Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-04-03

The Senate Arms Committee met to-day and
continued their investigation into the alleged
sale OF arms to France during the FTanco-Prus-
sian war.
M Charles II. Psni was sworn and examined
10y Mir. SchuTZ. He testified that he bought
5000 Enfield rifles and mmunition during the
Franco Prussian warm September or Octo-
Der, 1870; these arms were sold to Samuel Nor
ms. IN London; witness acted as an agent IN the
shipment of &. X. Garrison's arms TO France;
the arms were convey ed TO the dock from the
ordnance Office by lighters and carts; don't re-
MT mbeT seeing any ordnance off GERS at the
dock when the arms were delivered; had an in
teTest in two of the batteries furnished by Gar
rson; Garrison bought twenty batteries from the
government and witness purchased five, sharing
IN me prOhts; never saw any French officers in
consultation with officers OF the ordnance bureau
or any other officers OF the government.
BY MI Hamlin:-Witness has been in bust
ness as an arms merchant for a number OF year,,
arms sold now would rot bring more than one
third as much as they did ia 1870; do not know
any government officer who shared in
The PROFITS oF THE SALES OF ARMS.
either directly or Indirectly; believed il would
he impossible fer them to do so under existing
rules.
Gen. Rufus ingalls,, C. X. Garrison and o. b
Steinberger, sworn. The latter testified that
he and ". j. Valentine and AZ. Billings. OF
London, and a gentleman OF France, contracted
with the French government TO furnish - ba.-
teIies and 10000 stand OF arms, amm;IHitIOn
Nc, in November, 1870; afterwards, owing 10
The impecuniCsity of himself and associates, the
contract passed into the hands OF Mr.. &. X.
Garrison IN December, lcIO, or January. Is. l..
don't know OF any government officer who has
realized anything from any sale OF arms; under
stocd that
with which the boxes OF arms were marked
meant "RePublic o: France"
Mr.. c. X. Garrison testified. first placing in
the hands OF the chairman OF the com nittee the
contract heretofore referred 20 between the
French government and Valentine, Billings and
others 10 furnish p batteries. 1G,1c0 small arms
&c, TO be delivered az Bordeaux. The contract
being in French was translated into English and
read 10y Mr.. SchGrZ. The contract specifies the
manner IN which the arms were TO be inspected,
delivered, &c. Mr.. SchurZ also read a contract
subsequently, entered into by Valentine, Bill
ngs and Others with c. X. Garrison TO pay for
The arms above referred to.
NJ. GdrTiSCR testified that in December, 1870.
two OF the parties who contracted 10 furnish
an 10 France came to New Gcrk, and asked
him 10 furnish the arms; he finally agreed to
pay for all the arms they might buy
Tor siee,000 If they could secure an extension
Oh Their contract aGd deposit the money for their
payment in the United States or England:
t0,oOO francs were afterwards deposited with
Morgan ~ &C.. London; on the 2lst OF January,
ISL, charter ed the steamer Ontario. lOa Ted the
vessel in February with artillery; just about as
she was loaded witness was informed by a rep.
TeseEiatiye of the French government that the
French authorities had aTnUiled the contract;
N y uLe Following a new contract was made;
never saw the French charge datiaiTS in Wash
!ngton;
ELUJ LISTED GEN. INGALLS, TO CALL on THE
FRENCH MINISTER
and represent the hardship of having the con-
tIact annulled; don't know that Gen. Ingalls, was
peCuniarily interested; don't believe any Ger
of the government has had any interest in any
sale OF arms; the witness desired To correct the
statement that he was one OF Wm. NJ. Tweed's
5ondSmen; the statement he pronounced false;
illness did not consider himself in anV sense an
agent OF the French government in filling h s
contract about 30 900 OF the Enfield rifles were
purchased from the United States.
In the course OF his statement, witness said
that he Is not an expert in the matter OF arms.
and
DON'T KNOW A RIFLE FROM A SHOTGUN.
He did not know that ordnance ofiic knew
aims were going 10 France, but took il for
going, as il was a matter of public notoriety;
a great deal of property was rejected 10y the
French inspecting officers; has AT present on
his bands property which they rejected. for
which be paid the government of the United
states over $4,000; friend OF witness spoke 10
Minister Wa>hburne, and requested him 10 in
Jerc6 DC with the French government 10 get them
20 extend his contract, but W. refused to inter
iere; had ne personal conference with any Of
hceT of the War Department in regard to re-
und!ng the margin put up on Springfield arms
which were never delivered; the negotiations
were conducted by letter; never offered Gen. In
gals or any man living a single dollar to secure
he Ietundii of this margin; after his interyie
With the French minister, Gen. IDgalls reported
20 witness that the minister declined to inter-
FIRE.
The committee then adjourned until 20 NOR
fow, when Mr. Garrison will be recalled: after
which, Gen. ingalls, will testify as to his agency
II the matter.