Vicksburg weekly herald., 1870-08-20

and as the two names, Whitney
and Butler, have always been used
in connection with them, 1t has
come to be generally believed that
the member and his clerk are CO.
partners in the trade.
If the suspicion IS unjust as to
Gen. Butler, why has he not long
ago severed his intimate relations
with Whitney, Or rather, assum-
ing that Gen. Butler is entirely in
nocent, and that he is a gentleman
and a trusted and trustworthy
servant Of the people, why has he
not caused the arrest and punish
ment of Whitney for obtaining
money under false pretensesH
The lobbying business, as trans
acted by Whitney in the name of
Gen. Butler, was in successful op-
Grafton as far back as 1867, as will
be shown by the following letters,
which to a certain extent explain
themselves. AS an introduction
to the chapter which they form,
1t is worth while to remark that
the gentleman to whom the letters
we're written desired to obtain
from Congress an appropriation
for a work of great public value.
Many gentlemen of standing in all
parts of the country had written
to members of Congress in praise
of the work, and warmly recon-
mending the favorable reception
Of the authors petition. Forti-
fed with, and with highly eulo.
CYSTIC articles from all the leading
journals of whatever shade Of po.
litical opinion, the author went to
Washington, and while there was
introduced to B. D. Whitney, who
agreed, for the sum of $3.50 down
and 10 per cent. Of the appropria'
ton when secured, to work the
bill through Congress. He wa'
emphatic in his statement tha
Gen. Butler would have nothing
to do with it unless that agreemen
were entered into.
This proposal was made after
few letters had passed between Mr.
Whitney and his prospective eli
ent. Before meeting with the gen
tleman, and doubtless with tn
intention of impressing him wit
the difficulty of securing an appro
priation, Whitney wrote the fol
lowing, using B. f. Buffers frank
MAY 90.
DEAR SIR: In reply to yours
am sorry to say there is no dispo
sition to take up any business re
quiring special legislation, and
fear my own engagements will con
fine me too closely during you
visit to be of service to you.
AT A. IT. and 7 p. IT. / am a
my room. Come there.
Your friend,
B. d. WHITNEY.
l cannot talk to anybody in tn
Office while these examination
Continue.
This was in 1867. Some tim
elapsed before the correspondence
was resumed; but in Octobe
Whitney wrote again:
FoRTIETH CONGRESS U. S., !
WASHINGTON, d. C. Oct. Is, 1867 (
DEAR SIR: / have this day eT
closed to my son a draft for S25(
with my receipt showing our agree
ment.
| also send to him o memoraI
dun for your signature, tOgethC
with a power of attorney appoin
ing me your agent and represents
tive.
Gen. Butler will join me ne'
week, and we will hold q counc
of war on his arrival and put I'll
ball in motion. will keep yo
advised Of my progress in the II,
r gotiation l have undertaken, al
with the encouragement alread
received | have not shadow
doubt Of success. Truly yours,
BENZ. D. WHITNEY.
This letter was also franked
B. F. Butler, NJ. c.
The $3.50 was paid, and the fc
lowing is a copy Of the recei
thereof, together with the agre
ment relative to further remuner
ton:
WASHINGTON, Oct. Is, '67.
Received of -, of NJ
a York, two hundred and fifty d.
e lars as retaining fee for my ser,
i ces and influence in securing
u aDDronriatiOn from COnOress {