Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1876-03-31
The Testimony Of Caleb P. Marsh
[Speeii Il Di spatch to the N Y. Times.l
WARRINGTON. March %

4.
WAsHINGToN, March %.
Caleb p. Marsh was examined to
night before Ia sub committee of th
committee on judiciary, consisting O
Messrs. HuntOn, Lynde and Hoar
He seemed to have no distinct recol.
lection of the details of the transac
tions with the Belknaps; C I'D uo
recall dates, and could only give i'm
presslons about the most important
occurrences come ected with the pay.
ment of the various sums to Secretary
Belknap. He frequently expressed ,
scrupulous desire to swear to the exact
truth, which prevented him from ven-
tnr1ng upon positive answers. He
thought he filed g. formal application
for the leadership at Fort Sill. Upon
the suggestion of Belknap he wrote to
a friend at Cincinnati, and received
letters of recon mendation from Job
Stephenson and Senator Sherman. He
remembered when he got the appoint
ment that Belknap told him Evans
was In town, and advised Marsh to see
him. Belknap said Evans was a good
trader. and should not be turned out
without some arrangement topurchase
his goods. He detailed his bargaining
which agrees with the statement here
tofore published about this transac-
tion. The first payment of 81 500 was
sent to Mrs. Belknap. He was sure
this remittance was made to hrs.
Belknap, and not to the Secretary.
When his attention was directed to the
fact that this remittance appears on the
express company's books as having been
sent to WV. Belknap, and was receipt
ed for by him, Marsh said he could not
understand that, and thought it must
be mistake. After Mrs. Belknaps
death, in December, 1870, the remit
tances were always made to the Secre-
tary. When he received money from
Fort Sill he would write the Secretary
and inform him he Lad some money
for him, and asked how he should re- |
nit. The Secretary would reply some
times by mail, sometimes by telegraph,
him how to forward the |
He generally sent it by ex-1
press. Once he bought bond upon
the .,ecretary's direction, and once he
sent certificate of deposit, issued by
the National Bank OF Commerce. |
When he sent tie Ii oney by express he
always forwarded the company's re
ceipt by mail. These receipts always
came back to him indorsed "G. k"
by Belknap. He was familiar with
writing, and was reason
ably sure the chsrectere on the back
If the express receipts wore made by
aim. Several time when Belknap
vas in New York, he handed him the
money IN bank notes. He had no re-
,ollec tiou whether he paid the money
It Il s store or his house, nor cou he
emember what he said TO the Secre-
airy when he handed him the money.
He had an impression that he would
ay. "Rere is some money" or, "Here
s a present." He thinks he never
Id Be KNAPP the money was from Fort
'lIt. but thinks BeIknap must have
that it was from that
Ource. He could not remember that
le ever made an arrangement with
Irs. Belknap or Mrs. Bowers to re-
nit half the proceeds, but thought it
'ossible such an understanding might
ave been had. All the letters,
elegrams, and express receipts were
destroyed by Marsh as they were re-
eived He did this in order to pre-
lude the possibility of their publica-
ion. While he did not think the
criminal. he thought the
would lead to the Disgrace
f the Secretary of War. After Tue
ublication was made in New York
apers in 1872. about the sale of the
'ort Sill leadership, B=lknap and
1arsh had conversation about the
natter. He remembers Belknap asked
i'm whether he had a contract with ,
vans, but could not remember that !
nything was said about the publics-
Ou of the charge that soldiers were :
elng charge exorbitant prices, be- ;
ause of the tribute exacted. He had :
q impression that the general subject :
'as talked over. He never had any
usiness with Belknap except that :;
raTing out of the Fort Sill trader =
hip. He did not consult with Belknap :
efore making the reduction in Evans q,
ayment from twelve to six thousand )
er year, and did not remember having ,
lade any explanati, n as to why the ,
aoments were reduced one half. He !
houghG Belknap knew he had an I
with Evans; that some
was reached upon the &
light following the former Mrs. Bel
maps funeral. The last payment was
lade in December last, to tine present :
1rs. Belknap and he thinks the pay .
lent previous to the last was also
1ade to Mrs. Belknap. The examina-
ion was not conclude6 tO-nipht