Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-05-21
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
ON THE GALPHIN CLAIM

munication from the Hon. Geo w Crawford TO the
Speaker OF the House, oi2d OF April, in the following
words My official cOnneXiop with the government
authorizes me, IN my judgment, to ask, and have ac-
ceded to me by the House which you preside a
prompt and full investigation in such manner as it may
think proper, of my conduct and relation to the cIain
OF the representatives OF George GaIphn which claim
has been adludcated and paid at OF the depart
nehls OF the government and is now attracting public
attention.; and resolution of the House OF the 18th of
the same month"; lnstructng them ito make full in
veshgaton and report to this House, the origin and
nature OF SAID claim, the circumstances attending its
prosecution before the departments of government.
ana the passageo the bill autho rzng the pa yment of
sad cla the names OF agents who have so prosecuted
and urged the same; the amount paid on said claim,
both OF interest and principal and whether the same has
| Deen PAD IN conformity with law precedent; the
names OF the individuals TO whom the money has been
paid, and the amount received by each the interest of
tie persons so receiving SAID money in said claim; and
now SAID interest in said claim has originated to each Of
said persons; and all matters in anywise pertinent to
the inqury'-have made full and diigent inquiry
! touching the whole subject and submit the following
| REPORT:
Prior to the year 1878, George Galphn, the original
claimant, licensed trader amongst the Creek
and Cherokee indians in thu province of Georgia
These Indians became indebted TO him and other
traders ~ large sums OF money George Galphn held
against them daIands in his own right and as assignee
OF other traders. The Indians are represented to have
been destitute of the means of paying these debts
without selnga part OF these lands and 1878, they
ceded Tor this purpose to George the Third King of
GREAT Britain, tract OF healthy and fertile coun-
Try, containing about two million five hundred thou
sand acres The tractwas accepted and commissioners
were appointed to sell the lands and pay the debts due
to the traders. The lands considered ample for
tha purpose, but the King carefully protested that the
government OF Great Britain should not be Liable for
any part OF the debts OF the traders in the event othe
lands producing an insufficient fund. In that they
agreed to lose IN proportion to the amount Of their
debts. The traders in consideration of the cesson Of
the lands by the Indians released their demands
galnst them. Commissioners were appointed to sell
the lands and apply the proceeds to the payment of
the debts The governor and his council ascertained
the sums due tue traders respectively, and found due
10 George Gaphia nine thousand seven hundred and
Inmety-one pounds, fifteen shings, and five pence.
For this sum certificate issued to him. dated the
"a day OF May. 1873. The commissioners disposed
OF portion of the lands but how much does moi an
pear and applied the proceeds to the payment of ex
penses which had been incurred in making the cesson
and IN performing their duties under it. They applied
none OF the money to the debts OF the traders. George
Galph!n received nothing from them. Meantime the
war OF the revolution commenced and by lis successful
result the execution The trust was defeated and the
lands themselves were no longer subject 10 the control
OF the King.
The State OF Georgia in TIT, and subsequent years
granted to actual settlers and soldiers who had been
faithful to the cause independence, considerable por
lons OF her vacant lands including the lands which
had been coded by the Indians for payment of their debts
to George Gal hin and orhers. But means are ac-
cessl5e OF ascerainng the guam tty value of these
the other vacant lands whichG4eorga granted as boun-
ties to revolutionary soldiers, although there evidence
that considerable portion OF the lands coded by the
Greeks and Chefokees in l775 was thus applied
nendence ha ving baen 5,ada a l,estion , it,
made ull inquiry into the matter and quite satisfied
that he promptly and hrmly refused to take the side of
Of the ndenandanca IF t5e no;es 'e lf ', t
ence with the Indians caused them resist the mpor-
tunities of England, and RETAINED from taking part
of averting 10 ora" e,tnf row G .rn T
lima the cr1Alties and atroces If Jndtn , orfra
Tn 1880 Great Rrain made IN annronriat;o, inr th
M u,nen, II ba ebs n ,h XXI r. 't I; T
thouoh the lands which had hea, naval e. tb
nose were no lonoer subject 10 her nrisdcon 's
IF the Iaa;sature of Iseoraa 1a5Sad nv b , i1'
03d of Tannarv 17ao osee37aJ H. rht - r. c, ~
to The and hic era dJ 70 th H., ~ ~ 1Ita'j
in I173 and orovidd s,Iot ner 80 h, u, @
tendino IN have anv such n aim do Io, hon 60; ~ @
o.oon5ts he C,ra' t,;SS ~ ,, 49,, 49, r gu
10 he examned Wbatnvar cIas sho he fs sr1'ipy
and rnnn and do +n NV a., uo iouI' lqst
nod hv froa1r,y oer6oto f t6 t ,i nc
nth;r two tbry ~ 80 80 H1 M ;' py'.'le
oaot itots CO. "a e' I i1o6 my STI A per
q alnbn he con an 1ar f h;li . iili Ia;
Il aim fo tho tar 81 Cr -; iaao - g MS
rahJa rSnoIt tnS NOV ~ ~ t, Il. - ~
renort wasnot acted unnn hv tba ieasatnrs In I7o1
he sent an aaont ~ ntaaaynon and ti - 80 -
land to present if 10 tba 71overnrnsnt hnt Il lug,
eced because George Galnbin hal bean a tr;ond IF
America in the revolnton After its 5enctinn hu ,bn
Government of Great Britain il was ooan nrasanrel r,
the eoislature of Georoa in 1893 The cpnnitta ~
whom il was referred renorted CHAT the debt and d
mand Of Mr. Calnhn's estate ouoht to he nrovided f
aoreaabv 70 the Act Of assembly, Of bie Stata nasad
g3d Of jannarv iTS0 as bfip o onlv Ianu nh;u
the meaning and Ietter Of that act bf aiso xiv enh
stantated a. dabt aua ne the Stafe Hba has t1Id @
disposed Of the lands eeded for he navment tbereof to
its avn ,se bv Which vour commte ar Of o;o ~.
The State has made Itself liable for be same on every
prncple Of ustice and eonitv and thew recoo1mend1
THAT andted certificates shond he directed ~ h iSsJ
to thu n1eora;st' attonv and agent for tho sn,
nine thonsand sever hundred and ninetvoGa nouns
fifteen shIngs and five nencs sterlno rnonev of Co.
ola This renort was aoreed o hv ne Senate -
committee Of subsequent Iegisatnte ranorad that
the claim of GeoIpe Golphin was clearly inst and was
nrovided for bv The act Of 23d Jannarv i79o and va
Commended that esneca provision he made for the nav
ment OF nine thousand esven Hundred and oinety one
mounds fifteen shiIlngs and five pence The commit
lee of another leasfnre renorted as folows. II an.
,nstice and emily that If ia recoonisad bv the t Of
1850 and hat it is the obiGaton Of The State to dis
charge it. which the honor and honesty Of the State im
nose and recommended that there he maid ~ the
heirs executors and LEGAL renreseotatves o e o e
J5anhin Jecaassd thar Scent or stornao ,ba en-, 81