The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-30
Mr.. Trenholm's anchor to the

III O1LkkOh saAs hhG oNto ~ saS
cwindward was to them an emblem of treason.
The branch firm in England claimed and re-
tained its six steamers, which the people thought
belonged to the confederate government, and it
Eas almost universally believed that. millions of
dollars worth OF cotton belonging to the Coneed-
eracy was also left in their hands. Nor did the
good fortune of the firm fail at the ruin of the
Gonfederacy. George A. Trenholm was par
doned, and his was the first real estate in Charles
ton. in the possession of the military. to be re-
turned. This was done in the fall Of 1865. As
soon as that was done the taxes were paid to the
direct tax commissioner, ten or twelve thousand
dollars in cash at one time, and thus they seemed
TO be all at ease while the majority of the people
in the ruined city scarcely had bread to eat,
thousands of them being obliged te draw rations
daily from the hated conquerors to keep them
selves alive.
Although they successfully defended them
selves against all suits brought by the govern
ment, doubtless the expenses Of their defense
were great. One of the suits. was unique in
character. 1t was brought by United States
District Attorney ID. T. Corbin to recover the
amount of duties that ought to have been paid
by the firm on goods imported into the port of
charleston during the war In the blockade run
yxers. The sum sued for was half a million dol
liars 1t seemed to be almost a joke to make
such a claim, but then the theory of President
johnson was that there had been no dissolution
of the Union; that South Carolina had always
been loyal, her people being only in insurrection.
80 he thought blockade running ought to be
sbIpGtcd DIS u SpGElES Vi SLuuREtiuS-
When Mr.. Trenholm was arrested by the order
of General Hatch and sent to Fort Pulaski he
was scarcely at all disturbed. In a suit which
was afterward brought by James ID. Campbell to
recover commissions and counsel fees for serv-
vices in obtaining the restoration of the John
fraser 81 Co. property Mr.. Trenholm testified
that he never expected to lose a cents worth of
his real estate, and that even il it were con-
fscated his children would get it at his death.
He described his own equanimity while in Fort
Pulaski in contrast with the nervousness of some
of his fellow prisoners in an amusing manner.
He described Seldom, the confederate Secretary
OF War, as in great alarm, fearing death on the
scaffold. Hunter. Yulee and Judge Campbell
were also sure that the policy of the govern
ment would be to confscate the property and
hang the bodies of the leaders of the rebellion.
None Of these men had done SO much publicly
for the rebellion as Trenholm, and he was with
out a qualm of apprehension. The effect of this
testimony upon the public of Charleston was to
still further excite i'll feeling. When he was
summoned before the investigating committee
of Congress he was very closely examined as to
whether he had used money to obtain favors
from the government. He explicitly denied any
bribery or corruption, and there ia no evidence
that any was used. But anyone who lived
in Charleston at that time, and for
years afterward, could have heard
daily discussions as to whether
George A. Trenholm was or was not a traitor to
the Southern cause from the beginning to the
end. 1t appeared to many that the blockade
running was a great factor in preventing foreign
recognition, and that if no cotton had been al
lowed to go out England would have been obliged
TO help the South. Trenholm was the great
blockade runner, and it was argued that he used
his power in the Confederate Cabinet to have it
continued. 1t is true that he protested to re-
sign from the firm of Fraser & Co., when he
went into the Davis Cabinet. because he could not
constitutionally hold the office while engaged in
commerce; but the fact that when the war closed
he stepped at once, without delay or difficulty,
TO the head of the firm, showed that his separa-
tion from it was only on paper.
After the failure of the firm in 1869.or 1870 the
i'll feeling doubtless died away. and since the
death of George A. Trenholm it may have dis
appeared from view, but it is not improbable that
there are still people in Charleston who pass by
houses which once belonged to them and remem-
Der how and when, and to whom they passed the
titles in exchange for confederate notes or bonds,
or for goods bought at enormous prices.
The President may be sure, even at this date,
that the name OF Trenholm, so far as South Caro-
lima is concerned, adds no weight to the reor-
ganized Ciyil-service Commission. p. S. H..