The republic., 1851-07-14


tary of War did inquire Of him at the War De-
partment, and did then and there endeavor to
ascertain from him whether the Aforesaid Trede-
gar works in Richmond had a 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 Talcott's order TO the Secretary of War, in
swer to a call from said Secretary for information
of all existing contracts chargeable upon the ap-
propriations for the armament OF iorthcatlons, 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
the subject, and in reply to further inqui-
res from said Secretary who was thereby again
seeking to ascertain whether any such contracts
were outstanding; and again, in personal in
terview with the Secretary Of War, at the
War Department, the Both 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, 1850, whereof
copy enclosed in said report of the 9th jan
uary, 1851; and again, about the st of March,
1851, when the Secretary of War did again inquire
of him in regard 10 this matter, in personal in
terview at the War Department, and did endeavor
TO ascertain from him whether any shot or she'll
were being made for the Ordnance Departmentatths
Trcdegar Iron Works; and again, the 10th April,
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 Dr. Carmichael, and when said Secre-
tary did repeat his inquiries in regard to that mat
ter. On which several times and occasions he,
the said Talcott, did wilfully and desgnedly 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 deceye the said Secretary being in breach
of his, the said Tacotts, official duty, and of the
trust reposed in him, and being conduct unbecom-
ing an officer and gentleman"
Specification 4M.--" 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, on the
18th January, 1851, at the War Department state
to the Secretary of War, wlfully 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 or
shells TO the Ordnance Department; whereas, in
truth and in fact, and the said Talcott well
knew, large contract for shot and Shells and then
outstanding, had been given to Doctor Edward
Carmichael, which he had, the said Talcott fur
ther knew, engaged Joseph r. Anderson, proprie-
tor of the Trsdegar Iron Works, to execute.'
Specification 5th.-" 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.,
"tWAsHINGToN, Jan. 27, 1851.
"'SlR In answer to the note from the War De-
rfvx ~ I.tn bat.
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 unfulflled, and none are now con
templated.
"'Supposiug that the inquiry may have reference
to letter officially addressed to Brevet Colonel
Huger on 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-
tans nothing for the purchase of shot.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
"sG. TALCOTT,
s'Bt. Brig. Gen., Col. of Ordnance.
"'Hon. G. M. CoNRAp, Secretary of War
And in this, further That he, the said Talcott, did
few days thereafler-to wit, on the 3Oth January,
lS5l-when questioned by the Secretary of War as
to the m Gaming of the aforesaid letter to Brevet
Colonel Huger, dated the 9th November, 1850,
whereof copy was transmitted to the Secretary
81 1851 state to the said Secretary that the mean
ing and object of said letter to said Huger was to
enable the commander of the arsenal at Fort Mon
roe to purchase shot and shells in small quantities,
as they might be required from time to time, for
experiments and artillery practice; which written
report and explanatory oral statement were false
in fact and intent, and were 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 DIR. Carm-
chae for shot and shells for tho 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; we'll knowing that his said letter
of instructions to said Huger, dated the 9th No
vember, 1850, was not so designed, and had not
been SO construed by said Huger represented
by him, the said Talcott to the Secretary Of War;
and well knowing that Joseph r. Anderson, pro.
prietor of the Tredegar works, had been engaged
to execute the contract made with said Carmi-
chael.'
Specification 9Th. ''ln this: That he, the said
Brevet Brigadier General George Talcott, Colonel
of the Ordnance Department, in charge of the
Ordnance bureau of the War Department, being
inquired of by the Secretary of War at the War
Department, about the lst 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 sure
the said Secretary that there was not the slightest
foundation for the said information. Which state
ment of said Tacott was 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 the assignee
| or agent of said Carmichael
Specification 7th. "In this: That he, the said Bre-
vet Brgadier 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, 5th April,
1851, alleging, among other things, that the Trcde-
gar Iron Works were engaged in executing a large
amount of work for the delivery of shot and shells
! to the Ordnance Department, under contract
| probahlv given Nv the its officerq,