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On the sixth day of February, in reply to an order of the
House, requesting a report of the amount claimed or paid as commissions, compensation, expenses, or profits by persons who went to foreign countries to purchase arms on account of the
State, the
Governor submitted a brief statement, by which it appears that
Mr. Crowninshield, and
Mr. McFarland, who accompanied him to
Europe to purchase arms and equipments, were the only persons that had been employed on that business up that time.
Mr. Crowninshield returned home in August, 1861.
Mr. McFarland was left in
England to superintend the execution of uncompleted contracts, and to inspect the arms as manufactured.
He remained on this business until the spring of 1862.
For his entire services
Mr. McFarland was paid the sum of $3,527.96. ‘In the final settlement of accounts,’ the
Governor says, ‘the claim of two and a half per cent on all the disbursements was made by
Mr. Crowninshield for compensation for himself.’
The disbursements were $351,347.48. This claim was not allowed by the
Governor and Council.
An order was passed by the Executive Council, allowing
Mr. Crowninshield $2,500 for his expenses in purchasing arms in
England on condition that he settle the account as rendered by him of
Mr. McFarland as inspector of said arms, and return to the
Treasurer proper vouchers for the same; and
James M. Shute,
James Ritchie, and
Gerry W. Cochrane, members of the Council, were appointed a committee, with authority to settle with
Mr. Crowninshield on the above conditions.
The Governor then states,—
The proposition made by this order, being communicated by the committee to Mr. Crowninshield, was declined by him in writing, Sept. 20; and his account remains unadjusted.
He retains in his hands a balance of £ 512. 10s. 5d., or $2,482.87, of funds belonging to the Commonwealth, and claims for his compensation an additional amount of £ 1,276. 14s., or $6,184.90, or, in all, £ 1,789. 4s. 5d., or $8,667.77.
The Governor further adds,—
The instructions addressed to Mr. Crowninshield are silent on the subject of compensation for his agency.
At the time he sailed for
