Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-05-16
MR.. CAMERoN's DEFENSE.

response to a toast in his honor made long
speech, defending himself from the attacks
which have been made upon his administra-
tion Of the War Dedartment.
He stated that he accepted position in the
cabinet at the request Of Mr.. Lincoln, and in
opposition to his own personal preferences,
and that he resigned his post at time when
he could do so with safety to the public inter-
esis. That when he accepted the position Of
Secretary Of War IL was with the perfect un-
derstanding between Mr.. Lincoln and him
self that whenever he thought proper to re-
sign he should be privileged to do so and
when vacancy occurred in the appointment
TO Russia he was offered the place, and he
was glad to accept it. Mr.. Cameron referred
to the toll he had to undergo during his ad-
miuistration Of the War Department, and in
that connection made the following statement (.
lo say nothing of the extraordinary necessities of the
department. arising from unforeseen and threatening
national emergency; the doors Of my private dwelling
were hescyed from daylight TO the latest hours Of the
night The department was surrounded all hands and
at al hours Certain members Of Congress, who figure
in the vote % censure, bcscgng my doors
and often patiently waiting for hours 10 catch part Of
the drppings from the department
Mr.. Cameron then gave a description Of
the condition Of the country at the time he
assumed office, and Of the disoyalty Of a large
portion Of the employees Of the government
at Washington.
The ex-secretary made the following state
ment in relation to his appointment OF Gov
Morgan and Mr.. Cummings as agents Of
the War Department in this state:
''You a'l remember, gentlemen the day Of the Pres
dedens proclamation. calling upon the people Of Penn
ylyana because the demand YEAS made upon you here
In common with other states) for troops defend the
national capital My son happening TO be 10 Washing
ton sent him thiiher with the utmost dispatch, and
ASKED MIN o appeal 20 every man he met in ths toWn
aud through the country send down every solder vino
would come Within three days after the issuing Of the
proclamation four hundred and eighty troops from Penn
sylsania arrived 10 Washington. They the first
inspire the government with hope and courage 90
contend with the awful crisis then impending. They
came there without arms and were furnished from the
arsenal at that place. Directly after this-withn two
three days--three four regiments assembled
Cockelsviic' Matylaud, by my order. At the same
tune lumber OF bridges on the Philadelphia and Bal
timore Railroad. via Wilmington, were burned or de-
atroycd Il was at this time that the mob in Baltimore
murdered our unamed soldiers in her their
waytn the defense Of the capital aud the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad refused 10 carry troops. At that time,
when the loyalty OF nearly all the Inhabitants doubt
ed Mr. Seward the Secretary OF State in company with
the Secretary uf the Treasury called upon me and said
We must have somebody in New York assist the pub
lie officers there In collecting and forwarding troops,
asking me 10 name any individual whom eonsideted
competent iur that purpose was acquainted with but
few people in New York. but after moments rehec-
ton rec0llected Mr.. Cummings, with whom had
intimacy whom he citizen Of this The two
gentlemen then informed me that they had appointed
Mr. Cisco, Of the sub-,reasury General Dix, in
The army Mt Opdyke, the present Mayor OF the city Of
New York, and Mr. Blatohford citizen Of New York,
aud as have stated requested me to name some other
gentlemen. gave the name of Mr.. Cummings. and s
soeisted with i that OF Governor Morgan, Of the State
Of New York"
In regard to the purchase of arms for the
government, Mr.. Cameron stated that when
be assumed his position in the War Depart
ment he ascertained that there were but few
muskets in the arsenals, aud scarcely any
munitions of war that the ordnance depart
ment was without a head, and that an army
OF 100000 men needed large and immediate
supply of arms. Altogether he had ordered
nearly a million Of muskets, almost one hun
dred thousand carbnes, and perhaps as many
swords Being personally reluctant to enter
into contracts for arms, he directed Colonel
Thos. \ Scott to act in conjunction with
Colonel Ripley. In continuation he said
'the special contract exciting public attention was
made with party by the name Of Baker. On the 9Th
OF September under cover from the President received
"'wAsHINGroN, Sept 4, 1861
60 Han Simon ClmeroH Secretary Of Var:
"'SH Our resident partner in Europe advised us by
last steamer ola lot Of upwards Of one hundred thousand
stand Of arms-ried percussion muskets--new and in
good conduon-having been placed in his control by
1--we desire to offer them to your department. and
should appear toypu 0f sufficient Importance
the immed delivery there Of so large quantity of
good arms, we would invite your attention thereto
" w offer the arms at price exceeding eighteen
dollars each subject TO the inspection and approval Of
arm1ter whom you shall select TO accompany author
zei agent II the article is not satisfactory the govern
ment will incur expense and II approved, you will
cure an article much needed
" we also control by advances thereon, over $4,000
cavalry sa6rcs. which offer above at price mol
exceed 81 % piece.
Very respectfully,
Your obrdeut servant
HERMAN BOXER, h CO,
80 Chf street. New York.
Bown.'
This was at the time when the Queens proclamation
had prohibited among other things, the expectation Of
arms 70 the United States. You remember gentlemen,
seat agent Mr. Schuyler, of New York; out to
Belgian to procure arms for government. He
ceeded in purchasing one hundred thousand guns there
but being unable ship them directly. he sent portion
10 England, where (the proclamation to which | have
Just referred being soon aner issuedl he prevented
fr m transporting using the arms in any manner In
this extremity Of the large army of sodiers In and about
Washington not two bundled thousand armed -
Upon the letter have just read the endorsement of
the President in his hand writing, 10 these words
Il approve the carrying this through carefully,
uously aud cxpediOusy. Avoid conflicts and interior
ance, ABRAHAM LINCOLN"
"Tho literal meaning Of the endorsement was that the
world should not know Of military deficiency aud
weakness until the evil had been remcded aud that
and caution 70 be used, heretofore in keeping
inyulate the secret o defect. Fully eoincding with
the President aud Ia obedience with his Ordcr prompt
direct TINS contract 70 ne closed unu assure YOU
gentlemen without the It produced should not
have been able 10 achieve the late glorious victories Ia
the West g."
Mr.. Cameron spoke in severe terms of the
conduct Of Mr.. Dawes.
In conclusion, Mr.. Cameron stated that he
was not an abolitionist, but that if he had
the power he would cali into the field every
man able to shoulder a musket, whether he
was white or black. and he (Mr. Cameron)
believed that he would come to that in the
end
I-Sy' The Chicago Tribune of May /, con
tains the following:
+. Eastman, Of this city, for several years past
connected with the press u Chicago aud Milwaukee has
rec iscd the appointment Of Volunteer Aid de-Camp TO
Bigadier General Charles Hamilton, commanding
Division before Eorkmwn Col Eastman has host Of
rcuds la As vicinity, eho will send with him to the
Of theft wishes for his welfare aud safe
turn The division Of the army which he will be at
iaehcd is largely made up ol Western troops. We con
gfatulate him upon his position"
The division Of the army to which he will
be attached is largely made up also, of East
ern troops and while Col Eastman will be
associated with the defenders Of the country
from his chosen home in the West, he will
II