Ann Chase writes to her sister discussing financial matters in regard to business in Tampico. She defends herself against accusations that she pocketed the reserves.
Washington D C
Aug 2 1848.
My dear Sis,
I will write you a short
letter now and a long one by me
I reached this place on the 29th July and
yesterday I saw Mr. Marcy with my papers [2 words underlined].
He recd me respectfully, sat down and began
about my hard task [2 words underlined] at Tampico, then
asked for my papers, books, etc. I came out
with my receipts, which contained the Blank [word underlined heavily]
receipts of Maj Donhules[?]--instead of the origin-
al ones. No matter now, I called for the monthly statements and found all
safe--that for [word illegible] said $32,000 and
your statement 30,000--all right by me.
I asked for his clerk to settle. In one
hour we returned to him with a report
that all was correct & complete--every
cent accounted for beautifully. I then
said, "That report kills all evil tales
of my pocketing the reserve." He looked
queer. I asked if he had not recd "evil
reports" he replied "Some Offices" --"Then Sis
"said I[.] I care not now if they be afoot "high on your table" he replied. He asked
if I had taken a division of the seizures &
I replied ["]Yes sir"--as they had some every where
in Mexico. They divided at Vera Cruz 50 times
"Oh!, said he. "Well I do not know if I shall
order you to refund, but will see when
the accounts are settled." There never
were honest men [2 words underlined] more deserving than
Mr chase & myself, of the teller[?], divided in that
way for God knows we had hard work
He said. ["]You had no right to divide," the
tarrif[sic] said, so & so[?]. I rejoined Yes Sir--but
the law says--divide. There was no law
in the case he said. I told him the laws
of Congress March 3 1797 were in my hands
and my only guide--as the tarrif only
said "Confiscate" & so I put him to it
hard--finally I said "Then do you condemn
my judgement of the Oregon? if you do
the whole of the proceeds must be returned etc[?].
He was stumped, and said, "We will see
to that." I suspect the Com'mr of Way & Means will
report a bill concerning this reserve money[,]
the manner of settling etc. today. They [word underlined] have
refused to consider the matter and there
rests the whole subject. The auditors will
not touch [it] at all and so the President is in a dilemma - what to do with the funds[.]
Congress will have nothing to do with revenue
collected of all [word underlined] "citizens in Mexico." My opinion
is that all will rest in a state of inactivity-
and that accounts [word illegible] away- The Sec'y asked
for my city [word underlined] acc'ts." I told him the council had
settled them. But said he "The money you rec'd
after the council had been broken off."
"What [word illegible] said I " do you wish to see such small
"matters", "Why yes, said he, if you have had any
conceivable sum put into your hands"- Mr. Taylor[word underlined]
reported that I had fobbed a good deal" fine
fellow he. Well Sis there is the whole acc't
receipts etc. - leaving $155.52 due to me. "Do You
include your salary of $200. [4 words underlined] he asked with an
arched look- I fired and said Certainly"
Here I set out, I told him the Gov't gave it
he said Whab [What about?] yourself" "Most surely" was my reply.
I had a right to order and increase to keep [word underlined]
it until the Congress say "No"- I was right
mad-and he hurried off. I got in a high
fever and met him boldly, and finally
asked if he ever saw $840.000 accounted for in
such short metre[?]?. he said- very well[.] Sis
I presented the [word illegible] of my Dr. Rations" and
he signed it and giving me 30 day leave
I left him. he had an appeal from Wally[?] and Seindenberger[?] about the Oregon but he
can do nothing with it, so it rests Now
I shall hold over until I learn some
thing further. It is said the Revenue is
to be put into the Public Chest and accoun-
ted for as other revenue, but the Pres't cant
get it into the Chest. Now the Sec'y has not
given me any order, at all. I shall write
again, only he wants the whole of the
Rec'pt Books & papers. Therefore please send
them to me at Old Point Fort Monroe
via N. Orleans care of QMaster.
"Mrs Chases"[?] [word illegible] on resting Feb. in this
Com[?] as I [am] worn[?]. I have spoken to a Senator
to do something about them and he will
but do not rely on heartless politicians
to [word illegible] it. Well just rec'd Amelia's letter
She sends her love to you [word illegible] C. and
Amadia. Little Loo is [is] fine Hariet[?] sends
love to Pinky.
In haste best ever
Yours
[signature illegible]
