Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-07-12


clerk Of the War was on the 5th Of March,
ls5l-I sent by the Secrea bf War to make in
quires with regard TO appropriation for shot and shells
went to the Ordnance department. and asked the question
what balances of the appropriations applicable f that
Object received the Information from the office General
Tacot asked if going to purchase shot and
shells. told him did not know that left Mr. Green in
conversation with the Secretary Of War; and supposed that
the inquiry then making had connexion with the object
Of his visit asked Gen. Talco If they wanted shot and
shells His reply they did that there enough
on hand to last to the day Of judgment.
Question You say that il after the 9TH OF March OF
this year. Was it before the 10th Of April
Ansoer have means Of determining that and cannot
be positive; but think it was-that it shortly after
came into the chief clerkship Of the Department.
Capt. MArNADIER recalled.
Question Did Gen. TaIcot SO far as the records Of your
Office show you otherwise know in answer TO OF the
inquiries from the War Department. make any inquiry Of Col
Huger Mr. Anderson between the Isl Of January and the
l0h Of April 1851 in regard to the execution of the order
of Huger TO Carmichael, transferred to Anderson
Anscer. None whatever so far the records show and
as ! know.
Question Is this inquiry addressed by Gen. Talcott TO
Mr.. Anderson on the 10Th April, 1851 3r
.ans,o. Ii,. Letter read asking for all the inforrna-
on relative to his executing the order Of COL Huger to Dr.
Carmichael for shot
Question. On what day was Mn Green's letter of 5,h
April referred to your Office t E.aat
Ans,oe II received the Office the 10th Of April
before the letter written to Mr.. Anderson.
Question What is the regulation allowance Of amuni-
EXPENDED IN the the at
roe in experiments and artillery practice
AnsUer. About hundred rounds for company. There
are about three companies there t..
Question Had the commander Of the arsenal heretofore
procured shot and shells for his practice and expert
ments before the 9Th November 1850
Ans,0er He had procured them In small quantities He
in the habit Of putting in his quarterly estimates GER
tain amount TO be expended for purposes Of experiments and
that remited to him approval Of his estimates
the Ordnance department end the equision the War
Department for funds. recoect order TO him specially
directing him to make certain experiments but be always
had authority either general speis to make these eIpe
riments to limited extent.
Question You have said that when you drew up from the
records of the Ordnance Office the report to the Secretary Of
War dated the 22d January you had knowledge OF any
other contract chargeabe the appropriations for armament
of fofcatons for ordinances and ordnance stores and sup
plies other than those stated in that report and you stated at
another time that you knew in the latter part Of December
that Doct Carmichael had received large order from Col
Huger, which in the hands of Mr.. Anderson Do you
desire to be understood that you did not consider this order
contract how do you desire your testimony in these
matters to be understood ssE, ta
Ans,oer prepared the report Of the 22d January from
the records Of the Ordnance Office solely then had no idea
that the Secearys call for information had any reference to
the Carmichael ansacon hut supposed to relate to the
state ofthe appropriations exclusively Congress In ses
sion that tme and there much talk about the large
amount of army estimates The Committee Of Ways and
Means understood be scutinzng those estimates
with the view TO their reduction and thought that the Se
creary wanted the information for that committee hence
that part Of the letter and above the 10 the strict
call for information then knew Of General Talcos order
Colonel Huger; knew Of Hugers order to Carmichael
from the copy which bad been sent me by Mr. Anderson
and Of Carmchaes sale Of it to Mr. Anderson but firmly
believe that the order in the hands Of Mr. Anderson was s
pended to executionthat it constituted no outstanding
charge any appropriations and that it at most but
claim the part Of Anderson for contract which claim
to be recognised rejected thereafter bad received
letter from Mr. Anderson inquing what were Col Hugefs
for declining to allow him fill the order and had
heen hv 10
contract for shot, remained under this firm conviction
until the letter from Mr. Green received at the Ordnance
Office Of the 10Th April always supposed and frequently
mentioned General Talco my firm belief that Colonel
Huger had exceeded his instructions in giving the order to
Doctor Carmichael and that his conduct in giving that order
tome totally nexpcable Those instructions of the 9Th
November were the only then knew had been gven
and did not learn until the receipt Of the Secretary OF Wars
letter Of the May any thing whatever Of the interviews
and conversations between General Talco and the Secretary
in relation the Carmichael transaction The report to The
War Department OF the 9th January was prepared by me
information from General Taco that there was contract
outstanding for shot 1t then first occurred to me that the
Secretary might be referring the order to Col Huger;
and mentioned this to General Tslco and suggested 10
him the sending Of copy Of that order, although not called
for desiring the call both to its letter and spirit
Question. What did General Tacott say when you told
him that Col. Huger had exceeded instructions!
Ansacer On the particular occasion which refer To-
which when read Andersons letter. in the latter part Of
DecembeI don't think that General Tacott said any thing
in answer what said about Hugers exceeding nsruc
tions But on other occasions when told him that could
for Hugers strange conduct in giving such an
ode unless something else had passed between them, ne
assured me that nothing else had passed
Colonel HusER recalled .~ "E"
Question. tina, your letter of the 5h November to Gen.
Talcott ~ s r... H.. .. ..
A,,stoer. Yes, ii is.
Question. What answer any, dated 9th November, as
thereon endorsed, did you send to il! s .h
Ans,cer received, in to this letter, the letter
brought by the hands of Doctor Carmichael dated the 9Th
November 1850, which already your record and cited
in the charges, and that is the only answer.
Question You speak in this letter Of the 9th November of
note from Gen. Talco you. dated lst November Have
you that note Produce it. If not, tell its contents.
Ans,Uer have not the note of lst Of November, refer
red II marked private. received the morning
Of the 5th November BY the hands Of Dr. Carmichael Its
contents this effect Do you want any shot shells
for Fort Monroe ! fso, what quantity and caliber
Question How had you, before the letter Of the 9Th Of
November $780, from COL Taco, procured shot and shell
for experiments and artillery practice
Ans,cer Generally, II not always, my own orde as
considered that had standing su,hority to that effect
and when specially directed to make experiments considered
the order to make these experiments authorizing Poeces
necessary for that purpose.
Question. Did Gen. Talcou, when You informed him
here November, 1880, Of the order you bad give Carmi
chae instruct you that you had msconsued his letter OF the
9th November and that that letter intended convey TO
you only authority to prepare Pcecles for experiments and
artillery practice
Anser. He made such statements to me at the time
answering the letters to Kembe and Anderson; but
have heard him often say, different times SINCE that gvns
tie order 10 Carmichael he supposed would give him only
small order for The purpose Of making experiments.
Question Did you see Gen. Talcot at any time between