Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-04-08
The French Arms Tnye.tigatie,

The special Senate Committee investigating
tie alleged ale of arms to France met again
this morning, when
Daniel shea was sworn, and examined by Mr..
SchurZ:-He testified that he owned number
OF lighters at New York. and during the Franco
Prussian war lightered goods for the New York
ordnance once, receiving his orders from Mr..
Hall, and all his receipts for the roods
he delivered from Mr.. Reilly. Sometimes he
delivered goods direct to vessels and sometimes
at the docks. Witness never saw MIR. RemIng-
ton
In response to questions by Messrs HamIin and
Ames, witness said he had been in his present
business about twenty years, and generally pre-
much handler.
Mr.. Hartley, of the firm of Schuyler, Hartley
& Co, arms merchants, sworn, and examined
by MI. SchurZ:-In 1870 the firm with which
witness ls connected sent samples OF their arms
to France, Germany and England, and witness
and other gentleman went 10 France. On the
18th OF September of the same year a contract
was made with the French government to fur
nish arms. Col Squire never told witness that
his bids had been refused by the War Depart
meHt, but he (witness) learned the fact from
another source. The contract of Valentine
Billings q Co. was offered to witness firm and
the latter agreed to take it on certain condi-
tons, to which Valentine, Billings s. Co. would
not agree; The contract was offered to witness
by Mr.. Steinburgher. Witness did not know
what other people thought in regard to the des-
tnation OF the arms shipped in 1870 and ISL
but he believed they were going to France.
n.
the government postponed certain sales
To GIVE GERMANY CHANCE
10 put In bids. He also thought the sales of
arms by the W ar Department were exceedingly
favorable to the government. Witness com.
pany has just consummated purchase OF 1000
Springfield muskets at g.. 80 apiece. The gov
eminent sold the same kind OF guns in 1870 and
lSl for from 50 to $3.50. He thinks the Spen-
Ger carbines, for which the government re-
ceived S25, can now be bought from the French
government for half that meney. Before en-
tering into contract to furnish arms to France
witness telegraphed the Secretary OF State ask
ing II he could ship arms to that country The
Secretary replied that he must do SO at his own
risk.
In response 70 Mr.. Schurz he testified that
MS company sold between 100 900 and BOO 900
stand OF arms during the five years previous TO
me IA rance russian war, and perhaps 1000 or
In response to Mr.. Ham lin, he testified that he
feek special pains to keep from the government
officials his intentions with reference to the arms
he purchased from them. He had
NEVER PAID AN AMERICAN OFFICIAL A SINGLE
DOLLAR
IN connection with his purchases from the gov
eminent; neither had he paid a cent to any
French official; he desired this to go on record
T.. .. Allen, chief armorer of the Springfield
arsenal, was sworn and examined by Mr.. Schurz
IN regard TO the changes made in the SO 900
rifies sold by the Navy Department to POultney
Irimble & Co., early In 1871. Poultney Trim
BILE & Co. paid the expenses OF taking off the
turned to the arsenal. The testimony of this
witness was corroborative of that OF Secretary
Robson and Commodore Case who were before
the committee few days since. The arms
known as the Allen gun is made on witness
patent, for which patent the government has
never paid him q dollar.
Adjourned until to- morrow
Before proceeding with the Investigation To-
day the chairman laid before the committee
LETTER PROM GEN. sCHoFIRLD
saying his recollection Of the law of 1864 pro-
viding for the sale of arms. &C., substantially
agrees with the testimony Of Gen. Dyer; also q
letter from the Secretary Of State, transmitting
COMMUNICATION FROM THE cHARsKp'ArrAIxs
OF FRANCE
legation cfFrdncs in Washington, de-, March
81, ls12.-Ar. Secretary Of STATE: The commits
sion appointed by the National Assembly of
France to investigate the matter of the BUR
chases made during the war, has been surpri ID
by Telegram published by the New York As
ISOLATED Press, which attributed to II the adop-
uon OF resolution Of inquiry with regard te the
conduct OF the omcers of the United States. II
has requested the Minister of Foreign Affairs TO
contradict this report, and hasten to inform
YOU ofhcially, by order of n. de Remuset, thas il
did not adopt the resolution in question, and
that II has addressed no request for inv estiga-
to the government OF the United States. Be
pleased to accept, SC.
HENRY BsLLoNSgr.
To Hon. Hamilton Fish, Secretary OF State"