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SPEECH 
 
 GEN. GEO. H. GORDON, 
 
 DELIVERED 
 
 At Eewbueyport, Mass., 
 
 OCTOBER 28, 1868. 
 
 Gentlemen: At a meeting of the citizens of the Fifth District at 
 Salem, on the evening of the 16th of October, I gave a general de- 
 scription of through whom, by what means, and for what purposes sup- 
 plies from the Department of Virginia and North Carolina, while 
 under the command of General B. F. Butler, were poured directly into 
 the departments of the Rebel Commissary and Quartermaster, on the 
 right bank of the Chowan, and up the Nottaway River as far as the 
 rebel station at Murfrees Depot. 
 
 I then stated that the ring which controlled this nefarious traffic oper- 
 ated through four concerns known by the names of Renshaw & Co., 
 McKay & Co., Geo. W. Lane & Co., and C. C. Pool & Co. I further 
 stated that the real parties in interest were Benjamin F. Butler, com- 
 manding the Department, Fisher A. Hildreth, of Lowell, his brother- 
 in-law, Geo. W. Lane, and J. C. Sanborn. 
 
 I traced the connection of Butler with this ring, by his active and 
 interposing agency in carrying out to the letter a corrupt contract for 
 continuing this rebel trade, made by his brother-in-law Fisher A. Hil- 
 dreth, with a trader convicted of traffic with the enemy, and sentenced 
 to be confined in the Penitentiary during the remainder of the war, 
 and to pay a fine of one thousand dollars, by which contract, in consid- 
 eration of large profits, Hildreth bound himself to see that the con- 
 vict's case went right with General Butler. And I showed you that 
 after Butler had been discharged from duty in the field, and while on 
 his way to Lowell, he remitted the sentence of imprisonment, thus as- 
 suming a power of which he had been stripped, and using it to con- 
 tinue the shield of his protection to make the convict's case go right, 
 by warding off the penalty. 
 
 And I further showed 3'ou that during a period of four months after 
 his trial and conviction, the convict, in the interest of the ring, had 
 been permitted by Butler to carry on his trade of pouring supplies 
 into the depots of the rebel army in exchange for cotton. 
 
 Those of you who have read the remarks I made in Salem on the 
 16 th instant, will perceive that it was necessary, in each of the con- 
 cerns through which the ring operated, that some one of the rebel 
 agents or some one well known to the rebel agents should become . 
 interested, and also that a control over those agents should be exer- 
 cised by the commanding general of the department, that thus their 
 best supplies might be secured. Having shown how this was lone in 
 the' case of Charles, Whillock, whose testimony was referred to as given 
 before the military commission; I now propose to show you how the 
 same influence was offered by the George W. Lane, and Fisher A. 
 Hildreth, members of the ring, in the case of a convict, one Logan 
 Hunt, who also was pardoned by Butler, after he (Butler) had been 
 sent in disgrace to Lowell by General Grant. 
 
 But firjt let me show you something of this rebel trade from. General 
 
Butler's Department. And to do this, I shall not now rely upon any 
 testimony taken before the military commission of which I was presi- 
 dent; but will read to you from the printed report of a committee of 
 the House of Representatives of the thirty-eighth Congress ordered to 
 investigate the subject of trade from rebellious states, upon motion of 
 Mr. Driggs of Michigan, in the following words. 
 
 "Whereas it is reported that one George W. Lane of Baltimore 
 received a permit in December last from H. A. Risley chief agent of 
 the treasmy, to proceed to North Carolina and exchange provisions 
 with the rebels for cotton; therefore, Besolved etc." 
 
 On motion of Mr. E. B. Washburne, of Illinois, this duty was further 
 extended to inquire into the general subject of trade with rebellious 
 States. In the dis harge of that duty the committee appeared at Nor- 
 folk, Va., after Butler had been dismissed from the field, and seme 
 time in the early part of 1865, and there examining witnesses under 
 oath, elicited the testimony I shall now quote. 
 
 First I shall show you that the enemy were fed (and how it was 
 done) from the department commanded by General Butler, during the 
 months of May, June, and July, 1865. The first evidence of the fact 
 to which I shall invite your attention is that of Mr. Geo. W. Singleton, 
 sworn before the committee of the House of Representatives, while in 
 session at Norfolk, Va. Here is the book [showing it] and on pages 
 139 and 140, Singleton's testimony. The examination was conducted 
 by Hon. Elihu B. Washburne, of Illinois, as chairman, in session at 
 Norfolk, Va., on the 13th February, 1865. 
 
 To a question by Mr. Washburne, " Have you been trading with the 
 rebellious States?" 
 
 He answers, that Mr. Logan Hunt asked him to engage in trade 
 with him, that he got on his horse and went out into Currituck and 
 other counties in North Carolina, and although he understood there 
 could be no trade stores established bej r ond the picket lines, when he 
 got to South Mills, he found that he was beyond the pickets, and so he 
 kept on as far as Elizabeth City, (about 20 miles outside of our picket 
 line) and saw that stores were doing business there. 
 
 Question. — (By Mr. Washburne.) Did you find a good many trade 
 stores about there? 
 
 Answer. Tavo that had been at South Mills, were removed to some 
 other place. When I got to Elizabeth City I found there were two 
 stores there. 
 
 Q. What forces had possession of Elizabeth City? 
 
 A. It did not seem to be in possession of any forces; either side 
 could come in as they chose. 
 
 Q. Were they large stores? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 Q. Could the rebels trade at those stores in Elizabeth City? 
 
 A. Oh, yes, I believe there were eight or nine carts came in the 
 next dav with cotton. There was a plenty of cotton there. 
 
 Q. Where did these carts bring cotton from? 
 
 A. They brought it from Edenton. 
 
 Q. What articles were taken back in return for the cotton? 
 
 A. Sugar, coffee and such articles. 
 
 (Q. Where did these articles go to? 
 
 A. I do not know. These men brought the cotton and carried 
 back goods. 
 
 Q. Did you see any rebel soldiers during the expedition, and, if so, 
 how many? 
 
 A. I saw a good many on their way back to the army; some of 
 them had been home on furlough, I understood. 
 
 Q. (By Mr. Perry.) Were any rebel soldiers guarding property 
 there? 
 
A. When I went in, I saw the rebel soldiers at South Mills; they 
 had their cartridge-boxes, pistols and side-arms. I got into conversa- 
 tion with them, told them I was looking for a place to locate a store; 
 they said they did not intend to interfere with any business I expected 
 to carry on. I learned, before I got to Elizabeth City, that Captain 
 Lane's (George W. Lane) boat was up the Chowan delivering goods. 
 I stopped all night. This man remarked that the disposition of the 
 people who carried goods there was not to retail them at all; they pre- 
 ferred to sell them by the quantity. 
 
 Q. What was the impression you gathered from what you saw in 
 regard to this trade? Was it carried on to large extent? Did the 
 rebels get from it a great many articles necessary to supply their 
 army? 
 
 A. My impression was that it must have been a trade which went 
 directly through, for there could not have been such a quantity of 
 goods sold in the neighborhood. .1 learned from a young man there, 
 who was formerly employed in my store, that they could sell all the 
 
 ?;oods that could "be brought there. I asked him how they got away. 
 le said they came from across the river and took them. He said it 
 took two or three all the time to sell, and that some nights they were 
 up until eleven or twelve o'clock. 
 
 Q. (By Mr. Washburne.) Did you see any other rebel troops there, 
 than those you have mentioned ? 
 
 A. No sir; only these. 
 
 Q. Did you know of any federal troops approaching while you were 
 there; and if so, what became of these rebel soldiers? 
 
 A. There came a man running who said, "damn it, get out of here; 
 the cavalry are just here now; if you do not get out, you will be 
 caught." One of them ran into a smoke-house, and the lady of the 
 house locked the door. The cavalry-men did not get off their horses, 
 but went on down to G-atesville. After they had passed, he came out. 
 
 Also, the testimony of William G. Harrison, of .Norfolk, Va. 
 
 Questioned by Mr. Washburne as. to what he knew of the amount of 
 goods sold in Norfolk within the last six months, to go into rebel states 
 or to the trade stores beyond our lines, he says, "I do not know how 
 many goods have gone out, but I think a right smart amount have 
 gone. I have seen a good many lighter loads of goods start out; the 
 major part of the goods that generally went out in these lighters was 
 coffee, sugar and salt." 
 
 Also, the testimony of Logan Hunt, who says, in answer to Mr. 
 Washburne's question, "I have carried out goods to South Mills. I 
 carried out sugar, coffee, molasses, and some liquors. The first articles 
 carried out were 3,000 pounds of bacon and pork, and the balance in 
 groceries, dry goods, and such articles; they were carried to South 
 Mills, about thirty miles from Norfolk." 
 
 Q. Did you carry any boots and shoes? 
 
 A. I do not believe I did many; carried candles; don't recollect 
 ■the quantity of coffee; don't know how much sugar; the cargo 
 amounted to between six and seven thousand dollars worth. 
 
 Q. Did any of these goods go outside of our lines? 
 
 A. The;/ all went outside. I sold them for cotton. I think most 
 of them went across the rebel lines. The traders said they wanted 
 this meat to trade for cotton. 
 
 Q With whom did they expect to trade? Was it with the rebel 
 Ov commissaries upon the Chowan River? 
 
 0*. A. There were rebel commissaries there. A man by the name of 
 « I. R. White, whom I formerly knew in this city, was one. 
 
 Q. Did you ever see White down at South Mills? 
 rt A Yes. 
 
4 
 
 Q. "What time was that? 
 
 A. It was after the time when I carried goods there. 
 
 Q. In whose lines was South Mills at that time? 
 
 A. He said it was neutral ground; it was fifteen miles inside our 
 picket lines. 
 
 Q. Were there no Union forces there? 
 
 A ]STo. 
 
 Q. What did White come there'for? 
 
 A. He came : there to partake of some refreshments. I did not 
 know he was to be there at all. I expected Corpren (?) and Carr 
 
 Q. ' Who is Carr? 
 
 A. He is a trader who buys meat. 
 
 Q. Was not White a rebel commissary? 
 
 A. He came there in citizen's dress. I asked him what he was 
 doing; he said he was stationed at South Key, and that he was a cap- 
 tain in the commissar}^ department of the rebel army. 
 
 Q. Did you sell any meat to Carr? 
 
 A. I think I sold him not quite 12,000 pounds. He gave me a pound 
 of cotton for a pound of meat. 
 
 Q. Did you ever have any other meeting or conversation with these 
 men Avithin rebel lines or on neutral ground, as you call it? 
 
 A. None at all. I have seen persons who said they were rebels 
 down there and talked with them. 
 
 Q. You have spoken of a man by the name of Carr. Was he 
 engaged in this trade? 
 
 A. Frederick W. Carr was engaged in the cotton trade. I bought 
 cotton of him in the summer. He lives most of the time at South 
 Mills. These memorandums [which were shown to the witness] are 
 his accounts with the rebel government 
 
 1864. C. S. Government. Dr 
 
 June 4. 
 
 ro . . . 
 
 . 262 p 
 
 oum 
 
 is Bacon. 
 
 
 53 
 
 a 
 
 " 
 
 
 464 
 
 (< 
 
 ci 
 
 
 190 
 
 (< 
 
 Pork. 
 
 
 663 
 
 " 
 
 Bacon. 
 
 
 2,153 
 
 II 
 
 Salt. 
 
 
 227 
 
 II 
 
 Pork. 
 
 
 ~50 
 
 II 
 
 Bacon. 
 
 
 6,355 
 
 (( 
 
 a 
 
 2 Bbls. 
 
 — 400 
 
 II 
 
 Pork. 
 
 8 " 
 
 1,600 
 
 CI 
 
 ci 
 
 
 275 
 
 li 
 
 Bacon. 
 
 10 " 
 
 2,000 
 
 CI 
 
 Pork. 
 
 
 127 
 
 (1 
 
 Bacon. 
 
 
 339 
 
 II 
 
 Pork. 
 
 July 11. 
 
 The next testimony to which I shall call 3 r our attention is that of 
 the Judge Advocate of the department, who is interrogated by Mr. 
 Washburne as to what he knows of trade with the rebels from But- 
 ler's department, and what he found out while he was trying men 
 within Butler's department for that trade. 
 
 Q. (By Mr. Washburne.) From the facts which came before you 
 in these cases, (which had been tried,) and from the testimony you 
 have been able to procure in this department, what is your impression 
 of the general trade carried on from Norfolk through the enemy's 
 line and with the enemy for cotton ? 
 
 A. My impression is that "a large trade was carried on with the 
 
5 
 
 enemy at South Mills, and at a landing about three miles from South 
 Mills. My impression also is that a majority of the goods taken there 
 found their way into the enemy's lines, and not only into the enemy's 
 lines, but into the hands of rebel commissaries stationed on the other 
 side of Chowan Biver; that is to say, such goods as were useful for 
 rebel supplies, such as meat, sugar, coffee, etc. 
 
 Q. What was the rate of exchange for these goods at that time for 
 cotton? 
 
 A. A pound of meat for a pound of cotton. It was proved in the 
 -evidence that the rebels had been guarding the Chowan river, and that 
 they allowed no cotton to cross, unless they secured meat for it at some 
 such rates. 
 
 Q. Then this trade, in your judgment, could not have been carried 
 on to any extent without the connivance and assistance of the Bebel 
 Government? 
 
 A. No, sir, it could not. ~Ho doubt some cotton was smuggled 
 across the river by parties on the other side, but the rebel authorities 
 would not allow it to cross in any considerable quantities. 
 
 Q. (By Mr. Perry, another member of the Committee of House of 
 Bepresentatives.) Did you have any evidence before you, by mark or 
 otherwise, as to the former owership of this cotton? 
 
 A There was evidence that some of this cotton was marked C. S. 
 (Confederate States) ; and the witness also adds that though some of 
 the cottou might be smuggled across, no considerable amount of it 
 could have been obtained without the consent of the Confederate 
 authorities; that, in fact, the transactions were made with their 
 agents. 
 
 It will now appear that though some of the men engaged in this 
 infamous traffic were arrested, tried, and convicted of the same, yet 
 they were allowed to continue it. 
 
 First, that some of the men were arrested, tried, and convicted. 
 The Judge Advocate General of the department, being duly sworn 
 before this Committee, testified, in answer to the following question 
 by Mr. Washburne : " Have you had anything to do in this depart- 
 ment (General Butler's) with the trial of persons engaged in unlawful 
 trade with the enemy? " " that he was Judge Advocate of a Military 
 Commission before which were tried six persons- for trading with the 
 enemy at South Mills; that their names were Enos Bichmond, Ezra 
 Baker, and Charles Whitlock, who sold goods at South Mills, at a 
 branch store kept by a man by the name of Abbott; M. Dudley Bean, 
 Logan Hunt, and Augustus Harney; that tbey were arrested for 
 trading with the enemy during the months of May June, and July, 
 1864." 
 
 Q. (By Mr. "Washburne.) What was the finding in those cases? 
 
 A. The finding, except in the case of Harney, who was acquitted, 
 was, guilty of some of the specifications in each case. I do not remem- 
 ber whether they were found guilty of all the specifications in any case 
 or not. 
 
 Now, I present to you evidence that, notwithstanding these parties 
 were found guilty of trading with the enemy in contraband of war, not 
 only did such trade continue, but some of the convicts themselves were 
 permitted to continue the traffic during the ensuing fall and winter, 
 and until General Butler was sent out of the department. 
 
 In the cases of Charles Whitlock and Ezra Baker, which were intro- 
 duced by me in my remarks at Salem, we have seen, by evidence 
 before the Military Commission, that they continued the same traffic 
 in the interest of the ring, in the concerns of Benshaw & Co. and 
 McEJiy & Co. 
 
6 
 
 We now turn to the evidence of John T. Daniels hefore the Con- 
 gressional Committee. 
 
 Q. (By Mr. AVashburne.) From your knowledge of the transac- 
 tions which have been carried on with the people of the rebel States-, 
 what in your judgment has the entire trade from Norfolk amounted 
 to within the iast'six. months':' 
 
 A. For the month of December I feel satisfied there must have 
 been £1,500,000 worth of goods sent out. They have carried them up 
 there day and night. Barges loaded with provisions have been con- 
 tinually going out, and it is reported that the rebels sent their boats 
 down Chowan River and just took them off. 
 
 The testimony of- the Judge Advocate of the department upon this 
 point is as follows: 
 
 Q. (By Hon. Mr. Perry.) From the time of the commencement 
 of these trials, during their progress, and up to this time (January 
 1805), as far as you know, have the same parties been allowed to con- 
 tinue the trade? - 
 
 A. About a fortnight after the trial I was informed by two detec- 
 tives that Bichmond and Baker had gone down with a load of goods to 
 South Mills, and I have since understood that the trade had gone on, 
 though I know nothing of it personally. I instructed the detectives to 
 investigate the matter" and let me have such evidence as they could, as 
 I proposed to try the parties again. I received a telegram from Colo- 
 nel Saunders, Provost Marshal, saying they had gone down there. I 
 told General Butler about it, and showed him the telegram, and he said 
 he would attend to it. 
 
 Q. Have you any information that he ever did attend to it? 
 
 A. No sir. 
 
 Q. Have j'ou any information that after that they went forward 
 with the trade? 
 
 A. I know nothing personally about it at all. 
 
 Q. Have you any information in respect to Mr. Hunt continuing 
 in the trade during the time of his trial, and up to this time nearly? 
 
 A. I have not, except by general rumor. I heard that the trade 
 was going on. I have seen these detectives whom I have sometimes 
 sent for in other matters, and they have told me that it was going on. 
 
 Q. As an officer of the Government did you not feel that there was 
 great delay in the department in stopping this trade. 
 
 A. Yes sir, it was my opinion that there was great delay, that it 
 ought to have been stopped, but I did not know where the fault lay. 
 
 Q. (By Mr. Washburne.) Did you see any difference in this trade 
 after the trial of these men? 
 
 A. The information that I could give as to that is very slight, be- 
 cause I rarely came to Norfolk, probably not more than once a month, 
 and I knew nothing more than what I have heard. 
 
 Q. What is your impression and belief from what you have heard? 
 
 A. My impression is that the trade was going on, but that impres- 
 sion was simply based on what these detectives told me. 
 
 In further corroboration we have the sworn testimony of Mr. Holi- 
 iday, of Portsmouth, who testified that he could go at will from our 
 lines to the rebel lines, and had been doing so, acting as an agent for 
 the rebel contractors for the rebel armies. " I have seen passing over 
 the Blackwater River goods in carts, and I have seen cotton coming 
 this side of the river. It was understood generally that a great many 
 goods came from Elizabeth City, and a great many from the trade 
 stores. When I have been out I have alwa.ys met carts, more or less, 
 going and coming with cotton. I understood that some of the carts 
 came across the river and went to Elizabeth City. I heard so* I ua- 
 
derstand there was a good deal of trade going on between Elizabeth 
 City and Murfrees Depot. I think I have seen these carts, as many as 
 seven or eight times altogether within three or four months, quite a 
 number of carts each time. I have talked with a great many people 
 about the matter, and thev all say there is a great deal of trade be- 
 tween Elizabeth Gtj find Murfrees Depot. I think a great many 
 goods come over from Norfolk for cotton. I supposed our Government 
 authorized it, by seeing so many goods go out. These goods began to 
 go out there in November, I think; that was the first time I saw any 
 goods on the other side of the river; sometimes I have met as many 
 as six carts going ; they were at the ferry ; I think they would average 
 about six or seven carts in a day. I think it is likely they go every 
 day." 
 
 I shall now show you by sworn testimony that the traffic was allow- 
 ed to continue notwithstanding General Butler's attention was fre- 
 quently called to the Tact that the cases of these men (sentenced to im- 
 prisonment) had not been acted upon; and that some of them were 
 still engaged in the same business. The Judge Advocate of the .de- 
 partment is questioned [page 112] by Mr. Washburne to know what 
 became of the cases of the men he had tried for trading with the 
 enemy, whose names I have already given you; to which he replies: 
 " The records were forwarded by me to General Butler on or before 
 the 20th of October, 1861. At that time they went out of my posses- 
 sion as Judge Advocate." He further states that he saw the papers 
 various times in Butler's office, and that when Butler was relieved 
 from duty b} r General Grant, he carried the papers off with him. 
 
 I shall now take one step further in this proof, and show you that 
 this trade was allowed to continue, with an intention on Butler's part 
 of pardoning the criminals if they gave their labors and effort in the 
 same traffic to the best interests of the ring. 
 
 Having shown you in my former speech, and already alluded to the 
 fact, in what concern the convict Whitlock, was permitted to operate 
 (that of lienshaw & Co.) after his conviction, and that in conformity 
 with promises of pardon made him by Butler's brother-in-law, his ser- 
 vices were secured for a rebel traffic, and that Butler did pardon him. 
 I now proceed to show you the same shameful pardon in the case of 
 the convict Logan Hunt, that he might operate in the same shameful 
 rebel traffic in the interest of the B. E. Butler, Geo. W. Lane, Eisher 
 A. Hildreth, and John C. Sanborn ring. 
 
 In answer to a question from Mr. Washburne, of whether he had 
 been engaged in trade with the rebel states, he replies that when 
 Lane was preparing to make his second trip with the " Philadelphia " 
 to the rebel depots on the Nottaway River, (of which I have given a 
 partial description in my speech at Salem,) Lane urged him very 
 strongly to go with him, telling him if he would go he, Lane, would 
 make it all right. " I told him/' says Hunt, " that I did not like to go, 
 besides that I had been tried and that when the decision came to be 
 announced, I might be imprisoned." He said he would make that all 
 right with me if I would go. I asked him how he was going to do 
 that. I told him that I had confessed everything before the Commission, 
 and that they might find me guilty and imprison me for a long time. 
 He said he would fix that. I asked him how he would do it. He 
 said his influence at head-quarters was sufficient, that the findings 
 of the commission had to be approved or disapproved by the general 
 commanding before they were considered as binding. I asked him 
 who he was; he said General Butler. I told him if he was certain of 
 that fact, that I would go on board his steamer for that trip. I heard 
 the other day that the commission sentenced me to two years im- 
 prisonment and to pay one thousand dollars fine, and that. General 
 Butler had revoked the imprisonment, but afrpfoVed fee fine.!' 
 
" I understood you to say that after the trial you were put nder 
 bonds?" asks Mr. Washburne. 
 
 A. I was put under bonds when I came out of prison. I was p u 
 in prison before the trial. 
 
 Q. Have you been out under bonds ever since? 
 
 A. I gave a bond the last time for $10,000 to appear there whan- 
 ever the President, or Judge Advocate, or somebody wanted me. 
 
 Q. When was that last $10,000 bond required? 
 
 A. Immediately after the commission rose, when the trial was 
 closed, before I was allowed to go from Old Point. 
 
 Q. At what time was this last bond given? 
 
 A. I do not know; I think in October, sometime. » 
 
 Q. Then I understand you that after this, and while you were out 
 upon the bond, you went into this arrangement with Lane? 
 
 A. Previous to this time, Lane told me if I would go with him, he 
 would make it all right. 
 
 "How did you understand," asks Mr. "Washburne, (the chairman,) 
 " that Lane would make it all right?" 
 
 A. It was through the influence at headquarters of Mr. Hildreth, 
 brother-in-law of General Butler. 
 
 Q. Did he state that Hildreth was interested as a partner of his? 
 
 A. He told me Hildreth was a partner of his. 
 
 Q. To what extent ? 
 
 A. He did not say to what extent. He told me, after pointing him 
 out to me at one time, that Mr. Hildreth went to the front one day for 
 the purpose of seeing General Butler about my case. 
 
 Q. What did he tell you was the result of that interview ? 
 
 A. He did not tell me, and I do not know as I asked him. 
 
 Q. Did you not feel sufficient interest to ask? 
 
 A. He assured me all the time that it was all right. 
 
 Q. What compensation did Lane agree to give you at the time you 
 went with him upon the " Philadelphia " on the 19th December? 
 
 A. He agreed to give me five cents a pound, and as a further con- 
 sideration to make this matter all right with General Butler; that was 
 the greatest inducement, I would not have gone at all except for that. 
 
 Q. Why did you think he could do it ? 
 
 A. Because I thought he had great influence with General Butler. 
 
 Q. After you received this information from Lane in respect to 
 your trial, did you expect to be relieved from your imprisonment and 
 fine? 
 
 A. I expected that the sentence, whatever it was, would be revoked 
 by General Butler, as I understood it was, so far as the imprisonment 
 was concerned. 
 
 Q. Were you interested in some boots, shoes and hats, in this trip 
 you took with Lane? 
 
 A. Lane told me if I would bring some shoes, he would make it all 
 right with me. 
 
 Q. Do you know all the parties interested in that trip up the 
 Chowan River? 
 
 A. No, sir, I do not. Lane told me he had to make ten dollars 
 before he could have one dollar for himself; that Farrington (the cot- 
 ton agent, who gave the permit) and Hildreth were partners. 
 
 Q. Did Upton see White on board the " Philadelphia "? 
 
 A. Yes, I think he saw the whole transaction. I do not think 
 White transacted any business on board. He knew me and came on 
 board, and we took several drinks together. 
 
 Q. Did you see Upton and White talking together? 
 
 A. I do not know that I saw them talking separately; they were 
 all together on board the boat. 
 
 Q. How did you introduce White? 
 
A. As my friend, Captain White. 
 
 Q. In what service? 
 
 A. I did not say in what service, but I supposed they understood 
 that; he had on a rebel uniform. 
 
 I shall now show you that after the convicts gave their aid] in sup- 
 plying the rebel army with subsistence from Butler's department, But- 
 ler did remit their punishment, but after he was dismissed from further 
 duty in the field, and while on his way to Lowell, excusing himself for 
 such pardon on the ground that the President, Abraham Lincoln, had 
 legalized that description of trade. 
 
 Mr. Washburne inquires of the Judge Advocate what was General 
 Butler's action upon the sentence of fine and imprisonment of the con- 
 victs, (Logan Hunt and others) for furnishing supplies to the enemy 
 in May, June and July of 1864. To which he replies, "he approved 
 the proceedings, findings and sentence, and remitted the imprisonment 
 because of the publication of the order of President legalizing that de- 
 scription of traffic." 
 
 He further testifies that Butler carried the proceedings away with 
 him, and that owing to an effort he made to procure them, he received 
 the papers from the "War Department, all except the case of Mr. Dud- 
 ley Bean, which case he has never seen. 
 
 He is further asked by Mr. "Washburne, whether the action of Butler 
 was of any validity upon them, to which he replies : " In my opinion 
 the action of General Butler, having been taken after his removal 
 from command, was not valid." 
 
 Mr. Wasburne then asks " if there was any date or place appended to 
 General Butler's remarks," to which he replies: "I think it was headed 
 Head-quarters of the Department, but there was no date to it." 
 
 Mr. Washburne then inquires of Bean's case, and asks if he knows 
 why that was not returned; to which he replies that he does not, but 
 that he had a conversation with Bean after General Butler harl failed 
 to return it; that Bean came to his office and asked if any action had 
 been taken upon the proceedings in his case. " I told him there had 
 not." He wanted to know what had become of it; he wanted to know 
 if it had been sent down here. I told him no, that the last I had seen 
 of his case, it was in General Butler's possession, and that he had car- 
 ried it away with him. 
 
 Mr. Washburne then asks if he expressed himself satisfied, to which 
 is replied: 
 
 "Yes, sir; he appeared to be very much pleased." 
 
 And again, to the question, " How did you know that the order of 
 General Butler in these papers was not made before he was relieved? " 
 he answers: "Because I saw the papers after he was relieved, and 
 there was no order on them." 
 
 Let us now examine this pretence that the executive order of the 
 President authorized Butler to feed the rebels. 
 
 Did the executive order of the President legalize that description of 
 trade? General Butler knew this was false. It was a sham device to 
 soil the spotless robes of Abraham Lincoln. The President's order 
 was dated September 24, 1864, and did not allow goods contraband of 
 war, gold bullion and foreign exchange to be carried into districts 
 declared in rebellion, to be exchanged for products of the country. 
 
 The men convicted by the Military Commission for trading with the 
 enemy within Butler's department were found guilty of exchanging 
 contraband of war with the enemy for cotton, in May, June and July 
 of the same year of 1864. It was a crime then, it is a crime now, and 
 has been one from that day to this. 
 
 But, gentlemen, I will not keep you many minutes longer. The 
 hunt is almost u,p. Let me give you a few words more of evidence 
 
10 
 
 before the Hon. Committee of the House of Representatives, page 136, 
 testimony of John T. Daniels. 
 
 Question. (By Mr. Washburne, who is inquiring about the steamer 
 " Philadelphia," after she was seized by the nav} r , at the time Butler 
 alleges she had no contraband of war aboard, in the Spring of 1864;) 
 " What became of the expedition?" 
 
 Answer. The steamer is now at Roanoke Island, as I understand 
 under seizure by the naval authorities. I felt very cautious about 
 going into the business. General Butler being interested as I thought 
 in the contract, I presumed would send me out of the department, and 
 my interests being all here, I did not desire to go. 
 
 Q. Why did you believe that General Butler was interested in the 
 venture? 
 
 A. I understood Mr. Haliday, Lane's agent, so; and I learned after- 
 wards that he was interested in all these privileged stores. Captain 
 Johnson, late Adjutant-General here, was charged sometime ago with 
 b eing connected with other parties in these stores, and with illicit trad- 
 ing. He offered his resignation, and General Butler accepted it. Cap- 
 tain Johnston told me that General Butler would not do otherwise than 
 accept it, for that he, (Butler,) was interested in all these permits. A 
 few nights ago, he, (Johnston,) came to see me at my house, and told 
 me that he had been before this military commission, but that he had 
 not told them all he knew, as he thought they amounted to nothing; 
 that he thought they would not take cognizance of the matter, as what 
 was done was by General Butler's order; but that if he could come 
 before a congressional committee, he would show that General Butler 
 was a partner in all their transactions, and that he was represented in 
 them by John Sanborn. 
 
 Q. What was Johnston's position in the army? 
 
 A. He was Adjutant-General to General Shepley. 
 
 lie was charged with being connected with these parties, and just 
 after the investigation at Fortress Monroe, the officers told me that he 
 was forced to offer his resignation, or he would have been punished. 
 His resignation was recommended by Butler. He afterwards told me 
 that General Butler had given him authority as special agent to super- 
 intend these trade stores around this district. 
 
 Q. Did he say how much money he had made? 
 
 A. He did not tell me. He said that John Sanborn represented 
 General Butler's interests, and that Hildreth was also interested with 
 Lane. 
 
 Johnston is put forward as one of Butler's affidavit makers against 
 me and my rule at Norfolk. 
 
 Let me, gentlemen, before closing, having done with the printed 
 testimony, turn your attention to other damning evidence against 
 Benjamin F. Butler, member of Congress from the Fifth Massachusetts 
 District; and though not in managing a ring engaged in traffic with 
 the enemy, it is in most suspicious circumstances of spoliation of one of 
 his own victims at New Orleans. The claimant, Mr. P. H. Foley, of 
 New Orleans, a very respectable merchant and of undoubted veracity, 
 has made to these facts his affidavit which can be forthcoming if 
 desired. At the surrender of New Orleans Mr. Foley was in the 
 city, a merchant, took the oath under the proclamation of General 
 Butler; also of citizenship. No complaint was ever made against him. 
 As factor he had advanced a large amount of money to a planter living 
 on the coast not far away; and received directly from the planter a 
 lien upon the sugar. Under the proclamation his business and per- 
 sonal security were guaranteed. He carried on the place and received 
 permission to go up and down the river from the provost marshal. 
 
11 
 
 There was held in the place some $80,000 worth of ugar, held for a 
 market, and until sold, kept in safety there. 
 
 Some eight months after the surrender, he was informed by the 
 overseer of his place, that his sugar had been seized by Colonel Butler, 
 under the military authority, and conveyed to New Orleans. lie 
 found the steamboat at the landing commanded and guarded by mili- 
 tary officers and soldiers under Colonel Butler. On demanding his 
 sugar and exhibiting his papers, he was informed that the sugar had 
 been seized by order of the commanding general, for the use of the 
 United States, and was sequestered or confiscated, — and that without 
 a hearing or any military complaint. The soldiers in the boat were 
 under military orders, and the application was refused. A day or so 
 afterward, he was visited by a broker and informed that the sugar had 
 been seized by the United States for its use, and he could of his own 
 motion get nothing; but, if he would sell and execute a bill of sale, he 
 would get so much. Thinking that better than nothing, it was done; 
 he got the money and Colonel Butler the sugar, which went north to 
 Boston. The United States did not get it. How did the Colonel get 
 this out of the hands of the United States, or get the steamer, officers 
 and soldiers to move it, without the authority of the commanding 
 general (Butler)? 
 
 So it is, gentlemen, that from all over the land, wherever Butler 
 ruled, the evidence of his crimes and of his oppression comes thick and 
 fast to confound him. 
 
 And who was it but Butler that permitted it? He knew its exist- 
 ence when he ordered the Commission to try Charles Whitlock, Ezra 
 Baker, and Logan Hunt. He knew they had been found guilty, or 
 might have known it, for his attention was called to it repeatedly, 
 while they were engaging in the same traffic with his brother-in-law, 
 Fisher A. Hildreth, a partner, though without supplying capital. 
 
 Did he know that Hildredth and Lane had promised the convicts 
 the pardon of General Butler if they would devote themselves to the 
 interest of the ring, in the same traffic of contraband of war, with the 
 enemy? or when he did pardon them was it a coincidence? 
 
 And now, gentlemen, excuse me if I turn for a few moments to the 
 peculiar method which General Butler adopts to clear himself from 
 the serious charges which I have made and proved against him. I am 
 not on trial before my countrymen, and therefore I might well pass 
 them by in silence. The shallow device of tinning attention to me in 
 seven or eight columns of his own perversions and untruths, and affi- 
 davits of men whom I have shown had engaged in sustaining the 
 enemy with subsistence during our late civil war, when the very exist- 
 ence of our national life was so seriously threatened, is too transparent. 
 It is a confession of his guilt, and must be so accepted without the ad- 
 ditional proof, which I have offered you to-night, from sources over 
 which I had no control, and therefore could neither exaggerate nor 
 suppress. 
 
 I might, too, contrast my character, public and private, with the his- 
 torical career of Benjamin F. Butler. That nothing venal can be 
 charged or sustained against me, though I fell him (?) to the rich mine 
 in which Butler gleaned at Norfolk, may be, to his mind, evidence as 
 satisfactory of mv guilt, as his inference that, though he could find no 
 evidence of venality in the Hon. Mr. Fessenden and others, who refused 
 to impeach the President, this, of itself, was sufficient to convict them 
 of being corrupted %fy Woolley's gold. Indeed, what logic is impossible 
 to him who chargig all the murders committed of late at New Orleans 
 upon those who icfVited Mr. Fessenden to a public dinner in Boston, 
 to thank him, with hearts filled with devout gratitude that he ha4$aved 
 General Grant from the additional responsibilities of entering updn an 
 
12 
 
 administration that followed one in which B. P. Butler had been 
 prime minister for never so short a period? 
 
 In worldly treasures Butler is, I confess it, my superior. Before the 
 war there was not so much in his favor. In a public speech made by 
 one of his friends during the canvass it was declared that Butler was 
 now worth three millions of dollars. This admission, in the face of 
 suspicions which attach to him wherever in the civilized world the 
 character of Butler is known, an admission made public to aid his 
 cause, I accept as true. His pay during the war could not have ex- 
 ceeded sixteen thousand dollars. 
 
 Where the attempt is made to attack my military reputation such a 
 gross ignorance of the rules and regulations is shown in the effort that 
 one would suppose the distinguished reporter had originated the mat- 
 ter himself. Wherein it is said that I was starving in the army it is 
 simply silly. But I cannot enter in detail into all the untruths Butler 
 has uttered, in private and in public, affecting myself. If I had known 
 that he would have bought up every supplement of the Daily Evening 
 Traveller until the next presidential election, and filled them with 
 affidavits until he had exhausted his three millions, I should not have 
 been deterred from exposing this bold, bad man. In every line Butler 
 has written there is either a suppression of the truth, or a wilful mis- 
 statement thereof. All this talk about dismissal from the service by a 
 court of his brother officers, and all about the cashiering which Butler 
 has repeated at many meetings in his district, he knew of course to be, 
 and intended to utter a falsehood. I now defy him to produce such a 
 record. If he does not I publicly declare that he stands convicted 
 of the ungentlemanly habit of telling wilful falsehoods 
 
 In the same category but without the inciting motive, stands Dr. 
 Geo. B. Loring, of Salem, who rushed in hot haste after my first expo- 
 sure of Butler, to repeat, in defence of his master, Butler's malicious 
 slander. I send him greeting — my defiance to produce such a record; 
 and if he fail, declare him the utterer of a base slander and a baser false- 
 hood. Having given Dr. Loring an opportunity to make a public re- 
 traction, which he has thus far avoided, I shall brand him as publicly 
 as he attempted to defame me. I leave my military reputation where 
 General Grant puts it when he wrote the letter of the 4th of July, 
 1866, already published, in which he gives one of the real reasons why 
 Butler was sent to Lowell in disgrace. And at that time too, gentle- 
 men, and more than one year before the 4th of July, 1866, General 
 Grant had seen some of these foul affidavits. They were worked up 
 by Butler when he lost the opportunity of distinguishing himself fur- 
 ther at Dutch Gap, and with his Powder Boat at Port Fisher, or in the 
 exercise of that organizing talent in regulating trade with the enemy; 
 they were worked up and sent to me from the Headquarters of the 
 Army. I returned them, declaring the statements unfounded, and show- 
 ing that they were made, some of them, by convicts whom Butler had 
 allowed to escape, some of them by men whom I had caught in trade with 
 the enemy, and then held for trial. That was the last I heard of it, and 
 shortly after I secured Brevet of Major-General by General Grant's 
 recommendation. But thinking it possible General Butler might some 
 time attempt for some other purpose to repeat the deceit, I directed 
 my Provost Marshal to report to me how these convicts and traders were 
 treated while in confinement, to which he responded in the following 
 report, concerning the affidavits by Messrs. Whitlock, Baker, Renshaw 
 and Lane, of their treatment while held in arrest for trial upon 
 charges preferred by the commission, of trading with the enemy. 
 
13 
 
 Office Provost Marshal, District op Eastern Virginia, 
 
 Norfolk, Va., June 12, 1865. 
 
 The representations of these petitioners concerning place of confine- 
 ment and treatment while confined are in the main false. 
 
 Messrs. Whitlock and Baker were, I think, held in city jail two or three 
 days. With this exception these persons' were never in jail, our hard 
 labor prison, or our guard house, while they were held in arrest. Rooms 
 in the building used for my headquarters, occupied by my clerks and order- 
 lies, were vacated for these men while prisoners. The rooms were usually 
 clean, and made more comfortable for the prisoners than they were for my 
 assistants. 
 
 I feel confident that there were no " vermin " in these rooms when these 
 petitioners occupied them, and hope there were none when they left. 
 
 These persons were allowed to have any provisions and all luxuries 
 that they ordered, or that their friends sent them. In several instances 
 they were permitted to go to their homes and there remain under guard. 
 
 After the first few days they were allowed to see their friends in pres- 
 ence of an officer, and they did see their counsel before they were admit- 
 ted to bonds. 
 
 I hold myself ready to make oath to the foregoing statement at any 
 time. (Signed) 0. L. Mann, 
 
 B'vt. Brig. Gen'l. and Prov. Mar., Dist. East Va. 
 
 Official Copy. P. L. Harris, A. A. G. 
 
 At that time, too, after the commission had adjourned, there was but a sin- 
 gle affidavit (Charles Whitlock's) of the use of profane language to witnesses. 
 1 was then able to meet it by a counter affidavit from the clerk to the com- 
 mission, who was present during all its sittings. It is as follows : 
 
 Head- Quarters District of Eastern Virginia, 
 
 Norfolk, Va., June 19, 1865. 
 I, S. S. Houghton, do hereby affirm that I was present during the ex- 
 amination of Charles Whitlock before a military commission at Norfolk, 
 Va., of which Brigadier-General Geo. H. Gordon was President, and also 
 affirm that to the best of my knowledge and belief, the said Whitlock was 
 not at any time during the examination called by General Gordon a damned 
 liar. S. S. Houghton, Clerk for MilitoCry Commission. 
 
 Sworn to and subscribed, before me, this 19th day of June, A. D. 1865. 
 
 M. C. Green, 
 1st Lt. 2d Art'y, Judge Advocate Dist. Eastern Virginia. 
 
 "Wherein I am accused by other convicts and suppliers of subsistence 
 to the enemy, of using strong language, I leave such charges where a 
 virtuous community ought to leave them, if the inmates of a state 
 prison should file affidavits against the judge who sent them there. 
 
 But wherein the reporter Rockwell whom I trusted to" report the 
 testimony of the military commission investigating the subiect of 
 trade with States in rebellion, adds his evidence to the list of affidavit 
 makers, he brands himself. Almost before the ink was dry upon his 
 notes, he hastens for money to transcribe, it seems, the matter, for the 
 head of the ring, Benjamin ~F. Butler. He, Rockwell, the man receiv- 
 ing a large salary through my approval, asking and receiving besides 
 many favors for his own personal comfort, sitting daily as a sworn 
 reporter to record the testimony against a foul nest of contraband 
 traders with the enemy; this man in the interest and pay of Butler is 
 brought forward, with his presence to grace the list of scamps who 
 have committed wilful perjury for their masters. And yet Rockwell 
 was " late representative to the legislature." 
 
 There remains now but one topic more for discussion; yes, two: 
 First, that I saw, for the first time, a long list of silly charges and 
 specifications in the Traveller. The whole file may have been on the 
 table of the Han. Charles Sunoner, when he told me that they were 
 
u 
 
 presented by General Butler, but that be bad not looked at tbem, and 
 did not mean to. This was in 1867. 
 
 At that time, these affidavits had increased in volume from the four 
 paltry ones which were presented through Butler while I was in com- 
 mand at Norfolk and he in Lowell. And now they have grown again 
 and will, doubtless, continue to swell in volume as the occasion calls 
 or them. On Butler's principle of accusation, with false affidavits from 
 bis minions, and unblushing falsehoods from himself, what might he 
 not do against himself, if he should ever part company with Satan and 
 turn State's evidence? 
 
 The other point is the assertion of Butler that General Grant, after 
 Butler was dismissed from the field, ordered the fine of $2,000, imposed 
 by General Palmer against Lane, to be remitted, his boat returned, 
 and the proceeds of the sale of his property restored to him. I defy 
 General Butler to produce any genuine evidence that this was done 
 by General Grant, save by the procuration and representations of 
 Butler himself to authorities in Washington from whom the order 
 emanated. 
 
 Wherein General Butler states that he refused Geo. W. Lane a per- 
 mit to trade, and that General Shepley took out of Lane's boat every- 
 thing in the shape of provisions, he again perverts the truth. 
 
 Here is his permit: 
 
 Headquarters Army of the James, 
 
 Department of VniGixrA axd Norto Carolina, 
 Fortress Monroe, May 4, 1864. 
 Geo. W. Lane, Esq., has permission to pass through the Currituck 
 Canal and Albemarle Sound, in Chowan County, N. C, with a cargo of 
 ploughs, harrows, trace-chains, ropes, twine ancTsuch supplies as cannot 
 be of use to an army, and to bring back a return cargo of cotton, tobacco, 
 and other products of the country. 
 
 This permit is given on the express condition of forfeiture of goods if 
 found in any way affording aid or comfort to the enemy, except by trading 
 with peaceable inhabitants in goods not contraband of war, or of use to 
 the army. Benjamin F. Butler, Major- General Commanding 
 
 And the following will show what this virtuous pretence was intended to 
 cover : 
 
 Edextox Bay, N, C, June 27, 18G4. 
 
 Sir : After Mr. Lane obtained your permission to proceed to Edenton 
 Wharf to dispose of his goods to proper parties, in accordance with the 
 trade regulations, on last Tuesday night, a lot of his goods were landed 
 at the wharf at Edenton to a Confederate Government agent. I have good 
 authority for saying, Friday night, some goods, or part of them, were 
 on their way to the Confederate army, all of which was done without my 
 permission. 
 
 It is out of my power to carry out the trade regulations according to 
 my instructions, and ask to be relieved from its duties on this occasion, 
 and very respectfully ask if j'ou will have Mr. Lane to report to you with 
 Steamer "Philadelphia," that you in your good judgment can properly 
 dispose of the case. 
 
 The goods comprised tea, corn, coffee, sugar and whiskey. 
 With high consideration, 
 
 I am, truly your friend, 
 
 E. H. WlLLETT, 
 
 Local Agent Treasury Department. 
 Capt I. P. Baxkhead, Commander. 
 
 This note was written upon the occasion of the first attempt at traffic of 
 the '' Philadelphia," after she had received a permit from Abraham Lincoln 
 to trade in ploughs, seeds, and trace-chains ; and after she had been permitted 
 
15 
 
 by General Butler to pass through his department into a region occupied at 
 ■will by the enemy's commissary agent. 
 
 Does Butler mean to say that alter Lane left Norfolk he took on board a 
 cargo of contraband of war? Where did he get it? It must have come 
 through Butler's department ! Did he not know it? Where is that great 
 administrative power, which made him so famous at New Orleans, so keen 
 after the gold and jewels of his subjects ? 
 
 But he did know it. The Car<zo of the f Philadelphia" was purchased in 
 Baltimore in the name of Charles Whitlock the convict, under the auspices 
 and aid of John D. Sanborn who sent to Lane the following note under an 
 assumed title. 
 
 Office of the Adams Express Comi\axy, 
 84 Washington Street, Boston, Saturday, April 9, 1864. 
 
 I come on from New York, and go back to-morrow. I expect to see 
 you in Baltimore by "Wednesday. I trust that you sent steamer so that 
 we may have no delay in starting on arrival at Portress Monroe and Nor- 
 folk. . 
 
 Truly, etc., Chicago. 
 
 [See page 153, Report of House of Representatives ] 
 
 And in the interest of one B. H. Morse, the Butler-appointed treasury 
 agent, who has added his affidavit to the columns of the Traveller in Red- 
 path's budget ; his note to Lane is as follows: 
 
 Norfolk, February 3, 1864. 
 Friexd Laxe : The authority came to Jiaiad last evening 0. K., and the 
 certified copy also. 
 
 I have no news to communicate, but am expecting some every day. I 
 will come when necessary, or you can come down if you thiDk best. 
 Did you get the bonds for wife ? She can send the money at any moment. 
 
 B. H. Morse. 
 
 And the packages of molasses, coffee, etc., etc, which were bought in Bal- 
 timore to go through Butler's department to the rebel anent, are to be 
 found page 50 report of committee of House of Representatives investi- 
 gating subject of trade with rebellious States. 
 
 I must call your attention to another subject that more fully illustrates the 
 animus of these affidavits and their falseness. 
 
 Of the charge of withholding charity from the orphans of St. Mary's Or- 
 phan Asylum, — when an application was made to me for this charity I sent 
 the communication to my commissioner for the poor, a very worthy and 
 humane gentleman, to report upon their needs. Here is his reply: 
 
 Office Comotsston for the Poor, 
 Norfolk, Va., April 1, 1865. 
 
 Brigadier- General Geo. H. Gordon, Commanding Department Eastern Vir- 
 ginia : — 
 
 General: I have the honor to return herewith three communications 
 marked A, B, C, relative to certain supplies to be furnished as charity to - 
 St. James' Orphan Asylum of this city, and to report that, by the assist- 
 ance furnished by Government, and aid given by individuals, the Asylum 
 has received at least $7,000 within the last year, in currency. There ap- 
 pear to have been forty children cared for, taking the above sum as the 
 gross receipts for their support (an average expense per year of one hun- 
 dred and seventy-five dollars.) 
 
 The average expense to the Government for all the persons (adults and 
 children) in the counties of Norfolk, Elizabeth City, and Princess Anne, 
 cared for and supported by the Commission for the Poor, is not over forty 
 dollars per annum. 
 
16 
 
 The impression I have received is, that St. Mary's Asylum is, for the 
 present at least, abundantly supplied with means for its maintenance and 
 comfort. 
 
 I have the honor to be very respectfully 
 
 Your most obedient servant, 
 
 Geo. T. Carney, 
 Major and Quartermaster. 
 For Commission for the Poor. 
 
 The evidence against General Butler from sources that he cannot defile are 
 conclusive of his guilt. 
 
 Supplies from his department were going out to feed the enemy in May, 
 June and July of 1864. The men who committed the offence were arrested, 
 tried, convicted and sentenced to imprisonment. But supplies to the enemy 
 from his department still continued with increased vigor. The very men who 
 had been tried shared in the transactions and in the profits of the traffic. The 
 fact that they were doing so, and that he had not acted upon their cases to 
 confirm their punishment, was more than once brought to General Butler's 
 notice but without avail ; a corrupt bargain (in favor of his brother-in-law and 
 the ring) that he should shield them upon the valuable consideration of a con- 
 tinuation of their services in the same nefarious traffic in which (in the words 
 of General Canby in his testimony to the committee) " they bartered the 
 cause for which the army was fighting, with all the baseness of Judas Iscariot, 
 but without his remorse," was carried out by General Butler, in that he did 
 shield them by remitting the sentence of their imprisonment. 
 
 And thus the traffic continued through August, September, October, No 
 vember and December, until stopped by General Grant's interposition. 
 
 Were the enemy fed frora the department of Virginia and North Carolina 
 while under command of General B. F. Butler? ' General Grdnt says they 
 were! Our investigating committee of the House of Representatives reports 
 that they were I A military commission ordered by General Grant to inves- 
 tigate the matter adds its aye to the high authority already quoted. 
 
 Did Butler know it, and allow it, and share it, and grow rich out of it? 
 Then by the 56 th article of war he should be shot ! 
 
 Art. 56. ''Whosoever shall relieve the enemy with money, victuals or am- 
 munition, or shall knowingly harbor or protect an enemy, shall suffer death 
 or such other punishment as shall be ordered by the sentence of a Court- 
 martial." 
 
 Did he not know it ? Then he proves his incompetency as the commander 
 of a department ; and for the wrong, and injury, and suffering he thereby 
 caused, he ought to be hung. He may hang on either horn of the dilemma 
 that pleases him. 
 
 General Grant with great humanity sent Butler to Lowell. His exploits : 
 Dutch Gap; the powder-boat; and Fort Fisher; and his administration of 
 his department could not save him. He had capered about fantastically on 
 foot and on horseback, and made a great deal of noise ; but at last, tired 
 of him and his pretentious assertions, General Grant dismissed him in disgrace 
 from further operations with the army. 
 
 You are to judge, Gentlemen, whether such a man should represent your 
 district beyond the time which expires on the 4th of March next. 
 
 My duty is done. The honor, the welfare, the life of the State is in the 
 hands of the people. There is but one rule of action. Let each citizen so 
 live and act and vote as if upon him alone rested a responsibility for the 
 nation's life. 
 
UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL 
 
 00032726961 
 
 FOR USE ONLY IN 
 THE NORTH CAROLINA COLLECTION 
 

 .;: • i<;i!:i