The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-04-06
BELKNAP,S INDICTMENT.

Full Text of the Articles of impeachment
Presented In the House of Representa-
! tives by the Judiciary Committee.
The Committee on judiciary, Hon. Proctor
Knott, Chairman having had under considera-
ton the resolution of the House directing them
/ to prepare and report articles in support of the
impeachment of William Worth Belknap, late
! Secretary of War, for high crimes and INSIDE
meanors in Office, respectfully report the fol-
lowing articles and accompanying resolutions
/ for the action of the House:
ResoLUed, That the following articles be adopted
! and presented to the Senate in maintenance and
| support of the impeachment for high crimes and
| misdemeanors in Office Of VIM. w. Belknap, late
Secretary of War.
Articles exhibited by the House of Representa-
tives Of the United States of America in the of
themselves and of all the people of the United ates
OF America against VIM. w. Belknap, late Secretary
OF war; IN maintenance and support OF their I'M
parchment against him for high crimes and INSIDE
meanors while in said Office
/ ARTICLE l. That William w. Belknap, while he
| was in Office as Secretary of War of the United
States of America to w.t. the 9Th day of October,
1870, had power and authority under the laws of the
United States Secretary of War, aforesaid, to
| appoint person to maintain trading establish
ment at Fort Sill, military post of the United
States; that said Belknap, Secretary of War; as
aforesaid, on the day and year aforesaid. promised
to appoint one Caleb p Marsh to maintain said
trading establishment at said military post that,
thereafter, to-wit, the day and year aforesaid,
said Caleb P. Marsh and one John S. Evans entered
|
/ to wit:
Articles of agreement made and entered into this
9Th day of October in the year of our Lord 1870 by
] and between John S. Evans, of Fort SILL Indian
/ Territory United States of America, of the first
part, and Caleb p. Marsh. of No. 81 West Thirtyfth
street. of the CITY, county and State of New York. of
the second part, Witnesseth, namely: that whereas
said Caleb p. Marsh has received from Gen. William
w. Belknap, Secretary of War of the United States,
the appointment of post-trader at Fort Sill afore-
said; and whereas, the name of said John S. Evans
Is to be filled into the commission Of the appoint
ment of said post-trader at Fort Sill aforesaid by
permission and at the instance and request Of said
Caleb p. Marsh, and for the purpose carrying out
! the terms of this agreement; and where as, said
John s. Evans is to hold said position of pcst-trader
as aforesaid solely the appontee of said Caleb P.
Marsh, and for purposes hereinafter stated; now,
therefore, said John 8. Evans, in consideration of
/ such appointment, and the sum of ST. to him in
/ hand paid by said Caleb P. Marsh, the receipt of
/ which is hereby acknowledged, hereby covenants
and agrees to pay to said Caleb p Marsh the of
$4,000 annually payable quarterly in advance in
the city of New York aforesaid said sum to be pay
able during the first year of this agreement abso-
lutely and under all circumstances, anything here
matter contained to the contrary Notwithstanding,
and thereafter said shall be payable, unless
increased reduced in amount in accordance with
| subsequent provisions of this agreement; in con-
sideration Of the premises it is mutually agreed be-
| tween the parties aforesaid, namely:
| l. This agreement is made on the basis of seven
cavalry companies of the United States army which
are stationed at Fort Sill, aforesaid.
| 2. IF at the end of the first year of this agree
ment the forces Of the United States stationed
at Fort Sill aforesaid shall be increased reduced
to the extent of lO0 then this agreement shall re-
main in full force and for the next year; if, how
ever, said forces shall be increased or diminished
beyond the number of 100 men, then the amount to
be paid under this agreement by said John s. Evans
to said Caleb p. Marsh shall be increased or re-
duced in accordance Herewith, and in proper pro-
portion thereto the above rule laid down for the
continuation of this agreement at the close Of the
first year thereof shall be applied at the close OF
| each succeeding year SO long as this agreement
| shall remain in force and effect.
3. This agreement shall remain in force and effect
SO long as Caleb P. Marsh shall hold control di-
rectly or indirectly the appointment and position of
post-trader at Fort Sill aforesaid
4. This agreement shall take effect from the date
and day the Secretary of War aforesaid shall sign
the commission of posttrader at Fort Sill aforesaid,
said commission to be issued to John s. Evans at the
instance and request of said Caleb P. Marsh, and
solely for the purposes of carrying out the provs
ions of this agreement.
S. Exception is hereby made in regard to the first
quarterly payment under this agreement, it being
agreed and understood that the same may be paid
at any time in the next thirty days after said Secre
tary of War shall sign the aforesaid commission OF
post-trader at Fort Sill.
g. Said Caleb P. Marsh is always at the request
of said John S. Evans to use all proper influence
he may have with the said Secretary of War for the
protection of said John s. Evans while in the dis
charge of his legitimate duties in the conduct of his
business as post-trader at Fort Sill aforesaid.
Z. Said John S. Evans is to conduct said business
of post trader at Fort Sill aforesaid, solely on bis
own responsibility and in his name, it being
agreed and understood that said Caleb P. Marsh
sumo no liability in the premises whatever.
g. And it is expressly understood and agreed that
the stpulations and covenants aforesaid to bind
the heirs and administrators of the respective
parties.
In witness whereof the parties to these presents
have hereunto affixed their hands and seals on the
day and year above written.
r. ST. JOHN S. EVANS
RI. 81 G. P. MARSH.
Signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence Of
E. T. Bartlett.
said Rel Imam QG n VAR aft
did, at the instance and request of said Marsh, at
the city of Washington, in the District of Columbia,
appoint said John s. Evans to maintain said trading
establishment at Fort Sill military post aforesaid
and in consideration Of said appointment of said
Evans so made by him as Secretary of War as afore
said, said Belknap did on or about the I'd day of
November, 1870, unlawfully and corruptly receive
from said Caleb p Marsh the sum of 81 500. and
that at divers times thereafter, to wit or about
the end of each three months during the term OF
one whole year, said VIM w. Beknap, while still in
office as Secretary of War, aforesaid, did receive
from Caleb P. Marsh like sums of 81 900 in consider
alton of the appointment of said John 5. Evans as
post-trader by him, said Belknap, Secretary of
War, as aforesaid and in consde ration of his per-
Knitting said Evans to maintain said trading estab-
lishment at said military post during said time,
whereby said VIM w. Belknap who was then Secre-
tary of War. as aforesaid, guilty of high crimes
and misdemeanOrs in Office.
ART. .. That said VIM. W. Belknap, while he was
in Office Secretary of War of the United States OF
America, did, at the city OF Washington IN the Dis
trict of Columbia, on the 4th day OF November,
1873 wilfully, corruptly, and unlawfully take and
receive from one Caleb P. Marsh the sum of 81 800
in consideration that he would permit one John s.
Evans to maintain trading post at Fort Sill, a
military post of the United States which said estab
lishment said Belknap as Secretary of War, as
aforesaid, was authorized by law to permit to be
maintained at said military post, and to which the
said Evans had before thai time been appointed by
said Belknap to maintain and that said Belknap, as
Secretary of War, aforesaid, 1or the aforesaid
consideration, did corruptly permit said Evans to
maintain said trading establishment at said military
post, and therefore said Belknap guilty while
Secretary of War of high misdemeanor while in
Office.
ART. g. That while said William w. Belknap waa
Secretary of War of the United States before and
during the month of October 1870, and continuedin
Office as said Secretary of War until the I'd day Of
March, 1876, that Secretary of War aforesaid said
Belknap had authority under the laws of the United
States to appoint person to maintain trading post
at Fort SILL military post of the United States, not
in the vicinity of any city town that the 10th
day of October, 1870 said Belknap as Secretary of
War as aforesaid, did. at the city Of Washington,