Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-06
THE GALPHIN CLAIM.
From the Washington Union.


WASHINGTON, March %, 1850.
MEssRs EDToRs-On returning to this city after few
days absence, my attention has been called by friend
article in the Union of the 22d instant containing
extract from letter Of the correspondent of the New
ork Herald together with an editorial comment there
on, calculated to misead the public, and do injustice
both to the Secretary OF the INTERIOR and another
Der of the cabinet
However much you may oppose the political princ-
Piles and policy Of the present Administration, in which
you have my cordial sympathy yet feel persuaded that
you would not knowingly aid in doing wrong or njus-
tce to any OF its members; and, being personally
quanted with the facts in the alluded to by the He
raids correspondent deem it alike due to the parties
implicated, yourselves and to the OF TRUTH to
give brief statement OF the matter.
BY an act of Congress- approved August H. l94S the
Secretary of the Treasury was authorized and required
to examine and adjust the claim OF the late George Gal
phin under the treaty made by the Governor of Geor
ga with the Creek and Cherokee Indians in the year
l773, and pay the amount which may be found due to
Milledge Gaphin, executor OF SAID George Galphn,'
&c On presentation OF the claim to him, Mr.. Secre-
tary Walker referred it, with all the papers, to the First
Auditor for examination and report That officer being
temporarily absent from the city, the acting Auditor
put the case in my hands to perform that duty After
careful and laborious examination, which occupied
several days. prepared the accompanying report set
ting forth the justice of the claim and the which,
in my Judgment justified the payment OF interest as
we'll principal That report adopted by the act
ing Auditor and transmitted to the First Comptroller
and by him, together with his own report, sent to the
Secretary for his decision.
On taxing up Inc case, Nlr. walker promptly uecQeQ
in favor of paying the principal but reserved the ques
ton of interest for further consideration; and ultimate
ly, either from want OF time to examine the subject
thoroughly, or because OF the early expiration OF his
| official term he was unwilling to make an innovation
upon the general usage OF the department, in regard to
interest," and therefore determined to leave the question
open for the decision of his Alter the pre-
sent Administration were indicted INTO otfce, and Mr.
Crawford one othe parties interested in this claim, had
received the appointment OF Secretary OF War; he ad-
vised with the propriey OF further prosecuting
the claim during his continuance in office, and in
tmated disposition dispose of his interest in it.
gave it as my decided opinion that there could be no
Improperly nor indelicacy in his doing under
the existing circumstances; that it which
he could not officially act either directly or indirectly
1t could como before the Cabinet, being expressly
referred by the act itself to the Secretary Of the Trea
sury for his decision That opinion remains unchanged
can see good reason why the accident of Off
cal connection with one department otthe Government
should preclude party from the assertion OF his Just
rights before another and wholly independent depart
ment.
From the above simple narrative of facts, you will
perceive that Mr.. Ewing had no connexior whatever
with the settlement of this claim and, further, that it
was adjusted principles presented in the report from
the First Auditors Office several months before the pre-
sent Administration power; that those princi-
pes though not officially affirmed by the late Secre-
tary of the Treasury nevertheless not overrued
by him. and the question thus referred open
pending question TO the decision of the present Secre
tary. Whether those principles right not, the
peculiar circumstances of this such to
Government could not withhold without violating those
great principles of right which should regulate the
conduct OF States well as individuals.
Very respectfully, yours,
Late clerkin the First Auditors Office.