Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-04-10
The Sales of Arms Investigation.

The Senate special committee to investigate
the alleged sale OF arms to the French govern
ment, met again this morning, and continued
their investigation.
Ccpt. Edacard Barrett, Z. s. navy, and Gel
HGSRer were examined in reference TO the re-
ceipt OF the Squires dispatch, and also a to the
manner in which arms sold were delivered To
lighters. Their testimony contained no new
facts.
NORMAN WIZARD TEsTIFIEs.
Norman Wizard was sworn, and testified that
he was connected with an intended purchase OF
arms with Mr.. Peck and Mr.. Mckenzie. He
was informed that they were willing to purchase
from one TO three hundred thousand stand OF
ms, If he (witness) could procure them. Had
an interview with Mckenzie in reference 10 the
sale after the order of the President, stopping
the sale arms. Witness got Gen. Schenck, nov
Minister TO England, TO go TO the Ordnance De
partment and try and procure some arms tor
him; Gen. Schenck answered by letter that he
could rot get the arms, as the President had
stopped the sale; after that understood that a
lady OF this city, named
MRS. MASON, WHO WAS ALSO KNOWN AS MRS.
DAVIS,
had great influence with the ordnance depart
mont, and could get all the arms he required
provided he would put up $4,000 in her hands
rs a security that he (witness) was in earnest
tie had an interview with her, and informed her
that If she could prove to him that she could get
The arms he would put up the money. She said
tEat she would see Gen. Dyer and other officers
OF the Ordnance Bureau, and inform him wit
ness of what they sai0. She afterwards in
formed him that Gen. Dyer did not think she
was in earnest, and that she failed. She said
that If witness procured letter from Mr..
Mckenzie she could get the arms, but not witn
out II. Witness then got the letter, which was
in substance that he (McKenZieN would take
10000 stand OF arms if they would sell them at
the price offered, Sl1.15 each, one dollar less
IL an the market price. The letter was presented
TO Mrs. Mason, who said that she could not pre-
sent 1t as Gen. Dyer had gone TO the Springfield
ATmoIy. The whole thing failed she said that
he should hear from her in day or two. He
was entirely
DIsGUsTED WITH THE TRANSACTION
then, and made no further movements in the
matter; she said that il the letter had been pre-
eonted a short time before it was, il would be
all right; she wanted $4,000 cash, without Civ
ing any security TO witness, and he would not
trust her with such a large sum OF money; she
proiessed that the most of her influence was
with Gen. Dyer; she said that ii the letter wa
directed TO her and not TO witness she coald
have obtained the arms; witness was sati ;tied
mat all her representations were with the idea
10 get the S25,oO0, and he felt sure that ii she
got the money that would have been the last ne
amount OF money she might have supposed that
she could get the arms; do not recollect Mrs
Mason's given name; her name, witness thought
Is in the " ashingtOn city directory; the govern
ment realized double for the arms that they
could receive now tor the same arms. The Wit
mess was crOss-eXamineG by Mr.. Schurz.
The committee then adjourned till to-molrOw
morning at 1880 O'Clock.
1t Ii probable that Mrs. Mason will be sum-
mOntd before the com mittee ii she car be found
IN the city.