New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-09-03
EX-SENATOR DOOLGTTLE'S DEFENSE.
HIS STATEMENT OF FACTS IN THE CoNNATTY
MATTER.
RACINE, aug. II, 1872.
Ny DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 10Th inst

RACINE, Aug. 81, 1s72
Ny DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 10Th inst.
is duly received On my way home from New-England,
saw copy Of The Neic York Times which first made
the statement Of T. j. COnnatty with certain private
IL rs not charged that ever received dollar from
C0nnatty. There - pretense Of that Tho fact IS,
never did But it IS charged that used my influence.
"a a senator TO obtain from him. or for the drm of
Moore COunatty Coz" contract from the Treasury
Department and permit from the President purchase
cotton in the States Of Arkansas, Mississippi and LOuisl
ana and, that having used my official Influence OBJ
tain it, "exacted," took from him promise 10 give
me a share Of the profits
The whole charge affecting my Official integrity de-
ponds upon the truth or ialsity OF this statement
The statement is unqualihedly false. In the manner
in which it is made and with the purpose which is
made 1t is wckedly false. never used my official nhu-
ence in my whole public life, for pecunary reward,
in the hOpo OF one, for any man, living or dead.
Fortunately IN this particular matter am not com
PEELED to rely on my statement alone. After a few days
OF necessary delay, have been enabled 10 obtain in
formation from the records at Washg gtOn which per-
jury cannot change and which independent of any state
en Of mine shows this whole statement OF COnnatty
so far as IL in any Affects my official integrity
aud honorable reputation as public man, TO be abso
lie says he applied for lis permit through "infuen-
tial friends" among whom was the Hon. j. H. Doc
little then United states Senator from Wisconsin 10 the
President for such permit" The same telegram informs
me there were no papers, no recommendations from
any one, file. The record shows did not ask for the
The only other way in which could have aided him
would been by personal interview with the Presl-
dent or the Secretary Of the Treasury which interview
never occurred.
this: COnuatty 10 the room OF the Committee on
Indian Affairs in the Capitol He there informed me Of
his resignation Of his clcrkshp, and that he had
tanned through the head OF the Treasury Department
permit TO purchase cotton under the regulations OF the
Treasury. He showed me the permit signed by Mr.
Lincoln and wanted me TO accept an interest told
him supposed there could be no legal objection TO my
taking Interest but had no money 10 advance and
would not be partner 10 incur risks or liabilities or
agree spend time. He said he did not EXPECT 10 adj
vance money, or incur any risk himself beyond his
travelling expenses. He intended operate through
other parties. L objected that he might become
pressed his desire for me 10 accept interest without
risk. cannot detail all that Conversation which took
place eight years ago. But know there was not one
word said purpose INTENDED which, II known to the
whole world, would stain my honor a Senator or as "A
There certainly was no claim for official influence
rendered rendered 10 COnnatty i'm any way ex
pressure brought 10 bear upon him. then had mo doub
his personal friendship, or OF the sincerity Of his
fesslOn5 But as Tue htter might be important it was
mutually deemed best 10 preserve the substance OF the
conversation and proposals IN the form OF private and
confidential letters aud II then ana not I'M then
that az his suggestion the draft OF his proposition TO me
was made.
EyerybOdy knows from the tone Of the lcftors they
were intended for publication the same words
had been used IN private conversation, they would have
been subject To no just criticism Private aud conndon
tsl letters TO De looked upon and Judged as words
spoken in private conversation wen dragged be-
fore The public by dsgraceful violation a All me hon
orable instincts OF human nature IL those eftcr had
been intended ever 10 have been made nubic they
would have been subject 10 criticism In style and eX
preston. }nt they were private and though private
were intended 10 cover no aisehOOd and no dshonor
Ii was the right OF BOTH either Of us to nrlyately
make and privately preserve this memorandum OF the
substance Of conversation between Ourselves in such
manner ana form pleased ; aud 10 those nnv who
have violated sacred private rights ana given 10 the
world false and distorted details Of strictly private
Transaction Justly belongs all there Is Of real "lfame
iu mis- expo,ure." II myself aud Others are IN be
judged By their Infamous code OF morality no man Ia