The Republican journal., 1876-03-16
Corruption at the White House,

The New York Sun of Wednesday publishes
a most extraordinary story in regard to ''gift
enterprise conducted by Gen. Rufus ingalls,
for his own benefit. and which has resulted in
making him Acting QuartermasterGeneral of
the United States-a position which gives him
the disbursement of millions of money for the
army and affords a better opportunity for poor
men to suddenly become rich than even the Of
flee of Secretary of War, as conducted by Bel
KNAPP. Ingalls, had seen service in various de-
partments and in various capacities, and in that
particular department he had doubtless learned
how army officers become wealthy by simply
handling Government supplies. He knew. too,
of the Presidents greedness for gain; that
there was nothing like gift to secure his IA
yor and so he sent one to the Presidents wife.
which was made for Queen Victoria, at Il cost
of $500, and was forwarded to Mrs Grant in
1871, with the following memorandum printed
upon SATIN:
MEMoRANDUM
This watch manufactured for presentation to
Her Majesty Queen Victoria Of England by Charles
Oudin, Paris, France. 1t represents the coat of
arms of Great Britain. The stem indicates the
crown of England. Instead of figures on the dial,
twelve letters, 'Dieu mon Droit substituted.
The letter d, next the stem, represents twelve.
Each letter is made of onyx and diamonds, set in
crystal
On the reverse is shown the Order of the Garter,
with the rose, thistle and shamrock in diamonds.
The watch is stem wnder chronometer and re-
peater, striking the hours and quarters In order
hear it strike. push with the thumb nail small
catch on the side of the watch toward the stem.
The setting of the hands is done by pressing on the
opposite side small projecting pin, and while the
pm is depressed regulate by moving stem. The
crystal each side is cut out of solid Brazilian
stone.
The chain was prepared by Tiffany & Co.. New
y ork city, i'll leontne style, and consists of black
enamelled armor plates linked together with rubes
and diamonds. The pendant is Il locket in form OF
Il shield, with lone star of pearl on Il black cnam
elled field On the side is the letter q in d
almonds.
Before opportunity offered to present the watch
to the Queen, it was purchased by Il friend of Gen.
ingalls, and shortly afterward fell into the later's
possession.
1t has never been worn, and has no duplicate in
the world.
1t is presented to the first lady of the United
States of America, Mrs. President Grant
III West 18th street, New York city, April Is, 1871
Compliments of Gen. Rufus ingalls,.
The Sun says at the time the present was
made Gen. Meigs was Quartermaster- General.
After good deal OF delay and difficulty in get
ting Gen. Meigs out of the way, that faithful
and incorruptble public officer was finally or
dered abroad on Il tour of inspection in Europe,
and Gen. ingalls, was transferred from New
1ork to Washington, larger field Of opera
tons. with great power over contractors, and
larger opportunities than he enjoyed there. In
proof that the gift was really sent to Mrs.
Grant, the statement is made by the Sun that
"Gen. ingalls, himself took the manuscript of
the above to a printer in New DIRK and order
ed ii printed on satin of three colors-pink,
green and blue-so that he might select the
color which he liked best to send to Mrs.
Grant. 1t was Gen. ingalls, himself who stat
ed to our informant the value of the present.
The printer executed the order and delivered
the three copies to Gen. ingalls,. He also
printed a fourth copy on white satin. This
copy is now in our possession, and is at the
service OF the House of Representatives of the
United States. if that body sees fit to appoint a
committee of investigation or impeachment"