Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-07-25

evidence touching the must be obtained from Mexico
The Washington Union of Saturday evening" in relation
to the arrest says
We are not unmindful of the rumors afoat on
every side duplicating high officers of the govern
ment in connection with alleged frauds relative to
Mexican claims and other demands the treasury
We have, however, deemed it to be the prudent
to refrain from animadversion these topics
until the administration shall make the necessary
movement with a view to the development of facts
1t will be time enough to speak out when the ext
gencies of the case coupled with the action of the
grand inquest of the nation: shall have ELECTED Cir
cumstances which can be relied on. In the mean
time let our friends be patient. We are not sleep
ing post.
From the Washington Union.
Mr.. Corwfn-The Mexican Commission, &c.
The late proceedings relative to the Gardiner claim
will ultimately bring to light many things which the
people have dreamed of, but Of which any at
tentiye observer in Washington during the last two
years must have seen abundant indications. We do
not mean to say whether the Gardiner claim
Just uniust-whether it came under the treaty
did not come under the treaty-or whether it
supported by rightful or wrongful evidence. On
these points we express no opinion. We have not
had access to any of the testimony given either be-
fore the commission before the grand jury of this
city, and it Is firm purpose never to make char
ges express opinions without facts TO support and
sustain US Admitting that the Gardiner claim was
just and that its business fully proved then it
must be conceded that great wrong, injustice, and
modification have been inflicted individuals. For
| that we would feel regret. But still must say
that the Gardiner claim will lead to developments
which will be of great benefit to the public by lead
ing to full appreciation the part Of the people
of system of abuse and corruption which has
sprung up and been almost perfected in the last two
years.
We make these preliminary remarks to avoid mis-
construction: for it is not design to investigate
the justice of the Gardiner claim, but to strike at
great and growing abuse which. if not speedily cor
rected, must impose heavy burdens on the people.
| Mr. COrwin, it is well known, member of
the Senate when the Office of Secretary of the Treas
ury was rendered to him by Mr. Fillmore At that
time, as subsequent developments show. he was
largely interested in claims before the commission
ers appointed to adjudcate the claims of American
citizens against the republic of Mexico, which our
government had, by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidal-
60, assumed to the amount of three and quarter
millions of dollars. This fact leaked out after Mr..
! Corwin went into the treasury. When it did leak
out his friends stated truly doubt that he would
not go into the cabinet, could not afford to go into
the cabinet and renquish his interests in the claims
before the board of commissioners. 1t appears that
his interest in those claims appraised by Mr. Jno
Young and MIR Robert Corwin (if memory is
not at FAULTY at 100000. The defenders of Mr..
Corwn state that he did not receive this amount,
but that fifteen per cent. deducted for contin-
gences and per cent for cash-leaving to Mr..
Corwin about $4,000. Report now says that this
amount was tor his interest IN the Gardner claim
But that is of no consequence.
The true point at issue is this senator of the
United States servant of the people-and paid for
his services By the peope-receves contingent fee
valued at one hundred thousand dollars pending
before board of commissioners appointed by the
chief of his party, and composed, of course, o.
! his party friends We need not comment on the Is
per cent. deduction. We throw in the seven pei
cent deduction Also and state the cash value of MIR
Corwins interest at about eighty thousand dollars
, the sum which he actually received according Il
wing accounts Now, be it remembered that n,
great legal ability required before the board
1t did not sit like open court to hear arguments
The parties had to present their claims and furnish
evidence to support them That evidence must
< from the necessity of the case, come chiefly from
t Mexico. Then ask what was Mr.. Corwin pa
n for? What services could he render here in Wash
r ington--a member of the Senate 2 He could prop
erly do nothing more than examine the papers fur
8 nshed him, and suggest any deficiency in the proc
they set forth of just demand under the treaty.
That was all he could rightfully do. And now W
submit it to the country to say whether eighty
enty, slrty. even ten thousand dollars is not a.
extravagant fee for such service MIR. Corwin has
# reputation a speech maker and as an advocate
q but We have never heard that he ever esteeme
as eminent lawyer in any other respect Their
Il are lawyers in this city of equal learning with Nh
NJ Corwin. We meet almost daily of ten times til
research ability and legal fame of Mr. Corwin.-
: Yet any one of these men would We have no doubt
: have given advice to the suffciency of the eyi
u dence of any claim pending before the Mexican
e board for a thousand dollars in cash, demanding
lie higher sum a contingent fee--the increase bein
of commensurate with the uncertainty of the
% Why then, let us ask, were these passed over
IN And why were political whig lawyers employed a
y such enormous outlay 1t not for superior abi
If ity-for the superior ability did not exist. 1t wa
d not for forensic talent--for there was forum
le which it could be heard Why. then, and for VIVA
t. purpose were wing senators employed and paid
,r fortune in fees There is but to thes
questions: Political influence political friend
"a was the thing bought and the thing sold. A viii
If commission the court of last resort, and viii
politicians were paid higher prices A blind ma
can see, and a deaf man can hear, the secret pu1
It poses of the conspirators Political position and
n ltieal influence were the things paid for-potic;
position and political influence the things SOLE
Disguise is useless-evasion is without avail.
70 The manner in which Mr.. Corwin has bee
It brought forward in this behalf has induced US
r. speak of him alone. But, if there be any truth
the rumors ahoat, he is not the only member of tt
cabinet who was at first, if not to the end intere
i ted in claims before the Mexican commission B,
of this point We not sure and therefore we pau
for more direct information. For the present y
have accomplished our purpose; which is to attra
the public attention to the enormous abuses and u
: equaled eorruptons which must flow from a syste
" which permits officers of the national legislature
L sell their political influence The system is growir
daily it must be abated. fnot, the annual expe