The national Republican., 1867-01-26
From the Rochester Union. !
UmneacIner AshIey.

OF Representatives, and the man who figures
as his chief prosecutor before the Judiciary
Committee Of that body, d JamesM. Ashley,
Of Toledo, Ohio. Now, aside from any ques-
tion as to the guilt or innocence Of the
President, IL is Of some little interest to the
people to know the standing Of those who
arraign him for official misconduct. This
man Ashley Is doubtless one OF the most
unscrupulous knaves in Congress. Our at
tention was first called to him few years
ago, when il appeared in revelations made
by the Toleda Blade as to the operations Of
"Col." j. Graham Klinck, in the quai termas-
ters department, that he was the patron OF
that honest and patriotic individual, and Sc
cured his appointment in the bread and but
ter division Of the army, and we have kept
an eye on him since. Without further intro
duction we present below q series Of letters
from Ashleys own pen to my Dear Case"
q radical patriot like himself who painted for
an opportunity to serve his country and put
money in his purse, written Eve years ago !:
"wAsHINaros, d. c., March II, 1881.
"MY DEAR CAsE: have made some pro-
gress to-day about tbe suryeyorship Of Colo
RADIO. In order to secure the Indiana delega-
tary OF the Interior, i have promised that all
jointly, giving them the first choice. You
must write me letter Immediately, author
izing me to make that pledge for you.
want You to write Immediately to all your
friends, and let them write letters endorsing
you as practical civil engineer and other.
wise, and direct to the Secretary Of the Inte-
rior, but to me on the envelope. have
written to - and - twice on the
subject, to get you the endorsement Of the
Legislature. have not got IL yet. Please
write them. Charley feels delicacy in
pressing your claims, because he expects TO
be q candidate for Clerk Of the next House,
and does not want to run across the track Of
any one. What you do, do quickly.
"Now Frank, this Is the best Office, in my
Judgment, in the gift Of the President, and /
would resign to-day II were sure could
keep 1t four years. II you get it, want to
unite with you as full partner in all land
speculations and town sites. have worked
earnestly and hard for you, and hope to sue
coed. You do not stand as much chance for
the Marshalship as you do to be struck by
Lightning, and Kingsbury is not much better
"a little. This is on the square.
Truly yours, JIM. ASHLEY"
WASHINGTON, D. c., March Is, 1851.
"MY DEAR CASE: Everything hangs on a
hair. You must use the telegraph to obtain
letters, and have them forwarded to me at
once. Let the writers send them to me in
stead Of you.
"lf ! get this appointment II will be the
first Of such importance where the candidate
has done nothing. have promised all the
subordinate places under you to get help,
and you must write me ut once, authorizing
Inc fully, under your own hand, to make this
good. l ask for three Of the places myself
and give the rest to other members who are
helping me.
This is considered the best appointment in
all the Territories, and is the best Of all the
Territorial appointments. want to have an
interest with you, il get the place, in the
city and town lot speculations The Pacific
railroad will 60 through this Territory, and it
will be fortune to us If l can get it, There
are some fifty or more applications for 1t.
- has promised to help me.
Write mmedately-make the letter
plain and unequiyocal as to the appointments
! have promised, SO can show Il, and on a
separate piece Of paper say what you think
Of my proposition for city and town lot specu.
lations
Twill probably be chairman Of Committee
on Territories, II We can carry out the pro,
grammecto elect Grow Speaker, and your
brotherI ;hsriey Case, Of Indiana, CLERK, and
then l Wi know all the proposed expendi.
lures in the Territories, and post you In I'D.
vance. Write one letter for me and the other
to show.
Damn your business in the Williams
county court Write and telegraph
Truly, J. NJ. ASHLEY"
"WAsHNGToN CRY, March 10, 1861.
"MY DEAR CASE: Our matter is in better
shape to-day. The President promised me
that this appointment should not be made
until next week, and said should have Q
fair hearing.
Il shall fear q defeat, however, il do moi
get your written authority to guarantee that
all your subordinate appointments shall bt
secured to the persons who helped me through
this matter, and that you will fully authorize
me to pledge you to perform the promises
have made that the surveyors and sub.con.
tractors to be employed by you are to be at
the joint disposal of two other persons and
myself. Please copy and send me at once
the inclosed for that purpose.
"Now, one word as to ourselves II is
agreed that my brother Eli is to be Chief
Clerk, and my brother William, who is now
in Colorado, shall have such position as he
can FILL he having always been farmer.
The other / shall select when / have more
time. The surveying contracts, &C., we will
fix after the appointment by meeting at To-
ledo or -, by agreement with =, and
others.
Now, il get this want to be full CO,
partner with you in the purchase of oil the
real estate that you may make in that Terri.
tory. have spent good deal of time and
some money to get this place, and il do get
II hope you will cheerfully go with me. ]
have drawn up the inclosed agreement,
which wish you would sign and keep, and
copy one.just like it, sign it, and forward
and return the other agreement
"Let me hear from you by return mail,
and hurry along any letters and telegraphs
from men who can have influence here.
I'm haste, yours truly,
81. NJ. ASHLEY"
Was there ever a more disgraceful exhibit
than this of the use of official position for
private ends ? The surveyorship Of Colorado,
"the best Office in the gift Of the President u
was by Ashley made matter of bargain and
sale, stipulated in writing. Its leg climate
patronage was farmed out in advance as the
price Of obtaining it, and an arrangement
was entered into by which the chief solicitor
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