Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-03-28

fcr The eonuac, assigned Swift aud Ia the conversation
with Dee,h Mr. voorhees, spoke Of the sse dvison .,
'ss sme esn.dstsely sa,ssso, 70, s to ., ,S
sale Of the order Swio which occurred suossquent-
". The declsrstons Of Voorhees, are legal evidence
against himself and the committee felt bound TO receive
aud report hem 10 House; but they legal cvi
dence ineulpate MIR. Zabriskie. other per-on
In examining the vi MIR. Zsbrskc, therefore. the
committee have bad refrrcnce a. the declarations Of
voorhees,; and avoid the semblance ot injustice him.
they wish be distinctly undcrrooi excluding them
80 fat as Zabsiske Concerned, not admissible ev-
denc- Al appears in proof that Mr. Vccrh,es, in con-
oi hs eonvi,a habits accustoned to talk.
az tines very loosely, the committee were anxious 10 as
certain whsih.r iherr facts T. asny his deciaa
lions. ia search which the committee caused 10 lie
made at the Navy Department, NJ evidence was found
that MIR. ZabTiskie had been concerned IN
as besides that Of the 2ai March last and Mr. Zaenke
testified most explicitly that he bad taken, or had
anything DO WITH such before 1t appears b.
the records of the Navy Department. that the Goth day
Ut July, lSt3, another granted To W. n.
swift Tor $4,000 feet 1T livc-oak timber one dollar and
twenty five per foot without advertising for proposals
aud without any bits being received.
All OF the documents in relation thereto, which have been
ioand, the ITSELF the letter oi Com kcnnon
enclosing IL To Swift be executed and Swrs reply The
contract made while Mr.. Heushaw Secretary OF
the Navy and Is affirmed by Com. kennon who was then
Chief OF the bureau apparent that this contract also.
was illegally made and it is with The person 10 whom
Mr. voorhees, sold the contract o a3t March, and II, as
Voorhees, alleged, he aud Zabriskio had realized money
from the sale ci prios contact tappesrs to the commit
re probable that this is the They have also
authenticated inormalion and proper therefore, be
inserted IN ibis report astyins careful examination into
the circumstances attending that After the inor
nation was obtained and the contract known 10 thcm the
Committee had tine In the invest alton and
report the House before their powers would by the
dissolution ct the Congress- and tcy therefore, leave the
matter 10 their with the hope hst IL will be
thoroughly examined Ii is perhaps worthy of notice,
that tins questionable is the which, by refer
fixes the price OF the TIMBER in the Presidents order
tos tho contract vt the 23i March.
The committee were an hopes oi receiving from Mt.
Swii, affidavit stating the circumstances attending the
maxim. and assignment of the contract order for
contract, of the 23j March, lSlI, but he finally
declined To furnish and the committee, after his
usa had not upie either tn compel his attendance before
them tor examination. or TO PROCURE authority and issue
commission To take his deposition The discovery of the
prior contract i;s krcsuiry aud hirga,y render the
more IMPORTANT 10 have Mr Swift before Committee Of
TIE House, that oil the facts aud circumstances be
elected which be effected the present session.
Major Scott tic navvsgont has been spoken ct in
OF The testimony; but the committee happy IL be able
say that nothing has appeared before them impcac
ann IN any official misconduct From the Secretary o the
Navy and other officers the Navy Department. the
ni''ee have received facility they desired prose-
cute tins Investigation. All the RECORDS ~ the department
AVE been opened inspection and every cali for
frankly and fully answered. The committee
epor', Tor the action of the House, the following resou
Rssorsd, That the order Tor 25 600 feet
psomiscous Neoak timber granted by the President
ainss e. Hubrislie, dated March D. 1874, illegally
md improperly granted aud ought be aoscsated and
ulled.
R-,oir.d That Borden NJ Voorhees, late chief CLERK
&c BaIeau ct Constitution and Repairs. betrayed his trust,
nd violated his du and the law in procuring and selling
ne said order for contract
ResOlred That inaSmuch the committee have been
nable, Tor want of time before the Adjournment of Con
20 make full Investigation OF all the matters referred
the next Congress for moro full aud periee, exami-
alton.