on March 29, 1838. 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. 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. Personal life In December 1814, he married Alice Ann Cooper (1789–1874), 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. It is believed that 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. Notes External links Biography on Swarthout family history site 1783 births 1856 deaths Collectors of the Port of New York Politicians from Poughkeepsie, New York Politicians from New York City Businesspeople from Poughkeepsie, New York Burials at Trinity Church Cemetery 19th-century American businesspeople