The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-12-28


tions, provide for the arming OF men or the
purchase of arms. Therefore, all authority fol
an expenditure of money for arms and ammu
milton rests upon the joint resolutions Of Feb
ruary and March l6, 1869, and the Governor
Is the one designated Ito enlist an armed
force" assisted by the acknowledgement, and to
purchase the arms. unass'sted, and pay fOI
them "out Of any money in the treasury mol
otherwise appropriated"
Only 1.-TWO thousand stands Of arms, with the
usual complement of ammunition" are any.
where authorized, and the provision, If q ''ssr'
viceable and satisfactory arm cannot be pro.
cured from the United States" qualities even
the exercise OF the power given the Governor
in this act of the General Assembly.
First, then, could "a serviceable arm be
procured from the United States? 1t Is well
known that 'the Springfield musEet" is the
standard arm of the United States, and las
been Sd accepted because OF its Seruiced6teneSS,
Could it be 'procured?' 1t Is also known
that each State In the Union is entitled to
regular quota Of arms annually, from the Gen.
| eral Government. which are usually deposited
| in the arsenals or armorles OF the State.
| South Carolina having been, Win the re-
volted States, out of the practical relations
| for several years her usual complement OF
arms or ammunition. She was now restor-
ed to her place and to all her rights and
| privileges in the Union. These facts were
known TO the Governor. A visit to Washing
ton was arranged. The late Secretary OF war,
| General John A. Rawlins, was to be inter-
viewed and impressed with the necessity Of on
immediate grant of Springfield muskets.
1.-The insurrectlonary condition of the State.
the still rebeliious attitude of the people, the
danger Of life in the breast of loyalist or
unionist. the impossibilty Of peace being pre-
served. We're all to be artfully and lorcioly ar
gued before the Secretary-that DoL only such
arms as the State might be entitled to since
her readmssiOn TO the Union, but q she had
forfeited by her years of secession and rebel
lion, and those she would be entitled TO for
years to come, might be obtained for the arm
ing of The National Guard OF South Carolina
who were alone to be the protectors OF the
civil authorities, and the friends OF republican
liberty"
The Governors first lieutenant, the adju-
taut.general. was regarded as the proper and
best ambassador for the State in this emergen-
cy. He ''came" to Washington; he ''saw" the
Secretary; he conquered all objections, con-
tngencies, doubts, obstacles; the Secretary
telegraphed the adjutaut-general, who was
now upon flying trip to New York: You
can have ten Thousand stands OF Springfield
muskels,n or words to that effect. The mis-
sion of the general was success, and South
Carolina procured servceable arm from the
United States, sufficient to equip an army OF
ten thousand men. There was, therefore, no
l6, 1869; In fact, the authority was nu llned oy
the generous, munifcent grant OF the National
Government.
But the Governor decided 10 purchase one
thousand Winchester rifles, with perhaps "the
usual amount of ammunition" as more SIT
isfactory arm" if not IS 'serviceab'e." For
these the State has paid $38.7S9 33, no part OF
which Is included In the charges for ARMS
Account" upon the financial agents books.
This EXPENDITURE, then, has been made with
ont sanction of law, and for what, and TO
whom? Let the following testimony, taken by
the committee, show:
STATEMENT OF ISAIAH WOODBURY..
Question. State your name, age and ocoupa
tlon.
Answer. Isaiah Woodbury., thirty three years
of age. merchant, of No. 4S Broadway, New
York City.
the Roberts Arms Company?
Ans Yes. 1 was treasurer Of that company
year or more.
Ques. At what time were you treasurer of
said company?
In November, 1869.
Oues. DO you know anything of contract
entered Into between that company and the
State orSou;h Carolina'
Ans. Yes.
Cues Was that contract entered upon the
books of the said company?
Ans. There was regular contract, and |
think it was entered on the books OF Inc COM
pany kept for recording the minutes Of their
meetings.
Ques. What was the nature of that contract?
ans. 1t was to transform five thousand
arms known as the ''Springd-ld muskeL" to
breech-.olders OF the Roberts pattern.
Ones VINO was the contract made by on
the part of The State OF South Carolina?
Ir Sryoc 10 Il i
jutant-general of the Stale, and think after
wards By the Governor;t had the seal OF the
State upon 1t.
making such alterations
Ans According 10 copy of said contract 1t
was eight dollars and eigh'y-tve cents per
gun, making, for all, torty-four thousand two
hundred and 1fty dollars (s44 4,250.)
Ques. How much OF that money, w: s44,-
ESQ, was received>by the Roberts Arms Com
pany?
Ques. Who paid that money TO the COM
pany
Ques. Was c. H. P5nd at that or any olher
time connected v i,h the Roberts Arms Conn
Ans. He never was to my knowlege.
Ones. Do you know OF any ammunition
furnished the State of South Carolina by the
american MSl1luC SOupauS
Ans. They furnished one million cart
ridges.
QIes. What was your connection with the
American Ammunition Company
Ans. was treasurer OF that company.
Oues. Was there contract to furnish this
ammunition; ii 80, what was it?
Ans. 1t was tO furnish one million car
tridges at the rate OF thrty-seven dollars per
thousand. amounting to thirty-seven thousand
dollars 1897 ,0O0).
Cues. At what time was said contraI LOT
ammunition entered into?
Aus. September or October, 1869.
Ques. What were you furnishing same kind
OF cartridges TO other parties fur at that time!
Ans. Thirty-two dollars per thoasand.
Ques We're those carriages delivered?
Ans. Twenty-Five thousand were sent, by
order of the Slate. To Providence, r. J., to
the Providence Tool Company, and seven
thousand were sent, as per order, 10 lion, New
YORK, and the remainder Were sent To South
Carolina.
Oues. How much money did the American
Metallic Ammunition Company receive for
cartridges furnished?
Ans, Twenty-one thousand six hundred
and twenty-seven dollars and ninety cents
ISL, ,66I 9O) for cartridges, and one hundred
and fifty dollars for cans.
Oues Who transacted the business for the
State9
Ans. C. H. Pond.
Oues. Did the Roberts Arms Company and
the American Metallic Ammunition Company
give receipts for any moEey received on &C,