Year: 1863

ses. under my system. is twenty one instead
OF fifteen or more. The distribution Of the
work among the examiners is made without
regard TO the number Of the classes Some
examiners have in charge . single class
others two or more. and others parts OF .
single class-th, distribution Of the work
being changed from time to time, according
IS the plumber of applications under each
class varies. The classification has. there
fore, no relation whatever to the expenses
Of the Office.


1t is charged. in the serentA place. that l
appointed one of my sons to . desk where
the only duties were to receive models, NC.
increasing the salary from 81 600 to 8l,6OO
and at the same time allowing him an assis
taut At 5000 per year; appointing another
son to the place OF chief messenger. with the
view of enabling him to purloin money from
the office.


Shortly after entering upon my Office,
appointed one Of my sons. whose business
qualifications arc sufficiently evincsd by the
position he now occupies-brigade commits
sary in the army of the Potomac-to
third class clerkship. the salary OF which
position is Sl.6JO per annum; and as.
signed him to position in the record room.
which had formerly been occupied by
clerk of the same class. There were then
two clerks in the record-room. when found
it necessary to reduce the number OF en-
! ployees, and dismissed . clerk employed IN
the model-room, where three clerks had
formerly been employed. aud assigned my
son to that position, leaving but one clerk
in the record-room. l assigned my son to
that position because it was one OF pecun'-
ary responsibility that clerk receiving large
sums of money with the models which
come by express. During the time that he
was there not an instance ever came to my
knowledge of a complaint of loss OF money.
/ This SON some time since resigned and join.
ed the army, where have two other sons.
enduring the hardships and privations OF the
rank aud file.


have another son. who is chief messen
ger of the Office. at q salary OF Ss40 year.
and he is the only relative Of mine who Is
holding office in Washington. notwithstand.
ing the statement that employ "host OF
my own kindred" The position OF chief
messenger, it is true, is one of much pecu'
mary responsibility, and one which offers
opportunities to dishonest man. For that
very reason. pecuniarily responsible myself.
dorsed by friends. for the conduct of the
business affairs of the office, felt it not on
ly my right. but my duty to place in that
responsible position member Of my fam
i!y-one in whom had reason for perfect
confidence, and who would be constantly
under my eye, aud would be kept faithful
to his trust by the sanction OF filial duty
The committee are aware how signally al
attempts have failed to impeach his honesty.
The eighth charge is that l allow my
friends to be absent for months at time
and to draw their pay as if present.


There is but one case which furnishes the
slightest foundation for this charge; and
that is of an assistant examiner, who. at tho
written request Of several members OF Con-
gress from New York. was permitted to ab
sent himself from the office tor two or three
months, for the purpose of rallying troops
to enlist in the State of New York. During
his absence he made nearly one hundred
speeches in various parts OF the State, and
have the written assurance Of Governor
Morgan tha. his patriotism and eloquence
were invaluable in rallying men around the
fag OF the Union. There is but one class
of men which could speak one word of re-
proach against the Patent Office for my con
duct 10 this matter.


The ninth charge is that about the 2S.h
Of November established . new desk in
the Office for the purpose Of corresponding
with newspapers, members OF Congress. DC.
The only answer l make to this charge is
that it is without the slightest shadow or
preteuce Of foundation.
The tenth charge is that keep carriage
and horses for my private use, at the expense
of the Patent Office.


l found pair of horses and two carriages
here when l came-the carriages belonging
to the Patent Office, and the horses hired
Of the then messenger-one for the Patent
Office. and the other for the agricultural di
vision Of the same. The same carriage is
now used that was then, and the same prics
is paid for the hire of the horse. The horse
and carriage is used almost every day by
some one engaged in official duties, and -
necessary to The prompt transaction oil the
business OF the Office.


The eleventh eIArge is that I employed
Mr.. ID. Jay Browne. at q salary OF $4,000
per annum, to visit Europe 10 quest of agri.
cultural Information.


The charge contains an imputation upon
the character and capacity of Nj. Browne.
which the many eminent scientific men in
the country who know him will deem j,
wholly unnecessary for me to answer.
need not here refer to what Was accomplish.
Gu Uy mf. DEOWu- III LAIOpCs dS nave IL
ready given full repor, upon that subject
to Congress in answer TO q resolution Of the
House. 1t is sufficient for me to say, fur
sher, that Mr.. Browne was appointed by me.
not only from my personal knowledge of his
ability. but upon the recommendation oi
many Of the most distinguished members
Of the republican party and prominent citi-
zens Of Washington. The books Of the
office show tha. Mr.. Browne received only
So. 900. the allegation that he received s4.5
being wholly unfounded.
| There are other minor matters connected
| with nv official conduct discussed in the
! pamphlet referred to which will glance 1t.
not deeming formal answQ or refus.tior
| necessary. Reference is made TO the CLAIM
of Henry-F. Davis. and am csnsursd. on
the one hand, for not paying the claim out
of the surplus fund Of the Office. and on the
other. for urging the payment of the claim