Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-05-23

mings, Esqrs., New York city,"

Now, gentlemen, in regard to the Con
gressional Committee Of Investigation of
which the country has heard SO much,
| have reason to believe that the original in
tention Of its appointment was to control
the War Department and place money in
the pockets Of its members. The second
or third day after the announcement of
the Committee, its chairman called upon
me and desired that should authorize him
to furnish certain regiment with arms,
munitions, clothing ETC. I refused his ap-
plication, because I thought from my
knowledge of his character that he was
unworthy of a trust. After further colo
Guy with the chairman, I ordered him out
of the War Department. and of course
was attacked by that committee.
The committee of investigation have
made an additional charge upon me in my
official connection With the Government,
with having bought a greater amount of
guns than were needed | did order a
large number Of arms but will take this
occasion to answer that charge. 1t must
be borne in mind that I was supplying an
army of more than 700, 900 men, and that
the loss Of arms in a single campaign has
been estimated by military men to reach
as high as fifty per cent. In glance at
the statistics | fnd that, in round num-
bers. l ordered million of muskets al
! most one hundred thousand carbines. and,
perhaps, as many swords. When I took
possession of the War Department, I found
that there were but few muskets in the ar
senals, no swords Of any account, and
| scarcely any munitions of war. Within a
short time after the proclamation, it be-
came apparent that there was no difficulty
IN getting troops, but there was great
dlfhculty IN procuring arms. found the
ordnance department without a head the
person having charge there being an old
man, who was conceded by those in whom
had confidence, including General Scott,
to be incompetent for the duties of the po-
sition. l superseded him, and put in his
place one who was believed to be fully
competent, but who soon proved in the
opinion ofmy associates TO be unequal to
the crisis, [ felt, personally, reluctant to
enter into any contract myself, as I had
no time for such details. and therefore d-
rected Mr.. Thomas A. Scott, my assistant,
/ to act in conjunction with Col. Ripley,
and that he should see that every con-
tract was so guarded that, in case of fail
ure at the end of thirty days, the contract
should be revoked, leaving to Col Ripley
to determine the quality and price of the
arms to be contracted fer. st this time
Governors of States, officers without
arms, cabinet ministers, and members Of
Congress were constantly making applica-
tioDs for arms, charging the ordnance De
partment with ineficiency, stating that il
consent were given they could be procur-
ed, and [ therefore directed Mr.. Scott te
act in conjunction with Col Ripley and te
contract with every man who was willing
to make a musket or furnish q sword, and
from whom the other necessary munitions
of war could be obtained, at the same
time iDstructing him to see that the ehiet
of the ordnance department should fix the
price and determine the character of the
arms. The allegation has been repeated
ly iterated that | made those contracts
with an eye to personal preference. But
have already proven, gentlemen, that the
furthest limit o: even my unofficial actor
in the matter was simply to erder the max
ing of such contracts as were necessary
leaving all that regarded price or quality
in the hands of the ordnance department
and to this day, I scarcely knew any o.
the individuals with whom contracts were
made.
The special contract exciting public at
tention was made with party by the namo
Of Boxer, On the fifth of September, I'm.
der cover of the President, I received a
note, which I now read:
" Washington, Sept. 4, 1861
''HoN. SIMON CAMERON. Secretary of War:
"SE: Our resident Partner in Eu.
rope advises US by last t'steainer of lot Of
upwards of one hundred thousand stand Of
arms-rihed percussion muskets-new and
in good condition--having been placed in
his control by making advances thereon.
1--WE desire to offer them to your de-
partment, and should it appear to you OF
sufficient Importance to secure the imme-
date delivery of SO large quantity OF
good arms, we would invite your attention
thereto.
1--WE offer the arms at price not ex-
ceeding eighteen dollars each, subject to
the inspection and approval of an armorer
whom you shall select to accompany our
authorized agent. If the article is not
satisfactory, the Government will incur no
expense, and if approved, you will secure
/ an article much needed.