National Republican., 1876-01-26
PARKMAN-BROOKs COTTON CASE.
Card Of Explanation fro N r. W. Brooks, ESQ


IhaVe hastily read to-day. for the first time the
report Of the Solicitor, Bluiord Wilson, to the
Secretary OF the Treasury, under date December
81, 1874, In what 10 known as the Parkman, Brooks
4 0o.cotton case. He seems to endesvor through
his whole report to implIoste Mr.. Parkmsn and
mysef In transactions he refers to. The following
are the certificates given as By the commission to
which he alIudes at the time. AFTER thorough
Investigation. ordered by Secretary McCulloeh
and speak for themselves. II his statements are
correct, they are false. If they true, he will
fully misstates facts, for they arc all In writing
MEarurs, Aug. L., 1855.
SIR: In answer to your note Of this morning,
take pleasure In saying that nothing has sp-
peared in the Investigation into the custom house
your character. or in any manner Involving your
personal reputation. There Is no pretense any
your % transsctions, @ and nothing las trsOspPsd to
mess relations with the Department;
's'' i''PsE sGp. Special Agent. treasury +; % DEPT.
Amer full and satisfactory Investigation Mr.. L.
parkns1 Is fully released s, and honoraoiy DIS:
supposed to have existed to the United States,
arising out Of the business affairs Of tho custom
place. IL appears tSa. Mr. ParEnsn was absent
at the time Of the transsotlons which have under
gone Investigation, and, together with Mr.. Brooks,
diateIy on their return. and nothing appears
involving Mr.. Parkmans reputation or to Impair
confidence In his integrity.
MEMPHIS, Aug. Il, 1885,
Superintendent Special Agent.
In laboring to make It appear that Parkman
BROOKS d Co. voluntarily gave notes TO o party
(the Government) the commission had just de-
ctded they did not owe dollar to, without condi-
tion to the amount Of Sol r. is Rs absurd IS
Il 10 at variance with the faots in writing before
Mr. Wilson when he penned the report; For IN
Risley, (who was Of this commission,J taken by
the Court when the suit on these notes was pend
fTe, Mr. Ririsy says: INT. Ps,Eman executed
these notes; Brooks hesitated and objected, and
would only consent on condition th.t certain
contract would be made with the United States
allowing Parkmsn, Brooks & 90. to collect cap.
tured and abandoned property, &C." In another
inssrrosstory % " n,ns.J MI. M Risisg. SSrouTh whom m
the Government secured these notes, says, in
relation to his obtaining them: Brooks at hrst
Tor ooiiectisg captured and s6sndoned property"
In q communication to the Department hr.
RRlslsy iur.hsr says in regard % these notes:
and only on condition that he should have the
absurd for them to make promises they could not
meet, and looked as though they were Implicated.
But II tRl,lsy) would consent to give him the
would approve,) he would consent to give the
notes, and could mako money beside. In fairness
must ado, says Mr.; RiseY, that do NOT be
leve the notes would have been executed but Tor
The Secretary. however, continues Mr. Wilson,
notified that It terminated on the e5th OF Sep.
Suil be reports the notes valid. advises suit on
them and substantially charges that in treating
with the facts and deciding tho notes Invalid the
previous Secretary Of tho Treasury. Assistant
Secretary, Comptroller. Commissioner OF Customs
and OtheFs culDablV fRnOr0nt and
and advises their Indictment. His whole report,
upon which the grand Jury s asked to rely, US Tar
cerned, is studied omission and misstatem ,nt OF
facts.
Since the report OF the Solicitor, made over
year since, have made three Applications, Two
in writing to be heard it the Department con-
templated q reexamination OF the case, below
fully or correctly reviewed. With my counsel
appeared before the District Attorney, AMI with
him stated what knew to BE- the character bl
some OF the Witnesses, and the motives influencing
them; that one witness, lths one who had lns l.
gated the prosecution, had In person (as ain
now 70 offered e th
urged that number OF gentlsmsp, (Hoa. II.
Mccullough, ex,Sscretary Of the Treasury; Judge
phreys, Of the District Supreme Oourt: Judge A.
White, OF the United States Court; Ioa. b. +.
Butler. senator Spencer, Gen, Denve5 and @ his
ley and Hon. q. Tucker,) OF position and standing,
and whose characters were above suspicion or
jury, and state under oath such facts rs were
within their knowledge. This was refused. l
then asked to 20 before the grand Jury myself.
Even this request was denied. then requested
my attorney 10 inquire what bond would be re-
quired, as regarded the findings OF the grand
Jury q foregone conclusion; that If this ruling
was law two irresponsible men might appear be-
fore any grand jury and charge Q third with &
felony, while six responsible witnesses might
stand at the door OF th0 jury room seeking ad-
mission, ready to swear and establish tina. the
person accused was In Europe, 5000 miles dis
tant, when the act charged was committed, and
be denied q hearing simply because their evil
dence would be for the defendant. and discredt
the testimony OF the two seeking the Indictment.
My oond Is ready and waiting The honorable
Secretary will find me on deck when wanted, and
as IL 10 likely to reach trial would ask the
suspension OF opinion OF my friends and the pub
lie until II can 20 before n tribunal where both
IIdes can be heard. +. w. BRooKs.