Samuel Swartwout

Samuel Swartwout (November 17, 1783 – November 21, 1856) was an American soldier, merchant, speculator, and politician. He is best known for his role in the Swartwout-Hoyt scandal, in which he was alleged to have embezzled $1,222,705.09 during his tenure as Collector of the Port of New York.

Samuel Swartwout
Collector of the Port of New York
In office April 25, 1829 – March 29, 1838
Preceded by	Jonathan Thompson
Succeeded by	Jesse Hoyt
Personal details
Born	November 17, 1783 Poughkeepsie, New York, U.S.
Died	November 21, 1856 (aged 73) New York City, New York, U.S.
Political party	Jacksonian
Spouse(s)	Alice Ann Cooper ​ ​ (m. 1814; his death 1856)​
Relations	Robert Swartwout (brother)
Children	2
Parents	Abraham Swartwout Maria North
Known for	Swartwout-Hoyt scandal

Early life

Swartwout was born in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York on November 17, 1783. He was one of seven children born to Abraham Swartwout (1743–1799) and Maria (née North) Swartwout.

Along with his brothers John and Brigadier General Robert Swartwout, Samuel was a close ally of Aaron Burr in his early career in New York State politics. Samuel Swartwout remained close to Burr throughout the latter's life, and was his traveling companion on several long trips.[1]

Career

Swartwout was an active participant in Burr's venture in the West and in the conspiracy trial that resulted from it. In October 1806, he met with Gen. James Wilkinson at the Sabine front, where he delivered the cipher correspondence which was later altered by Wilkinson and presented as evidence in the conspiracy trial. After Wilkinson took command of New Orleans in November, Swartwout was one of four Burr allies he arrested for misprision of treason and sent to Washington, D.C. for trial. In February, after a hearing, Swartwout and the others were released. He then continued to Richmond to attend Burr's trial, where he was a key witness in the indictment hearing. While in Richmond, Swartwout challenged Wilkinson to a duel, but the challenge was declined.[2]

During the War of 1812, Swartwout served as the captain of a corps of light infantry known as the Iron Grays.[3]

Collector of Customs

Swartwout's close association with Andrew Jackson and his support of Jackson in the presidential election of 1828, led to his appointment by Jackson on April 25, 1829, to the position of Collector of Customs for the Port of New York. This position had great importance, as the collection of customs in New York was one of the largest sources of income for the Federal government of the United States. Swartwout's appointment by Jackson was strongly opposed by Jackson's Secretary of State Martin Van Buren. The recess appointment was upheld by the United States Senate on March 29, 1830, giving Swartwout a full term of four years. Before the expiration of his term, Swartwout was re-appointed by President Jackson for another term of four years, ending on March 29, 1838.[4]

As Collector, he openly aided the Texans in their struggle for independence from Mexico. He held meetings in New York where Stephen F. Austin, Branch Tanner Archer, and William H. Wharton appeared in quest of funds and supplies. He also sent provisions to Texas at his own expense and saved the two-ship Texas Navy from a consignment sale by paying for repairs to the vessels.

Embezzlement claims

Swartwout left office at the expiration of his term in 1838, retaining $201,096.40 with which to pay any pending claims that might be brought against him. He then went to England to raise money on his coal property before ensuring that his account at the customhouse was closed. After he left the country, or perhaps before, his account was "adjusted" by a subordinate and possibly by his successor, through the instigation of President Martin Van Buren.

It was then alleged that Swartwout had embezzled $1,225,705.69 and fled.[3] One of his assistants was indicted in 1841 for embezzling $609,525.71 of this sum, and, according to Swartwout's trustee, a federal court further reduced the amount by $435,052.21, leaving $181,127.77 as the amount Swartwout owed. He forfeited his personal property to pay the deficit, and returned to the United States in 1841 after federal officials assured him that they would not prosecute him.[5]

Personal life

In December 1814,[6] he married Alice Ann Cooper (1789–1874),[4] and they had two children.

Swartwout died in New York City on November 21, 1856. He was buried at Trinity Church Cemetery in Manhattan.

Legacy

Swartwout, Texas, now a ghosttown, was named after him for his role as supporter of early Texas colonists.[7]

It is believed that Samuel Swartwout's story is the origin of the term "Swartwouted out", which has since come to define the embezzlement of a large sum of money from the United States government and subsequent escape to a foreign nation to escape punishment.[8]

Notes

1. Barrett, Walter (1865). The Old Merchants of New York City. New York: Carleton, Publisher. p. 252. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
2. Isenberg, Nancy. Fallen Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr (2007)
3. Brunson, B. R. (15 June 2010). "SWARTWOUT, SAMUEL". tshaonline.org. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
4. Jackson, Andrew; Smith, Sam B.; Owsley, Harriet Fason Chappell; Moser, Harold D. (1980). The Papers of Andrew Jackson: 1825-1828. Univ. of Tennessee Press. p. 669. ISBN 9781572331747. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
5. Weise, Arthur James (1899). The Swartwout Chronicles (PDF).
6. Mackenzie, William Lyon (1845). The Lives and Opinions of Benj'n Franklin Butler: United States District Attorney for the Southern District of New-York, and Jesse Hoyt, Counsellor at Law, Formerly Collector of Customs for the Port of New-York; with Anecdotes Or Biographical Sketches of Stephen Allen; George P. Barker [etc.] ... Cook & Company. p. 83. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
7. Tarpley, Fred (2010-07-05). 1001 Texas Place Names. University of Texas Press. ISBN 9780292786936.
8. Kennedy, David; Cohen, Lizabeth (2012). Cengage Advantage Books: The American Pageant. Cengage Learning. p. 247. ISBN 978-1133959724. Retrieved 23 February 2018.

External links

• Biography on Swarthout family history site
• Samuel Swartwout at Find a Grave