The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-27
FRENCH ARMS INVESTIGATION.
Senators Patterson and Sumner Before
the Senate Committee.
SUMMERS FORMAL PROTEST.
He Declines To Be Interrogated,
Sworn or Examined.

WASHINGTON, March 20, 1872.
The Senate Arms Committee to-day examined
Senator Patterson, who when he was asked when
he first received any Information In relation to the
sale OF arms which the committee was instructed to
investigate, said, year ago the Marquis de Cham
brun came to him stating that he wished to consult
with him as member OF the Committee on Re-
trenchment and Reform. Chambrun remarked that
the French Consul at New York was in some way
mixed up with the transactions, and that he was
anxious to get the facts, which could only be learned
by an examination OF tho books Of Ord
nance at the Treasury Department. AS
French subject he had no right to ask to see the
books, but he tPattersOn), being member OF the
Retrenchment Committee, could assist him in OBJ
tanning the Information. He said he feared that
certain subordinates In the War Department would
be found implicated in the transactions in connec.
ton with the sale Of arms. Accordingly the wit.
saw the Secretary OF the Treasury, and stated
to him his conversation with Chambrun. The
Secretary thought there had been no fraud in any
OF the transactions; no violation OF the neutrality
laws and treaty stipuatons in the sales OF arms
adding that 1t would take some time to make an
examination Of the books, and ne did not care to
be put to the trouble OF doing So The matter here
dropped.
In answer to question by Senator Hamlin the
four million dollars had dropped between the
American and French governments; the substance
OF Chambrun's charge was thar the French govern.
ment had not realized the full benefit OF the expend-
ture, ana that he was anxious to get the facts to
aid In the examination into the
CONDUCT OF THE FRENCH CONSUL;
the next conversation he had with Cnambrun was
sald the French government was investigating into
the conduct OF the French Consul at New YORK and
taxing and Therefore he wanted
81 parties who might possibly b mixed
and General Ingalls,, and then stated in q general
way that he thought parties connected with the
Chambrun did not then state more fully than tins
the grounds on which ne based his assertion; the
Treaty OF Washington, which before the Com.
mittee on Foreign Relations; nothing more was said
session Of Congress Chambrun again called npOn
him and gave him the
NAMES OF OTHER PARTIES AS IMPLICATED
John Hoey, the latter having a residence al Long
Branch; Chambrun further Informed him that
Consul Place had been removed from MS Consulate,
account OF his alleged connection with frauds In
he believed II ali the facts mad been brought to
light It would nave relieved Place.
The witness cOuld not say that Chambrun had
showed anxiety that Place should be acquitted but
ne manifested interest for him as personal friend:
the French government naa entered into e"1s
contract with Garrison to FURNISH fifty batteries.
one OF the como itions OF which was that they
should be delivered within a certain time, and II
not so delivered the contract was 10 DO vOid CARR.
son was able deliver the batteries and there.
lore the french government as the war had ceased,
refused to take Ihem;
GENERAL INGALLS, CAME TO WASHINGTON
IN the interest of Garrison and went 10 the French
Legation aud endeavored TO exert MS influence with
the French Minister 10 induce him to advise his gov
eminent TO take these batteries; Chambrun said to
the witness that this was in oppostiOn to the adj.
vice when he as counsel for the French Legation,
government took the batterles and paid 81 200 600
Tor them, although they were not delivered
according to the terms Of the contract; at one or
these interviews Chambrun showed witness COPY
OF The letter from Remington to Lecesne, OF the
the preamble to Mr. summers resolution; Chambrun
wsh ns s he ias IN
whicn Mr. Patterson declined doing, on the ground
on Retrenchment and Reform and that his motives
naa been rs not msrepfesenea IN
ter OF duy he did not care To- volunteer THESE inves
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. thai II subordipates were invoved