The New York herald., 1869-04-04
TIE COLLECToaSHIP or ALASKA.
A Pointed Letter from Hiram Kctchuu,, Of
tbi, CITY.


To THE EDITOR OF THE NATIONAL INTELLIdENcRR:-
In your paper OF Friday last, under the head
"From Alaska" is the following paragraph, which
was published also In New York and other papers,
conduct OF Ketchu the Collector OF Customs II was hoped
that he would be relieved from that department. where he
only obstructed commerce.
The person here attacked IL now IN Sitka, several
thousand miles distant; he is native OF this city,
with numerous young family now residing In
Brooklyn; he Is my eldest son, the lnheritor OF my
name. From what know OF his official conduct
feel authorized in the absence of the late collector
to deny the accusations made In the above extract
1t is not true that indignation s expressed by the
residents OF Alaska at the conduct OF Ketchum. IL
Is utterly false that was hoped by the residents OF
Alaska "that he would be relieved from that depart.
ment, where he only oDstructed commerce. The
whole statement pronounce malicious libel upon
could nor. by reason Of his absence repy '"0 "''er
Mr.. Ketchum is, indeed, relieved from the ONCE
Of Collector Of Customs The facts In respect to his
olce by the late President In September last: not
for any party reasons or In consequence Of any party
influence but because at time when fears were en-.
would not make the appropriation for the purchase
OF Alaska, stipulated to be made by the treaty Hiram
ticle, demonstrating the obligation and duty OF the
House to make such appropriation. The appropria-
tlon was afterwards voted, and the money paid "
Russia. .-'% r<ls e cS~s p - -
MIR. Ketchum received his Commission, which ~.
pired by law, unless confirmed by the senate nj the
Close Y tue ensuing session OF this body 4th Marct,
sitka to enter UPON pys official duties After bots
ferrous ana somewhat perilous voyage he reached
bis far OF official post on the oath OF November last,
ad with prOnptness, industry and research entered
upon the discharge OF his oficial duties. or this
there is abundant evidence contained IN the orical
dispatches OF the collector In the Treasury Depart.
ment, and which ] was permitted 10 read on Thurs
day last.
the nomination OF collector was sent by Presiden,
Johnson 10 the Senate. II referred To the Com
mttee on Commerce. In correspondence with the
chairman OF that committee tsenator Chanden he
Informed me that In his judgment majority Of the
senate would not consent 10 take up President John.
sons nominations. In this opinion the Secretary OF
the Treasury concurred. The Senate did not consider
the nomination OF collector for Alaska; the nomina-
This non.acton was equivalent TO rejec.
tion although, perhaps, not intended
by the senate. The onice OF collector
therefore, became vacant, and my son was LEFT out
the Pacific coast, with permission TO return 10 his
far distant home at his own expense. lie perilled
his life 10 execute the legitimate orders OF hrs GOV.
ernment; he served that government with undis.
pued fidelity and ability. IL was not the FIRST time
he had pered his life IN the service OF his country;
ing to do so, In enect banisbed him 10 q region IA
distant az cold and az savage ~ Siberia Itself.
The vacancy In the colectorsnip OF Alaska
was filed by the President and Senate ON
Secretary OF the Treasury told me IN his Office that
this appointment was made In no spirit OF hostility
unfrendiness to my son, but that the place being
vacant was filled by person who had served In the
army at the instance or those interested In Alaska
The friends of my son, not few In number, will
will not II IL hoped, permit themselves to forget the
bansned, though he should never return to his ma
tive city aud state. HIRAM KETCHUM,
" william street, New York.