New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-06-05
7-hst Wa in tA. political campaign Of 1856:

" a 1os ~ ID Vic pCusc6 Cs1>YAS " icJDs
z. You were introduced 10 him at that tmei
A. think had ne. him before but il vas the frat
time had personal acquaintance vita him.
q. Who introduced him 10 youi
A. do not remember.
Shelf
A. No, Sir.
O. In MS company with Augustus or Richard
a. No, Sir do not think Riohard Introduced me
to him. He was staying at the NeE-iork Hote at
the tune. ] saw him there.
G. Since that time have you been on intimate terms
with him
A. Yes, Sir; more or less. have met him in New
York frequently.
Q. DID you occupy any official relat on 10 the War
Department in the month of March, ls5'
A. was appointed special agent, By the War De-
paItment, TO examine into the condition OF Fort KIP
ley, in Minnesota Territory.
q. Was that in the month OF March
A. do not remember the month
Q. Had you any other appointment from the War
Department at that time
A. No, cir.
Q. Had you any other in the month Of April
A. Not that recOllect-
4. do not know that had.
@. In June or July
A, II seems TO me it was later than Mach that
was appointed in the Fort Ripley matter
The Cbairman-I speak OF any other appoint nent
fiem the War Department IN either OF these months.
Witness-I do not remember; / was appointed to
20 cut and make examinations into the condition Of
Fort Ripley the number of squatters upon it, and to
make report in regard to Its general condition did
co. and seems TO was out there in June or July.
The Cbairman-WeIe you not in some other way
connected with the War Department in the months of
March, April, May. June, or July, beside having in
charge the Fort Ripley investigston!
Witness-I do not remember that was. was ap-
pointed in reference to Rock Island. The appointment
of sgept for the fort was tendeied me.
@. When did that occurl
A. 1t was after that.
@. After July7
A. Yes, Sir; l think go.
=, Q Had you not an appointment in connection with
Fort Smelling
A. OH no, Sir; not the slightest, directly or ndi-
rectly.
O. DO you know when the money was paid by the
Government for this WIknss P1 int property
A. l do not | know that the aggregate amount
they paid for the property was s2OO Ooo.
g. DO you know how much was to be paid in cash
A. j 90 not.
q. Do you know when the payment was MADE
Q. Were you not informed Of it by Richard Sche
A. Not that remember.
Q. Did Mr.. living inform you OF it
A. had very little conversation with MIR. Irving.
Q. Did you give your opinion to the Secretary OF
War, OF TO any person connected with the War De-
psrtment or to r. w. Latham, ss to the value OF the
property at Wlkins's Point
A. No, Sir; did not know anything about it except
from bearsay Ihesrd expressions Of opinion as to It's
value from various parties.
@. Who were they
A. / heard Mr.. Edward A. Lawrence ofFlushing,
member of the Assembly, speak of
q. What opinion did he express as to its value
A. think he said it worth s., 900 an acre.
@. Where was that
A. cannot tell.
q. Was it at Mr.. Miokles Office
a. No. Sir.
Q. At MIR. Schelrs offcel
A. No Sir He is member Of the Legislature,
and think it was likely at Albany.
lost tha( Nnt CyrTrc nj my
chased the property!
A. Yef, Sir.
O. Did you hear any expressions Of opinion as to the
value Of the property before the Government pur-
chased il
A. Yes, Sir; / had heard similar expressions. 1t
seems to me l heard Mr. Turner of Flushing, talk OF
l.. lie is man have known some little time, but
co not know his locality.
A. / do not know whether he holds that position or
O. Who have you heard express an opinion
a do not remember l was thinking had heard
MIR. Grinnell; but am not certain did. go ~
A. Did you ever have any conversation with MIR.
Wetnore In relation to the ae OF this property TO the
Government before July, 1881
A. think on one occasion saw him. l was in
Scbe!ls Office and Wetmore came IN, and heard him
give his opinion Of the property, the safety OF las
(Scbells) advances, the value OF the properly ano al
that sort eff thing. Mr.. Schel seemed little anxious
about the advances he made was about making;
and | think asked Wetmore about the value of the
property and Wetmore gave him his views upon it.
That is ALL think, have heard Wetmore say about IT.
O. DO you know who were Interested IN the sale
that property TO the Government
A. | do not | suppose / do not know OF but one
man who was Interested it, and that was Mr. Irving
except Mr. Schell said he was to De pretty literally
paid for his advances, &c, in the mater.
O. How much was TO be pad
A. do not know.
q. When was thsl
A. Before the money was paid.
@. How much was paid
A. do not know.
q. Was Schel your broker Z
A. We have had various money transactions for .
few years past
o. Do YOU know when the money was paid the
Government on account of the Fort Smelling pur-
A. / should think some time in July.
O. About what time
A. ] should think about the 2Oth.
4. It was paid by Mr.. Steele, Mr. Schell, and my
self
o. Richard Schelll
A. Yes, Sir
o. How much did Richard Sohell pay?
4. do not know what the amount wssi MIR. Steele
pald s6 Geo or g. 0OO and Mr.. Sche and myself the
balance.
Q. What was the amount paid
A. The whole amount paid was $50 ,0OO Mr. Steele,
/ think, paid $4,000, and Mr. ScheI and myself,
Y. How mucn OF tnat ala you pay
A. One hall. Mr.. Schell and myself paid the BAL
r suSs' You paid so 600 ofit7
A. Yes, Sir was to pay, of urse, my share Of il.
Q. Did not Mr.. Schen draw the check ,r draft for
the whole OF it
Wress-In the fret place, l do OF think you have
any right to ak any of these questions; you sre not
investigating Fort Smelling.
The Charman-It is for the Committee to decide
whether the question has bearing upon the subject
under iuve stgation.
By Mr.. W,od-Hss it any connection with the sub
iect we are inquiring into
Wit1ess-Not the slightest.
The Chairman--Tbe Committee will have no diff
with this investigation; i ask you whether Schell