New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-06-07
WASHINGTON.
Dir. Corwin and the Florida Claims.
Correspondence Of The Tribune.
" srrrNr-ar Ir.rn 3

abandoned The same hands the same wretched
misrepresentation the same phrases of abuse. and
the same actors visible, and the same scenes
reproduced, with only the simple change OF names
N the most conspicuous characters. Il IS much 10
the dlsCrcdt Of portion OF the press of ths country
that the policy Of an Administrator in power cannot
be- discussed without OutTaging the amenities of pO
hilcal hfe, and that the OF public cannot
canvaSSed without an impeachment OF personal IN
iegrty. But there is some satisfaction IN knowing
! that this Scandaious SyStem-which Is now almost
reduced 10 a trade-ls mainly confined 70 atYentu-
TcrS, who come here 20 seek fortune, and who are
reckless in regard TO the means Of acquiring IT, being
more willing, from bad prociiVites 20 earn money
BY assailing character than by more honorable
methods. The morbid passion for whatever tends to
depreclaie men occupying high position, or To excite
envy, furnishes too much encouragement Tor these
trained aSsaSSns who spare neither age. nor sex
condition. in the pursuit OF their accursed vocation.
Within the last lew months there has been SyS-
tematc attempt made by certain prints 10 create
false and injurious Impressions on the public mind
concerning the present able and distinguished Sec
Rotary Of the Treasury, growing ont at concerns
purely professional and private, which have been
Solzed upon and distorted 10 SUIT the purposes OF his
hired slandeTsrs Having taken the pans 30 inform
myself fully and particularly ON tins subject pro-
pose 10 present the facts 10 the public IN such form
that they may be easily understood. and 10 challenge
the most unqualified scrutiny into all the statements
50 presented. As II IS almost impossible 10 furnish
an answer 10 the various allegations which have been
made, shall adopt the statements made by cores
pOndent III the New-YOTk J0gaoi Of CoRDsrrc and
Baltimore sun, being one and the same person. IS
the most responsible OF those which have appeared
Tor comment, and upon which most OF The unfounied
SpeCuiajonS have been made. The following eN
tract is taken from letter m the Journal y '0'R
mGce, dated 10Th May. n reply 20 certain cxp.ana
uolS touching Mr. tOrwns connection with the
Mexican claim which the writer in the Journal a-
lcges To be untrue.
The facts OF the case, as have reason to believe,
arc these
Mr. Corwin was candidate for the portfolio OF
The Treasury, aud IL was Tor some time IN doubt
whether he, or Mr.. NmtOn OF ONO. would be pre-
icrTod but soon as he aScertained that Nj Fill
more had determined 10 offer the place to hun, Re
gave notice to certain intimate friends OF his, through
his knsman, Robert CorWln, that his pecuniary con-
diiion would prevent MS acceptance OF the ONCE
unless his contingent interests M the heNcm claims
should first be disposed OF.
John Young of The city Of New-York, and another
gentleman of that CITY, undertook, at the request OF
Nh Robert COrwn, 10 ruse money on these claims
Robert Corwm made an estimate OF the value OF the
claims, estimating them at upward OF SlOO.OOo and
af,xIug TO the land scrip it, par value
George Law OF Newly Ork, a gentleman well known
for his enterprise and success particularly IN steam
purchased the contingent interest," on the representa-
tOnS Of the persons above named, Tor A ne says, the
sum of 100000 while Mr.. Young It Is understood,
asserts that Mr. Corwln never renewed oui $'oOOO
What became OF the $4,000 difference has never yet
been revealed. .
By the award Of the Board of Commissioners, Mr..
Corwin's contingent fees amounted TO less tnan
$4,000 So, Mr.. George Law u out of pocket
100000 by the transaction. some OF Mr.. torwins
friends contend that he (Nr. Corwlnl Will refund TO
Mr.. Law the difference between tnc SUN Originally
paid and the sum received under the award-Mr.
CoTSin not being 50 hostile TO paying back as
Falsaf was under circumstances somewhat similar.
II Mr.. Secretary COrWln should pay back II VII be
al the loss of the $50 coo Which slipped into some hand
between HIM and Mr. Law 50 he viii actually have
got for hs Mexican Claims only $1,000.
can state tuthCr. upon the authority OF hT. "cO,
s,erS intimate friends. that Mr Webster never heard
from Mr. CorWIn of hls intention to dispose of ms m
tcrest IN the Claims, and never knew that he mad
done so tIll within the last three months.
rfflarH| and nfN
and can best be- answered by dividing them, as they
are written INTO hve distinct points.
lSt / answer X Is not true that Mr. CorWln was,
IN any sense or form or by any expression afrct or
Indirect candidate for the portfolio OF the Ired-
sury. nor did ne ever give notice through any per
son that his pccunlary condition would prevent ms
acceptance Of the Office" unless his interest IN the
Mexican Claims were disposed OF.
. The estimated value OF Mr.. t0rwln's interests
TOR he part owner IN one oil thc largest Grams
and fees attorney, was about Sl"O,WO lir george
J aw became the absolute purchaser under the al
wee and arbitration of two OF his most intimate
frIends-Mr John Young and Mr. James ; Ihayer'
OF Newly oTk-dnd paid $4,000 mot SlO,WO, As al
egel for the right, title, and contingent prospects
3d. The awards on Mr.. COTwln's interests by the
Mexican Board cover the whole amount when ne
received. and II not true mat Mr. Law j. OUT OF
pocket either 100000 stated, or any thousand or
thousands, and consequently there IS no sum TO De
~;paid back" Nor has any such numaton ever
been expressed boy those who are alone interested
4th The foregoing statement clsproyes the charges
!
II j. unimporiant whether Nr. Webster knew or
did not know that Mr.. Corwin intended disposng OF
these interests before entering the CABINET Dul As
The statement j. not made upon the authority OF MI
Webster himself but on that Of persons VINO are
called his intimate friends, contradiction Is nara
IN required
Having thus met the allegations As they appear, It
Is now proper that full and frank exposition OF the
matter should be made, since Nj COr"ms private
affairs have so WantOnly and shameuily been drag
d tof..r h.l ftrlfI 40
both he and his friends court IN unlimited inyes-
ugation. Let me sum up the facts plainly a. lhey
have been derived from unquestOnable sources;
When Mr. COrNln was invited 10 accept the treas
IVY DEPARTMENT. he was employed rs counsel IN sew
era OF the most important cases pending before 'he
Commissioners 10 aiudlcae the claims OF American
| citizens against MeIcO. Mr.. Webster, Ny EDWARD
! Curtls and Nh Waddy Thompson ~ers associated
With HIN N various cases. II Is well known 70 lhe
! country that Mr.. COrwn was exceedingly feiaclaH
10 take Office and that although constantly ana ually
urged from high quarters Nas not until a le hOu'
before the nominations were transmitted 10 the sen
ate that he yielded 10 the opportunities OF sllellS
! There were VARIOUS considerations "hich oPef 49,
! upon his mind n thus declining pOsit4oA anu Oo
I among them vas his interest lh thcse mexican
/ claims, which, from ms limited circumstances De
came q matter OF serious importance seeing lAolS
fore that further attention 20 .hese hIeieses Hot
be- moons stent with faithful discharge 81 the lules
Of the Treasury Department and deemlIg slcn Iel@-
ucns 10 be ass ndehcale. he accepted "l1h Iese'
/ uon. and Immediately determined ~ purge A4iiseH
[ ~ all relations TO these claims. ,.-., o.,
At this time the Commissioners had adjourned 20
I NEE; again on the l4th Of he following No'eAiDei
MI Robert COrFIn. the esious gel IA" partner u
the Secretary Of the Treasury, cams a. such interest,"
ed Of course N the Mexican claims, was ili4y en-
powered 10 dispose OF al the rights present anu pro-
/ spectige. Of Mr. Thomas Cof"ln' uhleI Iu5 80
INJUNCTION however that an absolute sale and trans
fer should be made before the meetng Of the Board
/ IL November that the purchase money should ~
pad before that period and Nal NO c9lllSs ~ = ~
any sort OF kind should remain -, 80
sent Of MI Corwin's clients was Obtained 70 mes
terms for his arguments and efforts and PROFESSIONS
ability had been steadily employed sthce me Oisal.
/ ZatlOn OF the Commission. NJ ueOIsc "a" y -
came the purchaser Is have already stated aIeL
the careful examination Of the extent and nature g'
the claims. by his counsel and conhden!ial HieAd'
/ who were selected for that purpose
The whole negotiation and sale were conductedIoy
/ NJ Robert E. CorsIn, and the purchase money " as
received bv him before the adjourned meeting OF me
Cnrnrnissilnsrs Ifthe arrangement had not been 50