N. Sargent to Richard Yates

Copy of letter from Coms

Treasury Department

Office of Commissioner of Customs

June 23, 1865.

Dear Sir,

A gentleman well known to me informed me yesterday that in a conversation with one who was on Social terms with Mr. Daily your Dep'y Collector, Mr. D. said to him that though the salary was only ____ $ a year, yet he intended to make and would make $30.000. a year out of his office.

I cannot say that Mr. Daley said this, but it came to me in such a way that I thought it right to mention it to you.

Mr. D. cannot of course make $30.000. or anything but his salary out of his Office of Dep'y Collector without in some way defrauding the Government. Were he to do it, or attempt to do it, he might pofsibly succeed without detection, but the chances would be very much against (him) any one who should attempt such a thing, and

the consequences of detection would be very serious to him, if not to yourself.

But I am unwilling to think that Mr. D. made any such remark - though at the same time I do not feel at liberty to withold from you what I heard. The information can do him no harm. (And I certainly have no disposition to injure him in the slightest manner.) - and if groundless, as I think it is, will do you no good.

Wishing you all succefs and pleasantness in your Office.

I am your

Ob't Sev't

(Signed) N. Sargent

Wm. P. Kellogg Esq.

Letter from N. Sargent

Coms of Customs