Year: 1873

memorandum book; he sat one side of the table ana


sat ON the other in the office of the Union Paclhc
Railroad Company in York, just as we sit oppo-
site each other now at this table; when he read
wrote the names this was early in February, 1905
my reason for writing that list of names was that
had before written list which he had given to me,
and in that list he had stated he had given share
TO Senator Jas A. Bayard of Delaware, the old gen
tleman, which found that he had not done.


O. Have you other letters from Mr.. Amesf A.
have other letters have only one here and would
prefer not to produce il now unless am Obliged TO
desire to say no more in this case than L am COM
PEELED to say for my personal yindication this In
vestgation is not of my seeking at all


@, II we are to inquire into your correspondence
with Mr. Ames in reference TO this subject it will be
our duty to learn all there is A. 1t is Tor the COM
mittee to say have only one letter here and have
"a motive for Withholding it just which do not
object TO expressing privately to you gentlemen;
wonld like the Committee to go through with their
examination with other witnesses before this letter
is brought in will bring it in after i have heard
these other gentlemen testify would rather not
do it now


O. see that in this letter of Jan. 30 reference is
made to the letter Mr. Ames had received from you
inclosing copy of a letter to Mr. King; have you
that letter. A. Mr. Ames has that letter, presumed
have not looked to see whether have copy OF it
OF not.


O. What Mr.. King is thats A. John L. King Of
Springfield, Mass. who was stockholder, and an
acquaintance of all these gentlemen.


O. The Committee think whatever letters OF writ
ings this subec in your possession they Ought
to have now. A'Can not be permitted TO with
hold it until these other gentlemen have testifedf


ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT LETTER FROM AMEs.


The Chairman--We are not trying any case be-
tween parties. The Committee desire you TO pro-
duce the letter at this time.


A. This is the only letter i have here did want
to withhold it simply in reference to statement
made by MT. Blaine, yesterday; that is the entire
reason have for withholding it; because, in this
letter. in addition to speaking of members of Con-
gress it gives Mr. Amess view of the value OF this
stock at the time Mr. Blaine claims to have been
offered the stock at very much higher price than
has been named in the newspapers.


O. The letter which you produce is in Mr. Ames's
handwritingi A. 1t is; here is the original, and
also have photographed copy.


The letter was read and placed in evidence, as
follows:


II. s. McCoMB, esqDear Sir: Yours OF the 2lst Is at
hand. glad hear that you are getting along so
wen with Mr.. West Hope you will bring It out all sat
isaetory so that it will be rich that cannot help
going into IL, return you tho paper by mail that you
ask for You ask me II will sell Of my u. p. X. h
stock will sell some of it at par c. NJ. Of A. don't
care 10 sell hear that Mr. Bates offered his at $780,
but don't want Bates TO sell out think Grimes may
sell part OF m at $3.50 want that 1900 increase OF
the Credit Mobherito cell here. We want moro friends
In this Congress, and If will look into the law, and
it is difficult get them TO do it unless they have an
interest to do So he cannot help being convinced that
we should be nterfered WITH Hope to see you here
or at New-York the llth. Yours truly,


oAKEs AMEs.


Witness-l have some more letters which did not
bring with me- but / have sent my clerk TO leOk
them up and ascertain whether they have any bear
ing on this subject; brought these copies, which
had photographed, TO be used in the suit to which
reference has been made; i was away when this in
yestigation was ordered, and had no opportunity to
examine my papers, after received notice TO come
here as a witness.


CoNVERS ATOMS WITH AMEs.


O. II you have other correspondence which has
anv bearing upon this subject desire you TO pro-
duce it. A. | will do anything that is demanded Of
me by the Committee.


Q. State when you first had any conversation with
Mr. Ames upon this subjectY A. Some time in the
early part of January.


Q. Where was that conversation held A. In New
York; had been asked to sign paper allowing Mr.
Ames to take some stock without the purpose being
specified; signed the paper under protest, with the
distinct understanding expressed by all the persons
present that it would not interfere with my claim
that was done at meeting of the trustees, who
building the Northern Pacific Railroad under Oakes
Ames's contract; the meeting was in New-YOrk, in a
room occupied by Mr. Durant the corner of Cedar
and Nassau-sts.; did finally sign the paper under
protest and signed it without reading it; the pur-
port of it, as stated was to allow him to take certain
shares of stock but there distinct understand
ing at the time signed it that it was not to affect
my claim in any manner


Q. Have you that paperi A. They have it; have
not ! never had a copy ofit.


O. Are you able to state any more particularly the
contents of that paper than you have nowf A. My
recollection of the statement made was, that so
much of the Credit MOblier stock should be allowed
to be taken by Mr.. Durant and so much by Mr.
Ames did not read it as have said it stated
to in general terms; they wanted the large stock
holders to give their consent to these shares being
SO taken: this statement was made by these gentle
men at this meeting of trustees


O.. At that meeting was anything said as to what
disposition Mr.. Ames was to make of these shares
A. Not word TO me that heard at that time, other
than what have stated was the last signer on
the paper, | think


Q. About what time was thisi A. I could ascer-
tain the time from the books of the Company if
had access to them; think it was early in January,
1868.


Q. This paper was signed by yourself and othersi
A. Yes, by five or six.


@. Do you remember the number of shares author
lied to be taken by Mr.. Ames in this wayi A.
think something like 200; i do not remember the
exact number ; l had refused peremptorlly to sign
the paper, and there quite wrangle discus
sion in the meeting at the time; John b. Alley was
present, and remember that he was very suaye in
giving me TO understand that it should not affect
IL oil afafad t,at Il