The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-05-09
The Case of Lieut.. Robinson.


SIN; In your edition Of this morning, under
tho title of Wedding Out the Army" you make
illusions to tho recent court martial of Lieut. Rob
nson. Your remarks. based no doubt upon the moro
record Of the charges, findings, and sentence call
for some reply from those to whom all the circum-
stances Of the case are known.
Having acted ma counsel for Lieut.. Robinson
throughout the trial, feel Impellel by a sense OF
Justice t. bring to your attention and the attention
~ the rnhlic the fcts Of the case as concusively
proved upun the trill.
Lieut. Rnhinson Nns charged with having presented
'alse nnd fraudulent claim to the Goyernment'
well knowing tile same to he false and fraudulent.
The ONLY evidence relied uron To prove the ch3Tre
was that having on Sent !. 1859, at Richmond, Va,
sold to bank in advance his nay for the month OF
September and vh'h was not ptyable until Oct. l..
he subsequently on Oct. 1 presented a claim to The
Paymaster at New York for he same period. Al
this freely admitted by Lieut.. Robinson. The
Paymaster at Richmond testified that he uaid the
first account 10 tive bank on the 3lh September hut
there was evidence OF any kind whatever TO show
that the fact of such payment was brought 10 inc h-
IGNITION vi Lieut. Robinson until nearly three weeks
later.
Lieut. Robinson lahored under the disadvantage
Of not being allowed TO testify In his own behalf to
explain the object and motive OF Presenting the ac-
count to the Paymaster In New York. He stated To
the Court, however, and most truthully a. am
persuaded, and other circumstances render prob
able tlat he under orders to report at Madison
barracks. aud was waiting, and daily expecting n
remittance from his father, who WIS in San Fran
cisco, and being in urgent need u the funds, aud
not suprosinc that tho account at Richmond had
been paid he drew the money SID from the Pay.
master expecting the neIt day 70 remit the amount
| " Richmond. II was In evidence that on the next
day C2d) he teegraphed to the Paymaster at Rich.
mond not 70 pew his accounts as ne would forward
him the money in day or twoi ana II was also ~
evidence that accounts often not presented TILL
long after the l~t OF the month.
That Lieut. Robinson WIS inconsiderate In draw
ing his pay in New York lie himself admits, but as
there was proof whatever TIA at the time OF pre-
senting his account he knew tldt the former had
but
H. he was not even technically guilty OF the charge
preferred.
wrong. Lieut. Robinson proved b. Wells Fargo Co.
that an amount in gold was placed to his credit in
San Francisco the ID OF October, and their bouse
in this city directed by telegraph TO pay the same to
| Lieut. Robinson; ttat Lieut. Robinson was seen q
number Of times subsequently inquiTing az the pack
age department Of Wells Fargo & Co. that nnIly-
on the 18th, he was directed TO the money depart
ment and stated to the cashier that he had been in
great many different times for his money, having
and had always inquired at the wrong department
that he was paid in gold creek after three o'clock
The Paymastcr at Richmond testified TO having
| received from Lieut.. Robinson telegram on the
| 81 or 4th, stating that he would remit tie amount
Of hls pay claim IN day or two and asking HIM not
| also TO having received from Lieut. Robinson by
express tic full amount of bis account on the 18Th
which WIS sent rom New York on the 18th, just as
| soon as Lieut. Robinson could get his check csshed
| It's quite contrary to common sense to believe
ttat Lieut.. Robinson had any intention whatever o
| deirauding the Government of single dollar, rs h,
| mani estod such anxiety to refund the amount be
| fore the matter could be known at headquarters
| lie could hardly Lave meditaIed the rerpotiation o
| fraud, and q, The same time gone deliberately
| work To circuuNeut the fraud.
think that with these facts before you, you vii
| be astonishcd az the findings and sentence OF a.
| Court, and will not deem tie Sympathy Which
30 freely expressed Tor Lieut.. Robinson to b
| "maudhn."
AZ to the other trial. in which Lieut. Robinson
| vas char Nith being absent Wit Jut leave, ma
stale that such ats ,ncc WIS IN Consequence Of hi
| dlsarI eminent in not receiving she money iron
| san Frau cisco to remit to Richmond. lie was :
| anxious TO make the matter OF the pay account
| straight, tllt he even committed the offence of IL
| 81 aiming absent without leave. Let NE add TIL
| upon tie tria several officers of hish standing to,
| uucd ~ to their intimate knowledge OF his cbarscte
| aul Qualities, ana gave linn q most excellent nam
| ,or honesty, ability. and fidelity 10 duty
| Nr.v respectfully,
NEW lCLb Ma. >. j. T. EIIDnETH