Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-04-10
MONEY"

10 he editor Of the alexandria Gu=cfte:
% the 9TH ofMarch, 1886, there appeared
in the Richmond Dispatch an editorial
quoting at some length an article written by
Ex-Governor Pierpoint, which attempted to
show how the sum of Sl1, 657, received by
James W. Paxton, esq.,, from the United
States, in behalf of Virginia, was expended.
TO that article there appeared in your said
paper Communication from me, which, in
substance, requested an answer I o certain
definite and specific questions from the edi-
tor Of the Dispatch, simple ones and
supposed susceptible OF answers by said edi-
Tor. l had no doubt of it until | read an
other editorial in the Dispatch OF the 2%d
March, 1856 Itappears, however that the
editor of the Dispatch could not answer
them and called upon Ex-Governor Pier
point to relieve him from his inability. The
very learned ex Governor III the said edito-
rial of 23cd March, lSSG, has thought it pro.
per, in his own defence, TO make certain
corrections in the quotations from said ex-
Governor, appearing in an editorial of the
5;h March, 1856, and then at some length
gives very pathetic picture OF the distress
of the inmates Of the lunatic asy !llm at
Staunton, and how he came 10 their relief
by using, without authority, the money If
Virginia in the purchase of various supplies
for them, which money he says was part
Of the said money received from the United
States and which no doubt Was kept some
rhcrc from August :, 1861, 10 about 18th
March, 1875, possibly for the special purpose
of said inmates. The heart that responded
p that distress, would haze beat the quicker
in sledge hammer pulsations of charity had
its blood been in q pure normal state Of
generosity and first responded to The old
saying Of being lust before generous" But
it is somewhat curious TO see him, the
learned Ex-Governor, hold up The pathetic
picture mentioned and keep in tho back
ground answers to the dcdnlc inquiries pro-
pounded to the editor of the Di"pdtch
Let me repeat these inquiries, for fear That
the editor and his learned attorney, the ex-
Governor Of Virginia, may have overlooked
them in contemplating the distress Of the
inmates Of tho asylums, and do not let it be
forgotten that the 81 ,G57 was received by
Jas. w. Paxton, on ri August, 1861, and
hat tho proper authority ut Richmond says
that dilgcnt search has failed TO discover
the receipt O any part Of said SUM 0 money
into the treasury Ct Virginia. This was one
Of the inquiries, viz "Whero YVES that mo.
ncy from Angus! >, 1861, until June 1863,
when Governor Picrpont commenced TO
pay it out, as he says he did, i'll the support
of the asylums before mentioned ~
This question has not been answered.
II may be that the $ll ,Gj7 was not paid in
10 the abbreviated banks mentioned until
June. 1865. Ilso, where WAS i; from Aug.
>, 1851? In other words, When did Paxton
pay il over, ard 10 whom, and how much of
it was paid into the said abbreviated banks?
am very much indebted TO The kindness of
tho tx Governor, by informing me, without
solicitation, that "the payment of a debt to
an unauthorized party was no payment"
ara happy TO say that do rot need snch
Information, because the status OF this mat.
ter does not require so far as my position
ual duties are concerned, or warran. Il legal
opinion on payments UnantAorz2d, pay
merits 10 the duly authorized aGrut O! Nir
giDia as Mr.. Paxton, who appears 10 hay"
been 80 represented, but that iega! opinion
would be valuable should Virginia seek
by proper legal methods TO have ali account
rendered by its agents who handled tha
s.! ,GJI The status is not, ~ tie eiitorof;Gc
Dtsp"tch seems tc think, AMI would mako
hcicvc, That OF twice seeking payment lrom
the United States q claim that has been
paid 10 proper agents, hu. rather of making
such agents account tor their stewardship in
reference TO the III, Coz
.joEN a. MORAN,
Special agent Of Virginia.