New-York tribune., 1873-02-19

will conduct Mr.. Amess defense. He has liking
for that sort of business Two years ago he defended
Wmttemore of South Carolina, who was expelled
for selling a cadetship. Mr. Brooks will defend him
self and Mr. Poland Will defend the action Of the
COMMITTEE
Pr-rV. on. THE VICE-PRESIDENTS DEFENSE.
THE LAST PROP GoNE-rHE FATAL BANK AC-
COUNT AGAIN TELLS DAMNING TALE
rrREE CHECKS INSTEAD OF ONE FROM MR..
EESBITT
IBY TELEGRAPH 70 THE TRlBuNFl
WASHINGTON. Feb. 1S.-The last remaining prop
which supported the falling reputation OF wee
President COfax was knocked out, to-day
The story Of the ce-President, related with such
apparent crcumstantia detail, in regard to the re-
oeipt of 81 900 note from Government contractor
named Nesbitt of New-York. who was described by
Mr.. Colfax as an almost total stranger was sut-
fcient 10 cause a doubt in the minds OF hls most
crcdulous friends about his guilt, and they were
quick 10 give him the benefit of the doubt
Had the matter stopped here there would have
been very small body of people in the country who
would have regarded the VcePresident as an object
Of misfortune and ill-luck but not as continuously
uutruthful dishonest man. The developments Just
made known seem 10 settle the point finally that
Mr. Colfax is no longer worthy of the attecuonate
regard and respect which have been layished upon
him for so many years.
The bank where ms accounts were Kept mas Deeh
visited lately by a member of the Poland Commit
tee and the record of two checks OF drafts dis
covered TO the order of Mr. Colfax from Mr. Nesbitt
The record shows that one was deposited in April,
and the other on July 49, 1868 The deposit Of sl,2O0
in bills by Mr.. Colfax on July % was explained by
him in his statement lately being in part the re-
coipt of 81 900 as present from Nesbitt received by
mall
While il looked little unusual for a business man
of Nj Nesbltts experience and sa0acIty TO send a
81 900 bin by mail to a high official without letting
his clerks. partner banker or some friend know of
IT, and while Il was regarded as still more remark
able that a statesman Of Mr. Colfax's stand
ing would accept present from business
man having dealings with the Government,
vet in the face Of all this, there were many who
regarded the VicePresident as guiltess Of deliber
ate falsehood as of bribery, Notwithstanding the
absence Of both The letter Of transmittal and the
letter of ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Oakes Ames's check to s c. was dated July 20,
was presented 10 and paid by the Sergeant-at-Anns
on July o., and Mr. Coliax made deposit Of $1,000
in bills on July D.
Oa,es Ames's memorandum book showed to the
Committee that 81 200 paid and all the circum-
stances sustained his statement. yet Mr. Cofax tes-
titled he got $1,000 of the 1900 from Mr.. Nesbltt.
II now appears that in April three months previous,
he received 81 900 from Mr. Nesbtt in a check or
draft, and that on July 10, OF IN less than three
weeks after the alleged receipt by Mr. Colfax OF
81 900 in money by letter he received another check
for 81 900 from Mr.. Nesbitt.
This shows if Mr. COlfax's $1,000 bill story is be-
heved that he received from this contractor who
was very largely engaged in supplying stationery to
the Government, and who was an almost total
stranger IN three months time the sum of $1,000 or
$1,000 a month.
1t also shows that Mr. Nesbtt sent a $1,000 draft
to Mr. Colfax on two occasions and yet on third
he sent il reckessly by mail in the form Of bill
the letter accompanying il saying that he was not
much acquainted with the Vice-President elect but
had great admiration for him. This is not the
of letter that would usually be written after $1,000
had already been sent to the same man.
In addition to all this. Mr.. Colfax addressed let
ter last evening 70 the Poland Committee, stating
that in his testimony Tuesday be had entirely
forgotten to mention that he received a $1,000 draft
for Mr. Nesbitt July 13, in addition to his 81 900
contribution previously mentioned.
All TINS is looked upon here even now, when bad
memory and evasion having "A carnival IN the
Capitol. with amazement. The more SO that Mr.
Colfax. when the investigation began. said he was
confident he did not receive the 81 200 at the time
noted since such addition 10 his income could not
fail to impress itself upon his mind.