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

Dix, Opdyke and Blatchford were dist inguIshed
citizens of New York, and prominent MEM
bers of the Union Defence Committee.-But
| singular. enough, while these 100000 are
apparently placed under the safeguard of these
| well-anown citizens of New York, It was in ef-
feet placed at the entire disposal Of Messers.
Morgan and Cummings or OF either of them,
by The Secretary of War.
Within few days after Cummings was in
vested with this authority, be drew from the
Committee, through the Sub-Tleasurer, Mr..
Cisco, at New York, $250,000, 100000 of
which, as Mr.. Cummings insists, were applied
| 10 pay for the purchases made by the Commit
lee itself, or by Mr. BIatchford, member OF ii,
and the residue, $l60,000, he placed TO his
| own credit IN the Park Bank an .New York
city, and he states, in his evidence, that he
| made purchases for the Government 10 the
amount Of 100000.
Mr.. Cummings employed clerk, Mr.. James
| Humphrey, and exhibited 10 that, as in most
| other transactions. a confding disposition hard
| ly consistent with thorough business man en-
gago1 IN public duty.
| Nj. Cummings appears TO have known moth
| ing whatever about this Humphrey, except that
| Thurlow Weed said be was ssrellabIe."
| This clerk was authorized to make pur-
cbases.
Mr.. Cummings acted in this extraordinary
character for about fifteen days. The $780,
600 was paid to Mr.. Blatchford or to the COM
mhtee with which he was acting, by NJ.
Cummings, without any examining into The
character of the expenditures, either by him
sell or anybody else.
THE WAY CUMMINGS BUYS CLOTHING.
/ Mr In, hay dai ho
! $l60, 900 placed to his own credit 10 the Park
Bank according to his own fancy. He says he
expended about $25, 900 in clothing, and on
| that poiotsays:
q. 0fwhom did you purchase clothing?
A. connot recall The names now. They
were nearly all strangers to me. will pro-
duce the vouchers.
Q. Did you purchase the clothing in the
maIkel
A. Yes, sir. 7 called to my assistance
clerk, through whom purchased what could.
@. What were the cloths, full su,ts'
A. No, sir There were two items which
covered the largest part OF the purchase-pant-
aloons and hats.
@. On what requlsltion did you purchase
hats and pantaloonsa
A. No requisltion.
@. How came you to purchase hats and
pantaloons rather than anything else?
A. Because thought they would be need
ed. as hot weather was coming on. had seen
the soldiers pass through here with warm Won
ter clothing, which believed they Could no
endure when warm weather should come on.
@. Then YOU were guided by our own in
formation and Judgment as to what would be
needed at Washington
| A. yes,sir.
@. Had you any other guide9
A. No, sir.
O. Had you any limits imposed upon your
actions except such as were imposed by your
own discretion!
| A. No, sir.
@. You purchased such kind, quality, and
| amount. as was dictated by your own judg-
ment solely?
| A. Yes, SIR.
The clothing was hnen pantaioons and
strdp hats 10 the amount of over $4,000.
Again, on this subject, Mr.. Cummings says:
@. Did YOU consult with any authority as to
the propriety of Introducing linen pantaloons
into the army?
A. Not until alter it was done. After il
was done talked with Major SIbley, and he
| said that it was not in accordance with the
army regulation; but theI had ceased to pur-
| chase.
THE WAY CUMMINGS BUYS PROVISIONS AND GRO
| CERES OF ALBANY HARDWARE MERCHANTS.
| Mr.. Cummings purchased provisions and
groceries. On this subject he says:
@. Can you give me the name OF any firm
ci whom you purchased any OF those groceries
| or provIsionsl
| A. / think some supplies were purchased of
Corning s. Co., Albany.
| @. Do you know what they were?
, A. think they were provisions.
G. Did you go to Albany 10 see The firm?
| "a. No, sir.
A. With whom did you do the busness
A. With Mr.. Davidson, member OF the
| firm.
@. Where did you see hima
A. At the Astor House.
@. What was the nature of the supplies you
purchased OF that frm2
A. They were provisions.
@. Did you ascertain from him beforehand
as 10 his familiarity with that branch Of busi-
ness?
A. supposed be knew all about it.
@. The provisions were OF the kind in which
he dealt?
A. supposed SO.
@. Did you seek him out!
A. met him al :ha Astor House.
Q, Did you seek him out for this purposes
A. No, sir; he came to me.
@. Then Davidson came to You and propo-
sed to sell you something which you now think
was some kind of provisions.
A. Yes, sir.
@. What was the amount OF the olll!
A. do not remember. The vouchers will
show.
@. Was it large or small?
A. 1t amounted to several thousand OF dol