Person

William W. Belknap

U.S. Secretary of War, impeached in 1876 over kickbacks tied to the post trader at Fort Sill.

3 links, 3 backed by primary records

Legal records

impeachment of Secretary of War Belknap

2 Mar 1876 Charged by U.S. House of Representatives: impeached on five articles; he had resigned that morning 1
1 Aug 1876 Acquitted by U.S. Senate: a majority voted against him on all five articles, short of the two-thirds needed; acquitted, never prosecuted 1

A charge is an accusation, not a finding of guilt.

Connections 3

U.S. House of Representatives 2 Mar 1876 impeached on five articles; he had resigned that morning Primary record 1

U.S. Senate 1 Aug 1876 a majority voted against him on all five articles, short of the two-thirds needed; acquitted, never prosecuted Primary record 1

Named cases of money and Native nations the Senate's account: kickbacks from a post trader's licence at Fort Sill, in Indian Territory; it does not say what the post's Native customers lost Primary record 1

Timeline 2 dates

Proof 1 source

Impeachment Trial of Secretary of War William Belknap, 1876, U.S. Senate. Primary record
Later that day, members voted unanimously to send the Senate five articles of impeachment
On August 1, 1876, the Senate rendered a majority vote against Belknap on all five articles. As each vote fell short of the necessary two-thirds, however, he won acquittal.
Belknap was not prosecuted further; he died in 1890.
Marsh’s promise of generous kickbacks prompted Secretary Belknap to make the appointment. Over the next five years, the associate funneled thousands of dollars to Marsh, who provided Belknap regular quarterly payments totaling over $20,000.

Page history 1 change