Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-05-19
Reasf Butler,


Now that the Radicals are turning
their batteries on the most talented Re-
publican leaders, aud that the noble Ro-
mans, Fessenden, Henderson, Grimes
and Trumbull, who link US with the times
of Senatorial integrity, are denounced
as corrupted and bought, the Northern
papers are beginning to bring out in full
view some of the pecadilloes Of the Radi-
cal leaders. The catalogue Of crime,
when complete, will be blscker than the
depths Of damnation. We copy the
following single item from the Cairo
Democrat .
There is now on file, in the Secretary
of War 0giee, sworn testimsny-which
I" for the good Of the service was sup
pressed when tsken-to the effect that
Gen. Butler was in shameless business
communication with the neighboring
rebel forces under Gen. Lowell B. F.
Smith, then aud now prominent Union
man and old citizen Of New Orleans,
testified that be and Col A. j. Butler,
Ben's brother, supplied the demands
of Lovell's army for salt, shoes, gro
ceries, liquors, corn and quinine, and
that to facilitate transactions General
Butler placed Eve schooners at their
(Smith and A J. Batler's) service,
realizing as his share, one-third Of the
profits. which during the short period Of
tweniy-four days, amounted TO $4,000.
Upon the payment Of this amount the
General declared that the compensation
was not equal TO the hazard, and ordered
that no more goods should 20 out unless
cotton (which was then selling within
rebel lines for ten cents aud 10 New Or
leans for foriy-fve cents, was returned
in payment The first shipment Of
goods under this order was valued
ct about $4,000, for which was re-
turned 1876 bales Of cotton, which sold
for $50 900. The rebels paid for
salt at thirty dollars per sack with cotton
at ten cents per pound. In all these
transactions the Beast vas consulted,
and in most instances they we're sbsped
entirely by his suggestion. This Illicit
communication was kept up during
period Of seven weeks. Five weeks Of
the time General Butler received one
third Of the profits, when, entertaining a
proposition from Lieut. Col Moore, Of
Louisiana rebel infantry, he sold out his
entire interest recefTing therefor
$35, 000l The business was protected by
passes frem Generals Butler aud Lowell.
Among the FIRST operations after the re-
tirement Of the General, was the clear
ance Of three vessels for Matamoros. or
these, the Mary Davis was oyertaken by
one Of Farragut's gunbosis, and the su-
percargo, Mr.. Reed, General Buffers
brother in-lsW, taken in charge. Farra-
CAT exhibited Reeds pass to General
Butler and demanded an explanation.
Butler, full Of resources, declared
the pass 10 be in the handwriting
Of his brother, A. j., and vas greatly
puzEled by an apparent effort TO &C
count for such palpable rascality. A.
}. vas thereupon arrested and put
upon parole. Attempting to escape, he
was picked Up By picket and brought
back 70 the city, where be vas required
TO give bond in the sum Of $50. 600. which
be did and then ran away. The closing
details Of the affair shou up the Beast in
al bis shameless SD daring villainy.
He enforced the collection Of the 81. 900
forfeiture occasioned By the couardice,
bad faith aud rascaliiy Of biz brother,
and pocketed every dollar ofiti
The General Benz. Il. Batter, guilty Of
this treason 10 bis country. The betrayal
Of sacred trusts. this double-dyed, bat
characteristics rAscaliiy, Is the SANE BEs-