Page:Looters of the Public Domain.djvu/232



Washington. D. C. Feb. 5. 1905.

My Dear Judge:

I am almost afraid to write a word as those scoundrels will misconstrue everything and distort all that is said. Your friend with letter did not arrive here until today. Your letter only received at 3 p. m. I have made search for my copy of articles of co-partnership of 1901, but am unable to find it. I think it must be among my papers in office.

Harry, of course, prepared these articles. You will see Harry on his arrival. I found our supplementary agreements of date November 1, 1904, which are all right. Harry has these with him. Now the facts are these, and you must deal with them accordingly. First, under our articles, I was not to have any interest whatever in any business you might do in any of the departments or in any land matters. Second, as a matter of fact, I never knew until now that any charges for any such services had been credited either to me or the firm or that my account had ever been credited with any part thereof. As I was never furnished with any statement of any bank account or of any charges whatever, and I had nothing to do with the books, nor did I see the same, and you will remember several times I cautioned you not to mix me up in any way with any Land Office matters. Third, to this day I do not know what book entries you have made or what you did with any cash, or checks, if you ever received any for land service. Nor was I ever advised by you or did I have any knowledge that any part of any such cash or receipts was placed either to the credit of our firm or myself. Now, Judge, you will agree with me, I am sure, these are the facts, and I am also sure whatever entries you made you never intended I should have any part of such cash or checks, if any, and that you intended that in some way in settling accounts between us no part of any such moneys or checks should be mine, but your individual property. I had supposed, of course, that you had kept all such charges and accounts in your own name. There is no offense on your part in doing business for any honest people in these land matters. I hope, therefore, you will do me the justice at the proper time, in giving the facts just as they are and as I have stated them.

Harry will, doubtless, identify the co-partnership articles of 1901 as having been prepared by him. See him at once on his arrival. Don't be interviewed until I see you and now, strictly confidential, don't tell Harry, your son, or anyone. Can't you immediately on receipt of this drop everything and come directly here. Bring with you in trunk, but don't let your family or anyone know, all the company's books, day ledger, all of them, also your bank book, as I am extremely anxious to see for myself personally what the books show. Besides, it is important we should talk over with Fulton, who is to help defend me, in regard to the cases. I hope you can come. If so, don't let a soul know you are coming, not even Harry. And if you conclude to come, wire me as follows:

"John leaves direct for Washington this evening." "TANNER."

I do hope you can come and immediately, before you are called again before the Grand Jury.

Sincerely your friend,JOHN H. MITCHELL.

P. S. Don't show Harry this letter, or tell him anything in it. Don't let him see our books. Tell him nothing.

P. S. Keep all important papers in safe and office carefully locked, as those scoundrels will get in if possible.

P. S. Burn this without fail. Page 226