Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-18

SPEECH OF
Mr.. Van Wyck Of New York,
~ THF H0UsF or REPREsESTATIvTS.
The Frauds and Swtudies upon tie
Government. y
~ THF HousF or RIP

sion 70 the frauds which had been perpetrated on
the Treasury, spoke follows.
About the tine The Ses York 7th, the pride
Of the EmpTe State. composed of the best Of her
citizen soldiery: Of men OF wealth. high family
posiLiun, education, enjoying the confidence OF
the community in all the relations Of iife-wth
the Massachusetts, btls---s, regiment representing
the intelligence aud business operations OF that
wonderful State-siie By Side we're foriIng
streams. building bridges. laying railroad tracks,
sleeping on the untented field, and when hunger
was pressing upon them, the 9Th dividing their
last store OF bacon and hard buiscuit with the gal
liant men of the 9th contract made in this
city, by the department, with DIVER. Laughman,
Sibley a. Tyler, for cattle from two 10 ten thou
sand, at eight dollars per hundred, live weight,
delivered here AID FIVE and three quarters in Penn
sylyania- What facilities had Dryer 4 Co, for
transportation which the Government did not
possess? Government could lay is strong arm
upon railroads and them; could plant its gath
ering armies 10 guard the bridge and truck. AT
that very time an agent vas sentb, the Depart.
ment into Maryland who, without difficulty pur
chased cattle to deliver in Washington 1T SIX aud
a half per hundred, live weight. Besides, direct
navigation with New York not DISTRACTED
by the Potomac Still more, If the danger Of
transportation through Maryland was an excuse
FOR tins contract big with profit, why provision
that 4 portion should be delivered IN Pennsylya-
mia if the Department desired. and why
nearly 500 received in Harrisburg while nearly
500 were delivered in Washington Notwith
standing the lions in the way, Dwyer * Co i'm
mediatey sub let the contract to New York men,
that without any hazard or perils they realized
over $50 900 or about 2 900 head They had 10
difficulty during the panic of these times in max
ING this contract. Why should the Government
have found anyl There is no preienee that
either Of these men had any special courage in
overcoming dangers. or remarkable skill in pur.
chasing cattle. Two We're railroad contractors,
one particularly near tie Secretary, one LAWYER
and one the winter before had been IN eonSulta-
ton and negotiation with rebels for the sale of
arms. Thus treason and corruption we're con.
tnued at the Capital.
AGENCY .oF ALEXANDER CUMMINGS, ESQ -PrR-
CHASE OF ARMY SUPPLIES
Nearly simultaneous with this occurred anoth-
er transaction. On the Dist day of April the
Secretary of War, although he well knew the
great ability and experience of Colonel Temp
kins, Quartermaster, and Major Eaton, Commits
sary IN New York city, wrote two letters to Alex
aucer Cummings. Esq. In one lie wants him
TO aid the COmmissary in purchasing supplies. TO
assist the Quartermaster in pushing them for
ward. The other letter states that
"The department needs at this moment an in
telliGent, experienced. and energetic man. in
troops, munitions and supplies"
No man knew better than the Secretary that
these qualifications were already possessed by
the army officers in New York. on whom it was
safe rely The Secretary then gracefully
compliments Mr. Cummings
You are acquainted with the internal arrange
ments and connections of the railroads in Penn
sylyana, over which, for the present. they will
have 10 pass"
Can there I've so much intrcacy about the rail
road connections in PENNSYLVANIA that the United
States QGartermaster in New York or Philadel-
phia WAS not conversant with them The Sec
rotary then adds the touching appeal to his pat
riotiSm:
Il am aware that your private affairs may de
mand your time. am sure your patriotism will
induce you to aid me- even ut some loss to your
self
On the Sd of April the Secretary again wrote:
"ln consideration of the extraordinary emer
gencies which demand immediate and decisive
measures. hereby authorize Edwin d Morgan
and Alexander Cummings tn make all necessary
arrangements for the transportation of troops, i'm
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 18th day of Nav Governor
Morgan delegated his portion of the power to
George d. Morgan. On the 9th the Secretary
wrote:
Il sent you yesterday an official paper to act
in connection with Governor Morgan by land.
through Maryland and Pennsylvania 1t is i'm.
Portant you should act promptly in sending sup
plies as CAMERox.
MIR. CUMMINGS"
Mr.. Cummings, thus armed seemed supreme
in his orbit; instead of rendering aid and assist
ance, he effectually superseded the army officers
Major Eaton distinctly informed him that his
services were not needed in the purchase OF su,
plies Still. Dir. c. commenced buying over
S2l 900 worth OF straw hats and linen panta-
looms, which were worthless to the army, and not
required by the regulations He employed Il
clerk of whom he knew nothing-had never seen
before. In his evidence nc first he did not know
who recommended him; then he thought he was
recommended by Mr.. ThurlOw Wee,l-fnallv he
said: 81 remember now that Mr. Weed told me
he knew all about him. and upon his recommen
dalton took him" This clerk Mr. c. suffered
to do all the business and make all the purchases
except what were made by tieo ID Morgan 1t
i but justice To influential and widely circu
lated paper IN the ctv OF New York To say that
since the World WIS untcl with the Courier md
Enquirer Mr.. Cummings has had no connection
with it as editor OF publisher s-,..-.
CHARTER or rHE cArALrxE
The doctor next appoints Captain Comstoek
TO charter or purchase vessels The CAPTAIN
with friend, goes 10 Brooklyn, inSpects the Cat-
aline and learns that her price is from 81 900
to $4,000 Instead OF purchasing or chariering
recommending the doctor To do So his friend
suggests to Mr. Develn that there els nice or-
portunity To make something bv good manage
ment' This was the 22d day of April. the very
day the propeller Daylight left New York with
supp les for the 9Th regiment and two hundred re-
cruits Of the brave and generous Young men of
that city. The Daylight left without CONVOY
and re-ched Washington safely never can tor
get the 2]d day OF April and the trip Of the Day
light. or of that gallant band who were leaving
AL the eudearments OF homes aud associations of
friends 90 encounter the periis OF disease and bat
tie never can forget the univ ersal diSquietude
in the great city OF the continent. No mails. no
telegraph a dreadful. solemn suspemse-brave
men good men. fearing. doubling. vet hoping
actuatel by one impulse. ready 10 give all even
life Tor the defense of the capital Washington
founded and the flag the patriots of the Revolu-
tiun baptized in hood No one could have be-
lie, ell that ~ such moment men could find
leisure or inclination 10 ascertain how something
could bc made out OF the griefs OF the people by
good management Yet that very dav when
sympathy for a bleeding country and the obliga
tons Of dnty to his employers should have ne
ceived from Captain COmstock all his skill and
energy his mission was used % benefit friends
lie knew DR. Cummings agent tor tie War
Deputmeff. stall he counScis freely with Mr.