Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-24

the Government is worthy better place. Is il
possible that this monstr0us system of wrong ex-
tending from the Atlantic to the Mississippi from
the Potomac to the Lakes, can not be stopped or
even checkedT If that be so. better disband our
armies, and let the oiigarchs of the South rule
and reign over us.
Mr.. MoRGAN's AGENCY IN PURCHASING VESSELS.
Since this report has been submitted to the
House, Mr.. George ID. Morgan has prepared an
elaborate paper showing the benefits of his
agency, and relies upon the fact that in nearly
every instance he paid less price than the own
ers asked We can test the strength Of his posi-
ton by the Stars and Stripes To build her cost
$50, 900; by her charter the owners realized
SIS 900 from Government; they then asked $780,
600. Mr.. Morgan paid SIS, ,000-$5, 900 less
than they asked, but Sl9 900 more than she cost
While with the Potomska and Wamsutta the
owners received $53, 900, the Government paid
100000, although Mr.. Morgah's papers allege he
was asked $50, ,000 This seems the reverse of
private parties for $4,000; Mr.. Morgan was
asked $50, 900 and paid S27 600. These are not
the only instances, as the committee will show
by a further examination, to which they are iu-
yited 5y the Secretary, and directed by resolu-
ton of the House. Secretary Welles, a man
estimable in all the relations of private life, hon
est himself, and who would not take farthing
from the Treasury, seeks to justify Mr.. Morgan
by showing that the Government in times past
was imposed upon by impostions on the regular
officers; and he employs agent with no salary,
yet putting him in the position of antagonism to
his Government, making his interest against it,
for the greatest number of vessels bought, and
the highest price paid nets him the most money.
For the credit of the Government such practices
should cease. We have not only a right to Mr..
Morgan's skill, experience, and shrewdness, but
we have right to the benefit of that ruling feel
ing with many business men-that of interest for
his employers. 1t is no answer to say that Mr..
Morgan is honest. Grant it. Mr.. Morgan is
fond of money, or he would not, he could not,
consent to take nearly $50 900 Of the money
which has been made to him in about five months.
who is thus greedy of gain
identity is more Jealous of his own than his
country's interest. Besides, if the Secre
tary needs the native ingenuity and business
capacity, which l admit is of higher order, why
not employ him, and give him fair remunera-
tive salary, as other men employed2 He says
that S9O,OOO was taken from the pockets of the
sellers. Not SO; Mr.. Morgan always notified
them they must pay him two and half per cent.
on the purchase; that they must pay the lowest
cash price, and add two and a-half per cent.
thereto. If Mr.. Morgan possesses the business
ability which the Secretary claims, and which |
do not doubt, he certainly could have obtained
all the vessels at the price he did, less the two
and a-half per cent. Who doubts it? Why should
not the sellers readily have given the two and
a-half per cent. to the Government as to Mr..
Morgan? No, sir; that fallacy may suit the Sec
retary, but it will not deceive the people. In
September last, when Mr.. Morgan had made over
S5O,OOO, representation was made to the Cabinet
i'm regard to this matter and the attention of the
Secretary directed to it, Had he changed the
policy, no censure could have been charged upon
him. but he persistenty refused, and in Decem-
Der Mr.. Morgan had increased his fortunes to
the enormous sum of about $50 ,000-at the rate
of quarter of a million per annum. Mr. Nor
gan's service could have been secured at S5 900
annually, and this enormous sum saved to the
treasury; but il this be not SO, and men owning
vessels have been compelled or induced to sell
them at small prices, what right has the Secre-
tary to allow his brother law to put his hands
in the pocket of each seller and realize the i'm
mense sum of $780, 900 in few months. That
money really belonged to the Government. AS
an agent he takes it; and if it be an unconscion-
able amount it belongs to his employers. The
Secretary should know that the rules of the
Chamber Of Commerce in New York, as to com.
missions, do not apply where the value of the
vessel exceeds $50 900; beyond that sum the per
centage is left to bargain between seller and bro
ker. Can the Secretgry find a solitary case
where merchants have allowed two and half per
Boston is one per cent. where the value is over
10000.
DEFENCE OF SECRETARY wELLEs.
The Secretary in his last message, claims that
the vessels have been cheaply purchased. As
sumo it, if you please. Does he not know that
our commerce is paralyzed-that sail and steam
vessels have been crowded on the market, and
must be sold at any price or rot at the docks? AS
well justify the purchase of the Potomska and
Wamsutta, which were charged to the Govern.
ment for 81 900 more than the owners received
on the ground that they were cheap The Sec
retary must have known this transaction was liza
bic to the criticism it had received, or he would
not, as he says he did in advance, feel he might
receive some censure because this great bounty
was bestowed on brother law. The Secrsta-
ry, in his labored defense Of Mr.. Morgan, has
done great injustice to Commodore Breese in the
purchase of the Roman aud the Badger. There
was an early disposition on the part of the Sec
retary to take the purchase of vessels from the
navy officers; for the Commodore swears that he
"had directions from the Navy Department, by
letter, April 81 1861, to consult with persons ca
pable of giving information and advice" A let
ter, written April 23 by H. Bridge, chief of the
bureau of clothing, says: "Mr. William II. As
pinwall has offered his services to the Secretary
of the Navy, who wishes you to call on him if
you need assistance in the matter OF the steamers
as well as to acknowledge his courtesy" On the
same day the Secretary also wrote, "advising him
to consult with Governor Morgan, G. ID. Morgan,
with Messrs. William Evarts, Blatchford, Grin
nell, also committee of citizens who are en-
powered to act for this Department" In let
ter of April %, the Secretary says.
"In nv letter Of the 22d instant referred to
certain gentlemen as an advising committee, with
whom you might consult One of the gentlemen
alluded to, George D. Morgan, ESQ.,, has the
special confidence Of the Department, and you
will advise with him, in behalf of the Depart
ment, and as its friend, in this emergency, in the
purchases you may make, and the extraordinary
measures you are compelled TO take. 1t has
been gratifying to the Department to witness the
promptitude and alacrity that have been exhibit
ed, and the services rendered, not only by the
gentlemen referred to, but by Mr.. Aspinwall and
Others"
On the 3Oth April, 1861, the Secretary saws:
"In order to relieve yourself of inconvenience,
and sundry gentlemen who were specified as ad
visers in the late emergency, have proposed that
Mr. G. d. Morgan, and Mr. w H. Aspinwall be
substituted in bis place. These two gentlemen
have been efficient in aiding and assisting you,
and are vgilant for the country and its interests.
They will, it is believed, cheerfully act for the
Department when you have not opportunity or
time to consult with it, Both of the gentlemen
have been written TO by this mail on the subject,
and you will consult with either, or both, in your
future negotiations and purchases"
In letter of May 18th, speaking of purchas-
ing several vessels, among them whaling ships,
he says
please advise with Mr.. g. d. Morgan in regard
TO this matter, and make purchases with his ap-
prevail"
Thus il clearly appears that Com. Breese was
induced to place confidence in Mr. Aspinwall; and
when the whaleships ordered in the absence
Of Nr. Morgan, he called on Mr.. Aspinwall and
was governed by his advice and action, and, May
10, wrote TO the Secretary:
81 have commissioned agent, indicated by
NJ Anrsn n.au t1. urncaod fo Nna Ralford 70