New-York tribune., 1871-04-12
Why APPRAISER PALMER VAS REMOVED.

CLEAR CARD FROM THE GENERAL HIMSELF,
WITH DATES, FACTS, AND CERTIFICATES.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: / have noticed local article in your
issue Of this morning, under the heading, "why Ap
praiser Palmer Remoyed-A Remarkable Pepper
Case" This article processes TO give the statements
current In the Custom House, and among the friends OF
the gentlemen in power concerning an important case
in the Appraisers Department during my sdIninstra-
ton to which, according 10 their talk, my removal Is
partially least be traced. Their statements thus
reported incorrect TO facts, and 70 unjust as TO
their insnuaons, that ask you publish the followng
The cargo Of i427s bags Of pepper came by the ship
Agnes from Singapore and Penang in November last
after voyage Of 40 days. which rs days more than
the ordinary passage, and arrived here in leaky cond
ton, having had q very boisterous voyage. large
portion Of the cargo put in the hold OF the vessel In
bulk and not bagged until 1t taken out OF the
ship at the wharf here. Pepper at that time paid Is
cents pound duty; but under the law OF 1870 II was
reduced TO cents pound, taking effect on the first day
OF January last This cargo was, therefore, entered IN
bond TO remain until after tho 1st OF January,
for tho purpose OF entry at the lower rate OF
duty. This gave ample time for tho examination
to ascertain what allowance II any, should be made for
damage. The most careful experts In this Department
detailed make the examination and the Assistant
Appraiser. Mr. Towney, and myself much attention
to it, making personal examination and getting the
opinions Of the best dsnerested experts In the city,
After consuming six weeks In the examination in
the vessel the wharf and in the warehouse the Ex
amners and Assistant Appraiser gave the following
allowance On 1000 bags 35 cent on 1000 bags 2 per
cent 2OO bags, Is per cent? S,27s bags nothing
damage found. The OF the damage, as found
were seawater and heat Of vessel the effect ON the pep
per, "must, mold, rot and loss Of strength"
This report approved by me. 1t will be seen that
the average allowance the whole cargo fraction
over 10 per cent.
Iinclose herewith certificates from C. Amann Co..
Zlm Case Of E. R. Durkee g. Co.. James II. Briggs Of
Briggs Meehan, Joseph Wilde Of Samuel Wdes Sons,
and j. H. Recknagel, all heavy dealers and experts In
this article, whose regulations for honesty will not be
questioned 1t will be by these certificates that the
estimates OF these gentlemen made three months after
the examination by the Appraisers Department, when
the pepper would naturally look much better than i'm
medatey after its arrival from 20to 80 per cent on
the entire Importation which is largely in excess OF the
damage allowed by this Department
I was never aware that a alleged irregularty"
had been discovered and was never appealed
to- to correct the allowance of damage the ground that
the pepper not damaged as claimed and that his
(my subordinates had made on error, "nor did ever
assume the whole responsibility in the matter except
TO state that entirely willing to take whatever
blame was attached to the action in this case as am
now and ever shall be. hayo challenged the most
thorough investigation into this matter and am con-
strained believe that II error has been committed
at ALL II will be found In favor OF the Government ana
against the merchant The statements in your article
that proceedings in have been commenced TO re-
cover the damage allowance in this case, and that the
goods have seized utterly false No such pro
ceedings have been commenced or directed.
1t is impossible for me TO conceive that Secretary
Boutwell, would recommend my removal on account OF
these "aeged irregularities" without ordering re-
examination Of this pepper, and an Investigation 10
ascertain the correctness OF the allegations and espec
ally is So inasmuch the morning OF the day OF
my removal conversation with the Secretary OF the
Treasury stated to that he had heard very little
this except that Mr. Murphy, the Collector
had spoken to him in reference 70 1t the day before
told him the facts about It, and asked for thorough
animation into the matter but his words and manner
gave me understand that he was already satisfied
with my action He gave me no intimation that was to
be removed but talked with me freely and kindly about
the details of my Department as though nothing OF the
Kind were to happen
Iacait the announeemenfof Of any other or 1nrher pre-
teri for my remopal. Very respectfully,
GEO. W. PALMER.
Ne,o- York, April IL, 1871.
I. the undersigned have at different times carefully
imported per Agnes from singapore ana fehang anu %
damaged on the voyage OF Importation to the ex-
tent OF 20 to 30 per cent by sweat neat ana sea
Of yesse sst waar a1e party H. RG RncRsAeEI No. u Beaye
Te,c- York, March 80 1871. .,....
We the undersigned merchants, dealers. and brokers
in spices having examined the cargo OF pepper imported
in the ship Agnes from Singapore and Penang say lte
bags are now In bonded stores Nos 65 and go Waters
do hereby certify that the said pepper Is damaged IN
our Judgment an average, on the whole cargo W ho
extent Of not less than 25 TO 80 per cent.
I'm CASE of +. r. Durkee Co...
JAS. ii. BRIGGS, OF Briggs Meehan,
JOSEPH WILDE, of Samuel Wilde's Sons
Neto- York, March 49, 1871.
VIM H. TowSLEY, esq, Appraiser.
DEAR SJR At your request we have examined the
cargo OF pper tho ship Agnes from Singapore CON
sstInp OF l427S bags Of which 1878 bags are now In
store at Nos 557 and 665 Water-st, and we IND them
more or less damaged by contact with sea-water and
color with mody damage, tho strength OF the pepper
being thereby impaired. .u. o
the whole lot. u AhAhh * CO'' NO os "aifn'
Nepc- York, Aprii 3. 1871