Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-03-28
WORCESTER .
THURSDAY, MARCH rs, 1879


AdGiS IttdtN6 10 Tue movements faiiuoJ anu
auxieties of the Frenohman, Chambruu, which
ought to be stated more fully than was allowed
in the brief dispatch. This testimony shows
that our explanation of Chambrun's connection
with the matter was correct. This man has
sought diligently, more than year, to aid that
vilanous swindler Victor Place, late French
consul at New York. and his plan has been to
say or insinuate that the swndling charged and
proved against Place must have been done, to
very large extent, by persons connected with
our war department He has pursued sen
ators with his stories and representations urg-
ing them to get up an investigation. Mr. Pat
terson states that Chambrun came to him in
March, 1871 sin relation to certain fraudulent
transactions which had taken place in the trans
fer of arms between the United States and the
French government" Place, he said, twas
mixed up with these transactions" and his
theory seemed to be that officials connected with
our government were quite as guilty as Place.
Here is an extract from the testimony:
By the Chairman-Yo understood Chambrun,
did YOU not to make the allegation that some
body had got moneys that belonged to the French
government? A. He stated that in this transdc-
ton, from three to four millions of dollars
government and the treasury Of the United
States.
Q-rhe substance of his charge was that
moneys had been paid that the French govern
ment had not realized the benefit Of A.
Yes, sir; and he was anxious to get at the facts,
that they might be used in determining the
conduct of the French consul at New York,
Place.
Q-That was about year ago now? A. Yes,
sir, about one year ago.
Q.-When did you next have the matter called
to your attention? A.-During the executive
session in May last, Chambrun spoke to me
again in relation to the matter. He said that
the French government had been investigating
the conduct of the consul at New York, taking
some testimony in relation TO it, aud he thought
it was very bad transaction from beginning to
end. He said Place had been removed from his
consulate on account of his connection with
this sale and purchase of arms, and had trial
in France in which he was acquitted but that
there was to be a second trial. He stated that
he believed, if the part which all the persons
connected with this transaction mad played in it
could be brought to light, it might relieve Place,
or at any rate he was anxious to get at the facts
on account of the connection this would have
with the trial OF Place, which was about to take
place in France.
Chambrun's aim was to save Place. He had
no knowledge of any fraud connected with our
war department; but he was hunting desperate
ly for something that might save Place; there
fore, he suspected and iusnuated; and haunted
senators with his talk and his suggestions. Not
document, disclosure or circumstance, con-
nected with the trial of Place, or with anything
else, suggested fraud in any subordinate in the
war department. There was nothing to invite
or justify Chambrun's destinations. He was
merely hunting for something. When pressed
to give the names of persons thus accused, he
mentioned Mr., Remington and General ingalls,,
but was careful not to accuse them directly,
Nevertheless, he said to Mr.. Patterson that "if
an investigation could be Instituted here, be be-
lieved it would arrest the trial (of Place. in
France; for he and his friends would secure
delay in order to use in his defense the results
of an investigation at Washington. Chambrun
hoped to make it appear, or, at any rate, to
create suspicion, thar the swindling proved
against Place, was really done by Americans
and American officials. Here is another ex.
tract:
By the Chairman-Did the whole object of
Chambrun appear TO be to investigate the mat
ter tor the purpose of ascertaining whether
there had been moneys improperly received by
government officials or otherS2 A. | have
known Chambrun since 1867; have been on
pretty familiar terms with him; he has called
on me frequently, and have understood that he
was an attorney prosecuting claims of French
citizens before the courts of the United States
understood from him that it was his opinion
that this whole matter could be ferreted out and
brought TO light; il would appear that certain
Americans had been frauduently connected with
these purchases and sales OF arms, and that the
consul, Place, would he found not to be the only
sinner connected with the transaction; and he
was anxious to get at all the facts in order that
they might be used at that trial, which was tax
ing place or to be prosecuted in France
1t was conspiracy of Chambrun to aid the
defense of Place, by accusing American officials,
without warrant. Why he was so deeply inter
ested in the fate of that scoundrel, Place, we
may imagine, but can not fully explain. After
the French authorities began to buy arms in this
country, they discovered that Place had insti-
tuted scheme Of fraud and was carrying it out
diligently. To battle the swindler they avoided
his consulate, and communicated with their
agents through the legation at Washington, in
cipher; but this was of no avail, for copies of
the communications were sent to Place regular
ly, as soon as they reached the legation, and the
consuPs swindling went on without Interrupt
lion. What treacherous Frenchman was able
TO copy these communications and send them
by stealth TO Place, at New York; Who was on
such terms with the French legation that he
could do this successfully? Perhaps the busy
Chambrun who is so anxious to save the con-
demned consul, can give important information
on this point. Should he consent to 90 before
the committee and tell what he knows and what
he don't know, we hope he will be pressed
strongly on this point. If the whole truth shall
be told, it may be that his great interest in Place
win appear to be somewhat less mysterious.
IT is not creditable to anybody that this
-Frenchman, the busy friend of tue swindling
consul, has been able to induce senators TO
adopt bis gratuitous and base instructions, and
urge them yehemently as charges against the
administration. Men who do such things abuse
the position they occupy. Some of our contem-
poraries talk of the French arms scandal"
The whole proceeding is scandalous. Not a
trace Of fraud can be discovered in anybody
connected with the administration, so far as re-
lates to this matter. Aud there has never been
reason to suppose anything of the kind would
be discovered. 1t is scandal" which those
most concerned are not likely to remember with
satisfaction.
hn al.