New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-07-10
The Gaiphin Affair-The Van Meas Claim.
Correspondenee Of Tho Tribune

WAsmsSros, Monday, Jays
The vote on Mr.. ScHEscKs amendment T. ths
resolution, offered by Mr. ToosBs 10 the GLphin
case, has given very general appreciation in this
city, while i. relieves entirely the Wing party from
all connection with Mr. CRAWFORD for permitting
this claim to be prosecuted while no was q mem.
Der of the Cabinet In . political point Of view it
has been sad business for the friends OF the Ad.
rninistration, and the vote the Wing members gave
IN disappearing OF the whole matter shows that
they feel the embarrassment this unfortunate basi.
ness has thrown around as. The voting today may
give a new feature 70 the whole matter, and make
it still worse for the Secretary Of War than tho
vote given in support OF Mr.. scHxscKs amssd-
ment.
The most cruel and unjust thing have ever
known was the adoption Of the first branch Of Mr..
THoMPsoSs amendment, virtually eensuriag tho
Pre,ident, who ID fact il no more connected with
or responsible for the allowance and payment u
the GALPHIs claim than you are. This amendment
was carried by the votes Of TONES. 6rxrHEs,
MoRroE, and probably one or two more Southern
Wings; and doubtless done to drive the Wings
from eventually dissenting from Mr.. CRAwroRD's
course rather than vote indirectly q ceusurs spou
the President. And IL the Wing party can over
look this direct insult 10 the incorruptibly boassf
patriot who fills the Executive Chair, then viii
coucede they are the most forbesring and 6rgiviag
marty that has ever had an existence under car
form Of government
While upon the subject Of Claims against the
Government, wish 10 call your attention to one
Of third of centurys standing, which is nov
l. H. ~ h. ttaI
which has been reported against by that vigisnt
and honest accounting officer, Hon ELISHA WHIT
rLEsEY The history Of the Claim 30 which | al
lude 10 this; CoRsELfUs p. Van Ness, Esq. was
Collector Of the Customs In Vermont from the year
1913 % about 1920. DonDg the years 1919 AID
1914 several seizures were made by him. Toe
non. i'm portston acts were not repealed; bat By
Act Of Congress Ia 1913, impottstions by Amsd-
cans not made clsndestiney, were In effect legal
| ised after this manner; The goods being seized,
an application Yves made 20 the District Jadgs Of
| the United States 10 take testimony 10 show tha.
| the imuotter was an American and tha, hedid at
imuortthe goods rdesrnely. And this testimony
being transmitted TO the Secretary Of the Treasury,
be would remit the forfeiture upon the payment a
the duties prescribed by lay. This became 90 well
| understood on the Northern lines, that the goods
would be taken Immediately " the Caston House.
bonds given Cor the duties, the goods then surss-
| dered by the Custom House officers 10 the impor-
ters and the proceedings Of Judicial character
would then be had which have above aIladsd 70.
Mr.. vAs MSS claims forfeitures, Of which, II al
lowed, he is entitled to onehslf TO the smoan. Of
more than s34 900. II nis claim IL recognized and
allowed by Congress, the principal thereof vii fall
short bat fraction Of $4,000.
In ls32 the Supreme Court OF the United States
decided case in favor Of the heirs Of ALLEs No
LisE, formerly a Collector Of the Cas,ons at VIII
mineton, De'arsre in which the heirs recovered q
moiety Of the duties in the shape Of forfeiture MI
| VAS MSS contends that this decision Is bis case.
and under the principles thereby established nc nss
clear recovering as xinst The -ifed s's'e<'