The New York herald., 1876-03-04
BELKNAP'S CONFESSION.
HIS STATEMENT BEFORE THE INVESTIGATING
CoSNITTEE-MoRE PROBING TO BE DONE


HIS STATEMENT BEFORE THE INVESTIGATING
CosuMITTEE-MoRE PROBING TO BE DONE.
From the Evening Telegram OF yesterday
Mr.. Blackburn, of the Investigating Committee
makes the following MISUNDERSTANDING Belknap,
learning that serious charges were made against
him before the committee asked through his counsel,
for permission TO make a sworn statement, which
granted finally by the committee Though he appeared
at the time and heard the charges read, facing the
committee with considerable manliness and resolve,
with tears streaming down his iace he said through
his COUNSEL
sEcRETARY's CONFESSION.
81 have heard the charges read Somo things
are true some things are not true, and
things ! know nothing about But make your
charge and put anything in 1t you may
please, It makes difference what to my guilt,
which will acknowledge without Only grant
my wlsh that this investigation shall be pursued
further as affects any member OF my family"
He was assured that the committee had such
object and they adjourned until the morning
to enable him make the statement
he had asked the privilege Of making before the
mlttee, and he notified through his counsel that
three O'Clock fixed, the committee de-
sired do all they could representatives OF the
House to meet his views. Two O'Clock came and no
appearance When near three word was
counsel that he had altered his mind and had deter
mined to make no statement before the committee.
One feature OF the case, Mr.. Blackburn says, do
MENTION and that Is that Mrs Bclknap wished
to infct on herself
ALL THE oBLoQUY
OF the whole transaction, so that tho reputa-
ton of her husband as official should
be saved She never except once had anything to do
with the money transactions except during the last
Christmas holidays when she in New FORK max
ing purchases, and there was fractional payment
amounting TO $3.50, made to her. Meet
ing Mr.. Marsh It was handed to her.
This the only transaction she had
ever anything to do with. The remarkable fea-
ture OF it is that Mr. Blackburns wife and Mrs Bel
knap are old schoolmates from grlhood and it has
especially trying Mr. Blackburn listen TO the
peadings of Mrs Belknap at interviews she has
sought and which have been forced upon
him. He declares the highest admiration for her dis
play of devotion and ealty her husband Even the
interviews she had with the Witness Marsh, in which
she seemed tamper with him and endeavor TO make
him falsely testify, pardonabe he thinks, ad
ditional proof of her devotion. Secretary Beknap
seemed to him, when he came before the committee,
like n man either determined go the precipce
and give up all hope to fight the thing out stub
borny like bulldog But he did not to have
the courage latter the last moment and his
nerves gave way
MORE INVESTIGATION.
Mr. Blackburn says that they are determined to go
through the whole War Department The next quarter
in which there will be a toppling will be
in the Judge Advocate Generals Department,
and after that in the Quartermaster Generals
Department. and between the present position of
General Belknap and that of General Rufus Ingalls,
inside of thirty days there will not be the toss of
cent
Bya resolution of Congress the President Of the
United States be asked the orders of
Quartermaster General Meigs requiring his absence
abroad that he shall place his foot American soil
and be within the bailwick of the
mittee when he will be summoned TO
testify TO important matters involving the Quar-.
tcrmaster Generals Department. In a word General
Ingalls, and several other officials completely
the hollow of the hand of the committee speak,
as Secretary Belknap The whole thing, from be-
ginning end, TO the words of Mr. Blackburn. is
rotten TO the
rHR PRESIDENT DECEIVED.
1t Is reported here by a gentleman who saw the
President yesterday afternoon that the President
said TO him that Mr. Belknap had deceived him yes
terday when he communicated to him his desire to
resign The President says that Beknap told him the
committee had developed scandal against his wife,
and that he desired his resignation to be accepted in
order to relieve the President OF embarrassment
General Grant left under tho impression that there
nothing against Belknap, and this accounts IL
said. for the Presidents expression Of regret
STRANGE CONDUCT OF MARSH.
HR STARTS FOR MONTREAL AND AT PEEKsKILL
ExcITEDLY JUMPS FROM THE cARs-A LATER
EoRTHwARD BOUND TRAIN BOARDED.
PouGuKEEPsIK, March 8, 1876.