The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-03-09
probably in November. 1870. sent half

probably in November, 1870, l sent half
thereof TO Mrs. Belknap, either, presume, by
certificate of deposit or bank notes, by express
Being i'll Washington at a funeral some weeks
after this, had a conversation with Mrs. Bow
els to the following purport, as far as L can re-
member, but must say that just here my mem :
ory is exceedingly ndistinct, and [ judge in
part, perhaps. from what followed as to tile de-
tails OF the conversation: was up stairs in the
nursery with Mrs. Bower and the baby [ said
to her, This child will have money coming to it
before a great WHILE She said Yes; the mo-
Their gave the child to me, and told me that the
money coming from you she must take and
keep for it, said 'All rights; and it seems to
me said that perhaps the father ought to be
consulted. sayit seems so, and and yet can
give no reason for it; for as far as know the
father knew nothing of any money transactions
between the mother and myself
have a faint recollection of Il remark of Mrs.
Bower that if sent money to the father that it
belonged to her, and that she would get it any
way. L certainly had some understanding
then or subsequently with her or him; for when
the next payment came due and was paid,
sent the one-half thereof to the Secretary OF
War, and have continued substantially from
that day forward to the present time to do the
SesAAASs 4AoOtC3 oHOulO say OhC tuo ~ Hull w
Two years after the commencement of these
payments reduced the amount to $4,000 per
annum. The reason of this reduction was
partly because of the combined complaints OH
the part OF Mr.. Evans and his partner, and
partly, so far as | how remember, In conse-
quence OF an article in the newspaper about
that time rejecting on the injustice zone
to the soldiers at this post, and by eXhor-
DltanC charges made necessary on the part
OF the trader by reason of the payment of this
bonus. 10 the best of my knowledge and be-
lief the above is a true statement Of the facts
IN the case, aud as complete as can remember
occurrences OF SO many years ago.
When the committee had procured the state
ment of Mr.. Marsh one Of the members had all
interview with Mr.. Belknap. who acknowl-
edged the crime he had committed, but asked
Mr. Blackburn to try and shield Lis wife and
child
The Secretary next morning, before curren-
cy had been given to the facts as stated repaired
to the Executive Mansion ard telling General
Grant some facts connected with his guilt but
not revealing the extent of his criminalty, he
handed i'll his resignation, as follows
| WASHINGTON, D. c., March 2, 1879.
| Mr.. President-I hereby tender my resigna-
ton as Secretary OF War, and request its imne-
date cceptance-thankfng you for your con-
slant and continued kindness, l am respect
fully and truly yours,
| (Signed,l VIM. w. BELKNAP.
| 10 which the President, smarting under the
faithlessness OF his Cabinet officer, promptly
replied:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, I
WASHINGTON, d. c., March 2, 1876. (
Dear Sir-Yonr tender of resignation as Sec
rotary of War, with the request to have it ac-
cepted Immediately is received, and the same
is hereby accepted with great regret,
Yours, &c, U. S. GRANT
The committee the next day reported the
facts to the House amidst the most profound
silence, when the Committee on the Judiciary
were instructed to prepare articles OF impeacll-
ment against the Secretary of War for s'high
crimes and misdemeanors. special commit
tee Of the House was appointed to inform the
Senate of the action of the House, and ON Fri
day, at l O'Clock, Green Adams, the Chief
Clerk of the House, entered the Senate and
announced the action Of the lower body. Then
the doors of the main entrance were thrown
open and the committee, marsllalled by John
G. Thompson, the Sergcan t-at-Arms entered
ted the attention, in due form. OF the pre-
siding officer, and after the recognition had been
officially giyen the House committee advanced
to tie bar of the Senate. Having arranged
themselves in pairs, Hester Cymer, the chair
man, read from q sheet of note paper the or
der Of the House. There was a complete silence
in the chamber and in the galleries while this
was going on. After he had concluded, Mr..
Ferry, the President pro tempore, announced
that the Senate would take notice in the prem
iscs. The committee bowed, walked out, pro-
ceeded to the House, reported that it had dis
charged its duty, and thus ended the impeach-
ment chapter for the day.
The message was referred to q select commit
tee of five Senators, and the President pro TEN :.
announced as the committee Messrs. Edmunds,
of Vermont, Conklng, of New York, Frclng-.
huysou, Of New Jersy, (Republicans.) Thur
man, Of Ohio and Stevenson, Of Kentucky,
(Democrats)
In relation to the meeting of the Cabinet on
Friday last, the National Republican of Satur-
day, say:
Yesterdays Cabinet session was marked as
being one OF the longest as we'll rs the most
earnest and distressing meeting that has taken
place during the entire period of President
Grants Administration. 1t was we'll enough
understood that but one topic would engross
its attention. While all the members of the
Cabinet have been positive in their condem-
nation of Mr.. Belknap, there has been the
most dispassionate consideration OF his offense.
There has been no manifestation OF anything
beyond an assumption of the full measure Of
responsibility the Administration feels it in
cumbent to exhibit in the case,
All the public Departments were represent
ed, Mr.. Robson answering for both the Navy
and the War Departments, Secretary Fish, Sec
rotary Bristow, the Postmaster General, the
Attorney-General and the Secretary of the III
terror completing the list of the Presidents
official advisers. The President, sitting at the
head Of the long table in the Executive office,
addressed the Cabinet on the serious matter
that every one felt should at once be met, and
stating his indisposition to take any step which
might or could be construed into a desire to
persecute any one, and indicated at the same
time very clearly. and with no little emphasis,
his entire determination tina, the full punish
ment provided for in the laws should meet all
offenders. In the Presidents expressions the
complete essence of his famous and contentious
remark, '.Let no guilty man escape,'' met easy
bo hat ~,