The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-04
Mr.. John Potts called.
Question. What office do you hold in the War De

parinentl
.insl0er. Chief clerk
Question. Were you sent by the Secretary of War TO
Gen Talcott 10 make inquiry of him in regard to shot
Ii so, say what inquiry and what answer he made.
Anstosr Some time shortly after appointed chief
clerk OF the War DePartment-whch was on the 5lh of
March, lS5l-i was sent by the Secretary of War TO
make sons inquiries with regard TO appropriation for
shot and shells went 10 the Ordnance department and
asked the question what balances of the appropriations
were applicable for that object. received the inorma
uon IRON The Office Gen Talcott asked me we were
gong 10 purchase more shot and shells. told him
did not know that left Mr., Green in conversation with
the Secfetary OF War, and supposed that the inquiry
was then making had connexion with the object of his
visit asked Gen Talcolt if they wanted shot and shells
His reply that they did not that there enough on
hand TO last 10 the day of Judgment.
Question You say that it was after the 5th of March
of this year Was it before the loh of April
dnSwer. have means of determining that and can
not be positive; but think il wasthat it shortly
after came into the chief cerkship OF the department
Captain Maynader recalled.
Question Did General Talcott, far as the records
of your office show, you otherwise know. in an
swef TO any OF the inquiries from the War Department.
make any inquiry of Col. Huger Mr.. Anderson, be-
the Isl January and the 10th April, 1851 in regard
TO the execution OF the order OF Huger TO Carmichael
aasiper None whatever, so far as the records show
and as know.
Question Is this an inquiry addressed by General Tai
colt to Mr.. Anderson on the 10th April, 1851
ansper. II is. Letter read. asking Tor all the nor
nation relative 10 his executing the order of Col Huger
TO Or Carmichael Tor shot
Question: On what day Mr.. Green's letter OF 9Th
April referred TO your office?
Ans,cer. 1t received at the office the 10th of
April, before the letter was written to Mr. Anderson.
Question What is the regulation allowance OF ammu-
milton TO be expended in the year by the garrison at Fort
Monroe in experiments and artillery practice!
dnSwer. About a hundred rounds for company.
There are about three companies there now
Question. Had the commander of the arsenal hereto
fore procured shot and shells for his practice and
experiments before the 9th November, 1852
Hal n1nr thar, ,t,,,a
He in the habit of putting in his quarterly estimates
certain amount TO be expended for purposes OF expert
mens and that amount was RENTED to him on approval
OF his estimates by the Ordnance department, and the
requlsition the War Department for funds recolect
one order 10 him specially directing him to make certain
experiments but he always had authority either general
or special, to make these experiments 10 limited extent
Question You have said that when you drew up
from the records of the Ordnance Office the report the
Secretary of War, dated 22d January you had no know
edge Of any other contract chargeabe on the appopria.
tlons Tor armament OF Notifications, for ordnance, and
ordnance stores and supplies. other than those stated in
that report; and you stated at another time that you
knew in the latter part of December, that Doctor Car
michael had received large order from Colonel Huger,
which was in the hands OF Mr.. Anderson Do you de-
sire 10 be understood that you did not consider this order
contract? or how do you desire your testimony in these
matters 10 be understood?
Answer prepared the report of the 22d January from
the records OF the Ordnance office solely. then had
idea that the SecIeaTys call for information had any ref
to the Carmichael transaction, but supposed il
relate to the state OF the appropriations exclusively
Congress was in session at that time and there much
talk about the large amount OF army estimates. The
Committee of Ways and Means were understood to be
scTunzng those estimates with the view to their reduc
ton, and thought that the Secretary wanted the info
nation Tor that committee hence that part OF the letter
over and above the answer TO the strict call for inoma
ton. then knew of General Talcotts order to Colonel
Huger; knew OF Hugers order to Carmichael from the
copy which had been sent me by MIR. Anderson, and of
CalmchaePs sale Of it TO MIR Anderson but firmly be.
lleved that the order the hands of Mr. Anderson
suspended as 10 execuontha, ii constituted no ousland-
mo r. arm nj Allan nd hiatt
but claim on the part OF Anderson Tor contract which
claim 10 be recognised rejected thereafter had
received letter from Mr. Anderson inquirng what
Col Hugefs reasons for declining TO allow him TO fill
the ORDER and | had been assured by General Talcott
there was no outstanding contract Tor shot, remained
under this hrm conviction until the letter from Mr. Green
was received at the Ordnance office OF the 10th April
always supposed, and frequently mentioned TO General
Talcolt my firm belief, that Col Huger had exceeded his
instructions in giving the order to Doctor Carmichael
and that hs conduct In giving that order to totally
inexplcable Those instructions OF the 9Th November
were the only ones then knew had been given, and did
nos learn until the receipt of the Secretary of Wars letter
OF the LIST May anything whatever OF the interviews and
salons between General Talco and the Secretary
in relation TO the Carmichael transaction. The report 10
the War Department OF the 9th January prepared
by me on information from General Talcou that there
was contract outstanding for shot Ii then first occurred
10 thattbe Secretary might be referring the order
TO Col Huger and mentioned this to General Talcot,
and suggested to him the sending OF copy OF that order
although not called for, desiring 10 the call both
as TO It's letter and spirit
Question. What did General Talcou say when you
told him that Col. Huger had exceeded instructions
dHsUsr. On the particular occasion which refer to-
which when read Anderson's letter. in the latter
part OF December-l don't think that General Tacott
said anything in 10 what said about Huger's ex
ceedng Instructions But on other occasions, when |
told him that could not account for Hugefs strange
duct in giving such order, unless something else had
passed between them he assured that nothing else
had passed
Colonel Huger recalled
Question Is that your letter Of the 9Th November to
General Tacoui
dnSpcr. Yes, it is.
Question. What answer if any, dated 9th November,
as thereon endorsed, did you send TO III
brought by the hands OF Doctor Carmichael dated the
9th November 1850. which is already your record
aud cited IN the charges, and that Is the only
Question. You eak in this letter OF the 9th Novem-
Der of a from General Taloott you dated Is, No
yember Have you that noei. Produce il. If not tell
its contents.
dnswer. have not the note OF IS, OF November re.
terred TO. Ii marked private received II the
morning of the 5h OF November. by the bands OF Doc
tor Carmichael Its contents TO this effect DO you
want any shot or shells for Fort Monroe II go what
quantity and calbrel
Question. How had you, before the letter OF the 9th
OF November, 1850, from Col Taco procured shot and
she'll Tor experiments and artillery Practice
daSwer. Generally, if not always, on my own order,
| considered that had standing authority to that
effect and when specially directed to make experiments
considered the order to make these experiments
borizlng the projectes necessary for that purpose.
QUESTION. Did Gen. Tacou when you informed him
here in November 1850, of The order you had given Car
michael instruct you that you had misconsued his letter
OF the 9th of November and that that letter intend
ed 10 convey to you only authority prepare proleces