New-York tribune., 1872-04-09
THE ARMS SALES INVESTIGATION.
THE DENIAL OF THE REPORTED FRENCH REsO-
LUTON OF NQUIRY-IESTIMoNY OF AN
ARMS DEALER.


THE DENIAL OF THE REPORTED FRENCH REso-
LUTON OF NQUIRY-IESTIMoNY OF AN
ARMS DEALER.
IGENERAL PRESS DIsPATCHl
WASHINGTON, April s.--The Senate Arms
Committee met this morning. Daniel Shea, examined
by Senator schurz testified that he owned number OF
lighters at New-YOrk, and during the FrancoPrussan
war ghtered goods for the NewYork ordnance officers,
receiving his orders from Mr. Hail. and all the receipts
for the goods he delivered from Mr.. Reilly; sometimes
he delivered goods direct TO vessels and sometimes at
the docks,
The Chairman. Mr.. Hamlin laid before tho Committee
letter from Gen. schoneld saying that his recollection
Of the law of 1865 providing for the sale of arms &C.,
substantially agreed with the testimony of Gen. Dyer.
The Chairman also laid before the Committee the follow
ing letter, addressed to him by Mr. Fish: .,.,o TO-,
Referring your @ & tier .. tie H Sh C % a ,Sfsi @ F5sS,s %
National Assembly Contracts nqang the conduct Of United
States officials concerned therein and to my reply Of the 2Oh u
which oa ere the chairman @ translation of ~ note ss of the @ 9
''"' " ~ ''''' W. '''''' iT7FSasiGiionI
LEGATION OF FAANGE IN TnE USrTEn ,;o.S1 sTAIE'
Mr. SECRETARY op STATE: The Comm on spIoutcd by
to9l Asm Of France to inyeeae tie mater Of le pgren1 I
NewYork Associated Press which attributes to sioD
luton inquiry with regard the conduct Of the officers Of the United
the Minister Ala TO contradict
this report and hasten to inform you officially by order Of n de
addressed request for investigation the Government Of the United
Be leaed accept Secretary State the ny high
cousderat on. HENgY II. BELLoSSETT.
IF S tA a2dy ap % G So a 4n sS S Hartley Graham
and examined by Senator Schurz. In 1870
the firm with which he was connected sent samples of
their to France Gernany' and England, and
witness and another gentleman went 10 France On the
An OF September tle same year, cOnifact was maue
with the French Government TO furnish arms. Col
Squire never told witness his bids had been refused by
the War Department, but the witness learned the fact
from another source. The contract of Ballentne, Bill
ings st. Laurent, for batteries, etc., was offered TO
wnesss firm. and they agreed TO take 1t on certain
conditions, TO which Ballentne Billings & 81. Laurent
would not agree The contract was offered TO witness
by Mr.. steinberger; witness did not know what other
people thought with regard to the destination Of the
shipped in 1870 and 1871 but he believed they were
going France OF the goods shipped to France
by his firm were marked. according TO the telegram
from France, X. F., meaning, Repubiique Fianeaise
they, however, sent thither otherj goods not thus
marked hut not through French officials. Witness
Gen. Dyer and Col Crlspin and asked them now
many Elfelds they would sell him.
By Nj HamlnEThe sales of arms and ordnance stores
the contract from the French Government; they asked
the Secretary of State whether they would be allowed
TO ship the goods France, to WHICH the secretary re
phed, if they did 30, it would be entirely at
their own fisk. The firm had recently sold
arms to Russia and Mexico; since the close of the
FTancoPrussian they had sold 20 foreign Govern
also sold TO South America. Witness further inter
rogatel by Senator schurz and members Of the Com
ceiyed dollar from the sales; certain II is, his firm
never paid dollar to them any Of the French officials
coniucted their own purchases.
f. 5. Allen, chief armorer Of the Springfield Arnory,
testified the making Of lot Of Remington rifles for
the Navy at that place. and as 10 other matters IN that
connection. the arms having been sold TO IOultenay,
Trimble Co.. that firm paid for taking off Tue brown,
ing from l7S guns which had been distributed 70 naval
posts, and subsequently returned to be brghtened at
PSnenay. s TrmSo f & Co.. The aFnory maEac ared
guns for the navy. With the present force at the
arnory il could 100 Springfield breech-lOaders
day. but the full machinery were worked, between
and 800 day. it would take three months to prepare
10 turn out 1909 day; as sdurng the late war; the ca
pacty increasing from day to day until that number be
reached