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2 1/2 pp, 7 7/8 x 9 7/8, ALS, Brooklyn, June 21, 1862. A.G. TILLINGHAST warns Gideon Welles, Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of the Navy, about contractors who are looking to profit exorbitantly from government contracts involving construction of ironside ships. He mentions that the Lincoln administration will look bad if it is taken advantage of in this way.
“Dear Sir
“One word more to the Hon Secretary of the Navy. The extraordinary high prices that are to be paid for the iron batteries will be your political ruin. Ericksons batteries will cost to construct them all expenses included — Not over two hundred & twenty five thousand dollars ($225,000) — the contract price be Four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) leaving a profit of one hundred & seventy five thousand dollars ($175,000). George Quitands Contract — Five hundred and Eighty thousand dollars ($580,000) will produce net profit of Two hundred and eighty Thousand dollars $280,000.
“Where these extraordinary profits go — the public will have no means of knowing. But one thing is sure. They will be made to understand that there has been a large amount of money wasted, And they will demand of you to know how these matters has been transacted. Lecous Contract will furnish similar profits. And so on to the end of the Chapter. It is also known or at least surmised that other similar wasteful contracts are now pending. When the tax bill goes into operation — then all these wasteful transactions will receive an airing. And Mr. Lincoln’s Cabinet will be the Centre to which all suspicions will be attracted. And if a revelation of these facts do not flatten and destroy the character of the administration, it will at least give a blow to it, that all the prestige of the administration will not be strong enough to withstand.
“Do not for a moment believe that all those you make contact with are at the heart with the government. Far from it. They will be the first to betray it.
“With the exception of Ericson — There is not a really deserving man among all the Contractors that you have had dealings with. They are speculators who would not hesitate to feather their nests out of the ruins of their country. I assume that you are an honest man. And believe that the actual cost of these vessels are misrepresented to you.
“Notes are being taken — and…will take place…aided & assisted by those Republicans who wish your place filled by some other men. Cameron has been politically [ruined] by speculation.
“Respectfully your obedient servant
“A G Tillinghast
“P.S…Capt. Perine boasts here that he will procure a contract that will enrich all those who are connected with it. My Dear Sir if you would avoid disgrace, avoid these thieves and robbers and preserve you good name as well as the character of our Government.
“A.G.T.”
The inventor “Erickson” referred to in this letter, the only supplier approved of by the writer, was Swedish-American engineer who worked on ironside warships. The Union Navy’s first ironside warship, the USS Monitor, had been commissioned earlier that year.
Letter is in very good condition with folds, light toning.
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