New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-03-15
MORE ABOUT MIR. LETT

The testimony of Mr. George ID. White be-
fore the CustOm-hOuse Committee on Tuesday
renders the history of Leet's connection with
the General Order business more doubtful
than ever. 1t will be remembered that, accord
ing to the evidence OF John p. Lindsay, Mr..
Leet was in the habit of Boosting that he had
threatened Collector Grinnen with removal
unless he gave him what he wanted, and there
was a story about dinner at Wizards,
where Grinnell, Porter, Babcock, CatherwOOd,
and Leet talked the business over, and settled
the arrangement by which the General Order
privilege was finally transferred to the young
lieutenant whom Gen. Grant was so anxious
to serve. Mr.. Lcet has since denied under
oath that he made any such threat; Porter
and Babcock have denied that they ever ate
any such dinner; and now Mr.. White comes
forward with full confederation OF Mr. Lind
says statements, showing that whatever Leet
may say now, lie did say just what Lindsay
swears he said in 1869. White has been an init
mate associate Of Leet's for the last eight years
At the time of Grants Inauguration he used
to see q great deal of Leet, and that iDgenu-
GUS young man, while he was applying for his
Custom-house plum, used to frequent Whites
rooms, call every day or two at his store, and
tell him all the plans and wishes which he
concealed so carefully from the mess in Wash
ington. He meant to get the General Order
business; he had fixed his eye upon it long
before Grinnelrs appointment; and when he
showed the Presidents letter he told Mr..
White that he considered that "just as good
can order as lie wanted" Mr.. Leet did tell
the story of the dinner at Wizards, and it was
there, according to his representation, that the
arrangements were concluded, in the pres
ence of Gen. Porter, Gen. Babcock, Mr.. Cath
erwood, and Mr.. Grinnell. SO certain was
Leet of his success, that he thereupon had an
interview with a CustOm-house officer named
Jennings, at Whites rooms, for the purpose of
learning something. OF the business in which
he was about to embark.
Two weeks later, Lcet presents himself
again, disappointed aud cbagrined. Mr.. Grin
nell had not kept his promise; political in
fuences were at work To rob Grants young
friend of all the expected prize except small
portion; but Let twas gong to have it all
cor not any; he had "nad day or two pre-
"vious to this interview an interview with
"Grinnel and had given him to understand
THAT II he could not get it from him he wOuld
mare q Collector that he cOu!d get it from.
lie gave me to understand that he had said
"those words to Grinnell." Mr.. Leet added
that Collector GTinncll had offered him $4,000
year if he would go back to Washington and
stay there, and lot the General Order business
alone; and Mr.. White expressed the belief
that "if he kept on they would beat him out
"of the whole Of IT,"
Now of course this doe not prove that Leet
did threaten Collector CnHn.n with removal.
nor that the Collector was compelled to give
this young m4n place which he was willing
to DAY 5000 year 20 Keep under his own
control. nor that Porter aud Babcock were
parties to the management at WlllTd's Hotel
in the Spring OF 1862 IL does not prove that
Leet was strong enough sc Washington to
defy man Of M Grinnclls charactor and
position, AID 10 best al the political organiza-