The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-12-08
Lieutenant FIipper's Defence.

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, DecemDer IN
( the opening Of the court yesterday morn
ing Lieutenant Flipper made the following
statement In substance in reference 10 the
difficulty. the first charge and it, specifics
tions: In this case declare 10 you in the
most solemn and most positive manner
possible that / am innocent in every way,
shape, and form; that j never by myself
or by another converted or applied to
my own Iise a single dollar or penny
of Government money, or permitted it to
be done, or authorized any meddling with
IL whatever. OF course j am not guilty.
The funds for which / was responsible
kept in my quarters, in my trunk, because
felt more secure 10 have them in my own
custody. On the I'd Of May / received
telegram from General Small not TO trans
fer any funds, as he intended being absent
from San Antonio. This | construed to
apply TO everything pertaining to the
funds, rs ! was not informed that some
one would be left to attend to routine busi-
ness. During his absence | submitted my
funds regularly to the commanding officer
for inspection. ] did not make any state
ment. In consequence Of telegram Of May
I'd | thought il unnecessary, and discon-
tinued il for June. The accumulated funds,
after yerification, we put in trunk, and II
was not examined until july Sth, when
il was submitted to the customary inspec-
ton. There was discovered a discrepancy
Of S1.540. ! did not know what to do, but
chose TO put in my own check for that
amount. Intending TO deposit personally
i'm bank before required To remit check.
| expected my company in from the field
on the 10th OF July. | knew they had two
months pay in checks, and thought |
could Get what | wanted, but the post
trader cashcd them before could do so.
then relied on getting money from
the publisher OF my book, who Ind
promised il. was disappointed
again. believe the shortage OF
$3.50 was caused by cOmmissary
bills due me for stores sold the men and
hundrc,ses on my personal account. IL
caused me 10 uneasiness, however, a. i
thought when the money should be paid !
could deposit 10 meet the check II not able
to meet il with personal funds. When
leaving nv quarters on the 18th Of August
| believed. and still believe, that all the
funds for which | was responsible were
in my trunk except this check. When |
learned otherwise / was perfectly
astonshed and entirely ignorant OF
where they were. ! was not responsible
except To make them good, which | have
done. My servant lived with lanndres'
who had no place TO keep her clothing. On
her request | allowed her To put a part in
my trunk. always retained the key en-
cept when given to her for short time to
rtiirrange or put in her clothing. hadno
reason 10 suspect her honesty. ! never
lost anything worth attracting atten-
ton. | had been warned previously that
the commanding officer would take the first
chance 10 get me i'm trouble. 1 paid but
little attention 10 this at the time, but after
wards remembered it distinctly. | knew
him by reputation and observation to be
severe. stern man. Having committed my
first mistake, / INDUCED in what il seems
were false hopes that would be permitted
TO work out on my own responsibility
without giving him any knowledge Of my
embarrassment.