Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-08-17

much better sustained by evidence than the
strongest of those brought against the presi-
dent. Ex-senator Doolittle of Wisconsin is the
person referred to. The charges against him
are set forth in an article in the New York
Times of Thursday. They are in substance that
one Conatty, who had been for year or two
clerk in the treasury department, but was
obliged to resign on account of failing health,
obtained in 1854, through the influence of Mr.
Doohttle, then senator, and others, a permit
from the president to trade in cotton in Louisi
ana and the neighboring states Senator Doc
little, on being informed that Conatty had OBJ
tanned the permit, congratulated him and APP
pointed a private interview at which he sug-
gested that, as Conatty would have great oppor-
tunities for making money, he could afford to
be a little generous. That gentleman, not sus-
pecting that senator would openly
ask price for his influence, at first
failed TO comprehend this hint, and
requested further explanation, when Mr.. Doc
little plainly asked for a share in the profits Of
the cotton trade, and handed Conatty letter
which he said he had Just "scribbled off" pur-
porting to be addressed by Couatty to Doolittle,
and another, apparently an answer to the first,
from Doolittle 10 Conatty. The first was to be
copied and returned to its author, and the latter
to be retained. Mr. Conatty though astounded
and perplcXed, did MS he was requested, and
aiterward received other letters from Doolittle
designed to aid him in his speculations. The
letters in the handwriting of Senator Doolittle
are in the possession of the editor of the Times,
,.I,, ,fR
dayit of Conatty asserting their genuineness
and telling their history substantially as given
above. The letters themselves, as curious and
valuable contributions 10 the art of correspond
ence, We print as follows:
The letter which Doolitte himself wrote for
Conatty to send TO him-tbe original in Doolit-
ties handwriting:
WASHINGTON, Dec. 80, 1864.
Hon. J. R. Doolittle:
Dear Sir-I have been engaged for two years
past in the treasury department, where | have
been assiduOuSly at work, early and late, until
seriously feared my health might give way. In
consequence Of the confidence which my fidelity
there has inspired in the head of the department,
] have received permit TO trade and to pur
chase cotton to the amount of fifty thousand
bales
This has been freely given me; and now, my
dear sir, allow me to say that during all my
stay here have witnessed, on your part, in tie
high position you occupy, the same fidelity,
and, | may add, such a position and course of
conduct, that my heart has been drawn out to
you; and, as this permit may enable me to
realize a great fortune-toO great to be properly
administered or enjoyed by any one mani
have determined that, as present on my part,
and in the belief that you could better use a
portion, should be successful, than could use
ALL will rem it to you the Onc-fourth part of all
Hfg Iiypp uhn oil my
expenses. | do this in the hope that, while
may become rich in the operation, may secure
TO you a competency also.
The following letter is the reply TO the above,
and was handed TO Conatty by Doolitte at the
same time:
Private and Confdentiall
WASHINGTON, Dee. 80, 1864.
T. G. COndttg, Esq.
MY Dear Sir-YOur magnanimous PROPOSE
don, contained in your letter from Baltimore of
yesterday, fills my heart with feelings which
cannot express Such instances of diSinterested
friendship are so rare, so few among the sons of
men are endowed with such high and noble
generosity, that am without words to tell you
how much it affects you (me).
l have no claims upon you except those of
| disinteresed friendship sincerely cherished. As
| to this permit to trade in cotton, you have OBJ
| tanned without any word or influence or thought
Of mine, even direct or indirect, for until your
| edge, or thought even, that you contemplated
| such thing.
And yet this fact alone, which gives me no
| claim upon you, is the only possible ground
| upon which accept your generous, will say
more-yOur most maguanmOus offer.
Had aided you in the least, directly or indi-
rectly, in thought, word or deed, could not
have accepted it il | would, and would not if
| could
! hope you may realize your sanguine expec-
| tatiuns, and be able 10 place yourself, without
| injury to any other human being, in a condition
of pecuniary independence, so that when this
fearful war is over You may retire to private life
again TO cultivate those literary pursuits you so
much love, and which are more precious after
all than gold and silver. And should your sue
cess be such that in the munifcence of your
proposition you can enable me 10 do the same,
you will confer a great benefit upon
Your sincere friend,
j. r. DooMTTLE.
Envelope addressed "T J Conatty," marked
"private," %. r. Doolittle, U. S. S."
1t is not pleasant thing to learn that SEN
ator of theIUnited States could seek his corrupt
ends by means 50 contemptibly base as these,
but the evidence appears strong, and it is hard
| ly possible that any one would contrive SO viii
famous a piece of work as the forgery of these
letters There are men in public, as well as in
| private life, whose character is proof against
such attacks, whose friends would Indignantly
denounce as shameless libel the publication OF
such letters purporting to have been written by
them, although the resemblance of handwriting
were ever so perfect, and whom public opinion
would never convict on the evidence of q
score OF such documents, supported by volumes
Of atfidavts But Mr.. Doolittle is unlortu
nately not one of these. The exposure was made
two days ago, and not even the New York Tri
bune suggests doubt of its truth. Mr.. Doolit
tie has been regarded hitherto as among tn,
more respectable of the prominent supporters o
Greeley, but he must now be rated a little be
low Fenton, and about on level with Ashle,
and Warmoth. That Doolittle is what thi
transaction shows him to be, does not prov,
that Greeley ought not to be elected, but it does
tend to show that as agents of reform his con
| spicuous adherents are not all that is to be de
| sired.
| Nar,r York IVorII hoo b,r,r, -, q, l.