The New York herald., 1871-12-28

from senator Harlan, OF Iowa.
lFrom the Burlington Nowa) Hawkeye, Dec. 24.l
SENATOR HARLAN's LETTER.
WASHINGTON, d. c.. Dec. 49, 1871.
General J. A. WILLIAMSON, Des Mones, Iowa.
DEAR SIR-In reference to my connection with
the payment OF Indian pensions the material
facts were these;-In the spring OF 1865 my atten
ton was called to claims filed by attorneys. chiefly
by man named John w. Wright, for Indian claim
ants for pensions. When entered the department.
found him with others as recognized attorneys
in the different departments Tor Gil
ents as chose to employ HIM. / knew or
no SUFFICIENT reason Tor debarring him or re-
fusing TO consider claims merely because people
chose TO trust him with tnelr business. was in
formed by the pension clerks that the evidence pro-
duced in favor oil many OF these Indians seemed TO
records OF the war Department Ii the business had
proceeded In the usual mode those sustained by this
proof in the absence OF rebuttlng evidence, would
have been allowed, the names WOud have been en-
rolled and the pension certificates issued matter
OF course. But, dstrustng the reliability OF evidence
taken er pdrte In the indian country and the pro-
prlety or issuing certificates to Indians be col.
lected by attorneys fearing that the funds might
cases re-examned on the ground IN the presence OF
an o1icer or the department. and where found valid
payment made to the Indians IN person. Hence,
ordered their names to be enrolled temporarily and
appointed Hon. George O. Whlting Special Pen
sion Agent for Fort Gibson and sent INN out to per-
examine each case, take down the substance ol the
new evidence IN writing, pay those who were
In due FORM aud report those not found entitled 70
pensions under the law TO be stricken from the
rolls. He gave bond and security as any other pen
sion agent, drew the amount OF money deemed ne
cessary oy the commissioner to pay them, and pro-
ceeded TO the lndian country. lie started some
his report i had retired from the depart
ment. This Is the Whole case, so far as had anv
! made an honest effort to guard tine righ Is OF
the Indians ana al the same time the Treasury Of
the United states. The man sent was at the time
principal appeal pension CLERK in the Secretary's
Office, had served some years as Commissioner or
Pensions as chief clerk Oh the department, ana as
Acting Secretary OF the Interior. His capacity and
familiarity with the pension laws ard modes or
proof were undoubted, ana his integrity has not
been questioned. But suppose Whiting Ahad been q
rogue and participated In frauds, and his bonds-
men would be responsible and not the secretary
Ills accounts, however, have been adjusted by
the proper accounting officers OF the Treasury
Department, and not one voucher has been thrown
out for ,egallt{ or asg.cIenSy Of proof HIS re.
port was made January 10, aso., iour months after
nles and his account stands thus:-Ho Is charged
with requistion $4,000, the amount supposed 10
found by him III the hands OF his predecessor, max
ing in all $754sO. He Is credited in his report
with something over $4,000, returned TO the
pensioners, including $500 or S4oo commission.
AND all or this has been approved by the Aali.
tor and Comptroller as legal and correct cx-
cent ST. 049, suspended ..lor inrormality want OF
proof Of "muster In as officer" eIning OF that
sort. But these slanderers say Judge wright has
been arrested for fraud connected with tns
He says In published card that he has not peen.
But suppose he has been, and suppose ne Is guilty
how 40 does tnas aasG, & me- ua mot put any money
dence. Prove him guilty and you justify my eau.
tion in not trusting him with money or pension GER
tfcaIes, and in not relying on the evidence fled Dy
him. Because ! exercised this caution in cases
presented by a man vino they say is scamp and
refused to trust either him or his work, ] am dc.
nounced Tor his supposed crimes. Yours. truly.
JAMES HARLAN.
General J. A. WILLIAMSON, Des MONIES, Iowa.