Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-08-13
DISMISSAL OF GENERAL TALCOIT.

General Talcott was dismissed from the service
a short time since; the finding of the court mar
tial, convened on charges preferred by the Sec
Rotary of War, having been approved by Pres
ident Fillmore on the 9Th ut. The dismissal
was not anticipated by the friends Of General
Talcott and is almost universally condemned
by the press, as harsh and uncalled for pun
ishment of what few men would call an offence.
The facts in the case, rs condensed by the Hart
ford Times, appear to be these: Col. Huger,
commander of Fort Monroe Arsenal, applied to
Gen. Talcott, who was Colonel of the Ordnance
Department, for an order to procure bomb shells
for experiments at the fort The law requires
that such articles shall be purchased of the low
est bidder after public proposals shall have been
issued, unless the public service require their
use Immediately, and before they can be pur-
chased through public proposals. Gen. Talcott
was well aware of the law and regulations, but
supposing that Col. Huger wanted only small
quantity for immediate use, gave the order, but
was not careful to restrict the quantity. Col.
Huger at once purchased a large quantity on the
strength of this order-something like 500 tons,
we believe, at the rate of 800 a ton. This made
Il bill of $4,000. Then there was another vio-
lation of the rules of the department The per-
son who procured the order from Colonel HUI
ger, sold his contract for $4,000, without the
knowledge of the department. When the bills
came in, an inquiry was instituted rs to the
source from whence the order came 1t was ira
ced to Gen. Tacott, and he was put upon trial
before n Court Martial That Talcott did not
intend to sanction such purchase as was made
is apparent from the fact that when Intercepted
by the Secretary Of War, as to whether he had
issued an order for bomb shells, he replied that
he had not, ndreiterated this reply several times
after it was well known that the purchases had
been made, and on the strength, too, Of the un-
limited license given to Huger. 1t is not reason
able to suppose that he meant to deny the order
he had actually given, and the remaining proba-
bility would seem to be, that he had intended
the order complained of as only covering the
purchase of very small quantity of shells want
ed for immediate use. The most, and perhaps
the least that can be said of the matter is, that
he drew the order in very careless manner, and
that Huger took advantage of it, to throw money
into the pocket of friend. While the latter es-
capes with word of censure, the former is dis
missed from the service.
General Talcott is native of Glastonbury,
Connecticut; is about sixty-fve years Of age,
and has been considered faithful ard worthy
officer. 1t is surmised-on what ground we are
not told; that there may be some feeling against
him on the part of the present administration, OF
one or more of its MEMBERS aside from this Or
der for bomb Shells Providence Post
The New York Sun speaks in decided terms
of the duty of our government, growing out OF
the violent and unprovoked course of Mexico
towards American citizens connected with the
Tehuantepec surveying expedition. The strange
conduct of the Mexican Congress, in annulling
what is called the Garay grant for a railroad
across the Isthmus, is, the Sun thinks, matter
of sufficient interest to engage the attention and
secure the prompt action of President Fillmore
and his cabinet awe fear, however" says the
San, that the administration at Washington
are indisposed to attend TO our foreign relations
with any degree Of energy. The members of il
seem more disposed to seek their own pleasure
and advance personal interests by making tours
throughout the country. Like Louis Napoleon
they are more anxious to secure an extension oil
their term of Office or rise to higher honors thar
to attend to faithful discharge of their duties
to the country; and like him, we find them seiz
ing upon every excuse to make journeys thro
the country to attract popular attention, and pro
claim their intense devotion to the stability Of
the Union, while they eXpatiate on the eXtraor
binary services they have rendered to it,
"Thcre never was an American Administra
ton (the Sun justly continues), so barren Of
important services to the nation, as the present
During the twelve months they have been in of
flee, they have not settled single question Of
international concern. The President, indeed
issued two proclamations, both equally ridicu
lous, and the Secretary of State wrote a letter
in reply to one from the Austrian Minister three
months after its receipt. They have all made
speeches enough; and, no doubt, they will be
chiefly famous in the future for the number Of
miles they travelled, and the speeches they made
during their term of office. 1t is right the peo
pie should know the manner in which the bust
ness of government is neglected, when mos
important matters are pressing upon the atten
ton of those whose duty it is to take care o.
the interests Of the country and the rights o.
its citizens"
We think the San is not any too severe il
its comments upon the present administration
touching its management of our foreign affairs
and especially when we apply them to the man
agement of affairs with powers on our own con
tinent. 1t is undeniabe that all our Ncaraeu:
difficulties have grown out of the neglect ant
Indifference of our own government. Mr.. SOUR,
was left at home to please the British Minister
and for long time, when we most needed tn,
services of an agent to preserve the rights O
our citizens, and watch closely the movement
OF Chatfeld-to rebuke his usurpations and dis
close his iutriuuoc-wa uaro uvboll,y nnronro