The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-04-09
LiucOIn Office Holders supply
ing the Rebels. ~
I From the Albany Atlas and Argus.I

liz high standing, IN tue Now iotA OuStou
House were Co operating with outside par
ties in sending supplies to the, rebels,
through Nassau and the port of Matsmo-
ras. The parties were arrested, some i'm.
prisoned, some discharged, but none tried
or punished. 1t was said a public trial
would involve. higher officials, and promi-
nent Republican leaders.
Since The commencement Of the war it
has been suspected that high officials at
Washington had communicated infol nation
70 tle enemy, Of our war plansi The com.
munication of Harvey, new Minister to
Portugal, to the rebels, Of the sailing OF the
fleet to the relief Of Sumter, which was the
signal Of the assault upon the fort, was the
beginning of long series oil secret under
landings with the enemy.
The New York Times now pub.Ish q
contract between the Rebel War Depart
,nen;. and Mr.. Chichester, Of Arkansas,
to sell cotton to the North on condition of
receiving gnods in exchange. Among the
articles to De furnished by Chichester were
10000 caps of gray or blue cloth, 10000
estouality cadet gray cloth army jackets,
5000 light blue cloth pants, 60,OOO brown
cotton or striped cotton shirts, 60, 900 pairs
brown drilling drawersi 10000 pairs shoes,
double solcs and laced IN front, 6O,OOO pairs
best quality German wool socks, 10000
great coats, 10000 pairs Meiino blankets,
weighing eight pound. to the pair, etc, all
evidently for unforming tine army-also
spades, axes, hatchets, camp kettles, ooU
dozen OF each-2.5O0 mess pans, 5o sewing
machines, and various other articles.
One of the stipulations Of the contract
was that the cotton forwarded should not
he used in the United States, but passing
through it, be shipped from some port
(otbcr than New Orleans) out ofthe United
States. The cotract, dated on the 18th OF
June, 1868, was renewed on the I'd oil Sep
rember last, With some variations
1t has long been wonder how the rebels
managed to clothe and equip their troops;
and how, blockaded as they have been,
they have now in the field one OF the most
thoroughly equipped armies that ever en-
tered upon campaign. The wonder IS no
longer a mystery. Our Custom Houses, OUT
Commissaries, rur Generals and our Treas
ury agents have been at work for them.
The lines does not conceal its impression
Of such compiler y.
Whether our Government or its agents
and Generals had any connection with this
traffic We have no means "f knowing. Ii IS
ecarcsiy possible that they should hare re-
,aainsd iqnOrdnt of as eriStence, and it is
not easy 10 see how it should have been
carried on in defiance to their wishes. The
Special agents sent out into that region oy
the Secretary of the Treasury, undoubtedly
had very large powers conhded TO them
n regard to trade with the Southern States:
but IL can hardly be supposed that they
were authorized TO supply the rebel army
with clothing, provisions, hardware, and
other articles of which they were most des
ritute Ii they have any such authority
It should either be revoked or the war
shonld be stopped 1t is scarcely worth while
TO maintain an army of soldiers to hight the
rebels, If an army Of Office holders IS IN the
feld ;rjh authority to feed hen
These army uniforms garrisons spades,
mess pans, &c, may have been sent from
our own army stores, direct to the enemy.
The destitution OF our armies, at certain
points. and at certain times, would indicate
some diversion of the supplies intended for
them.
A recent telegram from Washington to
the New York Tines is interesting In this
connection:
Investigations into New York custom
House affairs. by the Committee OF the
House develop the fact that tradelot such
magnitude has been conducted between
parties IN the North, and Rebels on the Rto
Grunde. that the rebel agent at Matamoras
has pocketed out of IT over a million dollars
as his share OF the profits.
How much the agents st the North have
pocketed does not appear. We venture 10
saw that il has not been smaller sum-
The y. Y Tribune recently published
story to the effect that Mrs. j. Todd " bite,
a rebel spy and sympathizer, passed into
the Con'ederacy few days ago, by way OF
Fortress Monroe, carrying with her IN her
trunks contraband goods, togethe| with
medicines, papers, letters, &c, under pass
from President Lincoln her brotherin law.
TIE story is true; and the details, sgiven
in the World, make il still grosser case OF
betrayal.
when Gen. Butler wished to open her
trunks, as the regulations Of transit there
prescribe. this woman showed him an au
to,raph pass or order from President Lin
coin enioining upon the Federal officers no.
to open any of her trunks, and not TO sub
iect the bearer Of the pass, her packages,
parcels or trunks to any inspection or an
novance. Mrs. White said to Gen. Butler,
or the officers in charge there, in substance,
as follows: My trunks are filed with con-
traband, but defy you to touch them
Here tpushing it under their noses) is the
positive order of your masteI.s
Is not such story revelation of infa.
my? And must not the most sangnine man
despair of the country when such inhuen-
ces predominant in its affairs! -.s..
These revelations first came to light 10
the Republican journals. The Seward
prints are glad to expose Chass's usdsrhngs