The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-03

tests towards those who have despiiefuly used him
both Colonel Monagues letter and report admit the rule
to be that the government does not allow interest III
our memory right the organ of the President
lon recent occasion stated stronger But Colonel
Montague draws distinction between ordinary claims
and claims for an ascerained lquidated sum. There
would be some force in this distinction had the govern
|ment its disbursements for claims recognised by Con-
|gress, acknowledged the distinction But il has moi done
Iso We have yet 10 hear that the rule forbdding the
payment OF has heretofore been set aside in favor
|of such claims. We know that in law there is differ
ence between lqudated and unlquidated amounts butt
THAT distinction makes difference in questions OF inter-
Jest property bought and the price is not even fixed
between the parties jury will fix the price and allow
interest that price readily il will allow interest
for fixed and ascertained amount. But admitting the
case to be admitting that the government ought
Ito pay interest liqudaed clams-yet the gov
eminent has moi hitherto done So the people will
wish to know why il is that this rule was never
applied until claim for interest presented in which,
la wing Secretary deeply interested We fear that
Mr. Crawford will find much difficulty in relieving him
self from grave suspicious. Even admitting that the'
claim for interest just and legal yet cannot for al
moment agree with Colonel Montague, in the opinion
that there was no improperly in Mr. Crawfords main
tanning his interest in claim against the treasury he
being member Of the cabinet True it did not GOMEZ
before his department Yet surely member of theI
cabinet has influence with his colleagues. AndI
besides, if there is improperly for Mr. Crawford o|
prefer claim against the treasury, there be fo
Mr. Meredith to prefer against the War Department
for Mr. Johnson 10 prefer claims against both those
departments So with the other members OF the cabinet
Under such circumstances, every will perceive not
1ony that suspicion OF the gravest character would fall
upon the cabinet, but that the cabinet would become
claim agency Of the corrupt character UNDER
such regime sixteen millions would not cover the deficit
for even one year General Glass; vifed and abused as
The was by Mr. Cawfords friends OF the wing party, took
the correct course When he appointed Secretary
3of War, he had claims the government not al
claim agent, but for services actually rendered in hs
proper person. Mr. Writ then Attorney General said that
they just and ought to be paid but General Cass
would not allow their payment, until his cohnexon with
the cabinet of General Jackson was dissolved.
Let us have the information for it would be unseemy
to await the forcible process Of an investigating com
mitee.
! WASHINGTON. March %, 1850,
MEssRs EDITORS On returning this city after few
DAYS ABSENCE my has been called by friend
an article the Union of the 22d instant, containing
extract from letter Of the correspondent Of The New York
Herald together with editorial cacu-
lated msead the public and do injustice both the
Secretary Of the Interior and another member OF the cabi
However much you may OPPOSE the political principles
have my cordial sympathy yet feel persuaded you
would knowingly aid in doing wrong injustice any
facts in the case alluded by Hefalds spondeni
deem it alike due to the parties implicated yourselves
and 10 the cause oil truth to give brief statement OF the
4 matter.
By act Of Congress. approved august H. 1913. the
and adjust the claim OF the late George Gal
phin under the treaty made by the governor Of Georgia
with Creek and Cherokee Indians the year l73 and
pay which may be found due 10 Mliedge Gal
rec Of sad b eS M vi On
with the papers, the First Auditor for examination and
uSor pu the eae II NV hands 10
that duty. After careful and laboTious examinations
wnun setting ioa ihs usee Of the claim and The
reasons which, 10 my Judgment, Justified the payment Of
the acting Auditor and transmitted TO The First Comptrolf
and by him. together with his own report sent TO the
Walker promptly decided in of paying the principal
reserved the question OF interest for further ccnsidera
The subject thoroughly, or because early expiration
of his official term, he unwilling TO make innova
on upon the general OF the department IN regard
interest and therefore determined leave the question
open the decision Of his Aet the present
one OF the parties Interested in this claim had received The
appointments VI Secretary of War, he advised with as
own continuance in Office and intimated disposition 10
Idispose his interest in It, lgave my decided opinion
that there could be no Improperly nor even indecacy in
his doing under the existing crcunsaces that was
which he could not officially act either directly or
Indirectly. Ii could before the cabinet being ex
pressy referred by the itself the Secretary oil the
Treasury for his decision That opinion unchang
ed can good why the accident of OIL
|ca connexion with department Of the government
should preclude parry from the assertion Of his just rights
before another and wholly independent department
From the above simple narrative OF facts, you will per-
Mr. Ewing had connexion whatever with the
If III adj
lon principles presented IA the report from the First Audit
'o Office several months before the
came into power; those principles though official
Inv affirmed by the late Secretary OF the Treasury
overruled by him, aud the question was
thus referred open pending question TO the decision q
the present Secretary Wheher those principles right
Tor NOT peculiar circumstances of this such
render the allowance ACT Of simple justice, which
the government could withhold without violating those
great principles Of right which should ever regulate the
|duct OF States well individuals.
Very respectfully, yours.
t.. T. MONTAGUE,
Late a clerk la the First AUDITORS Office.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
First Auditors Office, Sept 6, ISl5
SR Upon examination OF the papers the of
George Galphn deceased referred this office for report
the Of August lith 1SS, find that this claim
in debts due the said Galphin, and