The New York herald. [volume], March 03, 1876, Page 3, Image 3

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BELKNAP'S FALL.
Exposure of Flagrant Corruption
and Malfeasance.
Shameful Traffic in the Patronage of
the War Department.
RESIGNATION FROM THE CABINET.
Acceptance by the President with
Unseemly Regret.
A TERRIBLE ARRAY OF FACTS
lilciu owl Painful Excitement In the
House of Representatives.
Heading of the Report of
the Investigation.
THE SECRETARY IMPEACHED.
Solemn Accusation of Higli Crimes
and Misdemeanors.
Women Dragged Into the Slough of
Sordid Dishonesty.
CONDUCT OF THE ACCUSED.
Unfounded Rumors of Suicide Exciting
the Capital.
The "War Department Rotten to
the Core.
Wjishisgtos, March 2, 1876.
Tho discovery of the Belknap fraud* has created a
Very %>eat excitement here, and It lakes rank as one of
the moat stirring events Washington hus seen. Very
few persons knew this morning that anything unusual
Would happen to-day. The Washington papers gave no
hint, and only those who chanced to ace an announcement
of Mr. Belknap's impending resignation and disgrace
in one of the Uaitimoro papers had the least Idea
of what was coming. Mr. Clyiner and his committee
guarded their secret vory vigilantly and very successfully.
TUB 8CKXE IB THK IIOl'SK.
Rumor flies swiftly here, however, uud by one o'clock
all Washington was excited and crowds streamed to
the Capitol in hopos of hearing tho committee report.
The committee had meantime locked itself in, and
when tt adjourned in tho middle or the day its members
secluded themselves. The scene in the House in
the early afternoon was very curious. The Hawaiian
treaty came in regular order before tho House, and the
proper documents having been read at great length,
Mr. Fernando Wood took the floor and procecdod to
speak in favor of tho legislation neoessary to
carry the treaty into elfect. He spoke ably, but
to an audience which either whispered in
corners or listened to hint as though he
were a jester at a (uncral. The floor was
crowded with strangers. The unfortunate gentleman
in the Speaker's chair found it very difficult to keep
order, und every one who could be supposed, by reason
ol friendship with a member of the committee, to have
private information was a centre of eager attraction.
A UltASTLY KIMOK.
About one o'clock a rumor was started In the House
that Belknap had shot himself, aud lor a while it was
believed. It was known by noon that be had resigned,
and it was then reported that the President
had nominated Treasurer New to be Secretary of War.
In both houses tho republicans wore grave faces and
awaited the committee's report with anxiety. Tho
general fuel that Mr. Belknap had been caught in such
a manner as to leave no doubt of his guilt wus sufficiently
ascertained to leave no question in any mind,
and the main consideration was as to the greater or
lesser importance of tho affair as a political event
bearing upou party prospects.
About one o'clock a rumor obtained that the President
had refused to accept Belknap's resignation, and
left him to the House to bo dealt with and at this both
republicans and democrats were gratiUod, esteeming it
the proper conduct.
KXTRAXCK OF TIIS COMMITTEK.
The House was in Committee of the Whoia, listening
to Mr. Wood, as well as its impatience would noriuit
ml tearful at repeated report* that the committee
would not appear till to inorrow, |whon, at half-past
three, Mr. Ciytner quietly walked to his Heal, Messrs.
Blackburn, Bass and other* of the committee appearing
simultaneously, livery one was immediately full
of attention. Mr. Clymer sat still and listened to Mr.
Wood, and once more the hopes of the curious and anxious
fell. At last Clymer walked over to Mr. Wood for
ft brief consultation. Mr. Wood, altor a jauae, remarked
that a committee desiring to make an important
report he was willing the Committee of the Wholo
should rise. This being at once agreed to, the Speaker
resumed the chuir, and, alter the essential formalities,
Mr. Clymer saying that as his committee bad no clerk,
kud bis report might not easily be read by a clerk, he
would ask permission to read it himself, opened his
budget.
tux kkcxptiox or tin ftxroHT.
There was a general demand that he should go to the
* Clerk's desk, which ho did, and read from thenco, tn a
clear voice, but evidently with some excitement and
VliCOflCtllod Ptnnttnri tlin Msiiiua nrnl nftllnriOH ll?l?>nintf
la painful stlenco and with quick annoyanco at
the least noise. Ho roail flrct the ropurt of |
the committee, accusing William W. Ilclknap, late Secrotary
of War, of high crimes and mlalDlnranuri. and
proposing, in the nanio ol tlie House and of the Amorl an
|>eoplo, article? of Impeachment. The impNMiVt
.Wording of such a report had a aoloinu effect. Wlien
line waft done he retired to hi* leal, and lor a moment
^erc ?u :iu awlul venae ol disgust in the House and
lallcritf* at the supposition that he Wal done; but ho
iniuwdialely asked leave to read, also, the testimony
in which the rcoort was based aud all the documents
accompanying il.
TilK KClOIMfl or TUR TESTIUflST.
Listening to there details was u painful and almolt
lorrilile experience. Mr. Clymer reads slowly and
rery distinctly. Every word was understood by the j
douse, and as detail after detail of a crime aa vulgar aa j
it IS
mocking was brought out, aa it became apparant lha- I
this was no single offence, but a deliberate, long J
Mnlinoed succession of offences, as It began to be nu,
lerstood that not only Mr. Belknap was involved 1
tut bolb his lormer and bis present wife. As it j
\
i
< T
NEW 1
was teen that be bad continued for years to receive
ibe price of a fraud, disgust and indignation at
tbe meanness ot the criminal and the sordiduess of
the crifce took possession of the people.
TUK I'KfSiDKXT's ACTIO."*.
When tbe letter of the President was read, stating
| that he hud accepted the Secretary's resignation at j
menl at what looked to everybody then like on act de- j
Isberalcly intended to shield Mr. Uclkuap, but when
the terms oi the letter wero read. In which the Presi- ,
dent telle Mr Belknap thai he accepts his resignation ,
with great regret, people turned to each other with in- 1
dignation at something which seemed to them an open j
defiance of decency and of public opinion. On the re- j
publican side there were Irowns, Tor It was felt and
openly acknow ledged that these word* wore indefcnsl* {
ble and indecent. The report gave great satisfaction by .
reason of Its fulness of detail.
TUK tKCIKTAItV'S I'KOI'USAL to coxritsa.
It left but one point uuexplaiucd, and tbis Is perhaps
the best place to explain it It alluded to a proposition
made by Mr. Iielkuap to the committee by his
counsel, Mr. Montgomery Blair. As this was rejected
the committee did not embody it in their report Mr.
Belknap's proposition wus "that If tho committee
would so report the beta in to leavo Mr*, Belknap's
share in tho transactions uninentloued he would give !
thorn a written confession of his crime." This was ;
necessarily rejected, us uo true report could In such ;
case have been made, uod to consent would
have placed tho romimtteo In a fatally j
false position. Moreover, it was evident from .
the explanatory letters submitted by two of tho com
niltteo that au attempt had been made during the j
course of the investigation to entangle them lu sonio .
way so as to make them Incapable of acting effectively. |
Cruel as the exposure of women seems in this case, as ,
Mr. Clymer read on, it waa generally admitted that
the committee had perlormcd a necessary, though
painful, act of duty?the moro necessary because mo |
gossip of Washington had already spoken of the Iriendly
relations which existed between Mr. Belknap's family
and some members of tho committee.
TUX qlKSTlUX or mi'KACUMKNT.
When Mr. Clymer was done reading he returned to
his seal and announced that he should now move the
previous question upon tho quostion that tho House
do impeach General Belknap before the bar
of the Seuate. At this point Mr. Kassou
and Mr. Hoar demurrod, pleading that the hour
wus late and that delay for rellectlou was advisable,
but the motion of Mr. Clymer prevailed, and thereupon
an hour was consumed In debate, In which there
was some attempt at sparring by Mr. Hoar, but with
no success, as It wus upou minor points.
Tho members of tho committee, republicans and
democrats, occupied meat of the time. Mr- Baas,
republican, of New York, made a clear anil forcible
statement ol the case on that side; and Mr. Blackburn,
ul Kentucky, democrat, made one of Iho moat
brilliant and elfectlve speeches of the session, and one
which has made hint a man ol mark in the House.
TUB KPyCCT or BKLKMAP'H U BTIKKMKMT.
The discussion turned mainly on the question of the
; power of the House to impeach a person who had resigned
office, and Mr. Ulackburn, with great spirit, but
In au adiutrubly impartial tone, asserted tbo power and
dignity ot the House, and brought down a burst of applause
when he said that, If It were truo that the
House in such a case as this was powerless, then
It must be on the old ground that ''the King can do no
wrong," for It gave the President the power to shield
otfeudurs by ucccptiug their resignations; but, he said,
though It inay be true that the King can do no wrong, j
wo have not yet, in thiE country, beard it asserted mat
the President can do no wrong. There he touched the
feeling of indignation which had filled all face* when
(he President's letter occeptiug Belknap's resignation
was read, and galleries and House applauded.
THE VOTE FOR IHHKACUM KNT UNAMMOIS.
The House was evidently in no humor to listen to
j abstract dlscussloits of Its lack ol power in the preni'
tses, and Mr. Hoar's attempts to Interrupt iho speakers
gave annoyance, especially as it was presently
known that the vote for presenting articles of impeachment
would be unanimous. The democrats were plainly
determined to como to a conclusion, and thus gave up '
an excellent opportunity to make parly capital j
out of a long debute, In which the republicans I
who shonld oppose their motion must have
placed themselves and their party In a
false position before the hounlry of seeking to shelter
a criminal because be was a member of the ad minisration.
Finally the vote was taken vira voce, and Ihcro
wero no nays. Thereupon iho Impeachment Committee
was named by the Speaker, and tho Houso adjourned
alter ono of Its most eventful and exciting sessions.
THE IHFKACHMEVT COMM ITTKK.
Tbe committee deputed to Impeach Mr. Belknap at
the bar of tbe Senate consists of Messrs. Clymer, Robbins,
Blackburn, Bass and Danforth, the same who
form tho Investigating Committee which brought in tho
i
refiorL
i A leading republican member reruarkod that bethought
! the President's right to accept Belknap's resignation
j undoubted, but that tbe House had also an undoubted ;
power to Impeach blm after bis resignation was nc. j
1 copied, and tho terms of regret used by the President
wero a fatal blunder.
The committee were late In reporting to the House, ,
because they had, at Hclknap's request, given j
him till three o'clock to make another appearanre
before them, but they waited for him until
hair past three and then, as ho gave no sign, came In to
report. It is probable that tho Houso will to-morrow
ask tho President to report to It (or what purpose ho
nrrontoil Hollrnun's rcsiiMiatlon In the face of tho nro.
: ceedings or the Houso Committee against him. It is
i now known that the President know of the circnmI
stances which Involved and Incrimiuated Mr.
Belknap bolore he accepted his resignation. The committee
have tn their possession express receipts for
money sent to Belknap by Marsh, and other subsidiary
evidence, which they did not think necessary to produce
to-day.
TUB FKELIXO OF TUB SE.NATK.
The news of Mr. Belknap's fall created a profound
Impression In the Senate, especially among the re- ,
publicans. They were exceedingly solemn, and
gathered in groups and conversed in low, I
earnest tones during the day. Senator Kdmunds
said that the oxposures were tcrribhs and sickening. It
had been given out by him that he was to speak tn the
Pinchback case, but the flying rumors of Belknap's
! resignation and snictde dampened tho ardor on Lottis.
tana matters, and Mr. Kdmunds said that he should
1 postpoun the delivery of his speech, Senator Logan
made no concealment of his regret at the
Secretary's downfall. He characterised It as a most
terrible calamity and said that his resignation ought not j
! to havo been accepted by the Tresldent. "Mr. Belknap
ought to be tried, impeached and sent to the Penitentiary.
the tamo as myself," sutd the Senator. '
II ? wvi? *** ?/ v. VUMgOT, ?5?
alleged by the independent press." Mr. I.ogan
went on to say that be and hi* wile hud been criticised
because they did not make more display in society and
give frequent reception*. He was opposed to the reek- |
let* exlravaguncc* of fashionable political lite in Wash
; ingtoti. He believed in plain living. Senator Cameron I
repeated the word*, "Terrible, terrible." "This |
; comes," said lie, "from
OkAXT'S HfHTKM or ArrOIXTMKXTtt."
Ho frequently told him that he ought not to put obfeuie
lueu In high |h>*IIiou*. He alway* had a lot of
these unknown characters arouud linn. "The only !
way for people to live," said he, "is within their '
means. Mr. Ilucbauun and myself used to pay from
$M to $10 a week for board and two
rooms, and we lived well The Scripture
Is right?'Lead us not Into tcmptaitou.'" I
Mr. Spencer, of Alabama, seemed considerably impressed.
He exclaimed, in a moralising way, "There '
is nothing like hciug houest" His enemies, lie said,
charged him with all kinds ol Iniquities, even to stealt
lug sums ax small as $.'>, but he was glad to know thut
be was innocent and could not be un
Ileachc-l. This remark somewhat relieved the *olemnitjr
of tljoxe who berrd hlin. Mr. Craglu, of
New Hampshire, was very much oast down, llo was
alranl yiat the disclosures would lose Ids Slate lo the
republicans in the approaching election. Senator Bayard,
of Delaware, was asked what bethought oftlelk
nui. "Rad bail'" xaid he. "but not so ha.I at Rui.
cock."
MR. FKKKY'a V1KMTJ.
Vice President Ferry sa>? thai It I* a very tad thing
ami a great abani* to think n iumu holding ?uch a high i
position of tru?l couhl not prove true to it. lie felt
very much dejected u'jout It, and thought i* i
was likely t<> have a very had effect on
tho coming election* tu New llampehlre and
Connecticut. He era* aatonitbwd that Mr. Bolkuan
I
rORK HERALD, FRIDAY,
could 10 far forget hitoselL Senator Wadleigh cx- I
pressed himself lu uiost emphatic term* as disgusted, .
ud thought It was simply an outcropping of the
sncpnerd King. It was the result of inordinate extravagance
and the general deutoralisiliou of lUe day, ;
an entire loss of tbe principles ol bouosty
and integrity. It was just such men as tbia
wbo bait loaded down and embarrassed
tlio republican |>arty, wbicb bad achieved such
gruud results, and bad been so glorious In principles
and men. It wus a burning sbanie tbat iu glorious .
record should tie pulled dowu so aud dragged In tbe
dirt, lie bad uo patience to contemplate the subject, 1
and felt that it was disgraceful In tbo extreme. He
expected more of It and thought it would end
by aouie ol them going to Jail. Senator Hitch- .
cock, of Nebraska, was grieved lu the extreme over it, ,
aud regarded it as a great calamity, llo concurred In |
a great measure with what Senator Wadleigh had said.
Senator (J.mover, of Florida, said whilo ha had no re ason
to doubt tbe main facia, bo still thought, as only
one side of the case had been beard, that perhaps there
were some rxlenuallug circumstances. Senator Boutwell,
of Massachusetts, was dejected and appalled in
llieoxiremu at the sud event, which ho could Imreiy
credit, and he Inquired whether it was really true. He
felt thut it wus a very uniortuuato situir, and seems
shocked at tbe suddenness ot it. "I think It is a very
melancholy thing, and It is too bad that it ever oc- I
curred,'1 vuut Senator Morion. He wuh taken 1
all aback. The lleiknap matter came upon '
us like a clap of thunder on a clear summer'*
day. 1 am very sad over it. 1 did not think Secretary |
Belknap would make such a foolish show of hihiself; ,
but, ou the whole, I never expected any treat things of j
him. 1 cannot say how It will act politically, but it 1
looks very ugly. It was falsely rumored j
that I went up to the President's to day to ad- j
vise him to accept Mr. Belknap's resignation; but I had
nothing of the kind in iny head; I had to go up thore
on sorno other business, and as I was going In 1 mot
ex-Sonator Chandler coming out with Secretary Betknap,
and when I saw President Grant he told me
about what he had Just doue In the matter of acceptlug
Secretary Belknap's resignation; 1 suppose it was
from my visit that tho report came out that Mr. New
was appointed to succeed Mr. Belknap.
Ex-Senator Trumbull, of Illinois, said he was very
much surprised. He had always taken Belknap tor an
houest man, but if the thing had struck in one of throe
or four other places lie would not have been so astonished.
Ho thought, however, it was
a YsitT sTna.YUK conns*ranr
upon what had happened In this terrible business,
that such a man as Secretary Hobeson should have
been selected to act as Secretary of War ud interim?a
man who had really been proved guilty more than four
years ago before the American people. He was very
much grtoved about it, as It affected the whole country
uud made us appear very badly and humiliated in the
eyes of Europe , and, In fact, belore the whole world.
It was an Indignity upon Amorlcan people. "I look
for oven worso thlDgs yet, and I can't say whore It is
going to end."
McCreery, of KoDtucky, listened to the remarks of
bystanders regarding the possibility of Belknap's Impeachment
by l he House, and slyly remarked that, us
be bad been Id one Impeachment trial (Audrew Johnson's),
bo would say nothing about It.
TUB SKNATS
was In session till late, but iho regular order of business
was changed to -the reception and disposition of
Dills, evidently becuuso the republican members bad
no desire to multe speeches. Karly In the afteruoou
the report was generally circulated through ihu Senate
that Belknap had
SUOT H1USKLF,
and when It was announced that the investigation committee
wore about to report In the House there was a
speedy thtuuing out In the galleries and many of the
Senators withdrew. At the close of the session Senators
Coukltng and Edmunds hud a long cont'orenco and
it was remarked that their (aces were unusually grave.
TUB POLITICAL KPPKI'T.
Senator Norwood, of Georgia, who expects to delest
Hill for the Senato next year, thought that the result
of the Belknap Investigation would bo to carry New
Hampshire by a democratic majority If Hill's amnesty
speech did not neutralizo it. Ho was of the opinion
that the ex-Socretary could be impcachod, notwithstanding
he had resigned.
TtlK GKNEHAL OPINION
' among tho democratic Senators was that Grant mode
a great and unpardonahlo mistake In accepting Belknap's
resignation and adding thut "ho did it with rei
gret."
"What Is tho matter with tho President," was the
frequent exclamation heard on the floor and In the
lobbies from members of both parties.
TUK PACTS MA OK KNOWN.
Washington, In all.its official and private life,'was
I startled and shocked this morning by news that was
tolcgraphed to tho country last night concerning Secretary
Belknap. At midnight scarce a score of people
1 In tho city knew even the outline of the story, and not
even inai nuuioer ouisiun 01 luciuocrs ui iuu committee
engaged In (he Investigation. Besides theso members
(hero were a few lawyers who had boon consulted, ono
or two members on each side or the House and four or
five correspondents who had the main fucts. The members
of the committee were sworn to
. ansoi.t-TK skckkst.
Though the case had been virtually made out against
the Secretary for several duys, yet, at his urgent request
and entreaty, it was kept secret up to the lust
moment of tho session, which lasted till long alter
midnight The morning papers here hud no allusion to
the mutter, and the first public Intimation of tho
situation reached tho city in the Baltimore
Gaztlte. But the story, though told with great accuracy,
was so lucrodiblo that It was generally discussed
as sensational Evon among members and Senators
the story which soon gaiued currency was not believed
until near the hour of meeting of the two Houses,
when some of the members of Mr. Clytner's
Committee came on the floor and confirmed the despatches
from Baltimore. Long before the matter ob
tamed credence in Washington, telegrams had arrived
from Boston, Sew York, Cincinnati und Chicago asking
for details, and in mnny cases whether the story could
possibly be true. It seemed almost incredible, but It is
true that
TUB ntKSIDKST KXKW XOTHINO
of the facts which had boon developed before the Clynier
Committee until about ten o'clock this morning.
Republican members of the committee were In a position
whero tbey could not tell him, iu all were solemnly
sworn to secresy. So in common with nearly all
members ufCougrcrs and citizens generally the President
remained lu entiro ignorance of what had happened
long alter tho country outside of Washington
was in possession of the main facts, and also with tho
fart that a member of his Cabinet had fully decided to
resign.
The President bad |ust been made awaro that sen
ou* matters, gravely affecting some member of hi*
Cabinet hud come out before i Rhum Cotntnittee end
had been given to (be public, and bad Jum sent to Mr.
Ussr, a member of the committee, when Secretary
liclkoap appeared and handed him
HI* WKITTLN UCKlONaTlOX
The President then lirsl learned lu brief tbd main
features of the case Irom the lips ol Secretary lielknup
himself. Consultation was very brief and the resigns*
nou was promptly accepted. Ihe President then at
onco startod out lor a walk with bit ton and, before
returning, walked to the Capitol and had an interview
with several Senators.
Senator Morton appeared Just as the President left
the White House, and the story gained circulation that j
In- had advised the President to accept the resignation
immediately for the purpose of
OBtBATISO as aTTBMPT
at impeachment. .Senator Morton authorizes a most emphatic
denial of this statement, and say a he did not
reach the Whllo House till alter the resignation
had been formally accepted. Tlio fuel seems to
lie that the President acted without asking .
adricc Ironi any quarter nnd without giving the mutter
portal consideration hi in self, a* only a lew minutes i
elapsed niter tiencral Holkuap reached the White
House before lie came out with his resignation ?c
ceptod. There was
so mkitisg or tiik cauixsr
held to day, and the whole matter hat been '
allowed to co over until tomorrow. The resigna- J
tiou of Secretary Robeson, as acting Secretary j
of War, Is but temporary, and it was necessary
to make such ao appoinimetit immediately, an there ts .
no provision of law for any otllcor of tho War Department
discharging tho dune* of Secretory 10 cose or
bis absence or disability.
sL.vku among usrinucAX*.
Tho feeling this evening amour the renubl.can Sena.
y\
MARCH 3. 1870.?TRIPLE
ton and representatives la on* of Ill-concealed alarm
at the ell'oct which thia exposure may
huva upon republican prospccta In the Preaidential
olectlon. None of them belittle
the magnitude of thia event, viewed troin thia point,
#K..? II.. -.lit o I Lr aluuit it Sfll
ator Morton said that It wan a great anil painful surprise
to bun and to hla republican lellow Senators, but
of course, would express no oplniou as
to tho merits of tho rase, lie had seen
tho Preaiilunt in the morning and when atkod
whether be appeared greatly allocked at this cxi>o*ure
of bis Secretary ol War, Mr. Morton replied, "Oh!
you know he is not a man who easily shows his fecli"
It must be said lor tho democrats that they do
npl regard this matter us a parly .triumph, but
as a national calamity and disgrace. They
mean, ol course, to pursue this and other investigations
thoroughly, and they hold that in doing so they may
rightly ask the co-operatton of tho republicans, and
freely concede that they had this fully in the present
Investigation, Messrs. llass and Danlord, republican '
mouthers of the committee, having been most zealous
and linn In ferreting out the matter.
TilS VlOLATkP LAW.
The provision of stutute law which tho Secretary has |
violated appears in the itevi&ed Statutes, us follows :
(sue. 1,781):?
Every member of Congress, or any officer or agent J
of the government, who, directly or indirectly, 1
takes, receives, or agrees to receive. any I
mouoy, property, or other valuable consideration,
w hatever, from any person, lor procuring, or aiding to :
procure, any contract, olUce or piacu from the government
or any department thereof, or trom any officer of
tho L'uited States, lor any person w hatever, or for giving |
any such contract, office or place to uny per- i
son whomsoever, and every i>orson who, directly or j
indirectly, oilers or agrees to give, or gives or bestows 1
any money, properly or other valuable consideration !
whatever for the procuring or aiding 10 procure any I
such contract, oillce or place, and every .Member of
Congress who, directly or indirectly, takes, receives '
or agrees to receive any rnouey, property or '
other valuablo consideration whatever, alter his election
as such membar, lor his attention to services,
uctton, vole or decision, ou any question,
matter, cause or proceeding which tnuv then bo
pending, or may by law, or uudcr the eonstttu
11 on, bo brought belore htm in his olllcial
capacity, or iu his place, us such member of Congress,
shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, und shall
be Imprisoned nut morn thau two years, and lined not
more thau $10,000. And auy such con
i tract or agreement may, at tho option
ol the President, bo declared absolutely
null and void, aud any member of Cougrcss or officer
convicted ol a violation ol this suction shall, moreover,
bo disqualiltod from holding any office of honor, profit
or trust under the government ol the L ulled Status."
THE INVESTIGATION.
CIRCUMSTANTIAL EXPoaUUK OP liKLKNAp's INTltlUUB
FOB COBBUPT OAIN?SA1.K OP A POST
TBADEB8BIP.
WasiliNCTOM, March 2, ISTtl.
Mr. Clymer, after submitting iu the House the unanimous
report of the committee, read ou the Belknap
airalr the following testimony and accompaniments:?
Tuesday, Feb. Ill, 19"tb?The committee met at halfpast
ten o'clock A. M. Present, Messrs. Clymer, Bluck
burn and Bobbins.
Mr. Caleb P. Marsh, one of tho witnesses ordered to
bo subpuenaed by the committee, being present, was
duly sworn according to luw.
Question by <be Cbairman?Wbero do you rostde?
A. 1 reside at No. 30 West Pllty-sovcuth street, New
York; bavo resided In New York about eight years.
question oy me t.nairiiian?n ere you or not appointed,
or tendered au appointment, us a post trader
at Kort Sill, I. T., in tho fall ol 1870, by itio Secretary
ot War?II ao, under wbal circuinsliiuces was said appointment
secured to you 7 State also if you wero
commissioned by llio Secretary as such post trader,
or 11 uot who was so commissioned; and If any other
person than yourself vtus ao commissioned give his
name, tho reason why bo was commissioned; If any
agreement was made bcfcwceu you ami tho appolnteo
state it, or produce it it in writing, and was such agreement
tuade with the knowledge of the Secretary of
War 7 and state tho circumstances connected with the
making of that agreement, and all tho transactions in
detail thereunder lully aud particularly, as II you wero
specially Investigated In regard to tho several transactions,
and so fully as to save tho necessity of repeated
Interrogatories.
8TATKMKNT OV MR. MARSH.
A. In roply to your question 1 would stato that in
the summer of 1870 mysell' und wile spent eome weeks
at Long Branch, and on our return to New York Mrs.
Belknap and Mrs. Bowers, by our Invitation, came for
a visit to our bouse; Mrs. Belknap was 111 during tbis
visit some tbreo or lour weeks; I sunpoao in consej
quence of our kindness to her she felt under soino obj
ligation, for she asked me one day ill the course of u
> conversation why I did not apply for a post tradcrshlp
i on the frontier; tasked what they wero and was told
j that there were many of them, very lucrative ofttces
i or positions, In the gift of tho Secretary of War, and
I that if 1 wanted one she would ask the Secretary lor
<?r < >? tl-W.il hi V rntll VI lie lit,it I I hnilirllt alloh
) oQltt'S belonged to diHiibled soldiers, mid, besides, thut ,
i 1 was without political influence, she answered thut
' politician* got such plMN, kc., te ; I do not remem- !
' bcr saying thut If I had a valuable post of that kind
that 1 would remember her, but I do remember her
1 saying something like this:?"If I can prevail upon the
| Secretary of War to award you a post, vou must bo
careful to say nothing to turn about presents, lor a man
f once offered hint $10,UU0 lor a tradership of this kind,
1 and ho told him that If ho did not leave the ofllco be
' would kick him down stairs;" remembering as I do
this story, 1 presume the antecedent statement to be
: correct; Mrs. Bslknap and Mrs. Powers returned to
! Washington, and a lew weeks thereafter Mrs. Belknap
' sent me word to conio over; I did so; slid then told
' mo that the post tradership at Fort Sill was vacant;
tuat it was a valuable post as she understood, and
: that she had either asked for It lor mo
' or had prevailed upon the Secretary of War to agree to i
' give It to me at all events; 1 called upon the Secretary
i of War, and, as near as I can remember, made appllca!
tion for this post on a regular printed lorm; the SocroI
tary said he would appoint me if I could bring proper
I recommendatory letters, and this, I said. I could do; i
1 either Mrs. Belknap or the Secretary told mo that tho i
present trader at the post, John S. Evans, was nn an- '
. pllcant (or reappointment, and that I hud hotter see
' htm, ho lieinic in tho city, us it would not be lair to turn |
; I) I in out of oltice without sonic notice, as lie would loso
; largely on bis buildings, merchandise, Ac., If the ollico
was taken front him, and that It would be proper and
Jus^or meto make nine arrangement with lnm for their
gxirchakc If 1 wished to ruu the port myself; I saw
?van.? and found lilin alarmed at the prospect of losing
the place; I remember that ho raid that a drm of
Weitoru port trader*, who claimed a good dent of mMu
ence with the Secretary of War, had promised to hatro 1
him appointed, hut he found, ou coming to Washington,
this tlrin to Imj entirely without Influence; Mr. Kvans
lirit proposed 'a partnership, which I declined; |
and then a bonus of a certain portion of tho profits tf I
would allow him to hold tho position and continue tho !
business; we finally agreed upon |i;>,ouu per ycur;
Mr Kvans and myself went on to New York together,
where the contract was made and executed, which'is
herewith submitted (paper marked A); during our I rip
over, however, Mr. Kvans saw something In the Army
and .Vary Journal which led bnn to think that sotne '
of the troops were to be removed from the fort, and j
he had ottered too largo a mi in, and before the contract
wttt driiirn it wns rodnrod liv arricmiMil 1<? il'J Mil
the fame being pavablo quarterly tu advance.
hhsr hkmittancb tu mks. iiki.kbap.
When tlie first remittance caiuv to me? sty probably
In November, 1S70?I gout one ball thereof tu Mr*,
llelknap. either, I presume, by certificate of deposit or
bank notes by express; being In 4Vashiuglon ate
funeral mine weeks after this I baa a conversation
with Mrs. Itowors to the following pur- I
port, as far as I <a:i now remember, but
must say that just here my inemury Is exceedingly
indistinct, and I > Judge in p-f., perhaps from '
what followed aa to the details of the conversation; I
want up stairs in the nursery with Mrs. Mowers to see
the baby; I said to her, "This child will have money
coming to it before a great while;" she said, "Yes;
the lumber gave the child to toe and (old luc ifrit tba
rnouey romiug from you she mu?t take and keep lor It;" j
I raid, "-til right," and It seems to mo I said that per- |
baps the father ought to be consulted; 1 ny, It seems
so. and yet 1 ran give no reason for it, for, iu tar as I
knew, the father knew nothing of any tnuuey transactions
between tbe mother and myself; I have a tuinl
rerollectiou of s remark of Mrs. Mowers that If 1 sent
tbo money to the lather that It belonged to her, uud
that she would gel tl anyway.
slnstdv to tiib sbchktaht.
1 certainly had tome understanding then or subse
I nueotlv with her or hlU). fur when the Best twvment
J SHEET.
' came due and * as paid 1 sent the one-half thereof to I
the .Secretary of War, and have continued eubstaulially
irom that day forward to the preaent time to do the
same; about, I should aay, a year and a half or two t
year.after the commencement of three payments ! re- t
duced the amount to |d,UtiO per uuuum ; the reason of g
1 this reduction was partly because of the com- 1
j btned complaints on the part of Mr. Evans and his c
| paitncr, and purlly, so far a.- 1 now remember, in con*
' sequence of un article in ttio newspaper* about that
time reflecting on the Injustice done to soldiers at this
fort, caused by exorbitant charges made ne cssary on
the part of the trader by reason of the payment of this
bonus; to the best of my knowledge and belief the
above Is a true statement of all the facts tn tne case
and as complete as 1 can remember occurrences of so
many years ago.
MKTitona or pavmixt.
Question by the Chairman?State how the payments
were made to tho Secretary of War subsequent to the
funeral of his then wile, which you attended In Washington
in December, 1870, whether In cash, by check,
draft, certificate of deposit, oonds, or by express or
otherwise. A. The money was sent according to iho
Instructions of the Secretary of War; sometimes In bank
notes by Adums' Kxpress; I think on one or more oc
cuslons by ccrtillcuies of deposit on the National Hunk
of Amoricu in New York; sometimes I ba\o paid him
in New York lit person; except tho Qrst payment, iu
the fall of 1870, and the last, In December, 187'd, all to
be mado to the Secretary in tne modes 1 have staled, unless,
perhaps, on one or two occasions, at IDs Instance,
I bought a government bond with the moneys In.uiy
bauds arising from the conlruct with Mr. Kvans, which
1 either sent or handed to him.
twrxtt thovsajtd dollars to rklkxap.
Question by Mr. lilackburn?Can you stale the sum,
In the aggregate, received by you under the contract
with Mr. kvuds, and what portion thereof you have
paid to the Secretary of War, Including the first und
last paymeuls, which you havo stated were not paid to
him 7 A. I havo ne memorandum whatever on which
to make answer; ills a very simple calculation; tho i
Qrst payment to tno by Hvsus was made Iu the lull of '
1870, at (lie rato of $1'J,000 a year; bo paid at that
rule about a year and a half or two years, and since |
thou ul the rulo of $d,UU0 a year; it wdUld aggregate
about $40,000, the one-half of which 1 havo disposed '
of as ubovu slated.
Question by the Chairman?Did vou receive letters I
from the Secretary of War acknowledging the receipts !
of the turns forwarded to him in the manner you havo ; ^
stated, or did he acknowledge the receiptor the muio
tunny way? A. I'sually, when 1 scut money by express
1 would scud htm the receiptor the conipauy,
which ho would either return marked '*U. K." or
olherwl-u acknowledge tho receipt of Ihosamu; aom<-;
times 1 paid It to him In person In Sew York, when no
! receipt was uocetsary ; 1 huvu uot preserved any re:
ceiple or letters; when sent by expruss 1 always doposi
ited tho money personally and took a receipt lor Ik
Question by tho Chairman?Have you at any lime hud
I ant conversations with the Secretary of Wnr regard.ug
j tho post irudorshlt) at Fori Sill, or have you corresponded
; with Utni regarding the sauiu! A. Uhl Ireuueully 1
j have fbrwurded requests to the Secretary, made to me
j by Mr. Kvuus, wishing privileges about the fort, auch
i as to sell liquors, Ac. ; 1 don't remember what action
was taken upon thorn; they were not returned to mo
1 better leave ilto country;" I ho Secretary sutd I would i
ruin him if I Iclt; I said, "If I gobclorc the committee I c
will aurily ruin you, lor I will tell the truth;" ho was s
greatly oxcitcd; when 1 came down stairs to leave ho t
followed and asked me into the parlor and said, "I want t
to make a lust appeul to you to stay longor;" be said 1 *
If 1 went lie would be ruined; 1 said 1 would ruin bun ! *
If I went before tbo committee, und I left slid took the ! t
limited, express for New York; on reaching liomo I t
I consulted my attorney, asking him If the committee s
could reach me by subpiciia If I loft the country; j t
I stuted tbo case to lilm (Mr. Bartlcttj, ISO Broadway. 1 v
Kquliable Building; be asked If I wus subpicnii'-d; I b
toM bull I had a telegraphic despatch calling me to s
Washington; he said If a subpoena bad been duly served T
they could give me considerable trouble, but that on a n
telegraphic me-sago they could not reach loe if I was si
out of the country ; I asked him how long I would have
to slay ; he said II the committee bad leave to sit dur- If
lug the recess 1 could not cutne back until the present t<
Congress expired. ; B
ToNLixaoVa rux or avaston. j c<
1 then went home and found there a despatch from I a
Dr. William Toinliuson, the brother in law of the Sec u
rotary; Its purport was not to leave; that he had good
news; that he was coining over, I determined not to bo ' n
governed by it and 1 wae going , that they only wished w
to Qx up soiiio new story, but that 1 would ! o
not be a parly to It; my trunk was being packed to
leave; about niiduight Thursday, February .'4, Dr. Tom- |
llnsou had arrived at ray house; hid seeu Joe Blackburn,
a cousin of mine, who said he thought you '
(Marsh) would write a letter something like one ol
which lie (Tomlinsou) would suggest, wbich would be
ditllrult lor me to answer, and that Mr. Blackburn said
he thought that If the Committee still wanted to examine
me they would ap|k>int a sub committee and come
over to New York to do so; he cauie to my bedroom
aud I told hlin to go into the sitting room and draw the
sketch of tho proposed letter, and when dressed 1 would
join him, and 1 would write such a letter as he wanted,
II I could, 1 wrote the letter from the sketch of Tomlliieou.
Til K I.KTTKK OS KXt't?l.l'ATio*.
The endeavor was to exculpate the fecretary; there [
waa nothing in it untrue to the best o' my recollection* h
but it did nut state the whole truth; II waa very i
short letter; he took It with tbo coutract enclosed; be 11
aid he would take the letter and coutract to Mr. illack- w
burn, who would (bow- It to tl\o committee, aud that
would be the end of it; bo left mjr bouae at two o'clock o
I rtday morning; st inuln'gbt Kriday 1 waa roused up, C
and had the aubpo-Da of the committee served on me; e
Saturday inorolmr. at about eight o'clock. Or. Tumlm c
3
ion again appeared, and aaid he had been to Washtajpi
on; he wanted to know, the Orel thing, if I had beei
lubpoenaed; I told him I had; ho began talltiug th<
thole thing over again, still wanting mi
o say before the committee what was suf
[esied at the Secretary's at the interview o|,
'hursday night; he wauled me to telegraph to the
oinraittec, before whom 1 had been subpa-naed bj
eli-graph to appear the next morning (Friday), that my
rife was sick and that I could not attund; tny wilt
eing sick, 1 consented and did so telegraph; recurring
o the interview again on Saturday morning, 1 said I
ould not mako the statement he desired; he said ha
ad seen Mr. Blackburn in the interval and had showu
ini the letter of Thursday night; ho then returned il
nd the contract to me; 1 said, "Dr. Tomlinson, 1
iuvc thought of this thing so much it ban nearly mad?
ne crazy, 1 am no^ going to talk about it any more; w<
rill go down to my lawyer and consult him abcut it;"
ny object was to have a lawyer to tell him bow rultcuouh
the story bo wanted mo to toll would appear beforo
he committee.
tub i'uoposen fiction.
iVo went down and called on Mr. Bartlctt, and 1 told
mo the whole truth In tho preseuco of Dr. Tomlluron)
dr. liarllelt said 1 could not mauutaulure uuy atory II
wanted, and 1 must not if 1 could; Dr. Tomlliisou
Hill insisted that if I could swear that General Belknap
iuew nothing of the arrangement with his sister, now
leceuscd, and If I could swuar that at tho lime 1 waf
>t her fuueral 1 made an arraugoiuent with Mrs.
lowers, tho present Mrs. Belkuap, by which I was t?
end her all this money through the Secretary, that the.
rliolo thing could still be settle); 1 replied I cannot
late it, for it is not true, my impression then being
bat at that luneral 1 had said something about the
natter to Geueral Belkuap; Tomiiuson said, "II you
auuot swear to that you had bettor leave tho counry;"
Mr. Uartlolt said, "This is a bad business; it is
ot a legal question you have submitted
a mo, and In tliu position of alUirj the
ecretury of War should decide if you should go to
fusbinglon or leave the country;" Dr. Tombuson raid
o would roturn to Washington; ho prepared two
irmulas of telegrams which I would understand; asm
ras, "1 hope your wifo Is well," nnd was to ho interToted
to leave the country, the other was, "I hopo
our wile is belter," which meant come to Washingou;
wo then parted; ongoing homo ill tbe street car,
limiting tbe whole thing over about the conversation
i ine lime 01 vue luinnti, i inuuo up my uiiuu vu.it
ithougb 1 hud slated to Mr. liartletl that I thought 1
lad had huuio conversation ut the llinu of the funeiuf
nth the Secrctury of War uhoul sending this
uonoy, yet I was so undecided ahout II that 1
vas certainly willing to give the .Secretary ibo
leuettl of the doubt; I thought I would see Toinlitisou
md tell hnn; wo parted ut one o'clock; ho was i?
cavo for Washington at three o'clock; i went to the
lupot and met him, and told him that on thinking
iver the matter 1 was so undecided about the coiilersatlou
with the Secretary at the lime of tho funeral
hut 1 would give him the heuelltofthu doubt; he siud,
'I am very glad to hear this, because my sister, Mrs.
telknap, said this wus llio lact;" that Saturday even,
ug I got a telegraphic despatch Irom Mr. Delknap
vlnch said, "Come to Washtuglon to night?itls'uecesiary;"
I received it In the evening; next morning
last Sunday) 1 received a despatch from Dr. Tomliniou?"1
hope your wile is bottor"?which, according
o our agreement, meant, Come to Washington, in tho
dternoou 1 got a second despatch (rum Dr. 'foinliusou
is follows:?"Cotno without full. Answer;" 1 auiwered:?"I
shall come to night without fail."
tils t'i.a.1 of fliijiit aiiamionko.
was very glad not to have to leave tho country, th?
unvicllou having grown on my mind that It would do
io good; 1 reached Washington yesterday morning ?(
mil past six, uud stopped at the Arlington; my wile
icing with uie, wo wore shown to a temporary room j
bout seven o'clock 1 laid ilown, being greatly fatigued,'
,ml about olght o'clock Dr. Touillnson called mo to the
loor o( this room; ho said ho had seen Blackburn and
hat ho atlll thought this matter could be fixed up
vilhoiit any trouble; he asked me if I had tho loiter (
iad written to tho committee ou Thursday night; I
aid 1 had not; he said, ''Blackburn says you had beter
write another of tho same purport and send It up
,o tho committee, with a note explaining why
t did not como sooner;" I did so; the
note aed letter were marked "II,"
ihortly before two P. M. yesterday 1 came to tho Capitol
to meet the committee, and Dr. Touiliusou lound
me In the corridor, near the committee room door; he
mid, "You are going beloro the committee, and 1 waul
y ou to remember that there was no arrangement with
you and the Secretary ol War at the time of the
'utieral, and that tho money you have always paid to
Jenoral lielknap was lor Mrs. Belknap and by her
lircctious;" I told him I was going before tho committee
to tell tbc whole story as far as 1 recollected it;
I said I had thought of leaving tho country, but was
iverruled, and now shall tell the truth, the .whoio
ruth and nothing but the truth; he said, "I don't
*aul you to tell any lies; I only want you to tell the
ruth and that was the truth;" 1 said, "The truth I
mall certainly tell, and II It does not hurt (Sonera!
Iclknap no one will be more rejoiced than myself;" Ion.
ered tbo committee room at about two o'clock yesterlay,
and without being sworn 1 made a statement toceraln
members of the committee of the facts in the case;
nore brtctly but substantially as 1 have now answered
n reply to your chief interrogatories; when I reurned
to the hotel yesterday altcrnoon Dr. Tomliuson
vns waiting at my room nt the Arlington to see me ;
io asked mo how I got along with the committee; I
old him 1 hud told the story from beginning to end,
lud at the request of the gentleman present I was gong
to reduce it to writing iiud appear before the coinnillce
to-day at half-past ten with It; ho wanted to
mow how 1 had stated the lact that all these payments
0 the Secretary had been made in consoi|uonce ol tho
irlginal agreement with Mrs. lielknap; I said I had
tated tho (acts as they were according to my best
ccollectton and belief; I told liiiu I would furnish liitu
1 cntiv of the statement I would inako
icfore tho committee; I prepared tho statenent
last night and gave hun a ropy about ,
ight o'clock this morning, being substantially a copy of
hat I submitted as an answer to your chief Intcrrogaory
save that I have tilled up tho blanks; IJr. Tomlinlon
tamo back to my room at about half-past seven ,
>;clnck last evening, and I asked htm whether ho had
cen Mr. Blackburn since 1 had ntado my statement in
he afternoon and what Impression It liad made upon
ho gentlemen who heard It; ho said he did not like to
ay he had seen Mr. Blackburn, but bo said be had
een one of the committee, who expressed the opinion
hat my statement would involve the Secretary; he
hen mado a stronger appeal to mo than ever before,
aviiig that I was the friend of the Secretary; thai IF
his thing came out it would ruin hun; that his wife
ras in groat distress about 11, and he himself, us her
rother ami Irlend of tho family, was In groat trouble,
nd that If I could stale ; I suld, "Stop, l>r.
umllnson, I have about finished my Written statement
lid I will read it to you;" t then read It to him; ho
ild he did not see hut It was all right, that
TUISUS col'Lll BK Sxri.SOKO VKTJ
' they could provo that this money was originally soot
) Central Belknap by Mrs. Belknap's order, Central
elknsp would bo aubpo-iiaed, and would prove to tho
uinmillce that Mrs. Belknap's estate Is entirely sop.
rated Irotn his, and that this money, received through
m, he had always kept distinct troni his and for her.
By the Chairman?Old you ever have any busi.
ess relations, of sny kind or nature whatever,
nth the late Mrs. Belknap or the present Mrs. Belknap,
r either of them, other thau those arising from this
ort Sill tladershlp ? Bare jon now or have >mu
'Ver had any sum or sums of money or any evidence*
if Indebtedness or securities of any sort or deicrlption
whatever belonging to either of tliein,
>r have you at any time been Indebted
,o cither of them In any way. manner, form or deicrlptlon
r A. Never; tho present Mrs. Belknap years
igo may lisve consulted mo ou business matters, but
hore wore no monetary transactions wh atever between
is other than I have heretofore staled.
q. By the Chairman- When was the baby of the 1st*
frs Belknap born, and when did It die ? A. The baby
f the late Mrs. Belknap was born in the aulumu of
470; It uicd during tho summer of 1471.
By Mr Kuhbiuf In the conversation hod with
he present Mrs. Belknap at tho funeral of her sitter in
lectinber, 1470, or in auy other conversation had with
er or anollior person at any tunc, was It the underv
tjindinar thai the nionev von u oro in nav in,1 urura nar.
ag was to be the money of Mr*. Kelktiaji, the present
rito ol the Secretary of War * A. It wo* not.
The foregoing deposition and statement made under
ath, having been carefully read over In lull to Ur.
aleb P. Marsh, the witness, In the presence of the
onimiltee, and he having made such alterations and *
orrertion* therein a* he deemed just, he assents to St .
> as tar as 1 know , Kvans corresponded regarding a(Tulr9
ai Kort Sill through mo with Iho Secretary of War; I
never heard of auy other way.
Question by the Chairman?Wus the couiract between
youaud Kvaus over (he subject ot conversation between
you nud the Secretary of War? A. It never was, as I
remember, sat o In one instance, but 1 um not positive,
yet It scorns to me when the article in the ucwspa|iers
regarding all'alrs at t ort Sill, probably In 1872, about
the lime the reduction was made In tho payments from
$12,000 to |tl,000 appeared, tho next time 1 saw the
Secretary ol War he asked me 11 I had a contract with
Kvans; I told him I had; I never showed it to him or
any one else until 1 produced It here.
AVTKK T1I8 Hl'IlPOXA.
Question by tho Chairman?Alter receiving the telegraphic
subpmnu from tho Sergeunt-at Arms to uppeur
before this committee, which was en Monday, tho
: 21st ot this mouth, did you come to Washington, and
' if so, had you au Interview with tho Secretary of War,
I und when and whore? A. 1 came to Washington on
I Wednesday, the 23d of this month; I went to tho tiouso
| of the Secretary of War, stayed Wednesday night and
returned on Thursday morning; I allowed him the teli
egruphlc subpu-na and asked him what it meant; ho
, said he supfiosed it wan to slate befuro tbc committee
what I knew about our iransucllous together; 1 said I
did not hko to appear, because I thought my testimony
' would be damaging to or would impllcato him or give
| him truublu; ho said he thought not, and advised ino
to stuy and moot tho committee; during that evening
my conversation wus principally with his wile, ho be
. lng present part of the time and uiidcrsiand'
lng tho general tenor of our conversation; she sug- !
gcslcd that I could make s statement which would i
satisfy the cornmiitco aud exculpate the Secretary; she
wanted 1110 to go beforo tho committee and represent
that she and I had business transactions together for '
many years, anil that all this money I bud sent the I
Secretary was money flint she had from time to time 1
deposited with mc as a kind of banker, and that she
had instructed mo to sond it to the Secrolary for her; 1
1 dined there and spent tho evening and stayed all 1
I night, retiring ubout twelve o'clock; the evening was
devoted to discussing this matter; I told her the state- {
mcnl would not hold water before the committee, and
even if it wouM 1 could not mako it; at the same time '
' i was so wrought up and hud such an anxiety?she ,
pressing and pressing me about it?aud having slept .
hut little since the receipt of the subpo-nu, and sympathizing
with their condition, 1 did not give them a pos- '
itive answer that night; I went to bed at twelve o'clock ,
and I do not suppose I slept a wink; they said they |
would hreukfast about nine o'clock; 1 canto down ut
| eight and met the Secretary alone. j
MARSII AND IIKI.KXAP IX COXPRRUXCI. |
I told htm I thought I had better leave aud get out j
01 the country, for 1 would not porjuro myself for any ;
one; that I could alTurd to liavo my throat cut, but not I
to perjure myself; he did not wish 1110 to do that; I
that we could tlx it up some other wsy; I said, "I think '