The New York herald., 1870-01-09
THE THRASH GOVERNMENT BUYING SECOND
NAyD MUSkETS.
The United States In the Old Jank Buslncss-
A Few More Left oil the sumo Sort.

The United States Tn the Old Jank Business
A Few More Left oil the sumo Sort.
Considerable has been said or late about the pur-
chase OF from tne United States by the Turkish
government ana wonder has been expressed why
this sudden arming OF furkev
The truth Is there Is nothing sudden about the
transaction. More than one year ago the Sultan,
learning that the United States had q lot OF old
Ended rine muskels on hand. WHICH could De pur-
chased cheap issued order to his war Minister to
despatch an ordnance oficer to this country, with
authority to call to bis assistance an English
ordnance oiIlcer familiar with the English
El1ed rifle, as an expert. About two
years after the close or the war OF the robe lion
General Dyer, chief Of ordnance at Washington,
with the consent Of General Grant, ordered report
to be made or all the old arms collected at the
arsenals and military posts that were whole COM
plee In parts and could be made eerviceable 1t
ascertainod. after considerable effort, that there
about 2i0, 900 Enfield rifles for which the gov
ernment paid the Birmingham manufacturers, in
1861. from eighteen to twenty-threo dollars each
Besides this number the government had on hand
about 4o, 900 Enlelds, that had never been out
Of boxes since they were imported. These arms
were CLASSIFIED and offered for sale as foows:-New
Enficids, seyen dollars each; old Enteids. cleaned
four dollars cach old Enhclds. unceaned. tnree DOL
lars each.
Tnrough private agencies the Turkish government
stated. Tne olicer referred TO came to this country
ana has beeE here nearly one year, attending the
collection, inspection and shipping OF about 10000
OF Jle old EuEei1S ana ABOUT 100 U00 old Springfield
rifes cleaned for which the government demanded
several dollars each more than Tor the English
'EnHeld.b
The Torksh ofIlcer ia now IN this city, not having
completed his MISSION. Inc pugchased arms
be conveyed TO Europe and altered into byeecn-
leaders, providing tDc work done cheaper
there than At C0nsant'n0ple. The difference Ia the
price OF tao cleaned and Unccancd Zone dollar IL the
exact cost OF cleaning. ABOUT nnlf OF the Enfelos
purchased by the Turkish government are uncieaned
In the process OF alteration into breecn leaders they
eau be cleaned nj q less cost tnan one dollar.
The TURKISH government mano the purchase finally
through Blaquc Boy. the TURKISH Minister ut wash
ington. That government for long while have felt
the necessity OF having more and better arms Than
thcy nave mad, especially In view OF the improve
ment making In the arts OF war by oil the great
Powers OF Europe. IL VIII consume one YEARS. time
more before the arms purchased ny 1urRcy can bo
transported altered and put INTO tho hands OF troops
for service. both arms when cleaned nre nearly rs
good az new. Jney are cleaning and altering She
Same arm ar the Springfield arm0ry ior future use
Our troops nov Ia the field aganst the Indians are
armed with them.
Ipr government, within the last year, have sold
small quantities OF EnneS TO other parties and have
some on hand Tor sale.