The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-04
A "Reminiscences.

Finding reference in the Washington
correspondence of the NORTH .dmerican to
an alleged oonnexion of Mr.. FORSYTH
with the Galphin claim, we have thought
it might be interesting to reproduce from
the Report of Mr.. WIsE's celebrated
Committee of Investigation the following
account Of the examination of Mr.. For
sYTH on this subject. 1t will be seen that
many Of the most material questions were
voted down by the Democratic majority.
Examination Of Hon. John Forsyth
Hon John Forsyth, Secretary of State, appeared,
and was sworn a witness.
Question by Mr.. Wise to Mr.. Forsyth:
l. Were you, or not personally Interested in a
certain claim, commonly called the Galphin claim,
to which a stipulation was inserted in the last
Cherokee treaty. sent to the Senate of the United
States to be ratified?
Answer by Mr. Forsyth:
have been interested in the Galphin claim since
1927 or 1928, counsel for the representatives of
Gaphin, and expect, whenever it is paid, portion
of the sums recovered.
Question by Mr.. Wise to Mr.. Forsyth:
2. Do you know whether any person or persons,
connected or not with the State Department, or in
terested or not in said Galphin claim offered re-
ward in money, goods or other valuable consider
alton, to Cherokee chief, named John Ross, to
assent to the stipulation to said claim inserted in
said treaty?
Answer by Mr.. Forsyth
do not.
Question by Mr.. Wise to Mr.. Forsyth:
3. Did you, or not, exert your influence, personal
Or official, with any Senator other person. to.
have the treaty ratified with said stipulation as to
the Galphin claim; or with any person, an officer
or agent, or not, of the Government, to have said
stipulation inserted in said treaty?
Objected to by Mr.. Parks and rejected by the
following vote:
Ayes-Mr Ca mpbe, Mr.. Lincoln, Mr. Clancy,
Mr.. WISE.
Nays-Mr. Pearce. MIR. Muhlenberg, Mr.. Parks.
Mr.. Mann.
Question by Mr.. Wise to MIR. Forsyth:
4. Did you not, whilst Governor of the State of
Georgia, recommend the Galphin claim to the ia
vorabe consideration of the Georgia LegisatureS
Objected to by Mr.. Parks, and rejected by the
following vote:
Aye-Mr. Wise.
Nays-Mr. Pearce, Mr.. Muhenberg, Mr.. Camp
bell, Mr. Parks, Mr.. Lincoln, MIR. Mann, Mr..
Chaney-7.
Question by Mr.. Wise to Mr.. Forsyth;
5. What do you consider would have been the
amount, probable value of the GaIphin claim, il
the Cherokee treaty had been ratified providing
for in
Objected to by Mr.. Parks, and rejected by the
following vote:
Ayes-Mr. Campbell, Mr.Lineoln, Mr.. wise-a.
Nays-Mr. Pearce, Mr.. Muhlenberg, Mr. Parks,
Mr.. Mann, Mr.. Chsney-5.
Question by Mr.. Wise to Mr.. Forsyth:
8. Have you, or not, been directly or indirectly
interested concerned in the purchase of, and in
specializing in, the reservations Of Creek or other
Indians, since you have been in the Office of Score
tary Of Slater
Objected to by Mr.. Mann and rejected by the
following vote:
Ayes - Mr.. Muhlenbcrg, Mr.. Lincoln, Mr.
Wise-3.
Nays-Mr. Pearce, Mr. Campbell, Mr.. Parks,
Mr.. Mann, Mr.. Chaney-5
Question by Mr.. Mann to Mr.. Forsyth:
7. Please TO state, generally, what has occurred
since your interest in the Galphin claim, coun-
sci for his representatives tending 10 its settlement
the nature Of the claim; and whether IL has been
allowed and paidl
Objected to by Mr.. Parks, and rejected by the
following vote:
Ayes-bfr Campbell, Mr. Mann, Mr. Lincoln-3.
Nays-Mr. Pearce, MIR. Muhenberg, Mr. Parks,
Mr.. Clancy.
Question by Mr.. Mann to Mr. Forsyth:
s. Was the Galphin claim provided for in the
treaty Of 1892 any other treaty; and II not why
was Il excluded Has IL been paid; and, IL not, for
what reasons, as far you know
Objected TO by Mr.. Parks, and rejected by the
following vote:
Ayes-Mr. Campbell. Mr.. Lincoln, Mr. Mann.
Nays-Mr. Pcsrce, Mr.. Muhlenberg, Mr.. Parks,
MIR. CLANCY
Question by Mr.. Mann 10 Mr. Forsyth:
9. Has the Galphin claim, in any manner, been
officially before your department for examination,
pending the negotiation Of the late treaty with the
Cherokee IndiansS
Objected to by Mr.. Parks, and adopted AZ follows:
Ayes-Mr. Pcsrce. Mr. Muhlenberg, Mr.. Camp.
bell, Mr.. Lincoln, Mr.. Mann, Mr.. wise-6.
Nays-Mr. Parks, Mr.. Cbancy-2.
Answer by Mr.. Forsyth:
The Department Of State, since IL has been under
my care, has had concern with the Gaphin
claim, other than in certifying some documents
among the files OF papers relating to a time ante
rior TO the adoption Of tho federal Constitution. All
the business Of Indian treaties is transacted in the
War Department, 70 which, during the admins
tration Of IL by Major Eaton, delivered state
ment of the Galphn claim, with view 10 have Il
provided for by some subsequent arrangement with
the Creek or Cherokee Indians. That statement
having been mislsid, another statement was sub
stitued for IL, by the parties interested, during
Governor Cass's administration. While the treaty
was negotiated here, the representatives ofIGaphin
had agent (Judge Underwood) in this city, who
applied to me 10 urge the President 10 admit the
claim, which Underwood said the Indians wished
TO see paid declined any conversation with the
President on the subject, because Of my contingent
interest. Governor Cass told me he thought the
claim just, but doubted whether il should not be
paid by Georgia, and not the United States. The
President, as Governor Cass informed me, refused,
on that ground, to permit article respecting il
TO be put into the treaty. And when the treaty
was considered and decided upon in the Cherokee
country, the agents Of Gslphin procured from them
the article IL went to the Senate. The claim was
not admitted TO form part Of the treaty but II
before the Senate on its merits. The original
demand was 10000. A law OF Georgia promises
TO pay per cent interest. I had no further con.