The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-01-10

colonel THOMAS, telling hlm that II he hao no
sufficient supply, to see that sufficient sup
ply for force of not less than 900, 900 mer
was ohssnoed, taking care that no greater SUM
should be paid therefor than the Governneni
bad before paid. Itook that letter to Colone
Thomas, and be authorized me TO procure shoe:
and forward them TO him, II | could find any
body to make them. He ordered 5000 pair
@ What did you DOT
A. / came TO BenadlctsS1 Hall, OF this city,
large firm on Broadway, very we'll known,
and told them that Col, Thomas had told me
that it cost the Government, to make their own
saoes, about $2.20 pair, which was the a.
mount he had limited ne to pay. They SAID
they would undertake to make them at that
price, although the Government standard real
Nv made the shoes worth more than that They
took the +order.
@. When was thisl
A. II was in May or June.
The committee have no occasion TO call in
question the ntegihy Of Mr.. Cummings. Mr..
HAD, in bis testimony. says that he Hid not pay
M. Cnmm,nts anything for his services, but
Mr.. CUMMINGS simply reqlted, n this way,
the kindness Of an occasional temporary loan
OF $500 Of Sl000-(See page 6O9) "From
$3.50 TO $500 per pair would have been a
iair price f1r the sh2es, lsewedj If Pegged,
$780,
CUMMINGS MAKES NO CHARGE FOR SERVICES,
Mr. Csmrnjngs says he makes nc charge a
gajnst the Government tor lis services; and as
10 lbe settlement Of his accounts be tes,ifes at
j. the time OF hIs examination, (SeP. 81 f2ur
raonths after ibis transaction had occurred, as
follows:
@. Aud what amount OF supplies have you
purchased up to thIs tune?
4. This authority extended over period Of
fifteen days, when | received letter from the
Secretary Of War, saying that the communica-
ton had been rs-opened, and that he Parposes
Of my appointment were now Accomplished,
and The necessity for 1t having ceased, there
would be no further occasion for action out
side ofthp regular authorities ct the GoveIE-
ment. The authority under both lrttefs caas-
ed al the expiration Of about fifteen days from
the date Of the last one, and probably rom the
date of the first Que. There also came at the
same time letter from the Secretary of the
Treasury to those gentlemen | have named,
asking them 10 desposit with Mr.. Cisco the re-
naming funds in their hauds. They accor-
dinghy desposited with Mr.. Cisco, in round .
@. J. The III ; Whole Of eour proceedings under
both letters covered how much money?
A. About $250,O00
@ 100000 of which was 10 refuud those I
gentlemen what they had themselves ezpan- |
ded!
A. Yes, sir; that is my recollection.
@. And that lett you $l60,o with which .
TO cover your own expenses? /
a. Yes, sir.
Q. Has the Government called upon you TO /
settle this account an,
A. The Secretary ol war spoke to 81 |
it recently, and | told him as soon as4 n5talK- I
ed the vouchers from Mr.. Blatcht5sb
hould all be forwarded together.
Q. How long since you filed your vouchers
with the Government for the expenditure OF
the $4,000?
A. TIE vouchers still have, but | return
ed to the Department a statement OF the arlI-
cles forwarded.
@. Haw long since you made that statement
TO the Government?
A There has been no statement forwarded /
to the Government except statement OF the
articles furnished.
@. Has the Government called upon yoa to /
furnish the vouchers?
4. do not know as they have called upon |
iue formally, but have stated that was ready .
10 forward them at any time.
TIE Way CUMMINGS EUTs COAL,
Q. How long is it since your authority was /
superseded?
4. II was some time in May; but oil the /
transactions were not closed m May. There /.
was sore purchases Of coal. waited to have I
that shipped, and then [ waited for Mir. Blagch /
ford 10 return > the city, 10 order that l might
get the two sets of vouchers and forward tlsm I
all.
G. Was the coal purchase an extensive Pur-
chase?
A. About 1000 tons.
Q. From whom did you make that purchase
A. OF the parties who a~e furnishing the
Navy Department wiih ccal.
Q. And at The same price!
a. Yes, sir.
@. When did you make the purchase'
A. Il was ordered about the time the first
purchases were made, bat it was net all ship
ped.
Q. Was there any difficulty IN the ordinary
officers of the Government making taat pur-
chase under contract!
A. They had no contract.
@. Was there any difficulty in their tgrnist
ing articles Of that kIna!
a. Not that l know ot.
O. Through whom was the coal purchased!
A. ASKED M JOHN UCh@N ~ purchase Il;
and the ra2goa was that Be was ia PnillGel-
phia, and was familiar viii the whole coal bus
iness.
Q.Was there not quarternaster in Philadr!-
phla!
A. Yes, sir
Q. The quartermasler was competent per-
sor, was he notl
A. Yes, sir.
@ Why did you not do it through the pro-
per officer OF the Governments
n L Il l.. I