A resolution of the House of the 9th instant, relating to contracts for fire-arms made since April, 1864.

JANUARY 23, 1867.- Laid on the table and ordered to be printed.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington City, January 21, 1867.

SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a report by the Chief of Ordnance, dated January 11, 1867, containing the information called for in the resolution of the House of Representatives dated January 9, 1867, respecting contracts for fire-arms made since April, 1864.

Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,

Hon. S. COLFAX,

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

ORDNANCE OFFICE, WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, January 11, 1867.

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge your reference of the resolution of the House of Representatives of 9th instant, asking for information on the subject of contracts for fire-arms since April 5, 1864, and to transmit, herewith, a statement of such contracts, showing such as have been extended.

No contract made subsequent to April 5, 1864, for the manufacture of rifles, carbines, and pistols, has been renewed; none has been extended except as reported on the statement; no increase of price has been made upon any of these contracts, and if any of them have been sub-let it has been done without the authority of this department, so far as can be ascertained from the records of this office.

The resolution of the House of Representatives is returned herewith.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. B. DYER,

Brevet Major General, Chief of Ordnance.

Statement showing the contracts for small-arms made by the Ordnance Bureau, War Department, since April 5, 1864.

The

* Remarks relative to contracts with E. G. Lamson & Co.-The Ball's carbines were to have been delivered January 15, 1865, at which time none had been delivered. On the 2d of December, 1864, an extension of six months was granted, and on the 17th of January, 1865, a further extension of six months was given. Palmer's carbines were to have been delivered August 31, 1861, at which time none had been delivered. On the 18th of August, 1864, an extension of three months was given. On the 17th of December, 1864, another extension of four and a half months was given, and on the 3d of May, 1865, a further extension of 28 days. These arms were ordered in pursuance of the recommendation of the commission on ordnance and ordnauce stores of May 26, 1862, viz: That after a sample has been approved as above, one thousand be ordered for trial by troops, and that no large number be ordered until satisfactory test has been made by them." The preliminary test had been highly satisfactory, and as these arms had been intended for metallic cartridges, it was desirable to put them into service for actual trial. The extensions were made because of the delay caused by the Ordnance department in adopting the calibre for cavalry arms. None of these arms had been delivered prior to the last extension in each case. The delivery was completed during the last extension. Number contracted for. 2,000. None of them delivered on time; 2,00 delivered on extension.

Remarks relative to contract with Burnside Arms Company.-An extension of sixty days, from August 31, 1865, was granted in this case. The contract expired August 31, 1865 at which time 20, 000 carbines had been delivered. The extension was granted because of change made in the calibre and other parts of the arm subsequent to the date of contract, and also because the arms were needed for the public service. The delivery was completed during the last extension. Number contracted for, 30,500; delivered on time, 20,000; on

extension, 10 500.

* Remarks relative to contract with Joslyn Arms Company-Contract extended for sixty days, from October 31, 1864, at which time it expired, and at which time 3 000 arms had been delivered. It was again extended for twenty days, from January 31, 1865, at which time 6,000 had been delivered. These arms were also for using metallic cartridges, and were considered at that time very good for service. The extension was granted because of the urgent plea made by the contractors that they had been delayed by the lowness of the water in the river, which prevented the working of their factory. The last extension owing to the fact that the parts of the arms were near y completed. The final delivery was made during the last extension. Number contracted for. 7.000; delivered on time, 3,000; on extensions, 4,000.

§ Remarks relative to contract with E. Remington & Sons.-These arms were to have been delivered on or before the 1st of December, 1865, at which date only 5,000 were delivered. It having been shown to the satisfaction of the department that the contractors had striven faithfully to fulfil the contract, that the arms were in process of manufacture, and that the delays were occasioned by circumstances beyond their control, an extension of time to enable them to deliver the whole number was recommended. On the 2d of November, 1865, in view of the equitable circumstances of the case, an extension of six months was allowed them to deliver 9.000 of the number forfeited. A further extension to enable them to deliver the additional 1000 was granted February 28 1866, for the same reasons. These arms were considered good and suitable in all respects for the military service, and the supply of suitable breech-loading carbines on hand was not large. The last 1,000

were delivered during the last extension, Number contracted for, 15,000; delivered on time, 5,000; on extensions. 10,000.

Remarks on contract with Samuel Norris.-These carbines were to have been delivered by April 30, 1865, at which time vone had been delivered. It having been satisfactorily ascertained that the contractor had worked faithfully to deliver the arms as rapidly as possible, that all of them were in process of fabrication, and the arms being regarded as suitable for cavalry, an extension of two months was granted on the 28th of April, 1865, and the whole number was delivered within the extension thus given. Number contracted for, 5,000; none delivered on time; all delivered on extension.

Remarks on contract with James D. Mowry.-This contract expired October 31, 1864, at which time 7,000 muskets had been delivered. An extension of sixty days was given in this case, because the muskets were of standard model, and the price was $1 less per arm than was being paid on other existing contract. The contract was completed during the extension. Number contracted for, 10,000; delivered on time, 7,000; on extension, 3,000.

** Remarks on contract with Providence Tool Company -This contract expired by its terms on December 31, 1864, at which time only 19,000 muskets had been delivered. An extension of time was given to allow this company to deliver the remainder due under their contract, because of the fact that the parts of the arms were in a forward state of progress to completion, that they were of standard model, and that this company had been one among the first to undertake the manufacture of muskets after the war had commenced. The contract has been fulfilled. Number contracted for, 32,000; delivered on time, 19,000; on extension, 13 000. A. B. DYER, Brev. Maj. General, Chief of Ordnance.

ORDNANCE OFFICE, January 11, 1867.