The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1867-03-12

CONFESSION OF LEE, THE DBFAULTING TREA-
suRY CLERK.-A William Lee formerly clerk In
the Loan Branch Of the Treasury Department and
charged with the larceny Of about $40, 900 In
United States bonds last January made full con-
fession Of his guilt yesterday, Of which the follow
ing Is an abstract:
was born in Stonngton, Connecticut, and am
SO years Of age. Served as private In the 2lst
New York infantry, enlisting In 1851, and being
honorably discharged on account Of sickness In
February, 1868. Subsequently, served nearly o
year In the Ordnance Bureau. Afterwards returned
to Buffalo, N. Y. In August, 1864, obtained
situation in the loan branch Of the Treasury Do
partment, which hold until the 18th Of January
Of the present year.
Since July or August, 1865, my duty as clerk
was TO receive from the express companies and
other sources seven three-tenths Treasury notes
sent In for conversion into hvetwenty bonds Those
by express came In the original packages, and were
delivered to by the agents Of express companies
and recoipted for by me on the books
Ny first offence was abstraoting money from eI-
press packages, amounting to about 500 In order
to pay bets which had lost on the result Of the
New York election.
Being unable to replace the money thus taken, I
took from other letters to replace tho former alb.
stractions, and retained the packages In my desk
without noting their receipt on the books Of the
Office. / continued these distractions until the
Goth Of January, 1867, when inquiry was made for
some Of the missing packageo which at tho time
were In my desk. Up to this time had taken In
all about three hundred dollars. Becoming
alarmed and not being able to obtain money to 70.
| place that stolen, I took tho packages from my
desk and went in search Of friend to get the loan
Of $500 with which to replace tho amount taken
| did not find him. Anerward went to tho residence
| Of Mr.. Andrews. at that time Chief Of the Loan
Branch, intending to make a full confession Of my
crime, but did not hnd him at home. Subsequently
I packed up some things, paid my room rent out
Of the money and LEFT for Baltimore on an evening
train, putting up at the Fountain Hotel. On the
next day, Sunday, I examined the bonds and to my
| surprise found that they amounted In value to
about $40, 900. On Sunday night paid my bill,
saying that was going to New York. I then took
the train for Pittsburg.
After giving an account Of the manner in which
he secreted the stolen notes, Lee says The day
after my arrival in Pittsburg bought ticket fol
Chicago for the purpose Of deceiving those who
might DO in pursuit. I thon went to Crestline, and
from thence to Cincinnati, where purchased Q
pistol with which to blow out my brains in case Of
my apprehension. Went to an express office Ia
send back the bonds, but something occurred Il
mako me think II unsafe to do so. then went t.
Cairo, where took the first boat for New Orleans,
intending to 20 to Mexico. On arriving at New
Orleans I changed my mind and took the return
boat for St. Louis. My reason for returning wa
that believed some person was watching me. Or
my arrival at St. Louis / again went to IN express
Office to send back the bonds. but, as before, wa
frightened out Of so doing. Then took the boat VI
|
had known I returned to ST. Louis. Then went I,
Memphis and again returned to St. Louis, Away
feeling safer the river than on the land and be
cause wanted to devise some means Of returning
the money with safety. On arriving at the Plant
ers Hotel in St. Louis registered my name as
Miller, Of New York. name had assumed sine
leaving Washington. was arrested on the 5th o
March. This statement Is wholly voluntary.
Tho prisoner is a person Of gentlemanly address
and seemed considerably moved whom his Homo
delivered the sentence in his case.