Where was “the very friendly feeling existing to aid France”? Not among merchants, agents, or brokers. This would hardly justify the important declaration with regard to a feeling which was so efficacious.
Then comes the question of cartridges; and here the dealings with the Government become still more manifest:—
“Cartridges for these forty thousand will in a great measure require to be made, as the Government have but about three millions on hand. But the Government has consented to allow the requisite number, four hundred for each gun, to be made, and the cartridge-works have had orders, given yesterday, to increase production to the full capacity of works.”
Observe here, if you please, the part performed by the Government,—not only its consent to the manufacture, but the promptitude of this consent. This was not easily accomplished, as the well-indorsed witness testifies:—
“This question of making the cartridges at the Government works was a difficult one to get over. But it is done.”
Naturally difficult; but the agent of France overcame all obstacles. Then as to price:—
“The price the Government will charge for the guns and cartridges will be ——, or as near that as possible.”
Always “the Government”! Then comes another glimpse:—
“The forty thousand guns cannot all be shipped immediately, as they are distributed in the various arsenals throughout the country.”