The republic., 1851-07-14

ly conceAl III and all knowledge thereof, from the
Secretary Of War, from the 2lst November, 1850,
to the llth April. 1851; and more particularly ia
the following instances and occasions that is to
say, on the 18th January, 1851, when the secre-
tary of War did inquire Of him at the War De-
partment, and did then and there endeavor to
ascer tain from him whether the aforesaid Trede-
gar works in Richmond had contract for making
shot or shells for the Ordnance Department; and
again, on the 22d January, 1851, in a written re-
port from the Ordnance bureau, made by his, the
said Talcotts, order TO the Secretary OF War in
swer to a call from said Secretary for information
of all existing contracts chargeable upon the ap-
preparations for the armament Of iortihcatons and
for ordnance and ordnance stores and supplies
and again, on the 9th january, 1851, in written
report of that date made to the Secretary of War
on the same subject, and in reply to further nqui-
ries from said Secretary, who was thereby again
seeking to ascertain whether any such contracts
were outstanding; and again, in personal in
erview with the Secretary Of War, at the
War Department, on the 30ih January, 1851,
when questioned by said Secretary as to the mean
ing or intention of the aforesaid letter to Brevet
Colonel Huger, dated 9th November, $780, whereof
copy enclosed in said report of the 9th jan
uary, 1851; and again. ON about the lst of March,
1851, when the Secretary of War did again inquire
of him in regard to this matter, in personal in
teryiew at the War Department, and did endeavor
to ascertain from him whether any shot or she'll
were being made for the Ordnance Departmental the
Tredegsr Iron Works; and again, on the 10th April,
at the War Department, when the Secretary Of
War read to him letter from Thomas Green,
dated the 9th April, 1851, alleging that the Trede-
gar Iron Works were making ahot and shells for
the Ordnance Department, under contract proba-
bly, given to DIR. Carmichael, and when said Secre-
fsrx 1irie rd fo hat
ter. On which several times and occasions he,
the said Talcott, did wilfuly and designedly with
hold and conceal from the said Secretary of War
all knowledge Of the said contract with Carmichael:
such concealment and suppression being Within
tent to deceiye the said Secretary, being in breach
Of his, the said Talcot's official duty, and of the
trust reposed in him, and being conduct unbecom-
ing officer and gentleman"
Specification 4M.-" In this That he, the said
Brevet Brigader General George Talcott Colonel
of the Ordnance Department, in charge of the Ord
nance bureau Of the War Department, did, on the
18th January, 1851, at the War Department, state
to the Secretary of War, wilfully and falsely and
with intent to deceive him, that neither the pro-
prietors Of the Tredegar Iron Works, any other
establishment, had any contract to furnish shot
shells to the Ordnance Department; whereas, in
truth and in fact, and as the said Talcott well
u
outstanding, had been given to Doctor Edward
Carmichael which he had, as the said Talcott fur
ther knew, engaged Joseph r. Anderson, proprie-
tor of the Trsdegar Iron Works, to execute
| Specification 5M.-s In this That he, the said
Brevet Brigadier General George Talcott, Colonel
of the Ordnance Department in charge of the Ord
nance 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.,
"'WAsHINGToN, Jan. 81 1851.
"'SR: In answer to the note from the War De-
partment Of this date, have TO report that no
| tract has been made for shot by this department
| from the last appropriations shot have been
furnished there are no contracts for shot made by
this department unfulfed, and none are now con
! templated
"sSupposiug that the inquiry may have reference
to letter officially addressed to Brevet Colonel
Huger the 9th November, 1850, deem it not
improper to send you cppy of that letter. although
not specifically called for by your note. Colonel
Huger's estimate for the present quarter-the only
one received from him since the above date-con-
tains nothing for the purchase of shot.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
HsG. TALCOTT.
'sBt. Brig. Gen., Col of Ordnance.
"'Hon. c. M CoNRA D. Secretary Of War
And in this further: That he the said Talcott, did
few days thereafter-to wit, on the 30h January,
ls5l-when questioned by the Secretary of War
to the IN Gaming of the aforesaid letter to Brevet
Colonel Huger, dated the 9th November, 1850,
whereof copy was transmitted TO the Secretary
of War, with the aforesaid report dated January
81 1851, state to the said Secretary that the mean
ing and object of said letter to said Huger to
enable the commander of the arsenal at Fort Mon
to purchase shot and shells in small quantities,
as they might be required from time to time, for
|
report and explanatory oral statement were false
in fact and intent, and made with design
to deceive the said Secretary of War; he, the said
Talcott, well knowing that large contract was
outstanding, which had been given to DR.. Carmi-
chael for shot and shells for the Ordnance Depart
ment, which contract had no view to any provision
for experiments or artillery practice; well know
! ing that he had permitted, allowed, and approved
the said contract; well knowing that his said letter
of instructions to said Huger, dated the 9th No
vember, 1885, was not designed, and had not
been construed by said Huger now represented
by him, the said Tacott, to the Secretary of War;
and well knowing that Joseph X. Anderson, pro.
prietor of the Tredegar works, had been engaged
to execute the contract made with said Carmi-
chael"
| Specification 9Th. 'In this That he, the said
Brevet Brigader General George Tacott, Colonel
| OF tne ORDNANCE department, IN Cnarge OF the
Ordnance bureau of the War Department, being
! inquired of by the Secretary of War at the War
Department, on or about the 1st March, 1851, in
regard to Information which had reached the said
Secretary that the Tredegar works were actually
| making shot and shells for the Ordnance Depart
ment, he, the said Talcott, did earnestly ure
the said Secretary that there not the slightest
| foundation for the said information. Which state
| ment of said Talcott false, and he knew it o
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 Car
michael; that said Carmichael had employed Jo-
seph r. Anderson, the proprietor of the Tredegar
| works, to execute it, and that the said Anderson
claimed the right to execute it as the assignee
or agent Of said Carmichael"
Specification 7th. :" In this: That he the said Bre-
vet Brigadier General George Talcott, Colonel Of
the Ordnance Department, in charge of the Ord.
nance bureau of the War Department, having
heard read to him at the War Department on The
10th April, 1851, by the Secretary of War, letter
from Thomas Green dated WASHINGTON eth AnYil