William Gates requests that Secretary William L. Marcy pay John P. Sord or New York $400 from Gates' personal funds and transmits letter, dated Newport, November 15, from Gates to Franklin Chase
To the Hon. William L. Marcy
Secretary of War - UStates of America
Sir,
Please to pay to Mr. John
P. Sord[?] of New York Four hundred dollars
out of any monies you may have in your
hands belonging to me.
Tampico
December 1848.
New Port Nov 15th
Mr. Chase, Dr Sir
I have been greatly disturbed of late
by that witch Taylor who has made vile
complaints ag'st you and me and as the
Sec'y of War has obliged me to turn over to
him the voluntary gifts present[ed] by my
friends in Tampico contrary to the interest and
desire of the donors charging me as doing
wrong in recieving[sic] them, which I manfully
disputed. I submit the matter to my friends
whether they will not in justice to me and
their own generous selves send me an order
as above if they will I shall instantly be
exonerated from the charge and the gifts
restored, through my friend. It was the free
gift of each gentleman and I am sure they will not see me suffer insult for accepting
what they had a right to offer or refuse at
will. The same is asked of all. The gentlemen
is Mr. Labruner & LaLastre on order to my
Agent. John P. Lord New York $500.00
on Mr Morey -- Mr Tolly also $500.00
Mr. Maliano & Maspoke &ct. 400.00
Mr. Clausen & Ziebe &ct. 700.00
Each of them giving the order
as a restoration of the gift which
has been taken from me by superior author-
ity Who declares I am not at liberty to
receive such presents. To this I demur
stoutly. Those persons were private gentleman
not "Kings, princes, or potentates[?]" personages the con-
stitution refers to which does not apply to me
in this case. The Hon. Sec'y thinks I have violated
the constitution. I do not. This matter has made
much talk and will yet make a noise.
Mr. Holmes of SC member of Congress says you
have an unquestionable right if the gift
was purely private not an enaction or demand
I do not know that any man in Tampico ever
offered me a fee[?] as an inducement to do an
injustice or violate law. Taylor says that we
would not enter thro America before we were
paid a large sum. 'Vile-liar, I told Mr Maspoke
that you were worn out the clerks gone & sick
and perhaps he would have to pay a little "extra" if W. Chase has to get other clerks. [name illegible] called
Charles learned to offer his services. I remember
this well. Not one word as to any [word illegible]
sums of money - was said by us or any one
that I know. Now the present was an
offering for extraordinary kindness done
to Mrs. Maspoke. Under the circumstances of
her case the office about to be close for ever
on the port of the UStates. The troops ordered
to embark and you worn out & sick.
Your acts saved Mr. M. a large sum
which he would have had to pay in to
Mexican Customs. Could not, W, any one
have gone to that office if he chose? certainly
oh, the vile Peter B. He is the only complain-
ant. Not either of our friends housed here
The [word illegible] Sec'y was a little doubtful about
handing me the letters of complaint as they
were hearsay evidence, but as his [word illegible]
was tainted he handed them to me - to read
and "get mad." I remarked in writing
Mr Peter B. said twice he had been obliged
to sign his name - "complimenting me" - was
sorry for it - once as a President of the Council
and once - a "memorial" - miserable devil!!
What will you think when you are warned
to reference the months pay $1000 "an item that"
"excites notice" says Mr Marcy. He considered the
Mexican frauds[?] as his own. So say [words illegible] by the board. Congress will give you something
he says--so says Mr Polk --perhaps so. Now
Mr M. ordered me to fix pay to all under me
Yet he will make every military man pay up [2 words underlined]
Here is a task for him - [word illegible] must turnover
$500 - [word illegible] $500 - won't get either. both gone
Mgrs to Europe. He gave me my salary as Gov'r
because he had nothing to do with it--justly
I am now of opinion Mr M. will send for
proofs -- of our [word illegible] administration to Clawson
& Moliano. Why did not Taylor get them before
he began the war. Hon gentleman would not
furnish lies nor a liar's statements. I suppose
I have written twice to you--as I think it is
difficult to get letters to you now. I hope
you will protect us both in this matter.
I have no distrust in him in a good course
at any time. You are requested to ask for
a letter Note written by me to Maspoke
about Judge [name illegible] and send it to me
It is of no use to Mr Moliano but much to me
Look well to this my dear friend. I do not
mention your name but with respect and
friendship and as to what you did [2 words underlined] and
said to Mr Clawson & Maspoke I know not
that is your affair. I only know you have
been fair and true to me & the UStates
So Heaven prosper you now & ever
W.G.
Peter B. will be at work
again soon no doubt
