The New York herald., 1876-03-10
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WAsHrSGTos ID. O., March 8, lSI6
THE POST TRADERsHIPs-oRvIILE GRANT DE-
FORE THE WAR DEPARTMENT. ExPENDTT0RE
coMMITrEE-coRREspoN WITH THE
PRESIDENT SOLICITING CONTRACTS.
John Lawrence, OF Yankton, D. T., was to-day be-
fore the Committee on Expenditures in the War De-
partment, and testified that he had knowledge Of
any post traders and other
charges having preferred against the post trader
at Fort Randall, the witness called on Secretary
Belknap saying that IL there to be any change
he should like to be applicant; the Secretary said
that the had been compromised; he had asked
orville Grant give HIM position, but Grant said he
had all the employees no wished; he thought that
Orville Grant controlled me pos. raderships above
Standing Rock, aud that he was the person 10 whom
applications must be made for contracts.
The Chairman stated that George II. Pendleton would
leave Cincinnati for Washington this evening.
Mr.. Orville NJ. Grant, brother OF President Grant,
having sworn testified that he any ;ine
either orally writing, had any authority from Bel
knap in relation post traderships In the army and
that he never directly or Indirectly exercised through
others control such tradershps but he thought
he was Instrumental in obtaining post sutlership for
a man appointed at Fort Stevens; he inter
ested with any parties who obtained appointments to
post tradershps from the Secretary OF War; being
in contracts under the Indian Department he said he
was and that he obtained the post his account
from Commissioner Smith, his application having been
made in September 1874; the witness admitted
that he had received letter from the President re-
ply his application for trading post Fort Peck
which was favorable, but he thought he had de-
stroyed that letter; the President notified
him that there would be n vacancy at Fort
Peck; if he had not known there to
be vacancy would not have made the
applications he thought the President specified Fort
Peck Fort Beknap aud Standing Rock places to
como vacant, and he applied for these places in pur-
suance OF knowledge given to him by the President;
these the only trading which the wit
ness had any interest," 1874 he became interested in
Fort Peck and Standing Rock; originally Jacob X.
Casscberry and himself the establishment at Fort
Peck the witness put in 81 O00 he thought stock
was about $13, ,O00 A. l. Bonnafon afterward became
conccrned the witness, though putting in only one
sixth OF capital stock divided the profits all the
money invested being borrowed at per cent and
for half Of which he responsible; the witness
thought he had taken out OF the about Oo
as TO tho Standing Rock leadership he was
joined by Joseph Layton; tho witness was
half partner though he never put in anything;
s25 900 invested there, but tho contract never
really into effect: he was not only required
business; the witness assisted George W. Fet or
White Earth, in procuring post, but he never re-
ccived any consideration for it Felt told him he would
give him an interest," but ho did want or expect IT,
as ne could afford TO take any risks was last
fall; the witness assisted named Conrad of the
firm OF Baker L Co., at Fort Beknap; he had always
felt grateful his brother (the Preslden his In
nucncc in procuring the onice
In reply to question the witness said he had innu-
ence with the President TO manage such matters to
some extent although ho did ways nnd the mat
TO be profitable.
On cross-cxamination the witness said Bonnalon
advanced s13 600, tho witness borrowing OF this
81 000 and CasselDerry equal amount: there had
been settlement in the division OF proats Bona.
Ton was represented to tho Of $9,0oc The
witness said he had pressed Ito appointment OF
the attention OF the Presdent he procured
the offices from the Commissioner Of Incan Affairs
after seeing the Secretary OF tho Interior did not
think that he put any papers lie aud did no, know
whether the President insercedca with the Commits
sioncr or Secretary for him; he did not say 70 Pba
dcpha reporter tina; he had much influence with his
brother the President. The witness thought that in
his to tradcrshps the President stated that
there some vacancies because ho had told
him he would IKE to get trading post; he obtained
leadership at Fort Dcrthod, but as his partner Mr.
Raymond, wished to remain tho witness withdrew.
drawing IRON Mr Raymond about 81 ,ooo Neither the
President nor the Secretary Interior had the slight
est knowledge of the fact Of his receiving tho money
Mr CIyBier, the chairman Of the committee, called
attention to Washington telegram in to-day's HEnALp
in which IL was reiterated that what had previously
been said OF Mr. Clymcr, connection with Pendleton
and Belknap susceptible Of proof ani that II was
also tact that tho Of responsible person. who
will provc IL II called before Congressional commit
tcc will be In the possession OF mcLbcr OF the
nittec OF which Nj. CIymer Is the chairman
morning Mr. Clymer asked the committee to author
ize him 70 subpoena Charles Nordho the chief VI tho