Year: 1862




vgiant and honest head Of the Treasury Department
| remain In any hands unaccounted for.


have this satisfactory rsbeoton that, notwhstaud


ing tbs criticisms OF the committee about the loosenea
OF these transactions, and he accounts pertaining
them they could have been up for settle
ment without perfect vindca,on OF my character in
relation TO the whole affair Ny note as altered might
have remained unexplaned but nothing ese The facts
and figures are in proper ORDER and would speak for
themselves in all time with without my presence and
so assured my friend, TO whom have alluded in
tho first part OF this letter who was alarmed for my sake
by the rumor that seemed to have leaked out OF tho
committee


committee while admit ng, in language, the integrity
of my purpose, yet attempting by nsinuation TO fix
stigma upon me for some OF the minor acts connected
with the execution of my trust. OF these the one most
harped upon Is the purchase OF linen panaloons and
straw hats for the troops is not alleged that high
prco paid for these articles; the contrary, 1t is
well known that they purchased at very low
ratebeng about ninety cents pair for the pantaoons
and sixteen cents piece for the hats The most there
similar character, is error OF Judgment On that
point am not sensitive; but may be excused for sth
from the northery chimes of Maine aud Michigan where
the chill Of winter still upon them, to latitude
degrees, would find great relief and comfort, and. in
deed, an exemption from the danger OF sudden
heating and sunstroke--many cases OF which actually
occurred--by the reasonable clothing thus provided.
These were not soldiers, in the technical OF
that term, long Injured to wooen uniforms; but they
volunteers from all the walks Of life and In New
York. and in Washington also, at that time, 1t was
thought sensible TO provide for them such clothing as in
similar climate they would provide for themselves
members Of this committee adapting their clothing
the change OF the fact which to have
been utterly forgotten by the committee.


The eagerness with which the articles question were
sought by the roopswho would have been glad pur
chass them at the price they were procured by the
govornmont-nay be Qn0ted as some proof Of the wis
dom OF the purchase. They outside Of the
army regulation than the purchase of winter gloves for
the soldiers on picket duty The committee fair to
presume from their action this question: would let the
soldiers fingers freeze their musket locks rather
than have sound discretion exercised In such emor
gency So much FOR that large point which occupies
considerable portion u the report and whose vast i'm
porance has called forth speeches in both houses of Con-
gress.


With regard to the purchase Of ale, about which 80
much is said the same character or reply, 10 some
extent at least may bo made No one VIII deny that
might have been made useful both in the hospitals and
out Of them and doubt not it used advantageously
But IL 1t were not, 1t Is surely no fault OF mine


The accusations of the report do not stop with those
matters with which connected but there to
be desire TO drag me into others with which had no
connection hatever OF these the unjustable Is
the ins Duation th had connection with the char
toring Of the steamer Catalinc-an nsnuaon made in
directly, but Significantly after had on oath averred
that had connection whatever In way direct
indirect, with that steamer not knowledge Of its
ownership charter. l repeat that avcrment In the
most emphatic and unqualified manner. This averment
is in way affected by the note which the committee
publish showing that had ordered freight board Of
the Catalina She had been chartered by Colonel Tomp.
kins United States Quartormastcr at New York. the
committee ascertained, and told them that 1t was
very likely some Of the articles had purchased we're
forwarded by her because they we're sent by any
sol in tho service and ready co. In the
which the committee parade In connection with this sub
ject two other vessels we'll as Caaline
the Roanoke and Chesapeakeas having freight board
from and have not to this hour, tho rcmotcst idea
of who owned them then who chartered them
for tho government and knew no more Of ths Catalne
than know OF them. 1t was not at all necessary
hardly even within my province to inquire who owned
chartered them.


Whout going further into detail upon tho various mat.
embraced in the report Of the committee content
myself with the declaration that the money expended by
myself and those with whom was assocated dis
birsed economically and wisely; aId that the whole
outlay that tended this In has
the government trulyor moro fully got its moneys
worth the dbursng agcnis more strictly and consci
entousy discharged their 0nerous duties And it ia
per TO aid that very little done toward the safety Of
tho government in its great emergency except through
this provision ofts officers above alluded to- and the
ton Of the city of New York. through the Union Dcfonce


AS an evidsncs and in illustration Of the care used in
tho expenditure m e nds provided for this emergency,
Imay properly cite instance out Of many cases that
occurred Iui ing the sriod alluded to, the government
decided think in inet meeting to purchase the steam
Atlantic, then in the public service under charter
made by regular officers the army and was author
ized and, indeed almost instructed, by teegraphic
despatch purchase her for the or $3.50 0O0the
price named in hor charter-at which tho government
had right to purchase received the despatch late
the evening OF saturday. the 4 OF Hay stating that her
charter would expire the next day which Sunday.


had evidently been represented to the government by
parties who were in Washington, ,Ahat it was important
that the privilege purchase provided for in tho charter
should be taken advantage Of After obtaining what
formation could, decided not to make the purchase,
and reported 70 the War Department, informing tho
Secretary that the vessel had not long before been ored
much lower price. and probably would be again
offered IL not bought now understand that she has
subsequently, been offered to government for about
two hundred aud fifty thousand dollars, making actual
saving II it Is still thought wise TO purchase her Of
equal to one-fcurh OF all the money expended dur
ing the dark and perious period that followed tho memo
rable 18th Of April.


have now done. | have spoken in self defence.
have spoken plainly, as is my right and the right OF
every man unjustly assaed. l have not harshy cha
racterzed the report, bat have shown by official and
rreagsbe proof the groundlessness Of It's charges and
insinuations affecting the transactions with which
connected. do not doubt, indeed have the utmost
confidence the personal honesty and caIdor Of certain
members Of the committee and feel assured that upon


Of all the facts in the case, they will be alike
anxious TO vindcats from the aspersons which they
have unwtngly assisted in heapng upon me- and to
leve themselves Of the injustice which, perhaps through
mapprehension and haste they have in the face Of the
country, committed against citizen OF whom they
justly alege no wrong have given complete and i'm
partial though necessarily BRIEF OF this whole
transaction in reply to the report OF the committee by
which have been made to suffer unjustly. / have
made 1t without resentfu impulses, for which, if had
been disposed 70 indulge them, there is ample scope
But prefer TO make retorts, and have only say in
conclusion fot juytaia. am, as ever, yours truly,


ALEXANDER CUMMINGS


WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 1852