The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-02

| | determined 10 make direct inquiry in rela-
reau on the 27th January this note [Slaes that the
Secretary wishes to know II there is any contracts
for shot outstanding and if so, what have been fur
nished, and what are 10 be iurnshedl In answer,
received this letter, dated the same day;
| ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT.,
| Washington, January ~ 1901.
\ SIR In answer 10 the note the War Department Of
Tor shot by this department from the last approximations no
shot have been furnished There contracts Tor shot
made by this department unfulhled, and none are now
sappo'at that the inquiry have reference to s,s s
November s50, deem it improper 10 send you copy
that although specifically called for by
ved from him since the above datecontans moth
ing for tue purchase OF shot
G TALCoTT,
| Breyet Brigadier General, Colonel OF Ordnance.
| Hon. G. M. CONRAD, Secretary of War
This answer being perfectly satisfactory, ceased to
think the subject until my attention again called
TO it short time after by Mr.. Green, again mentioning
the shot being made at the works al Richmond when
occurred TO that possibly Colonel Huger might be
king shot under that order OF the 9th November 1850
either sent for General Talcott, he other bu-
| siness to.my ofhce-l forget whch-when mentioned
this subject TO him, and asked him what meant by
that order and whether might be construed as author
izng the making OF shot, and what he meant by IT, He
told me, that could not be that all the shot that
could be needed at the Monroe arsenal occasionally
few shot or shells in artillery practice and experiments
that sometimes shot shell OF description OF which
| there hand was required in their eX-
permens and Practice and that the object OF this letter
was authorize the commander OF the arsenal 10 pur-
chase them when needed; that it possible Colonel
Huger might have ordered something OF this kind but that
must OF have been uncomfortable in quantity
lect a very considerable time alter the last
saton--when Mr. Green came to the office again,
about the Sd or 4!h OF April, and informed me that
large quantity OF shot had actually been sent down 10 the
Monroe arsenal IRON he Tredegar works in Richmond
He asserted this positively and stated that he had
ceived il from person who spoke from personal knowl
/ edge and of whose could entertain doubt
whatever, that began TO suspect there must be some
mistake this matter and told Mr. Green TO make his
statement in writing that was determined 10 investi
gate the fully He told me he would do and
day two afterwards he sent me this letter Letter
the letter before could deliver IL 10 Cen Talco think
Sunday interviewed, and one day. believe he attended
the funeral OF naval officer; at all events several
days elapsed when sent for him TO my office
| con menced by reminding HIM OF our previous CONVEX
salons on The subject OF this shot. which was said
making al the rredegar Iron Works at Richmond
that subject since sersei He said he had
told him that had received letter from Mr. Green few
days ago, which begged leave TO rea to HIM ! read
10 him Mr. Green's letter from beginning 10 end Letter
OF Mr. Green here read, stating that he had some
Two years ago. presented to the department the claim OF
Mr.. + b. Dean Tor making shot; that he well quail
ifed complete such a contract TO the satisfaction OF
The department; that he was authorized 10 say that the
Tredega works had large order 10 furnish shot, and
that large quantity OF shot had already been delivered al
Fort Monroe. When had hnisied reading the letter
said 10 him, .General, what dc you say to that " He
answered, 81 say there IS not word oil ruin IN II u Is
all humbug IRON beginning 10 end" with great EN-
phass He spoke very emphatcaly and apparently with
some dsplea said to him, General, there must be
mistake in this matter. People cannot fancy that
they shot piled up in foundry yard, that they
them loading a vessel and that they can have
tive for abTicalng such story, and there must be
truth in it-some foundation tor IT," He reiterated his
assertion that there foundation Tor i. endeav
ored doubts in his mind and endeavored to show
him how improbable II was; that this came direct from
Richmond that Mr.. Green told me tnat the person
from whom he had this information was OF an
doubted responsibility, and that he would be willing TO
TESTIFY IN the matter II necessary he still insisted how
ever, that the story without foundation. then said
" General you must make report to me on this subject"
He answered al make my report row. VIVA, further
port do you :" told hun wanted formal report
IN writng He said with impotence, that il was
10 make dozen reports, can only repeat what say
now there is not word OF truth in that letter. |
Piled, Nevertheless, General, must have report in
writing tins letter; al the time extending the
letter to hun, which held in my hand He said that
should have report in writing and lett the This
about the 10th Of April last Two or three days al
ards he TO the office, accompanied by gentle
man, whom he introduced TO me as Mr.. Anderson, OF
Richmond, Virginia. He Observed soon as he enter
ed "tnat Mr.. Anderson is the owner OF the lredegar
works, and have brought him TO you 10 explain that
matter OF the shot" instantly replied General want
no that subject from Mr.. Anderson; what
ever explanation is given must come from yourse H." he
said that Mr. Anderson was The gentleman who was
making the shot, and knew all about H. he thought that
he could best explain IT," observed, then, there is shot
makingi" He answered, it seems so" answered,
"Wel then General, will receive explanation that
subject but from yourself have requested you TO make
written report on that subject, and will accept sub.
stute for il" He said that he did not otter ii subst
iute. but thought would like to hear Mr.. Andersons
statement replied that Mr. Anderson could max his state
ment in writing Mr. Anderson then spoke, and said that
he thought hard he could make statement on
a subject in which he had pecuniaIy interest replied
that he could have interest in this question that if
he had claim against This department he had only pre-
sent it TO the department, and would be considered but
that this question between this department and
OF lis officers IL question whether an order OF
the department had been NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. or not false
reports had been made TO the department BY one OF lis
officers and that question which did not concern
him He said he had acted in good faith; that he had
executed part oil the work, and delivered some oil the
shot, and had made his preparations TO execute the
remainder and that he should not suer for the faults oil
others. | told him this not the time Tor that IN
Quiry. and refused the sublec, with him
In the course OF the conversation he mentioned that
he had executed the work under an order given BY Col
Huger to Doctor Carmichael General Tacou left the
room first he about 10 retire said 10 hm, zen
eral you will please direct Col Huge TO receive more
shot or shells" lie answered that il was hardly neces
sary-ha he took for gained he would receive no
more. told him, General, you have taken loo much
for granted already IN this matter. You took II Tor
granted that contract existed when you were informed
the CONTRARY you took Tor granted that no shot had
been made aud that no shot had been delivered, when
YOU were informed that there had been. Now beg OF
you to take for granted, but to issue the order
lie SAID he would do and lett the room ms - the
purpor OF the saon lean tecoect u, that took
place Some ten days afterwards he sent ~ the report
Report read dated 10th April 1881, stating that his let
ter OF the oh November, 1850 Is the only one .r the
purchase OF shot, and that TO direct Colonel Huger
10 order as reasonable an amount would be re.
quireJ, and 10 be purchased IN open markell Not
/ - a, I,. Hin.