American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-04

more, etc.
1t has been Authoritatively given out that
President Fillmore il resolved to probe the al
legged Gardiner and Mears' frauds to the bot.
tom, and that al viii Jet be right, % far ~ .
vigorous and correct line Of conduct, on the
part Of the Administration, in the matter 10 con-
cerned
Very well: good professions, when carried
out, merit appreciation. know-everybody
President Fillmore 70 be an honest
man, and an honest public servant, 80 far as
good intentions and good resolves are con-
cerned But AoW will he carry out his good in
tsntions and good resolves in the matter Of the
Gardiner and Mears' claims? Will he select
and send proper men to Mexico, to examine
into the actual facts there to be found, as
to whether those claims were genuine or
fraudulent! Or, win he 90 off pleasure and
popularity hunting, with two or three mem
bers Of his Cabinet, into Virginia, and leave
the duty Of selecting the suitable persons to
be sent to Mexico to look into the Gardner
and Mears' claims and the testimony sustain
ing Thorn, to the Secretary Of the Treasury and
the pompous banker, the agent Of the English
such sway over the Polk Administration, and
who holds such sway over the Fillmore Admin
| istration, and also over Congress
II these distinguished gentlemen, both en-
tirely disinterested are to have the selection Of
the persons or person to be sent to Mexico to
gather up testimony in the alleged Gardiner
and Msars' frauds, the public viii not be at D
loss to know what to expect.
The people have had cause to be q little sus-
picious on the subject Of these Mexican claims
already. Was not Mr.. Secretary Webster one
Of the counsel in the great Hargous claim, and
did not Dir. Webster, % Secretary Of State,
send off TO Mexico, ct the expense Of the Gov
eminent, Mr. Barlow, to gather up testimony
testimony obtained by Mr.. Wsbsters agent 70
to sustain and not to mpeaeA the claim in which
Mr.. Secretary Webster was to have, and did
receive, . fee Of $40, 900 or $25,0OOf
President Fillmore's intentions to have the
business or the spuriousness Of all the large
Mexican claims allowed looked fully into, may
all be very proper, and the cry that he is firmly
resolved to have justice done in the matter,
which is raised and kept up by those who
"Crook the pregnant hinges Of tho knee,
That thrift may follow awning"
may be echoed and re-echoed by honest people
everywhere; but still actions, and not profess
sions, nor long prayers at the corners Of Streets
are wanted in matters Of such grave charac-
ter as those under consideration.
President Fillmore may act Of his own volt
ton and from his own good judgment in the
matter Of the Gardiner and Mears' claims and
awards; but for one, fear he may leave the
work to other hands. But after all, it may be
that he sees what others can clearly see, that
his Administration may d well save its labors
In the matter, for the great inquest Of the
nation will take the subject in hand whom Con-
gress comes together, and purge it to the bot
tom, showing who have been dupes and who
knaves, and who are innocent
President Fillmore is almost too mild and
amiable man to do the stern duty that Presi-
dent JACKSON sometimes found it necessary
and proper to do. He has had proof enough
laid before him, - doubt not the world would
declare il called upon, Of the unftness Of Mr..
Commissioner Butterfeld, Mr.. Commissioner
Ewbank and Mr.. Indian Agent Sprsgue, to fill
the responsible offices they hold, to cause him
TO turn them out sans ceremonis
The writer OF this was present when truth
full and upright Methodist Clergyman, who had
been invited to call on the Executive in the
matter, gave to President Fillmore an account
Of what he knew Of the utter unftness Of JUS
tice Butterfeld for the Office Of Commissioner of
the General Land Office. He told the Presi-
dent that Mr. Butter6eld Was supercilious, die
tatorih and overlooking in his manner towards
all but few Of the clerks in the Land Office;
that he issued, one day, silly and ridiculous
rules, which the next day he would get ashamed
OF and rescind; that he Was not the Commits
sioner; that he did not write any part Of his
hrst annual report; that he could not write
report fit to 90 before Congress, were it to save
his life that the Wilson's constituted the Com
missioner; that they performed his duties, and
wrote every word OF his first annual report;
that the Commissioner could not comprehend
the simplest propositions set before him; that
he had no conception Of the difference between
the Estimates" sent from the Departments to
Congress, for that body guidance, and the actual
appropriations" made for the support Of the
Department; that in one instance he made his
pay-clerk keep an account current against the
" estimates" instead Of the appropriation"
for the support Of the General Land Office, and
could not be convinced by the psy-clerk and
the Wilson's that he was not right in the matter
To humor him, the account was kept, balance
sheet and all, rs he desired; but the psy-clerk
also kept correct account against the "appro-
priation." The President Was also informed
that the Hon. Meredith p. Gentry, Of Tsnnes-
see, and the Hon, Richard W. Thompson, Of
Indiana, had preferred charges to the Secretary
Of the Interior against Mr. Butterfeld.
Other important facts had been communicated
to the President relative to the fraud by which
the appointment Of commissioner was given to
Mr. Butterfeld, instead Of the Hon. Abraham
Lincoln, Of Illinois, and in regard to the we'll
known fact that the great mass Of the Wing
party OF Illinois was decidedly opposed to the
continuance Of Mr.. Butter6eld in Office But
Notwithstanding all these things, Mr.. President
Fillmore's nerves, or inclination, would not allow
him to remove SO inefficient and unit public
officer.
On future occasion shall show some Of the
proofs the President has had before him Of Mr..
Commissioner Ewbank's utter unHtness for the
office he holds, and perhaps hint at the reasons
why he has neglected TO remove 80 incompetent
public officer.
As to theretention in Office Of Mr.. W. sprague,
L Tho Ahalifiouiaf Indian A l.