In this exigency Baker suggested that the Company should give him authority to see what money would do, but he added that it would be worse than useless to deal with small sums.
Unless at least one hundred thousand dollars could be employed, it was better to leave the thing alone.
"The next mail authorized him to use any required amount of money not exceeding one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

Two days later he wrote that the bill was reported, and would pass the Senate within forty-eight hours; and he congratulated the Company on the fact that he had used only one hundred thousand dollars out of its last credit.
"The bill was actually reported, passed, and became law as he foretold, and the Company has enjoyed its subsidy ever since.

Mrs.Baker also informed me that to her knowledge her husband gave the sum mentioned, in United States Coupon Bonds, to Senator Ratcliffe.
"This transaction, taken in connection with the tortuousness of his public course, explains the distrust I have always expressed for him.
You will, however, understand that all these papers have been destroyed.
Mrs.Baker could never be induced to hazard her own comfort by revealing the facts to the public.

The officers of the Company in their own interests would never betray the transaction, and their books were undoubtedly so kept as to show no trace of it.

If I made this charge against Mr.Ratcliffe, I should be the only sufferer.