New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-01-06

rgbts he was in dficulty and how TO get out Of
alcnlty he was unable to deeTmne IN bis conversa-
NAY could see was TO divide up those interests he did
that portion was given to him through me- r. Lei
cds then ~ ht army and ne dtd NOT rant % hdrs "a
ss never a' R n a BUSINESS ere ec
or indirectly did ever receive dollar from this
The Charman-is your name connected with it for the
further s that Mr. was
the other goods directed to Mr. Bxbys store, by direc-
Loet that he had made an arrangement with Mr BXby
for his portion Of the business.
LEEr AND HIS MESS uSsATIsFBD.
Senator Baysrd-Did Mr. Leet at any time make any
statement to you OF the insucency Of this $500 for
penses In washngtonf A. He often complained that he
did not get enough.
O, Whyi A. / cannot say why
O. What reason did he give A. Well am unable 20
state at the present moment don't remember that 10
gave any particular reason said be had here
with determination to make money and he expected TO
make money; he was going 10 leave the army to make
money; and that the business that lac thought ho
could make large sum of. money out OF.
Senator Bayard-Was any statement ever mafe about
any "mess that he was connected whit A. Yes; that
so his messmstes in Washington called for
pense Of course and he had TO bear his proportion OF
q. Do you know who were HIS associates in that re-
spect there A. No further than what he has told mo
O. What were his statements to you that subject
@ Just repeat the statement; his reason for saying
that the sum Of $500 was inadequate TO sustain bis pro-
portion Of that mess A. II would be impossible 10 give
his language; the substance was that II would not pay
remained in the army that length OF timeo get an at
ditional sum.
@ Did he give you 20 understand that the gentlemen
| whom you have named constituted the NEST A. Yes;
that, believe was the fact, known to good many
manyi" A. Yes, have doubt OF It; will say nee
have great many other letters; aud can, possibly
ind letter which will refer to that very fact think
senator Casscrly-wen, wish you would look for it.
Senator Bayard-Q IL subsequently yOu can produce
the letter wish you would do sol A: Yes, Sir; allow
me tS explain: Two years ago. upon the retrelaen. Of
/ Vermont and took al my papers there naturally, ed
ence TO all these matters; stii have enough here 20
keep you busy for while II you examine them az
they will be here 10 time TO use is question am NOT
senator Bayard-I think they can he made use Of by
| the Committee In Washington.
! HOW dRINSELL WAS REMOVED.
Senator BayardIave you ever prepared for your own
use for any purpose written statement OF IBIS busi
ness to which yonr testimony has relatedi A. Yes
have written upon the subject do MT know what you
refer TO have written great many letters to Mr. Lct
upon the subject Ihave written those letters sometimes
perhaps may as well state ~ at the request OF MI
Grinne to draw out or 10 ascertain what Influences
at work against him while he was Collector ell inc
| Port, g.,
Yes; have question about il presume ~ con,
coded by all that there were various efforts made and IN
rate he called me so all events, ntrusted with
the drawing out Of these Secrets and spent many ght
! with him 10 ascertain them.
O. Was the influence that sought to him excr-
tent OF course there were some open purposes least
we supposed it tried in various ways draw out Ia.
formation from parties which never dlVuged' ana
use Senator Bayard@It occurs to me land submit tho
ness and you have been summoned here under proper
authority any k19Tedge yon have taat RIM on
you would be thoroughly Justified III la" ana Ia m"ra-
Tue Chalrman-Tne Committee would he glad 10 have
full information all matters connected with tins Ia
vestigatOn A. It would take me, Mr.. Chairman long
|
attempt 10 into the whole details OF the Gaze; wish
It understood that What have said reflects IN 30 form
shape, the President OF the United State.
The Chalrman-We want To get at the facts without
Senator Howe!ADd c,@ reference to any person.
Senator CasseIy-I submit to Mr. Lindsay whether ~
good citizen he should not disclose All Le ADOws ia
reference to the matters inquired OF him.
Mr. Lindsay-I would ike TO that last night was
fold was a volunteer witness, and asked show
my subpoena told them did not have It, but that was
Senator Howe-we hold TO the same rule that we did
in the RebeOnthe volunteers are more honorable than
Senator Casserly-Q. MAY ask who challenged
you last night as volunteer w1sss A. mt re-
We're they officials connected T,,n the custom
many Custom-house officials standing about; saw two
or three Senators there one think was Senator Buck
ingbam; upon the impulse. thought O. Appealing 20
one of them, but thought aerward would Dot take
Senator stewart-we will get through with It quicker
# you viii go right ahead with IL.
The Cbairman-Q Have you anything more e say A
In retcrC to what
COLI LEETs MESS
Senator CasserlyThe matter on which yOu had al
ready entered A. Well, it was generally understood
with me that Mr.. Leet part Of the mess IN Wash
ington OF which both Gen Porter and ecu. Ba0cock
were members that he had 20 contribute to the support
there that was where he resided while in Washington;
hut in no instance DO recOect OF his saying aIecty
that either Porter BabcOck had any direct interest
with him--that is. financial interest -,
Senator Bayard-Q: Do understand his profits IN this
office were used Tor the sGPhS5 81 tbat tSere a.
Senator Pratt wish you SCnl s-gAII SA9t ~.
spends its money! A. Mr.. Leet Is here ana be
plain IT, perhaps, better than can think it
ara congregation OF men get together and bear tho
q. Are these three gentlemen married or unmarried
meni A. guess all three were married.
Q. Did you understand it was limited to those three
gentlemeni A. Yes. Sir
q. Aud that $ eco year was not sufficient 10 de'ray
his expenses in the " mess {" A. That lie as ] under
stood It,
A. Ny impression is the families did not live In the
still am not positive; Mr. Leet is here anl be tell
senator Casserly-Q What was Mr. Leets salary the
War Department. A. am only able 10 give tDe nn.
sation presume the records will show the facts I
think about $4,000 year.
ness A. Yes, Sir; think his rank LeL:enaIt-
Colonel OF Major am not positive that Will show for
Ths Chalrman-Q What connection has this with
the General Order busneSsi A. was asAod th" queS-
ton II had any knowledge Of their having been 10
gether IN Washington; answered had-the three par
Eu or BaScO haze any IL the p he
derived from the General order business.
q Have any idea now that Babcock or Porter had
any interest in the General Order business A. En-
phaticaliy, no; have no such idea
senator Howe-Q Tue idea you derived was that they
were living together in sort OF establishment
there which each contributed certain share, and
that onehird OF the gross expenses than he
derived from this business A. didn't understand 10
particularly In any way only II took his money there
now that meas was managed never did know be told
me 1t was composed Of hiwseh, Porter, asd Babeock
never In the building
Q. You don't know where the building was A. ] do
not received several letters from him. hut more fIoa
the white House he generally his headq
the White House, as understood.