The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-05
THE GENERAL ORDER BUSINESS.
The Custom House Investigating Committee Re-
sumo Their Labors-Examinatio of General
Forter-An About the "Mess''-The Presi-
dent and Custom House Patronage.

The New York Custom House Investigation Com
mttee assembled this morning All were present,
except senator stewart. A conversation TOOK
place In regard to printing the testimony 1t was
stated by the clerk to the Committee on Alleged
Southern Outrages OF which Senator Scott is chair
man, that the committee itself made arrangements
to have Its testimony printed in order that its
bers might the more conveniently examine II, the
same TO be Kept secret and no copies OF 1t dis
tributed without tine order OF the committee IL
was finally resolved to ask the Senate to authorize
an appropriation OF 1000 to pay for printing the
testimony. The Chairman caused to be read letter
from Attorney General Williams, dated February q,
addressed to Noah Davis Attorney for the Southern
District OF New York. STATING that 1t appears from
the testimony OF the committee that certain per.
sons have accepted presents, Oribes or rewards
from importers OF merchandise. The Attorney
therefore, directed, by order Of the President
examine into the same, and If such persons have
acted In violation Of the laws to take action In the
premises, with view TO prosecution, without I'M
necessary delay.
Mr.. DAVIS asked that a copy OF the testimony he
furnished to him, ana also that the Secretary OF
Treasury be requested to furnish Information OF
such cases as rLy have come to his knowledge con.
corning smuggling bribery, &c. Other letters were
read, showing that the Grand Jury were ready to
quire into the charges and that instructions had
been given 20 the New YORK Collector Of Customs to
furnish all the information in his possession rela-
tive to smuggling and bribery. The committee
ordered a copy OF the testimony to be furnished.
Mr.. Casserly asked how long the committee
would sit to-day, as he had just received notice
from the Committee on Foreign Relations OF which
he Is a member TO attend the reception OF the
Japanese Embassy AT twelve O'Clock at the Execu-
tive Mansion. In reply as 10 witnesses In waiting
1t was replied tnat General Porter present. Mr.
Casserly retired, but resumed his place in the
course OF the afternoon.
GENERAL PORTER EXAMINED.
General Porter was sworn and examined, saying
he was now secretary to the President, and had
been since the inauguration He testined about
Colonel Leets pursuits before he became connected
with the general order business. After the inau-
applied to the President for some position ami the
President said he would appoint him Collector OF
cn"ad tna san@ put me eess de
New Orleans was too small, and that his wife OBJ
jected to go there. Leet having informed HIM that
he was about to apply Tor the labor business in
New York, General Porter endeavOred to dissuade
him from DONG so, telling him that any person
would be subject to constant personal attacks He
ADVISED Leet to into some private business pro-
become manager OF the Lochiel Iron Works.
General Porter said TO Leet, he had heard the
President, general terms, express himself against
the acceptance OF public Office such as Leet sought.
On the 2Stn OF April General Porter accompanied
the President to West POINT, and on ms return TO
New York he wrote Colonel Leet letter as fol.
lowS:-
ExEcurvEMAxsios, wAsHIseros. May T. 1870
news to YOU but think ought TO You what the pres
dent said when he returned from New York He remarked
jobs brought getting posi-
to
% his wo s" P % sSSp you he ;
Don Camerons proposition for though he believes you
% he the hAs BE
slant and nSrs both you and him He feels Just as have
situation and act accordingly Yours n great haste
He told me could say this to you.
On the 1th OF May Colonel Hnlyer called at General
room and n ssd Leet and Mr. How
business In New York. General Porter informed
MIN would not DE advisable for Mr.. Leet to accept
sucn business, the President had expressed him.
self against IT, Colonel Hilyer thought 1t strange,
anu mat Leet ought to apply for any business, like
other gentlemen. Leet obtained the general order
business from Mr.. Grnnell In tile spring of 1870 and
IN this he had no assistance from General Porter
the President several weeks elapsed before General
Porter heard OF Leet's having obtained the general
order business 10 answer TO a question as to
MESSING TOGETHER
In this city 1t appeared that Generals Porter and
BaDcock leased house for three years, purchased
furniture and organized what in the army is called
a mess. This was In October, 1867. when Leet
determined to resign. In 1863, he took his family
West Generals Porter and Babcock then invited
Colonel Leet TO come 10 their house as a guest
There were IN the house Generals Por,er and Bah
COCK their wives, and Colonel Leet, five in all.
stead Of his paving several Thousand dollars the
highest sum he paid In any one month was 500 a..
the mess received any interest from the Dus-
ness, General Porter replied. "None whatever
and he mad no reason 10 suppose that Leet shared
In the profits OF any business In New YORK. ON the
18th OF April, 1870 Leet came into General Porter's
ioom and informed hin that Mudgett had declared
at the Arlington House that General Porter was
CONNECTED WITH THE JOBS
IN the New YORK custom House. General Porter
was determined to ask Tor explanation and sent
Tor Mudgett, who came IN with General Cochrane.
Mudgett, on pelnG lnterrogated said he mad maae
gave as MS authority Lindsey Embree. Grnnell
and others. In refuaton General Porter to-day
shows from Lindsev, EmDree, Mattheson and Grin.
nell that they mad not made the charge Collector
trlnnel's letter Is as follows:-
CUSTOM HoUsE. NEW YORK, May 3, 1870
MY DEAR GENERAL PoRTER-I sorry that
would not spend longer time with me on saturday as
left me with impression upon nina that had
fully freed the subject OF our conversation
So lar AS nsnuations as TO people being
eresed cted with the Custom House here,
they affect me- pay no attention to them SO
far a. such rimofs been brought attention,
affecting yourself and your associates no man has been more
ouspoken denying them both In public and
private, have been. know that you are not In