Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-04-04

LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF
WAR
Department of War, Feb. 90, 1920.

department OF war, Feb. ", 1870.
SIR-ln compliance with resolution
of the house Of representatives Of the
Gath ultimo, that the Secretary Of War
be directed to report what sums of
money have been actually paid to col.
James Johnson, in virtue Of articles Of
agreement entered into on the Cd day of
December, 1918; and also report what
sum is now claimed by him, in virtue of
said articles of agreement, specifying
particularly the several items; and that
he also report, whether public notice was
given when proposals would be received.
for contract to furnish transportation to
the troops ordered up the Missouri riv-
err" | transmit a report of the Quarter
master General, containing statement
of the sums claimed by col James John
son, in virtue of his contract with the
quartermaster' department, and the
mode in which that contract was form
ed and a report from the Third Auditor,
ofthe sums which have been advanced
under it to the contractor; with an ex-
tract of letter from the President ofthe
United States, of the 5th of July, 1919,
under authority ofwhich the advances of
a subsequent date were made, and which
discloses his views in ordering the adj
vances.
1t will be proper to be observed that
several of the charges Of the contractor
have not been admitted. The charge for
the detention of the Johnson and Expe-
dition, previous to the sailing of the ex-
petition up the Missouri, has been re-
fused, on the ground that it was caused,
not by any act of the government, on the
for the detention of the Johnson, Expe-
dition, and Jefferson, up the Missouri,
owing to the lowness Of its water not per-
hitting their return, has also been re-
fused, on the ground that it was not pro-
vided for by contract. The charge for
the transportation on the Missouri has.
not been admitted, from belief that the
price charged is greater than what ought
TO be allowed. These points of differ
ence have, under the provision of the
contract, been referred to persons chosen
by the parties, as arbitrators; and it is
expected that decision will be had in
a few weeks.
In relation to the amount of the adj
vances, it may be proper to observe that
the contract with col. James Johnson ex-
tended to the transportation of the troops
and military stores to their respective
destinations on the Mississippi and Mis-
souri,, and that the preparation Of the
contractor, and the expenses incurred
by him, and the advances under his con-
tract, were governed by the supposition
that the troops would have reached, dur
ing the last season, the points of their.
ultimate destination But, from the diff
ficulty of navigating the Missouri, the
lowness of its water during the whole of
last summer, from the extreme drought
and the detention in the sailing of the
expedition, it only reached Council
Bluff, which is rather less than half the
distance from St. Louis, to the Mandan
Villages. Had the expedition reached
the latter place, the claims of the con-
tractor against the government would
have been increased by sum, probably
not less than ffty;thousand dollars. For
the transportation actually performed, it
is probable, that the advances to the con-
tractor considerably exceed his ust
claims against the Quartermaster Gene
rails Department, and should that prove
to be the fact, by the decision of the
referees, the excess will be applicable to
the transportation which, under the con-
sract, remains to be performed this year.
bavo tho hOrOv ~ ha
Your most obedient servant,
]. c. CALHOUN.
Hon. H. CLAY, Sneaker ofthe
House of REPRESENTATIVES.