Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-04-05
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
The French Arms Investigation.

The special Senate committee investigating
he alleged sale of arms to the French govern
crnment, during the Franco-Prussian war by
The United States, met again this morning, and
iirst examined Mr.. John Hoey, who testified, in
response to questions by Mr.. Hamlin, that he
mas no knowledge whatever on the subject now
under investigation. Mr.. Hoey said his name
had been connected with this matter by Wr
Dana, OF the New York San, but 1t was a mis-
AXE.
A DEAD WITNESS WANTED.
Senator remarked that the man whom the
committee wanted is John Hoy, who is dead
MT. A. w. Markley, in response to questions
oy Mr.; Hamlin, stated that he received $4,000
nom Poultney, TTimble & Co., of Baltimore
early in 1871, To negotiate a purchase of 10, 600
arms from the Navy Department. He asked
he Secretary OF the Navy on the street il he
had any arms to sell, when lie said he didn't
know, and advised witness to apply to i'm in
writing, and be (the Secretary would refer his
etter TO the chief Of ordnance. That was all
witness had to DO with the transaction.
$4,000 FOR ASKING A QUESTION.
In response 10 queries by Mr.. SchurZ, the wit
ness said he came from the same town as Secre-
tary Robson, and was a friend of his, although
q democrat. He received $4,000 for simply
asking Secretary Robson if he had any arms TO
ell. NO one received a cent of this money but
himself.
In reply to MI Pratt, witness said he saw Mr.
Poultney about buying these arms in Washing
ION early last winter Poultnev did not give
my reason who he selected witness nor did he
ell witness what he intended to do with the
arms.
The witness was subjected to a pretty sharp
ross accumulation by Mr.. Schurz, but Insisted
hat he cid no hing for the $4,000 given him
ny Poultney except to ask Secretary Robson il
ne had any arms to sell. Witness received the
$4,000 IN several checks payable to him, in
New York few months after speaking to Sec
retary Robson. With the exception OF two or
ihree hundred dollars he deposited the money
ne received in a Camden bank.
Mr.. f. NJ. Peck, who is connected with the
m Ma "A
IA response TO questions by Mr. Hamlin that he
was friend OF the Remingtons and early i'm
70. had conversations with the Marquis de
= Chambrun in relation to the alleged frauds per
petrated by the Remingtons; the latter were
in1ious TO have an investigation and told wit
ness that be might spend any amount OF money
y told him that he was
NOT TO BUY EVIDENCE;
al they desired was to be INDICATED from the
rharges made against them.
In response to Nr. Schurz, witness said he
'peht only about 500, and that was in pay
lnsnt of lawyers fees, &c.
In reply to question by Mr.. Hamlin, this wit
ness said that not one penny was spent TO pro-
cure the letters OF recommendation given to
Remington bv American officials
In response TO questions by Mr. SchurZ wit
ness said he was not officially connected with the
hemingtons: was interested In arms only As
writer on arms in the Army and Nary Journal.
ne was friendly to the Remingtons, but has
owned at no time any stock in their COMPANY.
ne had been requested some sixteen or eighteen
months ago by Mortimer l.. Mckenzie to pur-
base 100000 stand of arms; he put in bids at
he War Department, but did not buy because
ne thought the government wanted too much
or the arms; Mckenzie offered linn a small
margin on the transaction.
Mr.. VIM. s. SnOot was first examined by Mr.
Hamlin, and testified that he is at present en-
ployed by Remington 4 Sons; in December
$40. in company with Mr.. Remington, visited
the Frankfort arsenal to examine an improved
cartridge; they found General Dyer and Colonel
Crlspen there; they examined the works possibly
With the intention OF introducing some of the
machinery into their own manutactory; they
did not visit the arsenal for the purpose of buy-
ing cartridges, nor was the subject mentioned
In response to Mr.. Schurz, witness said ne
once acted for Mr.. Richardson in purchasing
arms; the request that he act for Il. came
through Mr. Remington; he never received any
written authority from Mr.. Richardson to pur-
chase arms. He had conferences with General
Dyer and Col. Crispen relative TO the purchase
OF arms, but never succeeded in buving any
The witness had seen Remington and Squire in
Col. Crlspen's office, in New York, but did not
know what passed between them, as he never
listened to private conversations. After wit
ness conferences with General DYER and Col
Crispen, Richardson bought some arms and
cartridges from the government, ans sold them
TO the Remingtons; he probably made nothing
On the sale of the arms, but did realize a pcofit
IN the cartridges. Witness has no interest in
he firm OF Remington & Sons.
Adjourned till Monday. at 1880 a. m.