The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-11-13
A Whiskey Ring in Richmond.

prove the existence IN hlchmoHu vi
"whiskev ring" mod elled after the mos
| approved and most successful Of those ii
the northern cities, has doubtless led oul
| readers TO expect fuller history OF the
affair in our issue of this morning. The
| Hernld's account is seven columns in length
We have read, "as in duty bound" the
whole erposf and after having done so
we are compelled to acknowledge that
whilst there is abundant reason to suspect
that certain parties here are defrauding
the Government, yet there is in this mass
of letters no proof that such is the fact
The Herald's introduction to the CORE
dence is more positive and pointed in lis
statements than the correspondence itself
seems to us to warrant. It says:
"The papers shcw that Mr.. Gilmer dis
covered frauds in Richmond, and, on bring
ing them to the Secretary's notice, was en-
ployed by him to develop the proof, with
the aid of a Government detective. This
detective was to mislead Gilmer and get the
investigation into fog and run it into the
ground. Gilmer, however. detected him
and exposed him. The Secretary plea
sanity calls it disagreement between
him and Gilmer. A General Hobart was
then sent; after which Rollins admits the
evidence of the frauds, and asks Gilmer
how to get at the proof His reply de-
monstrates that the proof already before
him is as complete as it can be. They then
try to get rid of Gilmer by chatting about
his fees, point which finally ends in de-
nying that he had ever been retained as
counsel But seizure Of one Of the dis
tilleries becomes unavoidable, and all
hands, therefore (but Gilmcr), insist on re-
leasing it without Adjudication. Here, all
in hot haste, q supervisor is appointed and
sent down at once. Gilmer's letter to
him (Laird) and his subsequent &C
ton show what he was appointed for.
One Weed, formerly an assistant district at
torney, now comes in. Gilmer. after being
for two months acting as retained counsel
for the Government, is coolly Informed that
he cannot be employed unless he can get
the recommendation of the officers of the
Government (Weed, Laird, Rollins, &c.,
and, in short, is choked off. But his solemn
protest against releasing the seized pre-
miees being in the hands of other officials
ont of this precious ring, they are AFRAID
to release but Gilmer being now out, they
libel the case before a commissioner
named Chahoon (said to be of the r'ng),
and it depends now upon District Attorney
Beach, who resides at Alexandria and Is
reported honest but irresOlute, whether II
is NOT to be sham.
Meanwhile, another branch OF the
business reaches a crisis. Mr.. Blnckley
deriving, in connection with his New ORR
operations, information from the archives
of the Richmond officials, authorizes Mr..
Gilmer to examine the books, &c. The Col
lector refuses, under orders OF his supe-
rior' (Rollins), SC. Gilmer reports to
Ginckley, and Buckley reports to McCul-
loch. Mr.. Gilmer has no copy OF the LIT,
,er's reply. 1t is known that he declined
10 interfere"
In proof Of the truth of these statements,
the Herald submits the long chain of letters
to which we have already alluded. First,
4 letter from Mr.. GILMER to MCCULLoCH,
saying that the former was prepared to fur
nish the names of two persons, who, II pro-
perly authorized and protected, could to
the fullest extent develop evidence, circum-
stances, and facts of conclusive char
acter as to the New York matters referred
to in the latter's communication Of the 18th
instant, and recommending HENRY SMITH
rs special detective for Virginia. We
quote:
81 believe he would fiji the office as well
as any one you could procure, and !
feel assured as faithfully. If thus APP
pointed and required to report through
me, as retained counsel for your de-
partment and assistant counsel for the
Government to cooperate with the Dis
trct Attorney in all criminal prosecu~
tons, believe would reclaim and real
ize several hundred thousand dollars for
the Government. | would need no other or
higher authority than that as above indi-
Gated, sanctioned by you and the Attorney
General or the President.
The character Of Smith stands unin-
iured by the insinuations Of General Null
ford, al the papers on file abundantly show
fully vouch for his fidelity and capacity
III
fer YOU to Chief Justice Chase. For my
irmness of purpose and position as man
refer you to the present Secretary Of War,
Hon. j. NJ. Schoheld."
Next, comes note from MCCULLoCH
stating that he has sent Mr.. RICHARDS tC
Richmond to investigate the frauds.
Next, letter from GILMER to MCCUL-
LocH saying that he does not like RICH,
ARDs's mode of investigation
Gle has certainly flushed the game, and
does not seem eager in pursuit. The
frauds, populations, and conspiracies here
IRE in great number, and greater II
amounts. | furnished Mr.. Richards yes
terday ample proofs, and offered TO go with
MIN myself. He declined to act, and los
the opportunity, l fear"
Next, letter from same to same, which
expresses better opinion of RICHARDS, anc
hints that il is time counsel fees were forth
coming.
Next, letter from same TO same, re
| affirming the belief that RICHARDS hae
betrayed his trust, RICHARDS having lef
for Washington after feigning sickness anc
| declining to do as Mr.. GILMER had re
quested.
Next, letter from same to Mr.. Commits
sioner ROLLINS charging RICHARDS will
being utterly incompetent, absolutely IN
Trustworthy" and "a spy"
Next, letter from same to RICHARDS
written while the latter was in Richmond