The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-02-28

Rspsertsg Msdscisions of tie Commissioner Of PEN
nenst nave, since the first organization oi the uea,t
nen had clerk who attends the correspondence WIN
The Pension Oce takes OF the papers when come
from y assistsine far he can IN preparing Appeared
Cases io decision and who copies and records my op
ions ana those OF the Attorney General relating 10 pouh
lands anu pensions; and since the erroneous cacua
ton oil interest IN the above referred TO, have re-
qulfed clerk in the department proper TO exam.ne al,
certificates from that office, and the papers on whch lhey
are issued before they are laid on my table Tor
thus providing an additional guard against accident ana
error.
About the beginning of the present year there was
very great number OF brought up on appeal IRON
that o1ce all depending upon mere questions OF evidence
anu WAS obvious the face OF many OF them that ihey
had not been we'll considered but probaby 10 escape the
importantly OF agenrs) hastily passed upon ana des-
patched 10 me for examination and decision On me
them with directons to the Commissioner to have them
examined BY the chief clerk, whom | knew TO be q
sound lawyer that be should avail himself OF assistance
hoss aud all other Of doubt and hear his opln.
upon hem aud that in each caas OF appeal ne sa0Hd
have brief made by him, and sent to me with the
papers.
establish uniformity OF decision and TO relieve my
sell from unreasonable amount OF drudgery, which
clerk who lawyer could very well perform My au.
hority Tor so doing found in the 9th section OF
the act OF March g. s49 which establishes 'his DEPART
nent
The difficulty with the decisions of the Commissioner,
when not aided by legal advice, will be further explained
10 the committee by the correspondence on TINS head
(Doc. /, papers is to %, inclusive)
passage. 1t directs the committee to inquire 'wheher
any person persons in office by appointment from SAID
Ewing correspondents or editors oil newspapers,
which eXacness of language was as suppose. intended
TO exclude all inquiry into the then past There is
respondence any matter OF record in the department re-
alng to the subject which would embrace ihat or any
subsequent time do not send the correspondence which
does relate the subject prior to that date because it is
not within the resolution, an because do not suppose
II is desired by the committee. -
do not know whether any person IN ohce by appoint
mpnt from the date Of the resolutions, or has
been since, editor correspondent, OF newspaper
have not thought 1t necessary TO inquire, as 10 not
consider offence to be either the or the Other un-
less the paper be dsreputable that connexion with
ii implies moral tant, unless the correspondence be
in itself in some way Objectionable ana when he omcss
the department do their duty faithfully during business
hours have not felt il incumbent on me, unless COM
plants made against lhem to inquire into their vo-
cation, or the in which they spend their own
time al their own homes
The names of the parties who agents and atlor
news in the cases herein mentioned will appear by refer
ence TO the papers themselves .
have the honor to be. sir, very respectfully your
T. EWING, Secretary.
The Hon. VIM A. RICHARDSON, Chairman OF the Select
Committee of the House Of representatives.
WASHINGTON CITY, May T. 1850.
SIR: Enclosed have the honor TO transmit you copy
OF resolution adopted by the select committee appointed
by the House of Representatives. which asks Tor addi-
onal copies of papers the OF Com. James barfon
if the same can be given by you.
have the honor 10 be your ooedienl servant .x,
w. A. RICHARDSON
Hon THOMAS EWING, Secretary OF the Department o
Interior. r#
Rs,oiped, Tha, the Hon. Thomas Ewing, Secretary o.
the Interior be requested to communicate 10 this com
mtlee without delay the copies OF all papers, records
and receipts in his Office, under his CONTROL touching
the claim Of Com James Barron for half pay or commu
a,on OF payas well those papers, records. and receipt,
which were filed in any office now under The contro
of the said Secretary prior TO the year iS52 as those
which have been nled since that time, II there be any
such which have already been furnished the com
mitfee