New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-10-29

the "forties' Colonel Field. then q
tall, handsome young man, straight as an
arrow, and as active as q gymnast, was
Secretary of the then Territory of Wiscon-
sin. Many of the old and we'll to do citi-
zens of Madison, Wisconsin's beautiful
capital, remember him yet, after the lapse
of thirty years, as the gallant young Vir-
ginian sent out by President Tyler to dis
tribute Uncle Sans specie to those who
served in any manner in public capacity.
For be it known that. under American
usage, the Secretary OF Territory is also
Treasurer and disbursing agent. In this
capacity he went to Washington and act
ed as the supercargo of ton, more or
less, of specie chiefly Spanish milled
dollars. five franc pieces and American
half and quarter dollars the Terrific
rial capital, at least once year. The
arrival of the Secretary was an event
in those days, for then all hands were paid
off, from the Governor down to the pages
in the Council or Territorial Legislature.
In course Of time, however, young Field
removed to the neighboring State of
Illinois, where he was repeatedly honored
with high trusts by the people. But in
those days, as now, the auditors and con-
trollers at Washington were generally
three or four years behind hand in their
work, and it frequently happened that
accounts of officers, correct in themselves.
and which everybody supposed had been
settled long ago, were sent back for in
quiry. An Endorsement was wanting, or
piece of red tape lacked the regulation
length, or breadth. or precise shade, and
SO an official demand was made for bal
ances. Such appears to be the character
of the document recently unearthed by the
Bulletin, or q safe burglar, We are not
informed which. It purports to be bill
of items which had been disallowed by
the accounting officers at Washington in
settling with an officer who had, at the
date Of the note Of Messersmith and
Brigham, Colonel Field bondsmen, been
out Of Office seven or eight years. All
the parties named in the schedule were at
that date wealthy and reputable citizens
Of Wisconsin. Several of them are vet
living in the State, and being responsible.
would. at moments notice. have re-
turned any money which competent au-
thority would decide had been wrong
fully received. Josiah A. Noonan. in
particular, was for years the leader Of the
Wisconsin Democracy, against whom
even the Wings never breathed word
impeaching his personal integrity. W.
". Wyman was the editor and proprietor
of the Express (Whig> and the public
printer. He was man Of incorruptible
character, and occupied position in the
very foremost ranks of the best men OF
Madison, who yet respect the memory OF
one who has passed away, leaving, alas,
too few imitators. John Catlin has re.
Gently died at an advanced age. He was
q man Of wealth and worth, who would
no more receive and keep q sum OF money
which did not honestly belong to him
than he would take 20 the highway and rob
travellers. Such is the character of the
gentlemen who. in the dispatch Of bust
ness in those busting times, probably fur
nished Colonel Field with informal vouch.
ers for money honestly theirs. George
Messersmith and z. Brigham were wealthy
men OF that day. They were bondsmen.
either one Of whom would have Instantly
paid the small balance of S3Sl6 for his
friend if he thought he had no legal
defense. But this he hal, and set it up.
The upshot Of the matter has been fo.-
gotten; but an old resident Of Madison as.
sures us it left no cloud upon the charac.
ter of Colone! Field. We append as
curious relic a portion Of this letter from
Colonel Fields su,eties. for the nmuse.
ment and ediication OF his old Wisconsin
friends:
Do:..kvlLlE. Aori; -. 1851.
A. p. Field. Ess.
DEAR SIR-At the las. term of the United
States District Court for Wisconsin. your
bOndsmen were summoned to appear and
answer unto the United States for the sum
of $5575, being the amount claimed and
alleged BY the auditor and certified BY the
Is being due from you, ON your
settlement with the United States as Sec
rotary of Wisconsin. In your account with
the United States we find many items Of
Importance rejected by the department,
and not admitted TO your credit, viz:
". w wyman. partial payment on bond
not vet surrendered .............. G.3: %
A. ?. Field. for expenses to Washington
(not adm,ssabs). ..................... 900 %
C. &. Sholes. amount forwarded for your
house, there 10 no voucher. los 90
Josiah A NoonAr. for amount forwarded
Strachm i ScOOt on bond for which
there is no voucher. Observation-Disclosures. 900 60
George Coates bond wants =. Goadez's in.
dorsement Observation-Disclosures. 700 90
James Sullivan wants his own indorse.
ment ........... OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. - 90
Over paid John Catlln ..:............. 10. 90
Payment Barlow Shac kleford. voucher. 65
A. =. Field. expense 10 WsshiA gtOn.. e8oO
Portage OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 100
once fenk l0O-lOtV %
Amounting in sum total items rejected to
$3.50.
We are Of the opinion that were you to
give this matter your early and personal
attention, that most of the above rejected
items would be allowed. and thereby
greatly reduce the amount claimed by the
government ~ be due from you and your
bondsmen. There are precedences for this
conclusion. as similar items have previous
~ been allowed 20 others, as secretary. for
instance, your charges going to Washing.
ton to obtain money for disbursement,
etc. appropriated by the Legislature, and
deducted by the observation-disclosures res
pecttul!y. etc.
GEORGE MESSERSMITN.
4. BRIGHAM.