Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-24
SdettrO MlisttlIanp.
SPEECH OF
Mr.. Van Wyck of New York,
The Frauds and SwindIes upon the
Government.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.


Mr.. Van WICK, On. Y.,) after general allu-
sion to he frauds, which had been perpetrated on
the Treasury, spoke as follows:
About the time the New York 7th, the pride
of the Empire State, composed of the best of her
citizen sOIdlery; of men of wealth, high family
position, education, enjoying the confidence of
the community in all the relations of life-with
the Massachusetts 6th-a regiment representing
the intelligence and business operations of that
wonderful State-side by side were fording
streams, building bridges, laying railroad tracks,
sleeping on the untented field, and, when hunger
was pressing upon them, the 7th dividing their
last store of bacon and hard buiseuit with the gal
liant of the 9th, a contract made in this
city, by the department, with Dwyer, Laughman,
Sibley < Tyler, for cattle, from two to ten thou
sand, at eight dollars per hundred, live weight,
delivered here and five and three quarters in Penn
sylvana. What facilities had DWyer & Co., for
transportation which the Government did not
pOssess7 Government could lay its strong arm
upon railroads and use them; could plant its gath
ering armies to guard the bridge and track. At
that very time agent was sent b, the Depart
ment into Maryland, who without difficulty pur
chased cattle TO deliver in Washington at six and
half per hundred, live weight. Besides, direct
navigation with New York was not obstructed
by the Potomac. Still more, if the danger of
transportation through Maryland was an excuse
for this contract, big with profit, why provision
that portion should be delivered in Pennsylva-
MIA If the Department desired, and why were
nearly ], 500 rereived in Harrisburg while nearly
500 were delivered in Washington? Notwith
standing the lions in the way, Dwyer 4 Co. i'm
mediazely sub-let the contract to New York men,
so tha. without any hazard or perls they realized
over $50 900 or about 2 900 head. They had no
difficulty during the panic of these times in max
ing this contract. Why should the Government
have found any? There is no pretence that
either of these men had any special courage in
overcoming dangers, or remarkable skill in pur-
chasing cattle. Two were railroad contractors,
one particularly near the Secretary, one lawyer
and one the winter before had been IN consulta-
ton aud negotiation with rebels for the sale of
arms Thus treason and corruption were con-
tinueo az ;.r- Capital.
AGF>CY OF ALEXANDER CUMMINGS, Esp-PUR-
CHASE or ARMY SUPPLIES
Nearly Simultaneous with this occurred anoth-
er trahsactioR. On the 2lst day of april, the
Secretary Of War although be well knew the
great ability and experience of CosoHe fOmp-
kins, q -arte'master, and Major Eaton Commis-
sary ia New York city, wrote two lettess to Alex
ander Cummings, Esq. In he "'wnnss him
to aid the COmmissary in purchasing supplies, to
assist the Quartermaster in pushing them for
ward" The other letter states that
1.-The department needs at this moment an in
telhgsnt, experienced, and energetic man, in
whom it can rely, 70 assist in pushing forward
troops, munitions. and supplies"
Nc man knew better than the Secretary that
these qualifications were already possessed BY
the army officers in New York, on whom it was
safe TO RELY. The Secretary then gracefully
commitments Mr.. Cummings:
you are acquainted with the internal arrange
menis and connections of the railroads in Penn
syiysnia, over which, for the present, they viii
have 70 pass"
Can there be so much intricacy about the rail
road connections in Pennsylvania that the United
States Quartermaster in New York or Pbiladel-
phis was not conversant with theaf The Sec
retsTy then adds the touching appeal to his pat
riotism:
81 am aware that your private affairs nav de.
nian3 yoGT time. ] sure your patriotism will
induce you 20 aid me, even at some loss to your
self"
Os the Sd Of April the Secretary again wrote
an consideration of the extraordinary emer
gensIes which demand immediate and decisive
measures, hereby authorize Edwin d. Morgan
and Alexander Cummings 70 make all necessary
arrangements for the transportation Of troops, in
aid and assistance Of the officers Of the army of
the United States"
Either was authorized to act in the absence of
the other. On the 9Th day Of May Governor
Morgan delegated his portion of the power To
C3eorse ID. Morgan. On the 24th the Secretary
wrote:
II sent you yesterday an official psper to act
in connection with Governor Morgan by land,
through Maryland and Pennsylvania II is i'm
porsnt you should act promptly in sending sup
plies. "S- CAMERON
"Mr CUMMINGS"
llr Cammines. thus armed, seemed supreme
in is orbit; instead of rendering aid and assist
anes. he efectually superseded the army officers.
Mao Eaton distinctly informed him that his
ser Fices were not needed in the purchase of SUI
pIiss. Still, hr. G.. commenced buying over
so 900 worth Of straw hats and linen panta-
looms. which were worthless 70 the army, and not
required by the regulations. He employed =
clerk of whom he knew nothing-had never seen
before In his evidence FIRST he did not know
who recommended bin; then he Thought he was
recommended by Mr. Thurlow " Weesi-fnally he
said: Il remember now that Mr. Weed told me
he knew al about him. and upon his recommen
da E0n took him." This clerk Mr. c. suffered
to DO all the business and make all the purchases