Description:

UNION TREASURY AGENT IS ARRESTED FOR BRIBERY
War-date letter by Treasury agent Wm. P. Mellen, 4pp. 4to., Cincinnati, Oct. 1, 1864, on Treasury Dept. Office of the General Agent stationery in ink to Sec. W. P. Fessenden. In part: "...I have just learned that Assistant Special Agent Wm. Burnett, of Natchez, Miss., is still in confinement under a military arrest without knowledge of the charges against him. Mr. Burnett, is a son of the late Judge Burnett, and this is as much as can be said in favor of the family relations of any man in the West…I cannot believe he has been guilty of any misconduct for which you would reproach him. I am ignorant as to what charges are made against him…The facts as near as I can learn them are as follows: In the latter part of August, he learned that a Captain Oldin, A.A. Agent of General Brayman, Commanding at Natchez, had accepted a bribe for some official act, and he promptly communicated the fact to Major General Canby, or Dana. That upon investigation it was admitted by Captain Oldin, who was placed under arrest. That thereupon Captain Oldin made charge against Mr. Burnett. That he made arrangements with a lewd woman, named Wells, in Natchez, to go to Vicksburg, and make these charges against Mr. Burnett, to General Dana. That not knowing the character of Mrs. Wells, General Dana, ordered his arrest. That under this order the Custom House and Mr. Burnett's office were seized, together with all the records, money &c. and placed in the hands of the Military, and Mr. Burnett, was placed in close confinement…. If the officers of your Department can be thus treated, they will at least feel reluctant to give bonds, or to perform their duty independently. Yesterday a Mulatto woman of uncommon intelligence, whose truthfulness and honesty are well vouched for, came before me, and made the enclosed affidavit…". Very good.

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June 3, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
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