New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-07-16
Ey.SECRETARY JACOB THOMPSONS DE-
FkNSE. ..

HE EXPLAINS TIE DEFALCATIoN IN THE DEPART
MENT OF THE NTERIoR-A CLERK RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE MIsAPPRoPRIATION or THE INDIANS
BONDS.
MEMPHIS, July 15-The following letter APP
pears in Tie AralGnehe this morning:
OXFORD, July s, 1873.
To JAMES NJ WILLIAMSON. esq-Mr DEAR SIR: Your
letter OF yesterday received by me TINS evening
thank you for the extract clipped from me ApdHnshe
headed "A Large Dehc" Inc fscts III ms cS sre wi
the distorted forms that maigntY ana peJuhce coulu
give them, that to thrm with Reluctance nave
ways had faith In the power OF truth and its ultimate
triumph over falsehood But after twelve years tne
matter 20 the public as though something bad been
discovered. Tie whole case Is this; The Deparment OF
the Interior Is made the custodian or the ponds hed In
trust for various Indian tribes The interest on theSe
bonds Is regularly collected ana paid over 70 tDese
tribes clerk in tho department is charged with their
custody and the coupons regularly brought for
ward for collection the head OF the department. pro
As matter OF course, the bonds are IN hana In
this case, during my administration OF the depart
ment MI Bailey CLERK Of c nsr i'an WiIs
1Ss duty Early IN tho Year ISL after all tho January
coupons had been brought forward aud regularly col
le,ted and he had been called To make full state
meut OF his account for tho auditor which Ia ITSELF was
fully satisfactory, 1t became known tnat Woulu III
few days resign my place in !hg from the
Union. Then 1t was Mr.. Bailey sent me MS confession
that Nc hSa; Without ny Rsssel O. irse Gov
eminent contractors bonds u the amount OF sSlloco
aud taken in their stead accePtanees oil Tue ~
responsibility OF doing this 10 save the credit Oh the "a
Department., and had not ADVISED me OIL "hat ne hA
because lac knew would condemn anu "Oulu hoV
allow him to touch single bond. As soon az the col
fession received the keys OF his safe were taken
from him and the contouts carefully counted ana tno
state OF thugs proved his confession ~ c'9,y
particular Tie clerk was dismissed lor DIS
inDdety to his trust, ana congress, tnoh
In session, Informed by communication iOm nle
OF what had been DONE and this concdcd WIN tne TO
quest that committee consisting exclusively vi Po
cal opponents should be appointed To examine INTO anu
report upon ali the facts. The Committee was Hp.
pointed, and most thorough search was maae INV '
the circumstances and facts In the case. Ihe OOhlC
tee were unanimous In eIoneraIlng tno oocfetay nun
all blame whatever IN the matter, anu thelr report
received b. Congress without dissenting voice. LUIS
was at time when party spirit ran hgh, Out st ~
tine when members VI Congress scorheu w 49,,
ak 10 the OF puDlc servant any stigma u9dsty
AMI falsely. After than twelve years the AuuitOL
reaches the account. and. by reJectlng Tue
Of the var Department., IN hhcn, tulnA' 10
recly, he gives ths deficit something now Ing oc
opd Auditor 1861 claims tho honor or making this as
make all the facts known. For ndeh.y, emsieuVy,
and pr0mptitude in the ADMINISTRATOR VI tuo
| Interior Department from 1851 10 1901, a'u
willing 10 I've compared with any auu,his tuVtl VI w.
either before since that time certain ~ Is tndt nv
business is twelve years benuu time nave "IlttSi
this much TO YOU for your own lhiorhnt,iou. W, ~
not have you Ignorant OF the acts but nave 80 di
planned this matter know 81 well that an hoiOfaoo
fully satisfied win the proPFloLY oi my conuuo
that must leave malignris ana tno CIV 80
think aud what they please. you can 40 what yuu
please Ia saying anything 60 tho edltors' 10 ~ ep
pose they meant Ia do amy liDistleo Ia Paphsiis
The dispatch. II they had though minute lhry Noula
have remembered publishing my explana'ioh au1resSoa
| Semonstraron Youis Iruiy ~. J. THOMPSON.