Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-04-12
The GaIphIn Claim.

AS this claim and its allowance by the Cabinet has
been the theme of discussion by the press during the
last week. and the merits of the case are not general
y understood we take the following account of the
affair from the Washington correspondence of the
New York Tribune, strong Wing paper, from which
it appears that wherever the fault may lie, fault
and grevous one certainly does exist and that the
Cabinet arc responsible for it. The Tribune CORES
pondent says:
l. That this is very old claim, (none the worse
for that growing out of certain transactions to
which one Galphin, certain Indians and theROyal
Government of Georgia were parties, in or near 1873
before the breaking out of the Revolutionary War.
2 That the State of Georgia never recognized nor
provided for the claim, which was originally for
lands, but having disposed of most of her wild
lands to the Federal Government turned the claim
ant over to that Government for satisfaction.
g. That this claim, though so venerable and we'll
hacked never admitted by our Government till
1916, or thereabouts, when bill got through
both Houses directing the Treasury Department to
audit and settle it terms of justice and equity.
4. That 1T audited and settled under Secre-
tary Walker, and the full estimated amount of the
original claim paid to the heirs and assigns of
the original claimant, the sum being about $40, 900
5. That this sum was duly pocketed, but the claim
still prosecuted Cor afterwards revived for interest
on the amount accorded for the seventy-sx years
intervening since the origin of the demand
g. That Ex-Governor Geo. w. Crawford, of Geor-
gia, now U. S. Secretary of War was formerly agent
of the claimants in prosecuting their claim, though
he no longer appears such on the record.
I. That Mr. Meredith, Secretary of the Treasury
directed the proper officer of his Department to
examine this claim for interest, and that officer
Comptroller Whittlesey) did So and reported that
there nothing due the claimant according to the
principles established by the Government for the
UUttIo-1-e..t Of oIai.n,s
8: That Mr.. Meredith permitted or directed an
appeal to be taken from this decision to the Attorney
General Reverdy Johnson,) who reported in faUol
OF the validity and equity of the claim: whereupOn
O. Secretary Meredith directed its payment, and
it has been paid, to the amount of some 100000
Such are the essential facts in the case as rcpor
ted IN the newspapers We do not see them direct
ly confronted nor materially softened Yet we in.
sst that the fair fame of the parties concurrin in OF
connlving at the passage of this second claim imper
ativey demands full explanation or clear refuta.
ton.
limitations have appeared in several ncwspapcrs
to the effect that the nature of Mr.. Crawfords rea-
ton to the Galphin claim; and the particular facts
connected with its prosecution before the Treasury
Department were known to the President of the Uni
ted States. On the subject, the Republic of yeser
day says
In mere justice to Mr. Crawford, who desires nj
one to share with him theresponsibtv of protecting
his own honor, we feel bound to disabuse the public
mind upon this point We therefore declare that al
the statements which have appeared: in,the public
journals connecting the President with the transac
tions in this matter without foundation. It was
at time brought to the knowledge of the President
that claim in the of prosecution before
member of his Cabinet, in which another member
of his Cabinet was directly or indirectly interested
We also informed that neither Mr.. Meredith MOI
Mr.. Johnson was made acquainted with Mr. Craw
fOrds interest in the claim.n
We also notice that Democrat, formerly holding
an important clerkshp in the department, who mad,
up the statements of the claim from documents, il
ont in the Washington Union in defence of the pay
ment of the claim and saws that it is in accordance
with the usual action of the Government in similar
cases.
g Have You broke horse 2! inquired horse Jockey
No not exactly replied Simon g but Eve broke