New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-06-20

counts relating to claims for spoliations or for In
dian treaties not carried out be adjusted by hve eo
missiOners, appointed for the purpose by tne IIesi
dent of the United States, and that such e0mnis-
siOners as well all persons officially employed in
connection with Indian affairs. may be nomlhaneu NY
the United States Indian Peace Commission, con-
sisng of representatives from the different churche
and philanthrophc associations in or near the cry Oh
New-YOrk Mr.. Beaman has engaged several lnalans
of prominence TO attend a public meeting III view
York, in furtherance Of the principles embraced I'D
the memorial. .
The first count in the new indictment against
John H. Surratt charges that he, Booth, Paine,
Harold. OlLaughn Arnold AtzerOdt, and Mrs. Sur
raft conspred to murder Abraham Lincoln. Inc
second count accuses him of conspiracy 10 capture
Mr.. Lincoln and deliver him as prisoner into the
pOssesslOn custody, and control OF certain PERSONS
whose names are unknown TO the Grand jury ,
Surgeon Philip s. Wales and w. Nj. King OF inc
United States Navy have been detached from duty
connected with the physical examination Oh OncerS
for promotion and placed on waiting orders ,
The Hon. Arson Buringame called on Zen Graht
at the army headquarters this morning, and had o
General Grant with wife, children and General
Dent will start for Cheyenne next Wednesday. ,
Chief-Justice Chase has gone TO Baltimore, and
thence he viii go 70 Raleigh, N. Z.
THE IRON-CLADS ONEOTA AND CATAWBA.
WASHINGTON, June 19.-The joint select Com
mitee on Retrenchmcnt who by resolution of the
House of Representatives instructed to inquire INTO the
alleged fraudulent sale by the Navy Department OF the
ironcads Oneota and Catawba to Alexander swift 20
today reported all the facts connected with the trans
action The contract price for each vessel was IN
addition TO which the Navy Department aoMed % con
tract 81 making the total cost TO the Goyerhhen
of each OF these vessels 1921 2 81 The Commttee say
that as Swift 4 Co. obtained their grant io Ie
Navy Department 10 buy these rOnclads they az oCe
looked out for a customer and in the Summer OF 1901
made contract with Marquee representing himself 10
be an agent OF the Peruvian Government ~ bupsc
quenty appeared that he had no authority 10 act bee
Government; one OF the firm went 10 feIu anu oio
made contract with the Minister OF Marine Tor the se
pcport saws that M the time Of the contract with the
Peruvian Government, Swift co had no fgt OF uc "
meut swift Co claimed to have had an understand
ing with the Navy Department. that tey sDouu 90 900
lowed to take the vessels on paying NiIoVoOV
for the two. About this time joint resolution was
drawn up and passed by Congress- authorizing the navy
Department contract for the sale OF any roncad or
price not less than the appraised value 10 DC Aeu ny
Board Of five naval officers The secretary OF tue Navy
advertised proposals. and the Board, meantime, went
10 Orleans, where number OF other vessels OF e
class were lying. Immediately on the receipt OF
Board the Secretary Of the Navy published an adyer,
usement that sealed proposals would be received uht
the "a OF March for the purchase OF these vessels among
others number OF bids received, which failed,
and, finally, Swift ~ Co. offered to take the
submed 10y the Secretary Of the Navy TO Mr. Lenhal,
Chief OF the Construction Bureau and on that officers
<7550OO The Committee think 1t evident an understand
ing existed between the Assistant Secretary, Mr. Merritt
and agents and perhaps with the Secretary himself that
Swift Co should have these vessels. Committee con
cude their report by saying Although, IN our opinion
the Secretary had power 10 sell these vessels under
the joint resolution Of February except TO some bidder
who complied with the conditions OF sale author
lied by that resolution, yet a sale has actually
been made by him at the appraised value,
money received and paid into the Treasury and the yes
sells delivered the purchasers. The ships lie m
the port OF New Orleans work II rapidly progressing on
them they receiving on board guns, provisions and
munitions OF and will soon be, they are not at the
present time ready sail for cruise As the matter
stands certain citizens OF the United States have be-
come the purchasers from their Government OF two
iron clad ships for the purpose OF fitting up and turn
ing them to foreign Government IN condition for
under
ment being az peace with our own, but In state OF
begerancy with another nation with whom we are also
AT peace the opinion OF the committee under existing
circumstances, these vessels cannot be deerd 10 the
Peruvian Government without violation OF our neutTa
linn