Litchfield enquirer., 1851-08-07
The Gardiner Claim.

BY the treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
the United States agreed to assume the
claims of her citizens against Mexico TO
the amount Of three and a quarter mil
lions of dollars. Three commissioners
were to be appointed to adjudicate the
claims that would arise under this provi-
sion. Among the cases presented to
them was that of DR.. George A. Gardi-
ner for the loss of property consequent on
his expulsion from the State of San Luis
Potosi, in October, l846. DR.. Gardiner
claimed to be the sole proprietor of ccr>
tain sikOer mines in that State, and that
, , he had been at great outlay of capital
and expense in obtaining machinery and
commencing operations which bid fair TO
be profitable, when the order for the ex.
pulsion of American citizcns arrived, con-
trary to the stipulations of the treaty of
1881, between the United States and
Mexico. In pursuance of this order, he
was driven out of the State, his property
pillaged and his buildings burnt. The
Commissioners, Messrs. George Evans,
Caleb B. Smith, and Robert L. Paine,
decided that this claim was valid one,
and awarded DR.. G. large sum of mo.
ney.
1t is now believed that the evidence to
establish the validity of this case was
fraudulent, and that John G. Gardiner,
the brother of the claimant, awore false>
~ before the Commissioner. Upon bo.
ing informed of this point, the President
ordered the District Attorney to prose-
cute thu brothers for perjury. The
Grand Jury found bill against them,
and John G. Gardiner is now under bail
while George A. is in Europe.
The testimony Of their guilt. so far as it
has been made public, is conflicting. The
information on which the President acted,
was said to have been a confession OF the
fraud made by DR.. G. TO one Mr.. Porte, but
MIR. Porte, before the Grand Jury, denied
ever hearing any such confession. Some
additional and conclusive testimony is said
to exist in California, but the friends Of DIR.
G. assert that he had been Spectator in
Mexican mines for q long time and with
many associates, and that these California
and other declarations refer to other mines
of no value 10 which he was part owner
before his engagement in the San Luis Po>
tosi mines. 1t is probable, that certain ev-
idence can be obtained from Mexico upon
the subject. The COMMISSIONS 8, evident
ly. were satisfied with the evidence addu
ced TO them.
The Washington Republic has a long ar
ticle in answer to the Union, in vindication
Of Mr.. Secretary Corwin, who, it seems,
while Senator, was employed as an Attor-
ney 10 prosecute the claim before the Com.
mssioners, for which service, he received
fee. The Commission being strictly ju-
dical tribunal, and Senator Corwin, an able
lawyer, we see no improperly in his being
so employed. The amount of the fee re-
ceived is no one's business. His subsequent
appointment as Secretary Of the Treasury
can have no bearing upon his previous ap>
pointment as an Attorney. Members Of the
Senate appear continually before the Su-
preme Court as Lawyers. and argue, there,
important cases, without a shadow OF COM
plant. 1t appears, likewise, that when Mr..
Corwin gent into the Cabinet he relinquish>
ed all future or contingent interest in the
prosecution of the claim and received COM
pensation for services already performed.
Hartford Courant.