Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-06-28

carry out the contract, aud that he had recognised IT,
but had also left office before the contract was execut
ed, and that he called upon me now to execute the
contract asked HIM if he had the contract, or il it
Was in wrlting-l forget which, he stated that it was
not in wiring, but that it wa s fully understood and
that Mr.. Crawford satisfied the existence OF the
contract and recognised its validity asked him if he
had any evidence Of that recognition General Tai
colt, who was present during this conversation had a
bundle OF papers in his hand. | asked General T. it
those were the papers, and he replied they were.
requested him to hand them to me- which he did. l
expmned the papers to look simply for the recognition
OF Mr.. Crawford. found paper which read att.n-
tively and after doing so observed Ito Doctor Carmi
chael that according to this paper, it seemed TO me that
Mr.. Crawford, so far from acknowledging the exis-
tence OF any contract the part of the Government
expressly and positively nsgatved the existence of
contract. The Doctor said he thought differently and
then read to him the last clause of Mr.. Craword's
letter. in which he refers to The report OF the Bureau of
Ordnance, and said, Chat whenever the means are
granted the Department would pursue the ordinary and
legal mode of making contracts" The Doctor still
commended tor some time that his view of the letter
correct, and also stated that there verbal under.
standing between himself and Mr.. Crawford by which
he was to make this contract. In answer to that,
told him that | had adopted rule ever since had
been in the Department, having been frequently called
upon to recogn promises made by or with my prede
cessors, to recognise nothing binding that did ap
pear upon the records of the Department or in writing.
The Doctor made very earnest appeal to me to be
allowed to make some shot, and presented what he
considered good many arguments to induce me to let
him make shot; bat persisted IN my refusa in
very positive terms. He left the office somewhat dis
satisfied at my decision.
Question Did Gen. Tacott take any part in the
above conversation
AnsDer. My recollection is, that during the whole
OF the conversation, Gen. T. remained silent. Indeed
was somewhat surprised, after had looked at the pa
pers, at his remaining silent, and allowing Doctor Car
mlchaes statement that there was recognition OF a
contract by Mr.. Crawford to go uncontradicted
thought OF after they had left the room as singular
circumstance and being in the habit of taking the
LoIe At.
have believed that Mr.. Crawford had made contract,
it Gen. Talcott had not had the papers in his hand. l
was more surprised from the fact that day or two
after General Talcott came into my Office on other
business aud introduced the of this conversation
with Doctor Carmichael, and observed to me, "You
are right; there never was recognition of the
ract;" and spoke, as thought, somewhat sneeringy
at Dr.. Carmchaels declaration that there had been
such recognition:
Cross.esanlinabon.
The counsel for defence asked the witness if Gen.
Tacot took any part in the conversation with Dr. Car
michael who replied that he did not.
Question BY defence. Did Gen. Talcott have the pa
pers in his possession, or only pass them to you from
Ans,cer. He had them, and brought them with him.
Question by Defence Did Doctor Carmichael state
the time and place where the verbal with Mr..
Crawford was made?
Ans,uer l do not think Doctor Carmichael stated
any particular time or place.
Question by defence. Did you consider it necessary
for Gen. Talcott TO explain TO you the nature of the
nation?
AnsDer My looking at the papers at all entire
ly accidental. II Gen. Talcott had stated to Off
cialy that there was such a contract, would have ia
ken the fact for granted, as am in the daily habit of
doing in reference made by all the bureaus
And when Doctor Carmichael made this assertion in
his presence, and he remained silent, considered it
the time as equivalent to his making the declaration
himself or nearly so and took the papers with an en-
tire conviction that should find in them recognition
Of the contract by Mr., Crawford and was good deal
icoI xuyho Npndf hofv n uao not
The hour of O'Clock having arrived, the Court adj
journed until this morning at o'clock.