Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-05-10
Our State Misrepresented "

To the Editor of the Alexandria Gazette:
In q recent letter to the Richmond Dis
patch, Mr.. Frank G. Rufin, Second Auditor
of Virginia, asserts that I "miarepresented
our State" with respect to its indebtedness
to the United States, in en- interview with
your Washington correspondent.
am referred to as zone OF the agenta lo'
the collection of the siats's claim for The
money she advanced the government In The
war of 1872 u This YVES an erroneous but
natural inference OF the correspondent. l
am not ore OF the agents; but for ten years
have been re aimed to prepare bills, reports,
briefs, aud to explain and advocate the Claim be
fore committees Of Congress.
Mr. Ruffin says, Virginia never borrowed the
IN prey at all (meaning the Indian Trust funo
in the sense of tha word used by Judge CIltcher
The late K. M. T. Hunter informed me That the
Secretary of the Treasury invested these indian
| Trast Funds in Virginia bonds, by his request
and that tho expcnse of the Washington monu
ment cccisioned the loan. Bat this is immaierial
Virginia borrowed the money, aud has spent it
What follows is more important
Mr. Ruttn OF .cts to my statement, made IN
| casual conversations without reference to papers
that Virginia had paid only months interest
| since the war;" On the contrary, he asserts that
$3.50 coo were paid by Gen. Candy, August g.
| 1869 and the further sum of $23, 212 on March
| I'd, 1870 on account Of the Indian Trust Fund
| In letter now before me- written by Hon. VIM
Window Secretary of the Treasury, dated May
| 3D. 1890, he says, "In reply have the horror to
advise you, that upon the information given in
your letter after Giligent search, trace OF the
item amounting to $350,00O, named by you, is
found in the record made by Gen. Candy nor 10
the receipts into the Treasury of tho United
! states"
He adds at appears however, that tho Stste
j of Virgins dcposted in the First National Bank
OF Richmond Va, on the 22i January, 1870, in
| pursuance OF an order Of Gen. E. K. S. Caaby
| Especial order no Is LIST Military District, Jaay
| D. IS o. two items of $l1 ,636 zach, in all
$23 272 being iute; est at rer cent. for the cacn
dar year, 1865, on 1881 500 Virginia skies. This
amount was covered into the Treasury of the
United States by miscollan' Gus revenue covering
warrant No. 400 of March 7th, 1870 for $ 4, $50,
and applied to tho benefi Of various trbe5 of H.
d ans &C.. and by miscellaneous revenue covering
! warrant No 10I of March Z. 1870 for $11 ,363,
| to reimburse the United States for money previ-
ousy appropriated by Congress for the 1ndians.,
Mr. RUtfn makes another statement, Which
| hope he may be able to establish. Ec says, "On
| the other hand the interest duo to the State OF
Virginia by the Uni;ci States on two sums-one
duo ninety nino years ago and the other seventy
/ eight years ago-aggregato 81 ,O)4, 40 80, on
| rhich rot one cent has erer been PAID
1t is matter of record, that, in pursuance of an
opinion of William Writ, Attorney General OF tho
United States, interest amounting TO Sis 4SO. IL
was paid by the United States to Virginia on &C.
count of one OF those claims the advance made to
the gov eminent in tho of 1912 Id.
1t will give me sincere pleasure to find that Mr..
Ruilin can establish his statements. But fear ho
has 'misTepros 3nted our State
JOHN CRITcHEE.