w wid Michell,
¥ cerufl
:
:
a
x
4
5
© mearly thc whole amount mus: ha
a person of Mr, Find
a.
TR
vd
|
hd
“Findlay gave tands on some one or more charge must appear from the time at which
{ >
7
The certificate of James Micheli is In
=ibstance the same as Mr. JM Glinsey’s
“xcept that he does not state the amount
! states nothing out that an exchange
Was made at Harrisourg. =~ Chere is one
other fact that appears by it. Gen A.
“ he had all his money in
par paper.” Mitchell acknowledged in
the presence of several gentlemen, that
the word ¢ exchange’ was inserted in his
Cate, without his knowledge or con-
sent.
Lhe writer in the Aurora has thought
Proper to bring forward another piece of
€vidence. It 1s ap extract from the
Beaver Gazette. In this paper it is said,
Du a merchant from the county of
“aver was an eye witness to the fact
“ol the exchange « In the latter part
4 of February 1818, that he was in compa-
* ny wich general Acheson, and was in the
“* State treasury at the same time,” This
merchant 1s said to have heard general A.
ask Mc. Findlay to exchange $10,000,
to have seen the check given to the gene-
ral, on the bank of Pennsylvania for that
Sumi, and Lhe western money deposited in
the tregsury, «The merchant from the
county of Beaver who was an eye witness
to the fact oi the exchange” turns out to
be Robert Darrah who has givena state-
ment over his own s ignature, materially
different from that published by the editor
of thc Beaver Gazette, and although he
says he was inthe office, close to the
counter and saw the transaction, his cer-
tificate contradicts the information com-
“
tly brother. Br. Cummins confiems thi
account, and produces the memorandum iv
the hand writing ot the General.
The Pittsburg notes were exchanged
for eastein paper in Pitsburg, and on these
exchanges no doubt can exist that the a
mount of money was on an average equa.
to par. These circumatances induced M:.
Cummins and Mr Acheson to feel confi-
dent that no such exchange, as was assert-
ed, could have taken place. The gen. had
pot $10,000 to exchange, and the state
could not have suffered by an exchange.
Ou arriving at Harrisburg, we presume
the general went to the office of the treasur-
er for the amouut of orders. whic he had,
and may have received a check on Philadei-
phia as a mutual accommodation to the
state and himself. If the transaction took
place, and publicly as itis stated, it must be
presumed fair and honest. The tree man-
ner iu waich general Acheson spoke of the
matter to friend, foe and stranger proves
that he considered there was no correct.
ness in the cenduct of Mr. Findiay or him:
self. Il he tnought there was any impro-
priety in the act, he would not, alter taking
advantage of it, have had the ing atitude to
have exposed Mr. Findlay. No, general
Acheson like Myr, Morgan, thought at tie
time there was nothing improper in the
affair. It was done openly, in presence of
strangers by Mi. Fiodlay ; it was spoken of
without reserve by gen. A. and Mr. Mor-
gan a year alter he knew the affair gave jus
his vote for Mr. Findlay.
While the Aurora does not pretend to
municated to the Gazette, and all the
testimoney heretofore submitted by the
©f the Pailadelphia Banks at par—and
says hic is convinced that the whole or
‘ been
in the notes of middle or westerntbanks
Mr. Darrah says he saw the transaction,
and head the conversation, and yet takes
grea lautude in his evidence. By the
memorandum in general A's hand writing
annexed to the statement of I). Acheson
It appears that a considerable portion of
the nioney he had with him, was in east-
ere paper, and in gold and silver. Like
all the evidence adduced in support of the
charge Myr Darrah’s statement is neti g
but 2 mass of Incongruities and contradic-
tions. It Me. Darrah was present at the
transaction, and it was done openly before
the clerks, it shows that Mr. Findlay ¢ith-
er cousidered it an innocent affair, or was a
pericct maniac, No man can beliese thot
lay’s
would have been guilty of so outragoeus
. a picce of folly, if he bad been capable
P of such dishonesty asto defraud the state
in the presence of an office tull of stran-
gers and clerks.
But the Aurora ofthe 15th inst. asserts
that the check was not for $ 10,000, and
that, it was not drawn in the « latter end”
but in the ¢ first week in February.” The
gen tleman from Beaver county wished to
get a similar exchange, but did not prove
successful. Why, then did he not publish
the account before Mr, Findlay was nomi-
nated? Why did he wait until general
Acheson’s tongue was precluded from ex-
plaining the affair, by death. a
All the pretence of any impropriety in
this affair, is founded on hearsay evidence
of the words of a man who has for two
years ceased to exist. And his words are
distinctly remembered and loosely reported
by all; the witness is thereloie in no dan-
ger ot being denied. Well, do the men
who are now circulating the story, know
that nothing but the simple fact of a check
for $8000 having been drawn and paid to
General Acheson, can be proved by the
books of the treasury and bank. The ex-
_ planation must principally depend on Gen.
Acheson who is dead and Mr. Findlay who
cannot give testimony in his own favor.
The liberty and property of the citizen can
never be affected by hearsay evidence, and
“' ¢ a fair and honorable character, which has
ak *
& trifling and Improper testimony
resisted the attacks of malice and political
enemies, shall not, be destroyed by such
The
plain, simple state o this wondertul affair
may be clearly explained, if the circum-
| stances which have been developed be care
fully attended to. Gen. Acheson was in
Hl partnership with his brother for a co sider-
© was, 1s is usual with western merchants
fe. about to leave home to make pur-
HE)
{ ®€ciases, made out and left with his partner,
: $1 Mo.
able time, and the firm was dissolved on
the 1st of January, 1815. The quantity of
\ stock on hand, prevented them from making
a settlement until the 25th, a few days pre-
vious to the General’s departure for Phila
delphia. In making this settlement, Mur.
David Acheson, became acquainted with
the amount and different kinds of notes in
possession of his brother. This money had
belonged to and been in possession of the
late firm. + Mr. D. Acheson therefore knew
its value and considered it on an average
equal to Philadelphia paper. A memorar-
dum of the amount and kind of money,
encmies of Mr Findlay. Mr. Darrah)
~ 8watesthe amount was between 5 and ten : :
thousand dollars, in return for which Mr. lection for governor. The absurdity of thi
charge the treasurer with taking the alleg-
ed difference to his own use, he charges
him wih intending to purchase Gen. Ach-
eson’s influence in his favor at the next e-
it is said to have happened. Mr. Snyder
had jast been elected governor, and in the
first weck in February, 1815, had been two
‘months in office. At that time the public
mind had not acted on the subject of his
successor, and if Mr. Findlay had then any
ts . .
‘idea of being his successor, the hop: must
have been very remote. If he were capa
ble of bribing Gen. Acheson, he would
have preferred keeping the money himself
to giving it for the influence of one citizen
to produce a nomination which did not take
place until the 4th March, 1817, more than
two years after the affuir.
That the state has ncver suffered any
loss by the alleged exchange, will appear
from this circumstance. We cannot find
that the treasurer has ever allowed a dis
count on paper which has been paid by him
Foe the sunnnanw cally Ul tiny dee has eyCT
mind and talents chased eastern notes to pay the debts of
the commonw:alth. The policy of the
state was to place all bank notes as far as
possible on an equal footing. It would not
therefore have been proper in the com-
mencement, to take advantage of the pre-
mium of the eastern notes, by selling them
to a broker,
The state, therefore, would derive no ad-
vantage from eastern paper, even if it were
20 per cent. above western, for it would
have been paid without receiving or char
ging a premium. No loss has been sus.
tained by the state or individuals in western
money, because it has been paid in coun-
‘ties where it passes currently. There ap-
pears to be more money received from the
eastern pait of the state by the treasurer,
and less paid by him to persons in that quar-
ter than the western, consequently there
would be a balance of eastern money in the
treasury, after paying the eastern claims.
Supposing for a moment, the allegations
that are made by the opponents of the dem-
‘ocratic candidate are true, and that at a
‘time the legislature were sitting, and there
was necessarily a want of a transfer of some
of the state funds in Philadelphia to Har-
{risburg, a western merchant did propose to
‘deposit some notes, and take a check in
‘exchange on the bank of Pennsylvania, what
‘impropriety would there have been in ac-
.cepting the offer ? The state could not suf:
iter, for the western notes were as good as
eastern for its purpose, and it would have
had a good effect in favor of the country
banks to let the public see the government
had confidence in them, and found their pa-
per as good as any other, and did not, like
the Aurora, think their paper ¢ old rags.”
The public manner in which the act is al-
leged to have been done, while it shows that
{nothing improper was mtended, supports
this idea.
To the editor of the Dem. Press.
During my absence from the city I find
the friends of Mr. Hester, styling them-
selves « independent republicans,” have
chosen me as one oftheir delegates to form
the ticket in the city of Philad“Iphia. I
think it my duty to state that it was dene
without my knowledge or approbation, and
that I am determined by all hororable
Cummins, with whom he had entered
means to support Wm, Findlay for gover-
nor at the next election.
‘WM, HAYDOCK.
_ into business on dissolving the firm with
Philadelphia, Aug. 4, 1817,
.
AMERICAN PATRIOT.
y¥
« To speak his thouznis,
ds cvery Freeman’sright.”’
DeLLEFONTR, SEPTEMBER 8, 1817.
ER OR a A
DIED—On Monday evening last, in this
borough, Mr. George Carorhers, aged abou!
45years. The deceased was formerly a
preceptor at York, Pa. but bas been fo
some tine past a clerk in one of the publi
offices at this place ; and by his amiable
Jisposition and geatlemanly deportment,
had acquired (among strangers) the esteem
and good wishes of the most respectable
citizens of this neighborhood. His tunerai
was attended by a large procession of the
mhabitants of the borough, and his inter
ment performed with military and mason'c
(\OnorSs. Harrisburg Oracle.
From the Bradford Gazette,
The deposition of Mathan Ballard, taken
before John MiKean, Esg one of the esso-
ciate judges of Bradford county,
BRADFORD COUNTY, 8S.
Beiore me, John M:Kean, one of the as-
sociate Judges in & tor the county ol Brad-
‘ord, personally appeared Capt. Natha
Jallard,y of the township of Burlington, in
Lhe county ajoresaid : who being duly sworn
deposeth and saith, that on or "about the
14th day of June last, being then in the
employ ol Maj. Ezra Long, of Troy town.
ship, in the atercsaid county of Bradford,
runbing lumber to market down the Sus-
quehanna river, and being landed a short
distaace above Midiletown, in Dauphin
county, was informed that Gen. Heiser, of
Reading, Berks county, was there, who
wisned to purchase a quantity of shingles
for his own immediate use ;——that on hear.
ing the name ot Heiser, this depoaent en-
quired particulaily whether it was the
same Joseph Hcister, who was held up as
a candidate for governor, and answered in
the affirmative, tiat it was the self samc
man ==that Maj. Long went where Mo.
Heister was, and in a few moments returner
to the raft where this deponent was, in com
pany with Mr, Heister, that the following
conversation ther ensued, viz: said Heis
ter, what price do you ask for your shin-
gles? Long replied, that the shingles were
put up by measure, were generally wider
than commoii, and that they might not hold
out in full number by count, nevertheless
they would ley as much roof asene thousand
shingles or tile ordiiary width; said Long
you may have my shingles at eight dollars
Mr. Heister then observed that he was
well pleased with the shingles, but had that
morning sent his carpenter to Harrisburg,
:0 pur@hase shingles ; that his carpenter
would return in a few hours and provided
he did not purchase, that he the,said Heis-
ter would purchase Mr. Long's shingles,
and requested Maj. Long to wait the return
of his carpenter. Long then again observ-
ed to Mr. Hester ;—=I presume Gen. there
is no misunderstanding between us about
the shingles—~you are 10 have the shingles
at eight dollars per thousand as put up by
measure, ten dollars if counted, which was]
conceded by Mr. Heister. A perfectly
fair understanding appeared to exist be.
tween the partiesy—and according to the
request of Mr. Heister, Mr. Long waited
wiih his hands for Mr. Heister’s carpenter,
who after some hours returned from Har-
risburg, but had made no purchase. The
carpenter after examining the shingles told
the hands belonging to the raft to put on
shore such bunches of shingles as he should
mark, which was accordingly dune to the
amount often thousand. That Mr. Long
then started to the house where Gen. Heis-
ter was. at a Mr. Bombargers,~~who this
deponent understood to be a tenant of Mr
Heister’s but soon met Mr. Heister com-
ing towards the raft and returned to said
raft, Heister then said he believed there
was some mistake about the shingles aad
that he must have them counted for eight
dollars per thousand,- said Long, Gen. you
know there was a fair bargain and an expli-
cit understanding on the subject ; you were
to give ten dollars if the shingles were coun-
ted or eight if you took them by measure ;
and I cannot agree now to have them coun-
ted at eightdollars ; then said Hester J
will take the shingles—Long told Heiste,
after afair contract and being de'ained there
on expense sore time and the shingles be-
ing put off at his orders be considered such
treatment ungentlemanly and unfair ; Heis
ter then offered tob: at the expense of
having the shingles put on the rat again ;
Long replied, thut his businesss was to dis-
pose of bis lumber as soon as convenient
Heisier again declared that he would ne:
take the shingles—neither will I take them
said Lorg, and asit was a fair contrac
Long said he would soon'be ina way of g+ 7;
ting his money, if he had to fHllow him th
said Heister, into Becks county; you thes
mean to sue me said Heister; indeed 1}
do said Long if you do noi pay me; you
i
per thousand by measure, or 1 will count
them to yon at ten dollars per thousand.
cannot frighten me in that way said Heis-
ter ; (about this time Long gave orders to
his men to prepare to start on immedi~
ately ) Heister finding thet Long would
neither be frightened nor baffled by him,
said, I will take the shingles but never
will buy any more from you. Heister ap-
peared to be somewhat in a passion and
called Long a shrewd Yunkee, and left
the raft and walked towards nis lodging}
Long calied to Mr. Heister, and said,
General, I presume you know you have
aot paid me for those shingles ; Heister
aid yes, I knowl have not paid you for
‘he shingles (this being on Saturday e-
vening) and that be could not pay hiro un-
dl after the bank in Middletown opened
on Monday morning following Lung
sald he would call on him on Monday
morning, but where shall Ifiad you, said
Loag ; at this place was Heister’s answer
(meaning the house of Mr. Bombarger)
that on Monday morning they were Ine
iormed by Mr. Bombarger that Gen. Heis~
ter had started for Reading, the day pree
viously, being on the Sabbath day, and
had left with Mr. Bombarger, Eighty dol
lars to pay for the ten thousand shingles,
m the most depreciated paper that circus
ates in Our country, on various distant
and interidr banks in the states of Mary-
iand, Virginia, Ohiv and Pennsylvania, none
of which was at par, and some much un=~
der par. This deponent further states
that he was the more precise and particus
iar in observing the conduct of Mr. Heister
in the above transaction and indeed the
more surprised knowing him tobe a cane
didate for the office of Governor, and.
that in the opinion of this deponent the
transaction on the part of Mr. Heister
was not only disgrace ully penurious and
mean, but was strongly marked with in-
tentions of dishonesty ;~this deponent
further saith that consciously csnsidering
it a duty which he owes te himself and
fellow ciizens to submit to the public,
and solemnly attest to the foregoing cane
id statement of facts, especially atatime
when this said Joscph Heister is held-
torth for public suftiage a candidate for
thie important office of governor of Pennisyls
vania; aud as corroborative of the fore
joing statemen! this deponent refers the
public to Maj Long of Troy, and David
Edwards of Springheid township, who
vere both present and equally known t@
he whole transaction.
NATHAN BALLARD,
Sworn and subscribed before
me, August 1, 1817. 3
JOHN M KEAN.
Sheriff's Sale.
BY virtue of a writ of Zi Fa tome dis.
rected will be exposed to public sale, of
Monday the 15th inst. at the house of Ro-
bert Mitchell, in Patton township, Centre
county, the following property, viz : horses
cows, sheep, hogs, grain, hay and sundry
other property. Seized and taken in exe
ecution as the property of said Mitchell
and to be sold by
Wm. ALEXANDER, Skerifl.
Sept. 2.
For Sale.
THE subscriber offers for sale a valua-
ble Ore Bank, well opened, only ahous
500 loads have yet been taken out. The
ore is of an cxcellent quality, and is sup-
posed to be almost inexhaustable. From
one to ten acres of land will be sold with it,
as may best suit the purchaser. For terms
of sale apply to the subscriber living near
the property. ;
JOSIAY LAMBORN.
Patton township, Aug. 26, 1817.
Caution.
THE Public are cautioned against pur.
chasing from Josiah Lamborn, the Ore
bank and land advertised by him for sale
nthe American Patriot of this day, as hig
itle to the land in question will Ye con-
rested by
JOSEPH MILES.
Bellelonte, Sept. 1, 1817.
Creditors take notice,
Thatwe have applied to the Court of
Common Pleas of the county of Centre
for the benefit of the Insolvent Act, and
we court have appointed Wednesday the
17h day of September next, at the Court
nouse in Bellefonte, tor a heaving of us and
our Creditors, when and where you mag
«tend if you thisk proper
PYARD ERNEST,
PHILIP TAYLOR,
GATLIF THOMAS
Beliofente Jail, Aug. 36, 1816,
A