les
of this land had brought in nineteen million ninety thousand six
hundred and seventy-two dollars and forty-two cents and unsold land
was then valued at two million three hundred and ninety five thousand
five hundred and seven dollars.

During the palmy days of the Credit Mobilier following the adjustment
of the differences with the Durant faction, thousands of dollars were
spent in advertising and placing the stock. Display advertisements
were inserted in all the prominent newspapers and paid agents located
in all the important cities. The result demonstrated the wisdom of the
expenses, as not only were large quantities of its stock sold but the
prices obtained for it were greatly advanced.

No sooner was the completion of the road assured than did antagonism
and hostility appear. For instance in 1867 a government inspector
appointed for the purpose of examining and accepting completed
sections of the road, refused to do so, until he received "his fee"
(?) which he put at twenty-five thousand dollars, he being in no way
entitled to anything from the Company. By his refusal he tied up the
issue of the Government bonds, seriously affecting the credit of the
Company at a critical time.

In Washington the lobbyists were demanding blackmail with threats of
organized hostility. Speculators in Well Street were a unit in bearing
the stock and in attacking the credit of the Company.

The stock of the Credit Mobilier up to the assignment by Ames to the
seven trustees, had not met with anything like a ready sale. For
reasons of policy, some of this was assigned to members of Congress,
Senators, and other public men. Some being paid for, others had it
carried on their account. After the crisis had passed, the value of
the stock rapidly appreciated and in the forthcoming political
campaign the subornation of Congress in the interest of the Credit
Mobilier by the use of this stock was made an issue and occasioned a
great outcry. The accusation was thoroughly investigated by two
committees during the next session and it was clearly proven to have
been unfounded, so far as members of Congress having received the
stock as bribes, it being demonstrated that the Company had no further
favors to ask from Congress and that the members receiving it had paid
the market value therefor. Notwithstanding, Oakes Ames was called to
the bar of the House and severely censured for having sold it to them.
The facts were, popular clamor demande