The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1900-05-16
against the State for Arms Taken
During the War.
AcAsE OF SOME INTEREST.
Matter Involving a Considerable
Sum Ct Money Which
tbs State Will Have
70 Considsr.
TO Consider.


government resulting from the War OF
Secessions. The following letter re-
ceived yesterday explains the claim:
Washington, May s, 1900.
To the Governor Of the State Of South
Carolina, Colunbis, 5. G.
Sir: On Dec. 10 1897 the second audi
tor stated an account with the State Of
South Carolina and certified balance
due the United States Of 24o,479.S9.
This balance arose from the following
charge made in the account:
1879, Nov. 2S. To Frederick G..
Hunphries. military store keeper: For
the value Of ordnance, ordnance stores,
clothing. camp and garrison equipsge
taken from him by force BY Col. Gun
ningham. Seventeenth infantry, 5. e..
militia, Dec. 30, 1860, scting under the
order Of Gov Pickens Of South Caro-
lima, $40, ,479, 49,"
1t appears that charge was raised
against said Humphreys, in settlement
No. 1882, dated June II, 1861, of this
amount by reason Of the loss of the
stores, ETC., described and that upon
the Recommendation Of the secretary Of
war, dated Nov. Is, 1879, under section
1904, revised statutes, this charge was
removed BY creditipg him with the same
amount in settlement. No. 9249,
dated Nov. q, 1879. The same amount
was thereupon charged by the auditor
to the State Of South CaZolins IN the
account referred to above. That bal
ance. however, vas not admitted and
certified by the second comptroller, but
under date of March Is, 1880, the &C.
count was returned by him to the Sec
ond auditor, with the following endorse
nent thereon:
1T being doubtful whether the State
Of South Carolina can properly De
charged with the value Of the ordnance,
etc., within mentioned, and it not ap,
pearing to be necessary to decide the
question in adjusting the accounts Of
Capt. Humphreys, this report is
respectfully returned uncon6rmed." L"
In 8 letter from the second comp
troller to the second auditor, dated
Dec. II, 1879, referring to this account
he said: Doubts exist whether the act
of the governor Of that State in counec-
ton with taking stores from the custody
Of T. G.. Humphreys, military store
keeper, q. s. A, was an act OF the
State IN it's sovereign capacity"
This would sppear 10 be the reason,
although not expressly so stated, upon
which the second comptroller declined
to confirm the report of TIE second
auditor.
The evidence upon which this ac-
count with the State Of South Carolina
Was stated appears 10 be in part as fol-
lows:
In the settlement Of the property &C
counts Of the said Humphreys a def
cheney in the quantity of stores for
which he was accountable was ascer-
tained, the money value Of which was
determined in making settlement No:
1852, and the amount thereof charged
to him. It vas also ascertained that
the deficiency vas caused By the loss
of the stores seized by the State OF
South Carolina on Dec. 80, 1850.
On June Is, 1878, in response to .
request by the second auditor, the sdJn-
tant general transmitted copies OF GER
tain orders, and reports on hle IN the
war department, among which are the
following.
Telgram from T. c. Humphreys to
the ordnance bureau, dated Charleston,
S. c., Dec. 80, 1850: This arsenal has
today been taken BY force Of arms.
What disposition am | to make OF my
command?
Order for surrender Of arsenal:
Charleston, Dec. 29, 1850.
Sir: I herewith demand an immediate
surrender of the Uui,ed States arsenal
at this place and under your charge,
and delivery to me Of the keys and
contents of the srsenals magazines,
etc. am already proceeding TO oe-
cupy it with strong armed detach'
ment of troops. | make the demand IN
the name of the State of South Caro-
lima and by virtue Of order from its
governor, copy Of which is enclosed
Very respectfully,
John Cunningham,
Col. 18th Eeg. Infantry, S. z. '.
Order from the Governor Of South
Carolina.
Headquarters, Charleston, S. c.
Dec. 90, 1850.
Col. John Cunningham, Charleston,
s. C.
Sir: In the morning, after reporting
yourself to Major Gen. Sehneile and IN
forming MIN Of this order, you are d,
rected to get from him detachment OF
select men, and in the most discreet
and forbearing manner, you will pro,
ceed to the United States arsenal IN
Charleston and there demand, in my
name. it's entire possession and state
distinctly that you do this with view
to prevent any destruction Of public
property that may occur in the present
excited state of the public mind, and
also as due to the public safety.
You will then proceed to take in the
most manner correct inventory Q!
everything in said arsenal aad the ex:
act state Of all arms. You will read
this order to Capt. Humphreys, who is
the United States officer at the arsenal.
Ido not apprehend any difficulty IL
giving up the same, but if refused, then
you are to take it, using no more force
than may be absolutely necessary, and
with the greatest discretion and liber'
ality to Capt. Humphreys, who is 81
perfect liberty to remain in his present
quarters ss long as it may be agreeable
for himself, and heis requested to d.
10.
Report as soon as possible to me.