The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-09
Curious and Important Treasury
Circular.
nsfsnee Of the Cabinet from Ca Ipnln,.m.

..
The system Of calumny and falschood with which the
embers Of General rsyors administration visited
OF their refusal to yield to the extorons Of men
dacious presses has been revived toward the present
cabinet under instigations that equally yen1 and
with motives entirely abandoned The same hands.
the wretched Misrepresentation the same phrases Of
abuse and the same actors visible, aud the
ecenes reproduced with only the simple change OF
names in the conspicuous characters 1t is much
70 dscredit of portion Of the press Of this country
that the policy Of administration in be
discussed without outraging the amenities OF political
life and that the acts Of public men cannot be
vassed without impeachment OF personal integrity.
But there Is some satisfaction in knowing that this
ecandalous system-which Is almost reduced to u
trades mainly confined TO adysnturers who come here
seek fortune and who reckless in regard 20 the
Of acquiring IT, being more willing from bad pro-
ciyities to money by assaing character than by
more honorable methods The morbid passion for what
tends 10 deprecate occupying high position
excite envy furnishes too much encouragement for
these trxined ascsssns who neither
nor condition in the pursuit Of their accursed vocation
Within the last few months, there has been sys-
temac attempt made by certain prints to create false
and injurious impressions the public mind concern
ing the present able and distinguished Secretary Of the
Treasury growing out Of concerns purely professional
and private which have been seized upon and distorted
60 suit the purposes Of his hired slanderers Having
taken the pains TO Inform myself fully and
this subject propose TO present the facts to the
public in such form that they may be easily under
stood and to chalienge the most unqualified scrutiny
into AL the statements so presented As 1t is almost
impossible TO furnish answer to the various aeya-
tions which have been made shall adopt the state
mens made by correspondent in the New York Journal
If Commerce and Baltimore san (being one and the same
for comment aud upon which of the unfounded
epeculstons have been made The following extract IL
taken from letter In the Journal q Commerce. dated
6th MAY in reply certain explanations touching Mr.
Corwi connection with the Mexican claim which the
writer in the journal alleges to be untrue.
The facts Of the have reason to believe
these:
Mr. Corwn was a candidate for the portfolio OF the
Treasury and for time in doubt whether he
Mr. vinton, OF Ohio, would be preferred but
he Ascertained that Mr. Fillmore had determined to
oder the place TO him he notice 10 certain intimate
friends Of his through his knnan. Robert Corwn that
his pecunary condition would prevent his acceptance OF
the Office unless Lis contingent interests in the Mexican
claims should first be disposed Of
John Young, Of the city of New York and another
gentleman Of that city undertook at the request Of M
Robert corwn, to raise money these claims Robert
Scrwin made estimate Of the value Of the claims es
mating them at upward Of 100000 and hsng to the
George Law of New York gentleman well known
for his enterprise and success particularly in steam
purchased the contu interest the representations
Of the persons above named for he the Of
$l0o00 while Mr. Young II Is understood assert. that
Mr. Corwin received but $4,000 What became
Of the $4,000 difference has yet been revesIed.
by the award Of the Board Of Commissioners, Mr..
Corwins contingent fees amounted % less than $4,000
So mr George Law out Of pocket 10000 by the trans
action. Some Of Mr. Corwins friends contend ths. he
<Mr corwn) will refund to Mr. Law the difference be-
der the awsr-Mr Corwin not being hostile to pay
ing back fastaf under circumstances somewhat
@IfMr Secretary Corwn should pay back II will be
the loss Of the $4,000 which slipped into hand be-
tween him and Mr. Law; he will actually have got
for his Mexican claims only $4,000.
can state further upon the authority of Mr.. Web
ster's intimate friends that Mr Webster never heard
from Mr. Corwin Of dispose Of his interest
in the claims, and knew that he had done till
within the last three months
These specit atoms ar sua- and positive ana can
best be answss ~ dividing hem a they ar written
into Eve dst.a.. T.iuts
sense form e. any expra- direct Indirect.
candidate for portfolio thr Treasury lid
he give notice through any person that his pecu
mary condition would prevent his acceptance Of the Of
hce unless his interests in the Mexican claims dis
posed Of
"a The estimated value Of Mr. sCorwns interests for
he part If the largest claims ami fee.
attorney about 100000 Mr. George Lss becsue
the absolute purchaser the advice aud arbitration
Of two Of bis intimate friendshr john Young aud
Mr. James s Thayer. Of New York-and paid $4,000
)not $4,000 aeged) for all the right, tide, and con-
ID The awards on Mr.. Corwin's interests, b. the
Mexican Board, cover the whole amount which he
ceiyed and s. that Mr. Law is Of pocket
either Ssocoo stated, or any thousand or thousands
and consequently there Il no to be "pad back
Nor has any such intima,ion ever been expressed by
those who are alone interested
lth The foregoing statement disproves the charges
contained in the fourth specification and further
II Is unimportant VII, ther Mr. Webster knew or did
net know that Mr. Corwn intended dsposing Of these
interests before entering the cabinet but the state
ment is not made upon the authority Of Mr. Webster
mate friends" a contradiction u hardly required
Having thus met the allegations they appear IL l.
proper that fun and frank exposition Of the mat
ter should BE- made since Mr Corwin's private affairs
have vantony and n amefuly been dragged before
friends unlimited investigation lie:
the facts plainly they have been derived from
unquestionable sources.
When Mr Corwin invited 10 accept the Treasury
Department he employed counsel In several Il the
most important pending before the commissioners
70 sdjudisste the claims 81 American citizens against
Mexico Mr. Webster. Mr. Edward Curtis and Mr.
Naddy Thompson, associated With him in various
case- 1t well known the country. that Mr. Corwin
was exceedingly reluctant to take once and that al
though constantly and aay urged from high quarters II
was not uatl lev hours before the nominations were
70 he Sen he he
tunities Of his friends There various considerations
which operated upon his mind in thus declining position,
aud among them his interest In these Mexican
claims, which from his limited circumstances, became
matter q serious importance Seeing. therefore, that
further attention 70 these Interests would BE- nc0nstsn
With faithful discharge u the duties a the Treasury
Department and desmng such relations 70 be also inie
ternineo 10 purge himself Of all relation to these claims
At this time the commissioners had adjourned - meet
again on the 18th Of the following November Mr. Ro.
bert g. C0r-in the established Law partner 81 The 5ecre
tary q the Treasury, land such interested. q
course in the Mexican claims) fully empov-
cred 20 dispose o. al the rights present and prospective
q Nr Thomas Corwin under the strict injunction how
ever that absolute sale and transfer should b. made
before the meeting the board in November that the
purchase money should BE- paid before that period and
that no contingencies Il sort OF kind should remain
depending The assent q Mr.. Corwns clients was Oh
tanned 10 these terms FOR his argument and efforts aud
professional ability bad been steadily employed since the
organization q the commission Mr. George Las b..
came the purchaser A. have already stated After the
careful examination q the extent aud nature &c the
caiDs By his counsel aud confidential friend who
selected for that purpose The whole negotiation and s.e
we're conducted by Mr. Robert a. Corwn. and the pur-
chase money received by him before the adjourned
meeting a the commissioners II the Arrangement had
not been contaminated the present Secretary II the
Treasury would not Be a emb.r Of ths cabinet
having ~ = cell understood reserved the privilege
retiring under such condition o. things he might
deem urgent O. likely % render bis public conduct in
any vsy subject 70 micu Instruction These the facts
q this Gaze and cannot b. disputed any responsible
quarter
Nov a to another point which has been drawn into
public discussion time prior the formation q
Mr. Fnmore's cabinet, Mr. Corwin had given pr0fes
fonebe opinion a legal proposition arising under the
trtaty With Spain BY which Flrils acquired upon
which supposed the payment n certain claims for
epUiiatiops provided IN that treaty might depend liz
unset fee 5000. 90 b. paid In the event Ut the
claims being admitted Before entering upon the duties
81 Secretary u the Treasury he made Application his
Clients a. b. relieved from AL obi cations their att5r.
aud be released them from all obligations him Tor