New-York daily tribune., 1862-05-09

.ons,dsred conpet<nt for that purpose. l was sc.
ousinted with but few people IN New fork, Du'
after a moments reflection recoAected 1l. unI.
nnps with whom had an intimacy "hen no was "
citizsn OF this State. The two gentlemen then ~ IN,
formed me that they had appointed Mr. cisco OF Ine
Sub Treasury, Gen. Dix, now in the army mr.; ~
5vke the present Mayor Of the City OF New iorh,
and Mr.. Rlatchford, citizen Of New-York, ana as
have stated, requested me TO name some o'nei
tIemen. gave the name Of Mr. Cummings ana as, .,
sociated with it that OF Gov. Morgan u ti.o ho "a
New.York. To show how guarded was Ia Ineso
appointments will read the order that gave upon
that occasion: .,oa ,osI
"Ip of the extraordinary eniefsehcie
demand immediate aud decisive measures o Sons Gov.
Of the National Capital and the defense Of we of
enmsn hereby sulno,e ~ CumniUss now in the
City OF NewYork, to nshe al necessary % "a snd
transportation Of troops .d manmon o.. Inl.sd State.
until communication by mail and telegraph s
established between the cities Of Wa1hinston mo & Nv OK
Either Of thern in case OF INABILITY 20 coh'ui' ~' ~
may exercise the authority hereby sven; ., Wa
| "siMOS CAMERON. Secretary 0i var
II will be seen that did not intrust those gentle
men with the expenditure OF any money. l Was
careful 10 give them no authority to act independent
of tho military officers Of the Government some
time aferward, ] received telegram sgneo oy
Messrs. Morgan and Cummings asking Tor authority
to draw money which referred, an the nsuai hiau,
ner, to the Treasury Department. That Is s!l haa
to do with the matter; and at tho end OF iouf'eeu
/ dsys communication having been restored, 4 re-
yoked their authority, ne will be seen by the follow
ing note: ,,..- 1861
"GryrLpsRS. Tie extraordinary emergency wllch ee
m.pId immediate and decisive Tor tho
of the National Cspl. aud the delenAo o' G Is ~.
tioua Government rendered u g. S,, nnrpo.e.
Department to adopt extraordinary intsns Io' 'a'
auihavng foil confidence IN your inte enee sa
ard ssa Gs Of oo % 1e in I
astance Of the officers OF the Arsy Of ne nno
until the re-eslebiishmsn' OF cSmnTni's'on s,,"n
Telegraph between tie cities Of New sofs sne
luiurrrur,cd communication between sng ~ W. -
being again esa0..isi spdh De-. rs.soe ,"s y @
duiies heretofore attended TO by you should Oc
formed by the officers Of the army. TO "hon tney pul
belong beg 10 tender you The thanks Of ~. A.; IT,
tho very prompt and efficient manner IN "hic you nav
bsreel lie dn-s ass-sd y0u, and t. request you 10 ts'
making Iurch,se procuring transport or aseadils 70 9I
duties alde authority which could ee l''insa OILY y
the emergency novy happily DO longer existing
"e'Pee"uN' 1s;laoy CAMERON
Gov =. D. Morgan md Alexander cnmrsns' e'' N'"'
iosk City
Now, gentlemen in regard TO the CDngressiohal
Comm of Inye,iigs'ion, OF when 'ue ooi".iy
ha heard 80 much have roason to believe i1a' liy
original Intention OF it, appointment was 10 eoE"oi
the War DEPARTMENT and Place money III the pocke'S
Of its Inomhers The tecOnd or third day sitter TIC
announcement Of the Committee, Hs 'hiiruiah
called upon NE and desired that should huthotze
him 10 furnish certain regiment WIN arms nun
lions. clothing. &c. i refused his alpneatioh
because / thought from my knowledge OF his Guar
scter that he was unworthy of a. trust Aner
further oooquy with the Chairman, oidere1 nlin
out of the War Department; aud oi course "ns
attacked by that Committee.
The COMMITTEE OF investigation have made ihe
additional charge upon me- in my Official CONNECTION
with the Government, OF having bought greater
uumber of guns than were needed. dld ofder
large number OF arms; bur VIII tahe ills occasion
TO answer that charge. II must be Dorne III hiliiu
that | was suppl, ing army Of more tnan 'VoVN
/ tha ttIe of
Las been estimated by military men TO reach ar hisn
Ar 80 per cent. In glance - the sialistce hhd
that in round numbers ordered nearly million Vi
muskets. almos, 10000 cerblne-. ard geihalf re
many swords When took possession oi the war
Denar,ment found that there were buL iew mus,
kefs in the ars mails, swords of any account, and
acorcely any munitions OF war. WITHIN shoft .ithe
after The procamaion it became apparent ina, there
was no difficulty in getting troops, but There Was
great difficulty IL procuring arms. iouhd tue pIu
nance Department without a head-the person nav
| in0 charge there being an old man, whJ w..s con
ceaeI by those in whom had confidence, including
Glen. Scott 10 be incompetent for the duties of the
positiop | superseded him. and put IN his place one
who was believed to be fully competent, but WHO
soon proved, in the opinion oil my associhtes, 10 De
unequsl TO the crisis. felt, personally, reluctant
10 enter into any contract myself, M l had no
time for such details, and therefore directed MI
Thomas A. Scott my assistant, TO act IN conjunction
with Col Ripey and that he should see that every
i contract tO Buhlbth NV VI
the end of thirty days, the contract should be re-
voked, leaving to Col. Ripley TO determine the quail
ity and price Of the arms 10 be contracted Tor. Al
this time Governors Of states, officers wanting arms
! Cabinet Ministers, and members OF Congress, were
constantly making application for arms, Charging
the Ordnance Department with iDeifcieucy, stating
that If consent were given they could be procured
and therefore directed Mr.. Scott ~ act III con unc
tion with Col Ripley and TO contract with every
man who was willing TO make musket or furnish a
sword and from whom the other necessary munitions
of war could be obtainedat the came time instruct
INC him To see that the Chief of the Ordnance De-
par,ment should fix the price and determine the
character Of the arms. The allegation has been re-
teatedly erated that made these contracts with AN
eve 10 personal preference. But l have already
proyep gentlemen, that the furthest limit Of even
my Official action in the matter WAS simply TO order
tue making Of such contracts as were Necessary,
leaving all that regarded price or quality IN the
hands Of the Ordnance Department; and to this day,
| scarcely know any of the individuals with whom
contracts were made.
The special contract exciting public attention was
made with a party by the name Of Boxer On the
5th of September under cover from the President,
received a note, which now read:
"w.sHiyIGoS, Sept 4 1861.
&" Hon srsoy CAMERON. Secyeiaryet u Var
"SR Our resden, partner ia Europe advises US by s.s
steamer lot upward Of 10000 stand Of
m ssns I1 aVSnee he.ou
desire fer them to your Department. ard should
appear you sufficient importance to secure the inmo
date delivery there OF 80 large snt,y ol good
would Ia sitr youF attention thereto.
We the price not eTceodfng Sl8 each sub
ec the inspection and approval Of an sTmore whom you
.hall select accoupauy authorized agent III tho ac-
not sastctory. the Government will incur no expense
sud II approved will article much needed
We aso control by aiyate, thereon 49, 600 cavalry
aDef hic oGe above at price not TO exceed o. ~
I O. piece Very respectfully your oOdt sefNts, .
HERMAN BOXER Co. No. - Ciihst, New York
Aiso lcge Sylinge Re nscherd Birmiu CHAM, Bown
This was at the time when the Queens proclama-
tion had prohibited, among other things, the expor-
tation of arms TO the United States. You remember,
LNr. Schylar Nay.-