The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-25

Our Washington Correspondenee.
WASHINGTON, April u, 1870

WASHINGTON, April zs, 1873.
H,r,son Clains-7hs Misslo~ 10 Msr,o0
The Board of Commissioners on Mexican claims
are up to their elbows in the business, and tbs
LAWYERS as counsellors for the applicants, like the
monkey weighing out the cheese for the cats, are
IN for the dividends. Some millions Of spurious
claims are mixed in with the two or three millions
Of the genuine and from all sorts Of treaties, and
an sorts of contracts and all sorts OF vouchers, and
papers, and witnesses, the Board have TO meie
out their awards.
Prominent among the undoubied claims y, that
u Aaron Leggett, of New York, who, under cos
tract with the Mexican government, went laIgey
into the logwood business ON ihe iaosrco HNe.'
with steamers, schooners, wood choppcir, &C.
nrcstra,ed him one party approprlatlng ms logwood
nes for fortifcations and the other his vessels Tor
vessels of war; subsequently, by way OF indemnity,
he entered into treaty supulhnons, py when ne
was 10 have all that part OF California, including
the lately discovered gold washings, down 10 the
bay of San Francisco. But another revolution ar
rested the treaty, and prevented HIM from becon-
ing as rich as the Great Mogu.
Mr.. Leggett, year ago, showed us copy Of
she treaty cedng TO him the present gold region Of
California, and the facts we have stated are from
our conversation with him at that time. The
pose it cannot fall short Of $3.50 600 Had the CALI
fornia bargain been perfected, he would have been
indennfed very handsomely.
The mission TO Mexico is an important post nj
this iuncture of the commercial affairs of the world.
The protocol will undoubtedly require some adjust
ment-new commercial regulations are demanded,
and by competent public agent the greatest adj
Nantages may be secured TO the United States, 10
ay nothing of the right of way for railroad across
The Isthmus of Huasacualco 10 Tehuantepec, which
will save near three thousand miles 10 san Fran
isco, over the route by Panama. But there -
Every reason to suppose that both routes may be
! dvantag eously appropriated by the United States,
80 as to cut off the British in both directions.
To the accomplishment of all these great results,
n first prerequisite is competent mnsterto Mex
leo. Mr.. Clifford, with all the personal respect
which we have for him, is, in our judgment, not
exactly the man for these demands. Gen. Waddy
Thompson is most prominently talked of as his
successor, and better appointment could hardly
be made The General has filled the office before,
and has proved his ability. His work upon Mexl-
co, published after his return is, Of itself, sui-
kcient endorsement for the indicated appointment.
We have no doubt that the selection Of General
Thompson would give general satisfaction TO the
country, which ought to be the first consideration
IN The matter of appol ailments
Friendly to fair trial of the new administration,
and looking beyond the interests of party TO the
greater interests of the country, we shall be free to
approve it where believe il to be the right, and
10 demonstrate where we believe ii 10 be wrong. w