thread lace, is
valued at $500. Conspicuous among
the articles is a Russian sable cape of the
finest and s0ftest fur. II is very large,
and cost a, 500 in gold, and is accompsn-
led by a sable boa valued accordingly.
Thrown upon the furs is q point-laee
handkerchief Of the most delicate texture
worth 500, and lying in pile upon a
long table are twenty-three dresses,
whose estimated value is $4,000. Two
elaborately wrought bracelets Of the finest
gold and uniquely made are valued at
$500, and in the showcase are displayed
some OF the richest gems in the world.
An exquisite set Of diamonds, comprising
a pin and earrings, the stones of rare
brillisncy and large size, are exposed for
sale. They are valued at 81 500. A single
solitaire diamond ring, ofgreat brilliancy,
is valued at 81 500, and two similar ones
cost $3.50 to $500 respectively. A set of
solitaire diamond earrings is valued at
1900, and alongside are watch and
chain worth 81 600. It would be too
difficult to describe the various trinkets
and other articles offered for sale, the
value Of the whole of which is estimated
at close on $50, 600 in gold.
We shall not reproduce what has been
written in various journals as to the pro-
priety of Mrs. LINCOLN's course or the
justice or injustice of her complaints.
There are matters Of grsver moment to
our readers, now, than the questions else
where discussed as to her means and
wants and merits.
We allude to the affair now; to note
one or two matters developed by the dis
cussion, which affect others than Mrs.
LINCOLN, and are of public and general
! interest.
THURLOw WEED says:
We happen to know-the late Caleb
| B Smith, then Secretary of the Interior,
] being cur infOrmant-a fact which in
| censed Mrs. Lincoln against Mr.. Seward.
| The president gave the Prince Napoleon
| a dinner, for which Mrs. Lincoln sent to
the secretary of the interior for payment
a bill Of some $500. This demand,
| though wholly illegal, coming from the
| Presidents wife, embarrassed the Secre-
Jary, who called upon the Secretary Of
State for advice, where he learned that
Mr.. Seward had also dined the Prince,
having the same number Of guests, and
giving them duplicate Of the dinner st
the White House. In fact, Mr.. Seward
ordered both dinners from the same res
taurant, and by his own bill knew the
cost Of each. For Whst Mr.. Seward paid
$500, Mrs. Lincoln demanded $500. But
whether three or nine hundred, the
claim was alike Illegal, and could not be
paid. For this, however, Mrs. Lincoln
quarreled with Secretaries Smith and
Seward. This amount, however, was
subsequently covered up in a gardeners
account, but occasioned scandal, which
respect for Mr.. Lincoln measurably sup
pressed.
And the Cleveland Herald says that
"a bill for some SIS, ,OO6, for jewelry pur-
chased by Mrs. LINCOLN, was presented
to Congress, and dissllowed; and the
secrets Of that committee could divulge
most remarkable items that through Mrs.
LINCOLN were presented for payment"
II is hardly credible that the Presidents
wife could have made such attempts to
defraud the public, by procuring pay
ment Of claims of such character and
so illegal without some knowledge or
consent on the part Of her husband. And
it is quite incredible that such presents,
Of so great a value, were made to her
without his knowing that she received
them. She says enough in her notes in
respect TO the sale Of the articles, to
make it known that her Influence was
exerted in favour Of men who, desiring
Office or other benefits, made her valua-
bic presents; and that this influence was
efiectual.
Is it not as corrupt practice to bribe
the Presidents wife,with his knowledge,
As it would be to bribe the President
himself? Congress is fond Of investiga-
tions. why should it not investigate
these matters, and at least discover who
presented the various valuable shawls,
dresses and diamonds, and what offices,
appointments or contracts afterwards
fell to their share?
We cannot conceive Of any practice
more shamefully corrupt than that which
is thus proven to have existed in the
early days Of the pure and pious reign of
that Radicalism which was supposed to
be entrusted with the divine mission OF
reforming the morals Of the Govern
ment, and putting an end TO corruption.
1t is well known that, towards the
close Of the war, permits were given to
more than one individual, to go within
the Confederate lines, in Arkansas and
Louisiana, and purchase cotton, on prj-
Udte account, to be paid for in supplies Of
clothing and other neeessaries, and even
in arms, for the Confederate troops. We
cannot say that it was understood and
specislly permitted that arms and am
munition should be furnished but it
tCdS permitted and understood that sup
plies Of clothing should be, and Of other !
articles, the furnishing Of which, in the |
then destitute condition of the Confeder- |
ate troops, as directly tended to prolong |
the war, and cost the loss of lives Of |
Federal soldiers as much as the furnish |
ing Of arms and ammunition could; and |
formed, arms and ammunition lOere fur |
nished in exchange for cotton. Some |
permits, we have more than once heard, |
were given by the President himself 1t /
is possible that the presents to Mrs. LIN
COLIN may have had some connection |
with transactions like these. It is at |
least worthy OF inquiry; as is the whole
business Of cotton-permits, by which
some men made vast amounts Of money.
1t was certainly very extraordinary
thing for the government Of the United |
States or any high officer of the Govern
ment to authorize or connive at the fur
nishing Of the public enemy with sup
plies Of war, and so to enable him to
prolong the war. 1t was to purchase
cotton with the blood and lives of Fed.
eral soldiers.
How far these things are true We can
not say Of our own knowledge. We
heard enough abOut them in 1894 ap5