The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-08
THE DOuBLE-BARRELlED ARMS INQUIRY.
Belknap Before the Senate C0mmittce-Benet
Before the House Committee.
WsSUrNCTON March 1870

Belknap Before the Senate Committee-I3enet
Before the House Committee.
WASHINGTON. March I, 1872
THE SENATE COMMITrEE.
The Senate select committee on the sale OF arms
commenced their examination to-day.
The first witness was Secretary Belknap who
said he did not know OF any sale made IN violation
of law. On the 18th Of october, 1870 having re-
ceived q telegram which gave him reason to believe
that Mr.. Remington was an agent OF the french
government he immediately gave orders that no
more arms should be sold to him. He had never
spoken to Mr.. Remington, nor did he know until
afterwards that Richardson was his agent at subse
quent sales
In reply 10 the question as to whether any pre-
caution could have prevented the French from re-
ceivlng these arms he replied, mot after they were
sold.n He presumed the purchasers sold to whom
they thought proper. Ofical orders, however were
given to the Ordnance Bureau not 70 sell to the
agents OF the French or Prussan governments
The War Department sold arms unsuitable for our
service, being engaged In providing better ones
He only knew from newspapers and general rumor
that arms were sent to France Whether they had
previously been purchased from this government or
were manufactured by private firms he had no
he was asked whether Baron Gerolt made CON-
PLANT that arms had been sold to the French gov
eminent ana 70 tins question replie j:-On the 18TH
the sale or arms be postponed till the next week.
witness informed MIN that our government would
sell no arms either 10 The agents OF the French or
PTussian government
M. Gerol, said they were not agents who desired
to buy. but trends, when witness said they would
have time 10 put in their bids by next week. TO
this Baron tserolt said they first wished TO consult
the Prussiar government The sale, however, was
not postponed beyond the next week.
The witness was inteuogated on other points
heretofore noticed In the report OF his testimony
before the Hosse Committee on the Expenditures IN
the War Department.
Senator Scnusz was present, by initiation OF the
committee, and put numerous questions 10 Secre-
tary Belknap regarding the sale OF arms, and to
ne did TO q similar one before the House Committee
some som soo Gays a age, that The arms sold, or
was plaeea ID possess esore e tb secretary
gram TO Squires, which was the first init. |
1natlon he lad that Bennington was agent Of the
consequently TO the date OF the telegram. He could
not now certainly tel what name was signed to |
, ,ne ieegram although according to his recollec-
UGH, !. was that OF Remington This telegram was |
cm0odled III his evidence before tue House Com. |
mitee nnt aIier looking at 1t he SAID the name ana
gated secretary Belknap about the oates on the |
sales, but Belknap could not Furnish all the |
desired iniofmat@n at present, but said that the |
interrogatory was put TO Belknap Involving the |
procuring and use Of copy OF q letter OF Beknap |
acknowledged the receipt OF Flsns note, enclosing
BY request OF De Bell0nnef, Charge d'Affaues Of |
France, copy OF letter from Remington the Pre-
sIdent Of the Commission at TouY, containing sc.
Of allegations IN regard to the purchase OF arms
&c. 10 which Beknap replied. The letter. 1t VIII be
recoEected was embodied In senator Summers pre-
lmbe 10 the resolution asking FOR cpfnmlttee or in
,estigation copy OF this letter had been officially
70 the French Charge d'Analres, but
he secretary had not made Its contents known TO
,ther parties. The name OF prominent democrat
MIR. Beck had been mentioned as having heard ~
cad put that gentleman, on being spoken to OD the
Qbjech denied the truth Of The statement and an