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

tract for making shot or shells for the Ordnance de-
partment and again. on the 22d January, 1851, in
written report from the Ordnance bureau, made by
his, the said 1acots, order to the Secretary OF War;
in answer to call from said Secretary for information
OF all existing contracts chargeabe upon the appropri
atoms Tor the armament OF Notifications, and for ord
the 9th January, 1851 written report fthat date
made to the Secretary OF War on the same subject,
and in reply 10 further inquiries from said Secretary,
who was thereby again seeking to ascertain whether
any such contracts were outstanding; and again, in a
personal Interview with the Secretary OF War, the
War Department the Both January, 1851 when ques
TONED by said Secretary to the meaning or intention
OF the aforesaid letter Breve Colonel Huge dated 9th
November, 1885, whereofa copy was enclosed in said
report 1.-THE 9th January, 1851; and again, about
the LIST OF March, 1856 when the Secretary of War did
again inquire OF him in regard TO this matter 10 per-
sona interview at the War Department, and did endea
vor to ascertain from him whether any shot or shells
were being made for the Ordnance department at the
Tredegar Iron Works; and again, the 10th April,
read to him letter from Thomas Green dated the 5,h
April, 1851, alleging that the Tredegar Iron Works
were maxi ing shot and shells for the Ordnance depart
menE, under contract probably given to Doctor Car
michael, and when said Secretary did repeat his nqu-
res in regard to that matter. On which several times
and occasions, he, the said Talcot did wiiully and
designedly withhold and conceal from the said Secre
tary of War all knowledge of the said contract with
Carmichae such concealment and suppression being
with intent to deceive the said Secretary, being in
breach of his, the said Tacotts official duty, and of
the trust fep0SeQ IN nm, and being conduct unDecOm-
ing an officer and gentleman"
Specification 4th. "ln this: that he. the said Brevet
Brgader General Geo rge Ta'cott. colonel of The Ord
nance department, in charge of the Ordnance bureau
OF the War Department did, the 18th January, 1851,
at the War Department state to the Secretary of War,
wully and falsely, and with intent to deceive him,
that neither the propretors of the Tredegar Iron Works.
nor any other establishment had any contract to fur
nsh shot shells to the Ordnance department; where
as, in truth and in fact, and as the said Ialcott we'll
knew, large contract for shot and Shells and then
outstanding, had been given to Doctor Edward Carmi'
chae, which he had, the said Tacott further knew,
engaged Joseph R. Anderson, proprietor Of the Trede
gar Iron w orks, to execute"
Specification 5M "In this: that he the said Brevet
Brigader General George Tacott colonel of the Ord
nance department, in charge of the Ordnance bureau
OF the War Department, did, at the time and place
therein set out write and transmit to the Secretary Of
War the following ,report-that is to say:
ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT,
"Washingon, Jan. 81, 1851.
"SIR: In answer to the note from the War Depart
ment Of this date have to report that contract has
been made for shot by this department from the last
appropriations shot have been turnished there
no contracts for shot made by this department unfu-
filled; and none are contemplated.
Surprising that the inquiry may have reference to
letter officially addressed to Brevet Colonel Huger on
the 9th November 1885, deem it not improper to send
you copy of that letter, although not specifically call
ed for by your note Colonel Hugers estimate for The
present quarer-the only received from him since
the above date-conains nothing for the purchase Of
shot.
"Respect'uy, your obedient servant,
"Brevet Brigader General, COL of Ordnance"
"Hon. C. M CONRAD, Secretary Of War"
"And in this further that he, the said Tacott. did
few days atter-to wit, the Both January, 1851
when questioned by the Secretary of War as to the
ger, dated the 9th November $780, whereof copy was
transmitted to the Secretary OF w with the aforesaid
report, dated January q, 1851 state to the said Sec
rotary that the meaning and object OF said letter to
said wa IN
nal Fort Monroe to purchase shot anu shells in sma
quantities, as they might be required from time 10 time
for experiments and artillery practice; which written
report and explanatory oral statement false in
fact and intent, and were made with design to deceive
the said Secretary of War; he the said Tacott, we'll
knowing that large contract was outstanding which |
shells for the Ordnance department, which contract had
no view to any provision tor experiments or artillery
practice; well knowing that he had permitted, allowed
and approved the said contract well knowing that ms
said letter OF instructions to said Huger dated the 9th
November, 1850, was not so designed, and had not |
been construed by said Huger, as now represented
by him. the said Tacott to the Secretary OF War, and
well knowing that Joseph r. Anderson, proprietor OF
the Tedegar Works, had been engaged TO execute the
contract made with said Carmichael.
Specification 9Th SIN this that he the said Brevet
BrIgadier General George Tacott, colonel OF the Ord
department charge OF the Ordnance bureau OF
the War Deparmentsbeng inquired OF by The Secretary
of War, at the War Department. or about the first
OF March, ISL in regard to Information which had
AOSiSto'y oAAS
were actually making shot and shells for the Ordnance
department-he, the said Tacott, did earnestly assure
the said Secretary that there was not the slightest
foundation for the said information; which statement
OF said Talcott false and he knew to be; well
knowing the foundation of said report and the facts in
the case; well knowing that the contract aforesaid had
been made with Doctor Charmchael; that said Charm- |
chael had employed Joseph R. Anderson the proprietor
ofthe Tregedar Works, TO execute it, and that the said
Anderson claimed the right to execute it as the assig-
nee agent of said Charmichael"
IT., ho sold Prcv
Brigadier General George Tacott, colonel OF the Ord
nance deparment,n charge OF the Ordnance bureau OF
the War Department, having heard read TO him at the
War Department, on the 10th April. 1851 by the Sec
tary of War, letter from Thomas Green, dated
Washington, 9Th April, 1851, alleging, among other
things, that the Tredegar Iron Works were engaged
in executing large amount of work for The delivery
of shot and shells to the Ordnance department, under
contract probably given by the department, its of
GERS, to DR.. Edward Carmichael and assigned by him
to Mr.. Anderson proprietor OF said Trsdegar Works,
he the said acott did theeupon assert to said Secre.
ary that there was not word OF truth in it, meaning
in said statement in said letter. that 1t was false from
beginning end words 10 that effect which declara-
ton Of said Tacott was positively and wiuly false,
and intended to deceive the SAID Secretary OF War;.
BY order OF rhe Secretary OF War.
The Judge Advocate then asked the accused if he
plead guilty or not guilty Gen. T alcott replied in the
negative, and handed the Court the following which
was read
Mr.. President and Gentlemen of the Court:
Desiring interpose obstacles full and fair in.
quiry into the facts upon which these charges and spe
cifcatons have been constituted respectfully request
that may be allowed to reserve all matter touching
their sufceney in Lac to be used in the discretion of
counsel at the summing up OF my deence and with this
reservation l plead to all and singular the said
charges and specifications, not guilty.
Appea ring before you under circumstance for which
have been prepared by anything in the experience
of my past lite desire to intus the defence of my
honor and character to professional friend here pre-
sent: and to this end request that NJ Carlisle ESQ.,
member OF the bar OF this city, may be allowed to al
tend during the open sessions of The Court under the
restrictions ordinarily imposed upon counsel in courts
martial. G.. TALCOTT,
JUNE "a, 1851. Breuet Brigadier General.
After come remarks from Mr.. Carli!e and the Judge
Advocate, touching the proper mode proceeding with
the trial
Captain Maynadier called. He stated that he |
the principal Assistant to the Chief of the Ord
nance Denartment, and had been that duty from |