Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-03-07
CUSTOMHOUSE CORRUPTION.
Gen. BabcOck on the Witness Stand.
San Domingo, etc.

San Domingo, etc.
WASHINGTON, March 6.-Gen. BabcocB
was examined before the New Y ork Gus
! tomheUse Investigating Committee to-day
! He swore that he had no interest whatever
/ in Leet and Stockings general order busi-
! ness; had never received money from it in
! any way or shape, nor was there any ar
rangement to receive a benefit from any
| customhouse officers. Also swore that be
| is detailed from the engineer corps as Sec
retaTy to the President, and has charge of
/ public buildings and grounds and is engi-
neer Of the Potomac acqueduct,
aud receives tno pay whatever except
Major of Engineers. Knew Leet intended
! to get into some business, and from what
Leet said the witness obtained the idea that
Leet had thought of going into the ware
| house business; and Leet might have men
toned the general order business. Had no
idea what the general order business was.
He knew few days before the appointment
of tIrinnell that the latter was to be ap-
pointed Collector ofthe port of New York:
Thought the general letter of introduction
written by Grant to Leet was written a few
days before that appointment, and that the
date shows that fact.
In answer to a question whether witness
knew that Mr.. Leet was drawing $500 a
month sinecure at the time, Mr.. Babcock
replied that Of this he knew nothing except
from reports. Had first met Mr.. Lindsay
during the last year of the war and didn't
remember seeing him again till the close of
the war. Couldn't say whether next saw
Mr.. Lindsay in New York or Washington;
thought l saw him on the same boat COM
ing to Washington in 1864; couldn't positive
ly say.
Mr.. Bayard asked him to look at a letter
handed to him. Mr.. BabcOck said it was
written by him, but did not recOlleCt that
he had done so until reminded Of the fact.
Read the letter as follows:
Executive Mansion, Sept. 81, 1S69.-My
Dear Mr.. Lindsay:-YoUr letter reached
me to-day. 1t is just as l expected. l
sent it simply to show you how people pre-
sumo on others. BY the same mail l re-
ceived enclosed. l don't intend to answer
such assumption, or if at all, in a shOrt, curt
note. You need have no fears of their i'm
posing on us. l shall be pleased to do
what | can for you when l know what you
want, TO reciprocate your kindness to me.
l am alone in my glory. Gen. Porter will
be back tomorrow. Remember me kindly
to Leet, Parker and the gentlemen in the
house. Hoping to hear from you when l
can be of service,
] sm yours truly,
0. Z. BABCOCK.
To J. P. Lindsay, So John street, New
York.
Mr.. Bay ard asked Gen. Babcock whether
he did not know at the time he wrote that
letter that Lindsay held the confidential
position of secretary to Collector Grinnel.
Mr.. BabcOck replied that he did not know
that Lindsay held that position but supposed
so.
He was further asked whether he knew
of any proposition from Leet to Lindsay
relative to a speculation in San Domingo
and speculations in Tybee.
Mr.. BabcOCk said he had no knowledge of
the fact to which the correspondence refer
red. He repeated he knew of no plans by
which speculations were to 60 into opera
ton.
The Chairman enquired whether witness
knew of any one who had received money
on account of the lease.
Babcock replied he did not.
Being further interrogated, he knew of
an American citizen who was interested in
him that he (Sullivan) had
an interest in the railroad from
Samana Bay to Monte Christi. he
believed Sullivan represented other par
ties. Didn't know of anybody to be bene-
fited by land grants in the event of annexa-
ton; knew that gentleman had survey
ing contract obtained previous to his knowl-
edge of the proposed annexation. Could |
not say that Sullivan did not hold an official !
position, as he may have been employed by |
the Secretary Of State.
Mr.. Casserly interrogated Mr.. BabcOck |
at length in regard to San Domingo, and |
in the course Of his lreplies he said there |
might have been large purchases Of land in
1869 and 1870, but not to his knowledge.
The committee adjourned till Monday |
after ordering the following gentlemen be |
for examination: VIM. Fl. |
Townley, Geo. w. White and Jno. Ben |
net, of New York, and to be examined on |
Wednesday: Thos. Murphy, VIM. Orton, |
4. II. Latin and F. L. Have, New York. |