Reflecting that this was not a very solid tribute, he opened his letter and put in a check for a thousand dollars, and sent the notes and the check to Mr.Webster, who wrote him a letter expressing his gratitude, which Mr.Tayloe doubtless saw, and which is still in existence.
I give the facts in this way because Mr.George T.Curtis, in a newspaper interview, referring to an article of mine in the _Atlantic Monthly_, said, "With regard to the story of the ten thousand dollar check, which story Mr.
Lodge gives us to understand he found in the pages of that very credulous writer Dr.Von Holst, although I have not looked into his volumes to see whether he makes the charge, I have only to say that I never heard of such an occurrence before, and that it would require the oath of a very credible witness to the fact to make me believe it." I may add that I have taken the trouble not only to look into Dr.Von Holst's volumes but to examine the whole matter thoroughly.

The proof is absolute and indeed it is not necessary to go beyond Mr.Webster's own letter of acknowledgment in search of evidence, were there the slightest reason to doubt the substantial correctness of Mr.Tayloe's statement.

The point is a small one, but a statement of fact, if questioned, ought always to be sustained or withdrawn.] He showed the same indifference to the source of supplies of money in other ways.

He took a fee from Wheelock, and then deserted him.

He came down to Salem to prosecute a murderer, and the opposing counsel objected that he was brought there to hurry the jury beyond the law and the evidence, and it was even murmured audibly in the court-room that he had a fee from the relatives of the murdered man in his pocket.