The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-01-10
hs xsslstant ousuermsstsr At PhiladeIphis,

the Assistsnt Quartermaster At Philadeiphia,
Colonel THOMAS, telling him that if he had not
a sufficient supply, to see that's sufficient sup
ply for force Of not less than 100000 men
was obtained, taking care that no greater sum
should be paid therefor than the Government
had before paid. took that letter to Colonel
THOMAS, and he authorized me to procure shoes
and forward them to him, il | could find any-
body to make them. He ordered 75, 900 pair.
@. What did you do!
A. came to Benadlct & Hall, Of this city,
a large firm on Broadway, very well known,
aad teld them that Col. Thomas had told me
that il cost the Government, to make their own
shoes, about $2s20 a pair, which was the a.
mount he had limited me TO pay. They SAID
thew would undertake to make them at that
price, although the Government standard real
iy made the Shoes worth more than that. They
took the order.
@, When was this!
A. it,was in May or June.
The committee have no occasion to call in
question the integrity Of Mr.. Cummings. Mr..
Hall, in his testimony. says that he did not pay
Mr.. Cummings anything for his services, but
Mr., Cummings simply requhed, in this way,
the ktndness OF an occasional temporary loan
of $500 or $l000-(See page 609) "From
$3.50 to $500 per pair would have been
fair price for the shoes, (sewed.) Ii pegged,
$1,35." g..
CUMMINGS MAKES NO CHARGE FOR SERVICES.
Mr.. Cummings says be makes no charge "a
gainst the Government for his services; and as
tothe settlement Of his accounts he tesiies at
the time of his examination, (Sep. 81 four
months after this transaction had occurred, as
follows:
@. And what amount Of supplies have you
purchased up to this times
"A. This authority extended over period of
fifteen DAYS, when l received a letter from the
Secretary Of War, saying that the communica-
tfop had been re-opened, and that the purposes
ofmy appointment were now accomplished,
and the necessity for it having ceased, there
would be no further occasion for action out
side ofthe regular authorities OF the Govern
ment. The authority under both letters ceas-
ed at the expiration OF about fifteen days from
the date Of the last one, and probably from the
date of the first one. There also came at the
same time letter from the Secretary of the
Treasury to those gentlemen | have named,
asking them to desposit with MIR. Cisco the re-
naming funds in their hands. They accor-
dinghy desposited with Mr.. Cisco, in round
numbers, ST 100000.
@. The whole of your proceedings under
both letters covered how much money!
"A. About $250,O00. e ",'hF e
@. 100000 of which was 10 refund those
gentlemen what they had themselves expan-
ded. 80 eo liaiias 9'aai COZ "'-
A. Yes, sir; that is my recollection.
@. And that left you $4,000 with which
TO cover your own expenses?
A. Yes, sir. ~ s4i
@. Has the Government called upon you to
settle this account? q.
A. The Secretary Of war spoke to ne about
it recently, and told him as soon as 1 obtain
led the voachers from Mr. Blatchtord they
hould be forwarded together.
@. How long since you filed your vouchers
with the Government for the expenditure Of
the $l6o,0o0t hih iaei i2.lfi''
A. The vouchers I still have, but return
ed to the Department statement OF the artl-
cies forwarded. eata'ti9 'N
@. Haw long since you made that statement
10 the Government? f@2
A. There has been no statement forwarded
to the Goveinment except statement OF the
articles furnished. l,A 't
@. Has the Government called Upon you to
furnish the voucherse itatl N@t n'd -
a. ldosno know as they have called upon
noe formally, but have stated that was ready
to forward them at any time. "'.'
.ssog THE Way CUMMINGS BUYS COAL.
@. How long is it since your authority was
superseded? -7tE4N'
A. 1T was some time in May; but all the
transactions were not closed IN May. There
was sore purchases of coal. waited to have
that shipped, aud thenI waited for Mr. Blatch-
ford to return % the city, 10 order that might
get the two sets of vouchers and forward them
all.
G. Was,the coal purchase an extensive pur-
chase2 !, sb.ssss .ssttsl3 ISIS l,eJ
A. About 1000 ions. a ! .s.sig1 ...ig al.
@. From whom did you make that purchase
A. Of the parties who a-e furnishing the
Navy Department with coal. q
g, A!Andis.sas And a ;he same prlsce' aa5 80 IS
A. Yes, sir. 49,.
@, When did you make the purchaset
A. II was ordered about the time the first
purchases were made, but it was not all ship
ped. .,.e,4 XII 49,. .a.,. .C
@. Was there any difficulty IN the ordinary
officers Of the Government making that pur-
chase under contract?
A. They had no contract. .o. -
@. Was there any difficulty in their furnish
ing articles Of that kind? .,.s ,-
A. Not that know of.
@. Through whom was the coal purchased7
A. asked Mr.. JOHN Tucker TO purchase it,
and the reason was that he was in Philadel-
phia, and was familiar with the whole coal bus
iness.qo3 issiu bna sHsa ssR 8aW ~
Q.Was there not quartermaster in Philadel-
phiaf e' ees7 b ia h'a
A. Yes, sir.