Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1876-03-30

Correspondents SlIi
1t is generally believed here that the
letter to New York paper charging
that Secretary Bristow had participa-
ted in the collection of a fraudulent
mule claim, was made up in New York,
and never came from this city. 1t is
false in its statements and insinuations,
and it does not seem likely that per-
son would send such story from here,
where, with very little trouble, the full
facts OF the case could have been OBJ
tanned. The facts in the case are these:
During the last part of the war John
Thompson & Co. had a contract with
the Qusrtermaster's Department to
deliver a thousand mules at Nash.
vile, at a certain price. After con-
siderable trouble and expense the
firm succeeded in obtaining eight hun
dred of which had reached Nashville,
and the remainder were on the way to
that place or at various points await,
ing transportation, when the news
came of Lees surrender, and the firm
was notified that no more mules would
be accepted from them. The Govern-
ment Immediately afterward entered
the market as seller instead of buy
er of mules, and the demand having
ceased, prices materially declined,
leaving Messrs. Thompson & Co. heavy
losers.
The claim was for losses, Incurred
by the firm, by reason of breach ol
contract on the part Of the Govern
ment. The claim WAS first presented
to Congress in the shape of a petition
for relief, and was afterwards referred
to the Court of Claims for adjudication
by law. At this stage of the case
Messrs. Barr, GoOdlOe d Humphrey,
of this city, were employed by the
claimants to attend to taking depOsi-
tions in the case, and Gen. John NJ.
Harlan employed for the same prr-
pose, on the part of the Government,
but Gen. Harlan not being able to
leave the city, Mr.. james Beattie cross
examined for the Government in this
State, and United States District At
torney Harrison in Nashville. 1t was
clearly proved on the evidence by
some of the best citizens of the State
that Thompson d Co. had gathered
I'D some eight hundred mules for de-
livery under the cOntract-good stand
ard pnules, which, after the Govern
ment stopped purchasing, could not
be sold for % per cent of their original
cost. The lie is thus given to the
charge that the claim was fraudulent
one. Those familiar with the matter,
without being interested in it, say that
they have never known case where
loss and damage were more clearly
proved from breach of contract.
Up to this time Secretary Bristow
had no connection with the case what
ever, but WAS afterward employed to
argue the law questions involved be-
fore the Court of Claims, and he did so
in the regular practice OF his profession,
holding no public office at the time.
The claim was adjudged a just one,
Judge Drake dissenting on legal
grounds alone. The amount recover.
cd by Thompson & Co.was about $10S,-
900; Secretary Bristow receiving, COM
paratively, only moderate fee for his
services. The charge that he received
one half of the claim is in toto false.
His fee is no more than any other law
yer would have charged. There is
nothing in the case derogatory to Sec
retary Bristow, and the attempt to
make something out of it will not be
considered for "A moment by any fair
minded person.