The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-05-12
A Grand Swindle I'm the Sale Of Arms
to the French Government.

New York morning paper tells the
following story, in connection with the
recent displacement of M. Victor Place
as French Consul at this port: In the
beginning of the recent war between
France and Prussia, the French Govern
ment contracted with the Remington
Arms Company in that city, for all the
arms then in the possession OF the COM
pany, and for all that could be manu-
featured until further orders. Place
was then French Consul, and upon him
devolved the duty of receiving and pay
ing for the weapons, and of shipping
them to France. He did not, however,
it is said, assume the responsibilities of
his position himself, but appointed Hec-
tor Chaviteau as his agent, and in
stalled him in an Office in Broadway.
TO Chaviteau, NJ. Place referred all the
manufacturers of firearms who applied
for contracts, and allowed him COM
mission of one per cent. on all pur-
chases made by the French government.
Place, also, it is reported. charged the
French Government two per cent. COM
mission on all payments made, and de
Quoted that commission from funds in
hand. He justified this proceeding by
referring to the old regulation by which
q commission of two per cent. was form
erly allowed TO the French Consul Cen
eral in this city, on all purchases of to-
bacco made by him on behalf of his
Government. As NJ. Place Is said to
have paid more than $l0,00O,OO0 for
arms, ammunition and provisions during
the war, his commission must have
amounted to more than 100000. 1t is
said this large sum is comparatively in
significant when compared with other
amounts Of which the French nation
has been defrauded here by somebody
through the process of buying arms at
one price and selling them to the
French Government at higher rate.
! For instance, 100000 new Springfield
muskets were bought at $l205 each, and
10000 only were serviceable. Spring
fields bought at $3.50 were charged to
the French Government at 1920 each.
In another case, thirty-fve batteries OF
Napoleon guns, bought at $1,000 bat
terry, were sold to the French Govern
ment at $l6,0 900 battery. On another
occasion, it is reported the agents in
New York exported 10000 barrels Of
beef purchased at Sl4 per barrel, and
charged the French Government So
per barrel-clearing over 100000 or
the transaction. About a month ago
Mr.. Bellaigue de Bughas, formerly Con
sui at Charleston, arrived at the French
Consulate and placed his seal upon the
books and safe. A French committee
will, it is said, thoroughly investigate al
these charges, and it is limited that some
well known citizens, said to have inhu
ence at Washington, will be found tc
have been interested in the specula
tons.
The alleged discovery of frauds above
referred to, by NJ. Victor Place, the
French Consul General in New York, il
the purchase of arms for France during
the late war, has created much surprise
in New York. The French Charge d Af
fairs says very positively that so far a.
known NJ Place has perpetrated liz
frauds, and he is not suspected of hay
ing done so. The point of the matter
is this: "That he claims that, unde
certain orders, he is entitled to commits
sions on purchases, while the French
Government takes an opposite view o
the case. All money in dispute has beer
placed in bank, to remain in bank unit
the matter is finally disposed of.