Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 56, Corbin Griffin, Va. Sea Service

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va. Sea Service
Griffin, Corbin
W. 56
Va. Half Pay
CONTENTS
See Acc. No. 837 - Virginia State Navy Corbin Griffin, Y S File Va. Half Pay

IRGINIA REPU
To the Editor of the Republican :
In a late communication I proved that the Commissioner of Pensions had allowed half pay under the act of Congress of the 5th of July, 1832, to the heirs of Dr. Griffin, for his services as a State surgeon, contrary to the law, and record evidence . Two of the parties, participants in this claim, are whiz members of the Virginia Legislature. I will now recite a case which the Commissioner has rejected, contrary to the law and the evidence. The Legislature of Virginia promised a bounty in land to the officers and men of her army who should serve three years in the revolutionary war. Applicants for this bounty were directed to apply to the Commissioner of War, for a certificate of their services, and, upon this certificate, and, "not otherwise," the register of the land office was directed to issue warrants for bounty land. Mr. Attorney General Crittenden, in his letter to Mr. Fillmore, after the passage of the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850, says : "The certificate of a commissioner is to be regarded as the act of judgment, after a fair and impartial trial of a judicial tribunal, having competent jurisdiction."
The certificate of a commissioner acting under a law of Virginia, that T. S. was entitled to bounty land for a service of three years, as a Lieutenant in the first State regiment, is a judicial decision which cannot be repudiated. John Slaughter applied for the half pay due for the services of his father, Thomas Slaughter, as a Lieut. in the first State regiment : he exhibited his warrant for land bounty, as proof of his rank and service, and, a letter from his father, to the Governor of Virginia, written in May, 1783, informing him that he then had in his possession, public property which was put into his hands as a State Quartermaster, at the siege of Yorktown in October, 1781.—Slaughter is a poor man, and the Commissioner cares naught for him . In this case, the opinion of Mr. Crittenden, and the certificate of a commissioner of Virginia, avails nothing. Slaughter's claim is rejected.—Here, Mr. Editor, we see the Commissioner of Pensions granting ten thousand dollars of the public money to a continental surgeon, who was out of service two years before the law of Virginia promising half pay passed, that very surgeon , being a member of the Senate of Virginia when the half-pay law passed ; and refusing it to the son of a man who was in service at Yorktown, when the "Star-Spangled Banner" waved triumphantly over the vanquished army of the King of the British. R. R.

ven, should be dispensed alike on l
BERKELEY COUNTY, SATURDA
Resolved, That in view of the condition of popular institutions in the Old World, a high and sacred duty is devolved, with increased responsibility, upon the Democratic party of this country, as the party of the people , to uphold and maintain the rights of every State, and thereby the Union of the States, and so sustain and advance among us constitutional liberty by continuing to resist all monopolies and exclusive legislation for the benefit of the few at the expense of the many, and by a vigilant and constant adherence to those principles and compromises of the Constitution, which are broad enough and strong enough, to embrace and uphold the Union as it was, the Union as it is, and the Union as it shall be, in the full expansion of the energies and capacity of this great and progressive people.
Resolutions were offered and adopted, to return votes of thanks to the President, Vice Presidents, Secretaries, Committee of Arrangements and citizens of Baltimore, the former for the efficient manner in which they performed their duty; the latter, for their hospitality.
The following resolutions were offered by the National Democratic Convention:
Voted, That the next Democratic National Convention be held at Cincinnati, in the State of Ohio.
Voted, That in constituting future Democratic National Conventions, in order to guard the respective rights of the States, each State shall be entitled to the number of delegates in such convention, to twice the number of votes it has in the Electoral College, and no more. And that the Democratic National Committee, in making arrangements for the next Convention, provide such number of seats, and leave the same to the delegates elect.
Voted, That the time of holding the con-

Dr William Griffin
Va State Navy
Albany 3 April
1837.

Pension Office April 3 d . 1884
I certify that I have examined the claim of the administrator of Doctor Corbin Griffin deceased under the act of Congress of July 5 th 1832. I find that said Corbin Griffin was a Surgeon in the Virginia State Navy until the Manly Galley in which he served was dismantled by order of the Government of Virginia in the year 1779 at which time he was transferred to the charge of the Naval hospital at Yorktown as Surgeon thereof I continued in that capacity to the end of the War & that he was entitled to half pay at the rate of Three hundred & Sixty dollars per annum from 22 d . April 1783 to the 1 st . day of September 1783, which is payable to Wespasian Ellis attorney in fact of Robert P. Waller administrator of said Corbin Griffin deceased J. H. Heath, Commissioner.

R: 26 Feb 1835.
1025.
Treasury Department
3 d Auditor's Office
25 th February 1835
Sir,
I have the honor to state, in reply to your note of the 24 th instant, that the revolutionary records, on file in this Office, furnish no information whatever of Dr Corbin Griffin's services, as a Surgeon, either in the Virginia State Navy, or of a Naval Hospital at York Town - indeed his name does not appear on any of the records in this Office -
The affidavit of Thomas Griffin Esq r , which accompanied your note, is herewith returned -
With great Respect
John Hagner Secy
Hon.
Levi Woodbury
Secretary of the Treasury

October 11, 1938
BA-J/AWF Corbin Griffin R. 58
Mr. Wesley F. Russell 4835 Forty-Sixth Street Woodside, New York
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Surgeon Corbin Griffin, and Colonel Samuel Griffin, of Williamsburg, Virginia, War of the Revolution.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land which have been made to the United States, based upon service in that war. A search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the Revolutionary War service of a Samuel Griffin as described by you.
The data which follow concerning Corbin Griffin were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, R. 58, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
The date and place of birth of Corbin Griffin were not given, nor were the names of his parents stated.
Corbin Griffin was Surgeon in the Virginia State Navy from early in the Revolution, and served on the "Manley Galley" until it was dismantled in the year 1779, at which time he was transferred to the Naval Hospital at Yorktown, as Surgeon, and continued in that capacity until the close of the
The name Corbin Griffin is shown in Hotten's as surgeon also in Robert Armistead Stewart's book, "The History of Virginia's Navy of the Rev-"

war.
The date of death of Corbin Griffin was not definitely shown.
Vespasian Ellis, attorney of Robert P. Waller administrator of the estate of Corbin Griffin, was allowed the half pay due under the Act of July 5, 1832, on account of the service of said Corbin Griffin, at the rate of $360.00 per annum, from April 22, 1783 to September 1, 1813; this claim was allowed April 3, 1851.
Reference was made in 1835 to one Thomas Griffin; his relationship to Corbin Griffin was not stated.
The papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible data in regard to family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

4835-46th Street. Woodside, New York. Sept. 3, 1938.
Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen;
I am in search of information concerning the families of Surgeon Corbin Griffin, and Colonel Samuel Griffin, of Williamsburg, Virginia, who served during the Revolutionary War.
These gentlemen belonged to my ancestral line and the information sought is solely for genealogical purposes.
Thanking you in advance for any data which you may be able to supply, I am,
Very truly yours,
Wesley F. Russell WESLEY F. RUSSELL
Member; Institute of American Genealogy & Florida Historical Society.

1938 Oct 11 - List for Week F. Russell - awg
ACT OF FEBRUARY 14, 1871.
WAR OF 1812.
3144
Heir of
Corbin Griffin
Surge
U.S. Navy
Revolution
Discharged _____, 18
4044
Admitted
N.Y. Pay _____ Oct '82
Received _____, 187
Attorney.
58

Papers relative to the Harp pay Claim
Dr Corbin Griffin.
Mr Haldar. I think the Secretary designed that you should take charge of these papers. Yours truly Geo M. Whiting
Please let them be kept together in case they should be called for Yours

Washington 14 Jan 1852
My dear Sir,
In the Virginia Republican of the 5 th or the 11 th I suppose you met it as it contains an article which I presume you wrote. — I must say I was sorry to see that article. — I think it will do harm. — The claim of Griffin I am inclined to believe to be a good one. — That the Pension Office has been and still is most shamefully managed there can be no doubt. — It is also very clear that there is corruption there, and that Mr. Stuart has unbounded confidence in and will support Mr. Heath in all his acts. — It is of no use for you to take the course you are doing. — You only injure yourself and your cause. — No one approves of Mr. Heath's conduct. — I am yet to see the first man who approves it , save and except his own son and Mr. Stuart . I tell you that he has no friend except Stuart. Why then go and attack others and force them. — Segar has been friendly to you. Why then will you make him your enemy. and force him to support and defend Mr. Heath. There have been plenty of bad cases attend the good ones. — I besides that I have been very ill used by the Pension Office and have been compelled to apply to

the Secretary of the Interior for redwoods. and my applications are now pending. - I have had to strike hard and may have to strike harder. -
Yours Truly
Francis A. Dickinson.
Strange doctrine, Mr. Dickens. Rem I not to expose a fraud in the government, because it exposes those who profit by it.
Richard Randolph Ely Martin'sburg
W. Va.

Department of the Interior Washington March 20. 1852.
Sir,
I herewith transmit a copy of the Report of the Commissioner of Pensions in relation to the charges preferred against him in your letter of the 25 th ultimo addressed to the President, and have to inform you that the Report with the accompanying papers therein referred to, were submitted to the President, who approved the Commissioner's Report.
I am Very Respectfully Your obedient Servant Alex. D. H. Stuart Secretary
Richard Randolph Esq. Washington D.C.

Washington 26 June 1852
Dr. Sir,
I have rec d yours of the 24 th inst as to doing anything with Mr. Heath in any case in which you are interested is impossible. — Your being concerned would be sufficient to defeat it. — If you will send me the papers & I should find that I can use them to your advantage in any way I will do so. —
I am told that Mr. Heath is very angry at an article which has appeared in the Union and has written to the Editor to enquire who is the Author as he intends to prosecute him. — I cannot think that he would be so blind as to do so because if he did all the acts of the Pension Office might be brought before the court and there would be such an exposure. I should not however be surprised if you came here at his having you arrested as he is under the influence of those who are mad enough to attempt anything. —
Yours truly,
Francis M. Dickinson.
Richard Randolph Esq. Martinsburg Va.

Washington Aug 10 th 1852
Dr Sir
I have brought your letter to the attention of the Committee & the Committee has directed me to request you to forward the "record proof" showing that Doctor Calvin Griffin had no claim so that it may be examined & considered.
Be pleased to give specifications of any other grounds on the Government of which you may have knowledge.
Should the Committee need your evidence & your attention as a witness, will you come on receiving a letter requesting your attendance or must we send an officer with a subpoena?
Respectfully yours
J. R. Underwood
Mr Richard Randolph

Washington 20 th June
Dear Sir
Sixteen years ago, I was employed to present a claim for the services of Dr Corbin Griffin, as Surgeon in a State hospital at Yorktown, Virginia. I found that Dr Griffin acted as surgeon to a continental hospital in York, from 1776. to May 1777. That, in May 1779. he was a member of the Virginia Senate, elected for three years. I gave this information to my employer, and declined the agency. In April 1852. Mr Segar, the personal friend of the Com r (Mr Heath) presented the claim, and received ten thousand dollars; one half of which, he retained, as his fee. Told Mr Heath, that it was a fraud, and offered to prove it by record evidence . He declined my offer, and, became my enemy. I then appealed to President Fillmore, and his Secretary, Mr Stuart: they sent my communication to Mr Heath, who denied the truth of my charge: his conduct was approved, as you will see, in Mr Stewarts letter to me; and, my charge, repudiated without investigation. I felt the indignity, and resolved to force an investigation; for which purpose, I published the article, signed R. R. which you will find in Mr Dickens letter to me: my article, with comments, was published

the Union: for which publication, Mr Heath sued Gen l Armstrong, to whom, I tendered my services, to prove the fraud. Heath has withdrawn his suit; and avoids the exposure. You will see, in the letters of Segar, and Ellis, that I made the charge to the select committee of the Senate, where, I expected to resent the indignity offered to me by the President, and his Secretary; and to prove that the allowance of Griffin's claim, was a fraud on the government, but, the committee have not noticed it. Forty six years ago, I mounted my horse, in defence of my country, and was in service throughout the war of 1812 and now, I am treated with indignity, because I desire to protect the purse of my country, from fraud . I feel Sir, that I have a right to be heard, and to prove publicly, that the charges which I have made, are true : the late President, denied me that right; and I now, through you, appeal to Gen l Pearce, and ask him to direct an investigation to be made, and give me an opportunity to prove that my allegations are true, and, that the public money has been very improperly expended , by order of the late Gen l of pensions.
Accept my most friendly salutations
Richard Randolph
To Mr Stark.

Washington 10 Dec. 1852
Mr Richard Manselph
Sir:
I duly recd. yours of 2 d December know have to say that, as it regards the validity of D r Griffin's Claim I have no fears of any kind of investigation before any sort of tribunal. You seem to labour under many erroneous im- pressions on the subject, and if it be your desire to be informed fully on the merits of the Claim I am ready at all times to give you the facts on which I base my statements if you think proper to come to my Office. Whether my remarks, which you quote, apply to yourself, depends on whether you were the author of the publications on which I made comment. I am told you disclaim their authorship, - if so, you have no right to apply the same articles to yourself. Having on no occasion interfered with your affairs I am wholly at a loss to understand why you assail my Claims.

whilst I am restrained by any consideration of propriety from making any opposition to any, the most rigid investigations into claims, I cannot but foresee that such investigations, though they may not result (as in Griffin's case cannot result) in any impeachment of the Claims by a committee, they will probably give rise to more stringent action by the departments, and perhaps to the repeal of the act of 5 July 1832. If this be your desire you may be perhaps gratified. But I am told your only purpose is to arraign the pension Bureau.
On this point I feel perfectly able to convince you, & the world that the effort must fail, in the case of Dr Griffin. William Ellis 

Rec. 16 Feb 1835.
1271
1012
Auditors Office Va
Feb. 13. 1835
Sir,
I have duly rec d your letter of the 7 th inst. asking information respecting the services of Corbin Griffin represented as a Surgeon in the State Navy.
I do not find any evidence of Mr Griffin's services in the capacity of Surgeon. He settled no pay account and did not draw land bounty. I enclose you the copy of an account against him on one of our ancient ledgers which if it proves any thing would rather establish the fact that his medical services in Dec. 1778 were rendered as a private physician and not as commissioned Surgeon with fixed pay. It is not usual for surgeons in Commission to render accounts for medical services &c.
I have not been able to find any evidence of their being a regular State Hospital at York. That there was a Hospital there, I have no doubt of - but it is as likely that it was a continental establishment as any other
I am very respectfully your obedient serv t
J. E. Heath and: of Va
The Hon Levi Woodbury
(turn over)

272 P.S.
Since writing the foregoing letter, I have been furnished with an entry from the Naval Journal which I have had copied upon the enclosed account. This entry establishes the fact that there was a Hospital at Yorktown. It is in fact an amplification of the last item on the credit side of the account.
Isaac E. Beall

H. D. Dec. 10 th 1852
Dear Sir,
On my return home a few days since, I found yours of the 23. ult.
I do not by any means design to defraud Mr. Heath for the mistaken rigour with which he deals with Va half pay claims; but I must venture to inform you, in justice to him, that your information of hostility to yourself from the fact that he sent an agent to Richmond to look into Hampton's case, is not altogether correct. I know the fact, and so does Mr. Ellis, & your own other agents, that he has pursued the same course with regard to every half pay claim that has been before him. I have had before him no case that was not subjected to a

rigid examination here by an agent of the Pension Department. Even-handed justice requires me to say this much.
I beg now to assure you that in insisting that the investigation before the Senate committee be abandoned, I have so insisted, not on account of any apprehen- sion of the result in Guf- fin's case, but because I am satisfied that the ef- fect of such investigation will be increased adversity upon Va. Claims, and al- ternate injury to all who are concerned in the pros- ecution of them. I have no doubt that the late Scrip law will be reached by its influence, and a rigor prac- ticed in the revision of the cases filed for Scrip, which

might not other wise be prac- tic'd. This consideration alone has rendered me adverse to the investigation you propose. and the course I recommend seems the more proper from the fact that in a few weeks, the present Congress is to go out of office.
By the way, have you carefully examined the evidence in Grif- fin's case? I think if you will apply to Mr. Ellis Hook over the papers with him, you will find it an exceedingly strong one.
In looking over an old Journal a few days since I found the name of a Lieuten- ant Houghton - no Christian name. It was a payment of rations to him. Whether it was Thomas Houghton, I cannot say. Very Respectfully Yrs. etc. Sent. Jos. Edgar