The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1850-04-18
THE GALpHIN CLAIM.


AMONG the members Of the cabinet The
knowing ones confess that here mus be a
dismemberment Of that body, and the hang
ers on are in great tribulqtionto know who
shall suffer most by the explosion. The i'm
mediate cause of this event seems II be
base fraud which some plunderers have per.
petrated upon the President. 1t seems that
in the early settlement of Georgia, Scotch
hunter named Galphin purchased some. lands
of the indians for rum and brass trinkets. In
the revolutionary struggle he became dispos-
sessed of this land and lost it. Thereupon
he applied to the British government for an
indemnity, but without receiving even res.
peciiul hearing Next ne applied to the
state of Georgia FOR payment, and, not being
troubled with modesty, renewed his applica.
'ir' &c tne state legislature year after year,
until that body gave him very pointed no.
tice 10 quit his annoyance. In 1889 the
Georgia legislature appointed committee to
investigate the merits of the claim, and
majority of that committee reported among
otner tnlnSs as foliows:-- . ..I..
"Thai they have carefully examined all
the facts and evidence contained in said re-
port, upon which the olimonts have relied to
establish their claim, and are clearly of the
opinion that the STATE of Georgia rs not liable
for The debt. And the Committee fully concur
with the conclusion arrived at by The Com
missioners, who have investigated the claim
that Me State Of Georgia is not bound in justice
or equity TO pay ii, or any pant thereof" (See
Georgia House journal, page 36s, Session of
1890 80 .@ -.
This report was adopted, after discussion,
by vote of 1o6 TO 81. An attempt was
then made 10 instruct the Georgia United
States Senators TO urge this claim upon Con
gress, butthis attempt was voted down by
90 to SO.
Still, Monsieur Touson was not to be put
of in that style, and for years the claim
was pressed before Congress. Galpin mean
while died. His heirs handed the stale claim
around 10 different attorneys, but none of
them cared about working for it, Among
these was Mr.. Forsyth, at one time a men,
Der of Mr.. VAN Buren's cabinet. Finally
George W. Crawford got hold of the claim,
and spent several seasons at Washington to
get it allowed by Congress. By means of
elererness, rich suppers and champagne, the
on was passed in ls4s amid the confusion
of the last hours of the session. The neat
sum of $4s, 900 doiiais was handed over TO
mfr. Crawford for the heirs of Gaiphin.
But Monsieur Touson came again this
year, and, not satisfied with the payment of
his claim, now asked for the payment of IN
terert uponit. Father Whittelsey, the Comp.
lrollerof the Treasury, promptly decided
that to pay interest was neither the law nor
The custom of government; since ,he Trea-
sury was presumed ready at all times to pay
claims against it properly attested. Mr..
Crawford being now in the Cabinet some
cat's-paw of his was sent to the Attorney
General, for his opinion; and Mr.. johnson
at once decided that the interest upon the
claim should be paid. This interest amounts
10 SIss,ooo, and MIR. Whittelsey paid il at
last, under protest. The payment of this
sun. became matter Of shameful no,oriety
at the Capital, and at last reached even the
President. Congress appointed Committee
of investigation, and the whole villainy is
leaking out 10 open day.
If the Committee "hush up" the fraud,
we shall next expect to see MIR. Crawford
paid bv the government for the oyster.sup.
pers and champagne which he has spent to
get his claim allowed. Or we shall look to
see the California squatters all apply 10 Con-
gress for reimbursement if they lose anything
by their adventure, or cannot hold their lots
in the auriferous region. Galphin was Just
such an adventurer as those who now 90 TO
California, and knew by what tenure he held
his land. AT that time Tin l773) there was
no government which guaranteed to HIM his
Indian title, and hence none is now Justly or
equitably bound to indemnify his heirs.
Stale claims of this sort are continually
brought before Congress, and urged by ev-
cry tlespicable device. The national Trea-
sury is ipIcndered year after year, and every
new session Of Congress brings on a new
and more hungry set of robbers, and borers.
No wonder that We need high tariffs to keep
up such profuse AMI u.ngarded expenditure
of the peoples money.
We are pleased 10 see that this one case
is to be probed to the quick. It VII! afford
a wholesome lesson TO the people, If ali the
facts come out; but the commentary npo.2
republican Legislation will be a sad and sorn'
one.
Il General Taylor had been statesman
se would have prevented the payment of
he $4,000 interest. Almost every man a.
bout Washington knew of the case, and the
President owed it 10 his station to press in
JURY when the matter was discussed. If
slch case had arisen in General Jackson's
lime, he would have vowed "by the Eter.
nal" that the fraud should not disgrace his
The case proves that tie
President is duped. deceived, and disgraced
BY his advisers, and is in. himself unequal
. the position into whiGAe accident has
brown him.
LANCASTER COUNTY. The late Democratic |