The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-09

Im portant Circular from the Treasury De-
partment-rIr. Cor,yin and the Cabinet.

r.
We publish elsewhere in our columns, to day,
very curious and interesting document, emanating,
in some secret and roundabout way, from the Trea-
sury Department, and defending in a very spirited
manner Mr. Corwin, Mr. Webster, and the cabi-
net, from insinuation' that have been recently
made against them. in connection with the recent
awards Of Mexican claims-insinuations which had
assumed the appearance Of Gal phinism. This pa
per may be considered sort Of circular letter. pro
eeedng from the highest authority, in defence Of
the cabinet 1t appeared last week-s!multaneous-
~ word for word, in several of the leading admins
traton papers Of this city, Philadelphia, aud per-
hans other places The author is well known in
this latitude, at least between the parallels Of
Washington and Boston. lie is IN amiable and very
modest young man, formerly journeyman printer
from the South, by the name Of James L. Harvey.
He occupied the confidential post Of letter writer 70
General Taylor's cabinet, and was on very init
mate footing with Mr. Clayton, the premier there
Of The materials Of this curious defence
Of the cabinet against all the charges Of Gaphin-
ism were undoubtedly received from the Treasury
Department, in some roundabout way-hkely from
MIR Corwin himself, and other parties acquainted
with the facts, and who were included in the
charges.
The existence Of the charges against Mr.. Cor
win ard the cabinet, to which this circular letter
refers, were first minated to the public through
the columns Of tie Washington Republic The
same topic was taken up by two very intelligent
correspondents Of New York journals, Mr.. King
man, the letter writer Of the JoWa1i Of Commerce,
and Mr.. Adams the correspondent Of the Tribune
The latter gentleman has been recently appointed
10 an office in the Treasury Department.
The letters written BY these gentlemen, and
published in the journals to which they
are attached, purported to give full account
Of the connection which certain members Of the
cabinet had with Florida and Mexican claims, and
the decisions and payments Of money Herewith
onneetod. 1t seems. however, by the present cir
cular, coming from Mr.. Harvey. AMI doubt
authenticated By the files Of the Treasury Depart
ment, that these letter writers committed several
vital mistakes in their statements and produced by
their incorrect versions Of the affair wrong i'm
preston, not only to the money gained ard lost
but On other matters Involved IN the decision Of
these claims, and their payment Hence the neces-
sity Of a correct and full vindcation according 70
the morality and ethics Of the Latitude Of Washing
ton in the several journals that supposed y BE-
on a confidential footing with tho cabinet.
Every one remembers the great clamor that was
raised against the cabinet Of General Taylor, ia
consequence Of the Galphin claim, and i.spaymeat
70 Mr.. Crawford, one Of the me abers Of the cabi-
net. The practice Of members IT the cabinet being
concerned, either counsel as purchasers, in
claims which are to be decided either by them
selves their associates connected with them in ths
government, was very strongly denounced By
large portion Of the whg members Of the last Con-
sress. The same doctrine has been repeated again
and again Ia several journals, md even Nj. Clay.
Ton, ex-secreary Of state, took OCCASION 10 recent
ss:eek-in which be nominated General Scott for
tke Presidency TO specially denounce i o. unfoT-
,unsts, discredi able and improper, for any mem
Der If the cabinet 70 b connected with the Gal
phin claim. Il seems, however, there his been "a
this point, for year Or two past, great lea 81
floating morality OF 4 certain characters but il has
been sufficiently ticketed and otherwise prepar
I'd FOR use-ncithsr ID We thirk the defence q
DIR. Corwin, nov sent 70 the World, j put pro
Ier foundation. The practice * members u Con-
gress ard q Tie cabinet. 80 y almost every oas
connected With the goycrnm q. x Washington, f5r
abe last quarter q . century. has cs'ablshsI and
authorized Tie morality AMI justice n9t only y bc
Galfhn claims. bit 2. Eli similar claims aad 5f
their beng connected With them. From pria'ed
volume issued from he Treasury Department a
Washirgton, ari called " Receipts and Expead
tErcs for tie year i.i9"-tLs latest in pria;-r3
find the following, which my E. taken = . .pss.-
men, IN the books. e Il. 13-.Fanl .niied al
rraeiised "a this subject -
Fletcher webster. A. authorized ~ D.aiI
W,bter r. Tire Pc sc1t cn sI "! "A
pILated ~ eaid sibbsl CT be I81 e. -aii
wsistsr far HE professional tsty ets frnlsf-
~ b tanning sad sward from ~ th.fi