The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-25
NEWS BY THE MAILS.
Our Washington Correspondence.

WASHINGTON, May %, 1851.
The Mertcaa CLoinS-Ihe anticipated Lresttga-
tioa, &c.
The excitement and indignation with regard to
the awards by the Board Of Claims against Mexico.
are in nowise abated, and there is doubt but
what the whole matter viii be thoroughly probed
by Congress at its next meeting. If some of the
Developments which will then be made do not make
people stare, it viii be because they do not regard
anything as miraculous in this wonderful age
But il must be understood that l desire to cast
no reflections upon the members Of the Board;
neither do wish to be considered rs their advocate
They will be called upon to defend themselves, and
it viii be time enough to take one side or the
other after they are heard. They have boon
obliged to decide cases upon the evidence before
them; and, although they might we'll doubt the
credibiity of some Of the stories, yet, when duly
authenticated evidence was produced, sworn to by
parties in Mexico, and the credblty and respecta-
biity of these parties endorsed by the Mexican
Minister here, under the seal OF the their
doubts had to be laid aside and the validity OF the
claim allowed. II Is understood. however, that
they have kept minute private journal of all their
transactions, and are fully prepared To- the most
rigid scrutiny into their acts. For their own cha
racter and to satisfy the public the nvestg alton
must be had.
Alluson has been made to the members Of Con-
gress who have been engaged as counsel in prose-
cutting claims before this board. Upon reference
to the record, find that the following comprise all
the members who were such when acting as ooun-
self
Hon. Jesse d. Bright, Senator from Indiana, was
engaged in four cases, aggrcgatng 81 ,l33 30
Hon. Volney Z. Howard, member Of Congress
from Texas, was engaged IN two cases, both OF
which were rejected.
Hon. Andrew Ewing, of Tennessee one rejected
case
Hon. Thomas Corwin, whilst u ). Senator from
Ohio, was engaged in two cascs, which we're allow
ed-January 9, 1850, and March II, lS50-aggre-
eating $+t3, sol. Before accepting seat in the
cabinet he made his interest counsel in the other
cases he had, over to other parties Ills nephew,
! believe, became interested in seven, three Of
which were rejected; SO that Mr. Cor wins position
in the cabinet appears to have had very poor
effect, far as the success of the claims was con-
cerned. In fact it affords the best evidence that
the charges against him, in this connection, were
made without proper information In the premises.
The statement that Mr.. Webster was interested
In any OF the AWARDS is a mistake. Some six or
seven years ago he was engaged to draw up al ar
gument in favor ofthc claim Of the Land Company,
and this is all the interest he has had in any
Of the claims-an interest which ceased when he
drew up the argument.
Several ex-members Of Congress were engaged
as counsel-Mr. Rockwell, Of Connecticut; Gov
Marcy and one or two others.
The assertion that complaint has been made that
the Secretary Of the Treasury paying fees of the
counsel in the awards, and withholding the princi-
pal is also an error The Secretary has not in-
terfered in the matter. If any such stoppage has
been made, il has been done by Comptroller Whit
tlesey, in accordance with long standing rule Of
his Office.