Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-06-15
Private and CONFIDENTIAL

Private and CONFIDENTIAL
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, /
WASHINGTON, March %, 1877.
George F. Baker, Cashier First National Bank, New
York:
MY DEAR SIR-The President has decided
to send commission, composed of men of
prominence and responsibility, to some of the
southern States for the purpose of healing, if
which exist In them. 1t Is also hoped this
course will secure to the administration and
the government the moral support and aid of
persons residing in southern localities. The
only practical difficulty in the way of carry
ing out this grand project arises from the
want of an appropriation. Your bank can
remove that difficulty, and it is for the pur-
pose of securing your aid in this matter that
| address this letter to you, believing that
you will cheerfully cooperate in a work
which has for its aim and object the peaceful
solution of grave and pcrplexing difficulties
The amount which will be required
will probably fall between three and
four thousand dollars. What l have to sug-
gest is this: That your bank advance this
money to some person, who will be appoint
ed the disbursing agent, and receive from
HIM the vouchers, which he will take when
he makes his disbursements. When congress
convenes again deficiency appropriation
will be asked for by the Executive for the
purpose indicated above, and what you shall
do not think there can be any hazard or risk
in the matter, or | would not suggest 1t. l,
have thought, also, that you would be pleased
to have the opportunity to render the aid
which is needed for a good purpose at this
time. | shall be glad to receive an early
reply to this letter. With much respect,
am yours, CHAs. F. CONANT.
An early reply to this letter was read, as
follows:
FIRST NATIONAL BANK,
NEW YORK, March "a, 1877
MY DEAR Mr.. CoNANT-I am in receipt
of your letter of yesterday in regard to max
ing an advance of money for the expenses of
the commission to be appointed by the Presi-
dent to visit southern States, and beg to say
that the bank will take pleasure in extending
the accommodation IN the manner requested.
Yours truly, GEO. F. BAKER.
The unearthing of these letters opens up
new lead for an investigation which is likely
to play an important part In the lmpeach-
ment of John Sherman, an event almost GER
tain to come in the near future; for this
manner of paying the bills of the commls-
sion Is held by some of the best lawyers of
the house to be a fragrant violation of law,
which prohibits any officer of the government
from anticipating any appropriation. Sher-
man S name does not appear In these letters,
but it is not conceivable that the plan was
conceived or carried out without his sanction.
Conant is the special financial agent of the
government at London in the interest OF the
syndicate. He is Sherman's confidential man
In all business between the treasury and the
syndicate, and at the time the letters were
written was assistant secretary of the treas
ury. 1t is further significant that Fahnestock,
president of the First national bank, Is one
of the five members of the syndicate; that
his bank is special depository for United
States four-and-one- half percent bonds,
and that it has for a long time
been Secretary Sherman's most specially fa-
vored financial institution. Sherman's re-
sponsibility, however, will be fully proved by
letters over his signature, to Baker and to
the commission, vouching for Powers, who
was the disbursing agent appointed, and who
was promoted shortly after his return from
this expedition. The commissions bill of
expense has also been unearthed. 1t is an
entertaining document, and will be fine nuts
for Ben Butler, especially an item of fifty
nine dollars and some cents for travelling ex-
penses of Wayne M'Veigh from Harrisburg
to Washington and return. As this amount
is four or FIVE times above the regular fare
Butler will be likely to ask Wayne to explain
The bill further shows that Justice Harlan
took his son along at the expense of the ap-
preparation which the President was to ask
congress to make, and that it cost about four
thousand dollars to indulge in that commits
sion. The hotel bull averages about twelve
dollars per head per day. The deficiency ap-
preparation, as preordained, was recommend
ed, and came very near being tackled on by
Chairman Atkins to the deficiency bill. By
advice, however, he declined to appropriate.
and the scheme now is to have the senate
tack 1t on to the sundry civil bill.