The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-03-02


purposes of speculation This was
Effected by facts aud arguments pre-
sented in the name of the country and
its business interests, and a financial
theory was agreed upon, which, on its
face, would appear favorable to the
business interests Of the country, and
enlist IN its support many patriotic
citizens, but would, If adopted, Incl
dentally enable the cOnspiratOrs to
make their speculation eminently sue
cessful. That theory was, that the
business interests of the country re-
quired an advance in the price of
gold; that IN order to move our
fall crops and secure a foreign
market for our grain, it was necessary
that gold should pc put ups to 81 40;
according to Gould this theory was
suggested by James McHenry, who
furnished Gould with data with
which to advocate it. The chosen
instrument through whom these
views were to be laid before the
President was Corbin, who soon be-
came a willing convert to the theory.
Previous purchases and the convey
ing of two millions of u S. Bonds by
Gould for Corbin's profit, may
have aided In his conversion. Their
next step was to press their views
upon the President concerning
this purpose. Corbin testifes to hav-
ing a national desire for success, for
the first year at least, of the Admin
istration of my wife's brother. [ i'm
proved every opportunity to impress
upon him what | thought was a vital
point, and that was to let the farmers,
mechanics and manufacturers have
good prices for their productions.
Gould testified that Corbin was anx
ious | should see the President and
communicate to him my views on the
subject. Being connected in my
railroad business with matters. of
transportation, and knowing the
views of those managing other
knew the substance of the views of
these people, and he was anxious
should see and talk with the Presi-
dent, and he made an appointment
with me to do so, aud | went to the
President 1t appears from testimo-
ny that in these interviews, secured
by COrbin, that great care was taken
to urge the patriotic side of the ques-
ton, and the great business interests
Of the country; still Corbin says the
President engaged in their conversa-
| tions with reluctance. No allusion
was made to the future policy of the
Government, and be became very ret
| icent, and on one occasion reprimnad-
| ed a servant for allowing Gould such
ready access. Next follows Fisk's
accounts of his interview with the
4 President at Newport, and attempts
/ to coBvince the latter chat his
| policy would bring destruction on US
all. On Fisk's return, he found
/ that Gould had gone In with two
brokers, Woodward and Keiniber,
aud bought largely, but had not been
/ able greatly to advance the prices.
! His next attempt was an editorial In
the New York Times, of August 25th,
written by COrbin, in which it was
declared to be policy of the Admin
istration to advance gold, and in which
the transportation theory of Gould
and Fisk was strongly advocated.
This article was the head Of Grants
financial policy. 1t was agreed that
it should be published as a leading
editorial, for only In that form could
the purposes of its authors be ac-
complished. This delicate business
was to be managed by Gould, and lest
his personal application to the editor
of the Times should carry with it a
flavor of Wall Street, he secured the
services of James McHenry, a promi-
nent English capitalist, and a per
sonal friend of Bigelow, who called
at the Times office and presented
al article as the expression of a per-
son in intimate confidence of the Pres
ident, and whose utterapces were
faithful pictures of the President s
mind. An article was put In type, and
double loaded for a leading editorial
! but on reading it over, suspiciaus
were aroused, and the financial ed
tor, Morrell, was sent for. He testi.
, fies: Not knowing wheresthe article
came from, yet from whatever source
it originated, | suspected there might
be, from statements of the last para.
, graph, sincere purpose 10 bull gold
so double leads were taken out, tht
tail of the article was stricken out
and the article as it appears was pub
lished on the 25th. On 30.h of Angus
( Gould wrote to Secretary BoutWel
/ with the manifest purpose OF drawing
2 out denial or admission that the
article reflected on the financial poll
cy, but brief and formal was the re
ply, which gave him no clue to tht
purposes of the Government. Abou
September, and just before leaving
; New York, the President wrote a let
ter to Boutwell,, who was then home
r In Massachusetts,, In which the Presi
!, dent suggested that 1t would not b.
e wise to sell gold in such large
amounts as to force down price
4 while crops were moving, as
0 might thus embarrass the West
e This letter was received by the Sec
retary on the 24th September, an
!, though it gave him no order, but lef
e the whole subject to his discretion, ye
d he had concluded MOTTO sell as large a
amount during September, as he ha
b done the proceeding months, but tele
: graphed to the Assistant Secretary a
# Washington, not to sell any gold
It addition to the amount required fO
5 the sinking fund, whether the cor
soirators obtained any knowledge {
i this letter and telegram, the con
?. mittee have not been able to determin
" but on the 24th September, gold agai
It commenced to rise rapidly, and 0
% the 9th touched 1873. In Gould's e
h forts to force up the price of gol'
D. he seems to have left no means VI
e. tried to open every avenue of info
IS nation, and to buy or conciliate a
Of possible influence and aid. He place
le Gen. Butterfeld under obligations
% him by a private loan, and by Il
ir yiting him to join in buying co
as trolling share OF the Tenth Nation
m Bank, and he swears, though Butte
is field denies it, that he bought al
as carried, during August and SepteI
n ber, on the Generals order and
his profit, 81 100000 in gold.
II.