Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-08-07
From the washington union.l
Mr.. corwin--rhe Mexican Commission, &

From the Washington Unonl
Mr.. CorwinAThe Mexican Commission, &e
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 atten
tive observer in Washington during the last two years
must have seen abundant indications. We do not mean
say whether the Gardiner claim Just unjust
whether it under the treaty. did under
the reaty--or whether 1t supported by nghtnl or
wrongful evidence. On these points express opn-
ion. We have not had any OF the testimony
given either before the commission before the grand
jury OF this city, and is firm purpose never to make
charges express opinions without facts to support and
sustain Admitting that the Gardiner claim was Just,
and that its business fully proved then II must be
conceded that great wrong injustice, and modification
have been inflicted individuals For that 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 leading to full appreciation on
the part of the people of system of abuse and corruP
ton which has sprung up and been almost perfected In
the last two years
structon; for it is not design to investigate the JUS
tice of the Gardiner claim, but strike great and
growing abuse which, if speedily corrected must
impose heavy burdens on the people.
Mr.. Corwin, it is we'll known, was a member Of the
Senate when the office of Secretary of the Treasury
rendered him by Mr.. Fillmore. At that time, SUBJ
sequent developments show, he was largely interested
IN claims before the commissioner appointed to adudi
cate the claims of American citizens against the repub
lie OF Mexico, which government had, by the treaty
OF Guadalupe Hidalgo assumed TO the amount of three
L
after Mr.. Corwn went into the Treasury. When did
leak out his friends stated truly doubt, that he would
go into the Cabinet could afford go into the
Cabinet and relnquish his interests In the claims before
the board of commissioners 1t appears that his inter-
est in those claims appraised by NJ. John Young
and Mr.. Robert Corwn (f memory is fault)
at SlOO 900. The defenders of Mr.. Corwin state that
he did not receive this amount, but that fifteen per cent
deducted for contingencies and per cent. for
cash-leaying TO Mr.. Corwin about $4,000 Report
now says that this for his interest in the
] araln ola fhaftc Ofno
The true point at issue is this: Senator of the United
States, servant OF the peope-and paid for bis services
by the People-receyes contingent fee, valued at one
hundred thousand dollars pending before board OF CON-
mlssoners appointed by the chief OF his party and
composed of course of his party friends We need
comment on the 10 per cent deduction. We throw IN
the per cent deduction, ALSO and state the cash value
of MIR. Corwn's interest about eighty thousand dol
lars-the which he actually received according
( wing accounts. Now, be il remembered that great
legal ability was required before the board Ii did not
sit like open hear arguments. The parties
had to their claims and furnish evidence to sup
port them That evidence must from the necessity of
the case, come chiefly from Mexico Then ask
what was Mr.. Corwn paid for? What services could
he render here in Washington member of the Senate
He could properly do nothing than examine the
papers furnished him. and suggest any deficiency in the
proof they set forth OF Just demand under the treaty.
That was all he could rght(uy do And now sub
NIT it TO the country to say whether eighty, serenty,
or Sirty ten thousand dollars not
giant fec for such servicel Mr.. Corwin has reputa-
tion a speech maker and advocate but have
never heard that he was esteemed eminent
lawyer in any other respect There lawyers in this
city Of equal learning with Mr.. Corwin. We meet one
almost daily OF ten times the research ability and legal
lame oil Mr.. Corwin. Yet any OF these men would
we have no doubt have given advice to the sucien-
cy oil the evidence of any claim pending before the Mex
lean board for thousand dollars in cash. demanding
higher a contingent iee-the increase being COM
mensurate with the uncertainty of the Why, then
let us ask were these passed over! And why
political wing lawyers employed at such enormous out
wa fnr fha
ability did exist. 1t for forensic talent-or
f there was furum in which it could be heard Why
then, and for what purpose, wing employ
ed and paid fortune in fees? There is but
to these questions: Political influence over political
friends was the thing bought and the thing sold. A
wing commission the of last resort, and whg
and deal man can hear, the secret proposes of the
spirators Political position and political influence
the things paid for Political position and political in
uence were the things sold. Disguise is useles-eya
aston is without avail.
The manner in which Mr. Corwin has been brought
forward in this behalf has induced to speak of him
alone But II there be any truth in the afoat
he Is not the only member OF the cabinet who al
first, not to the end, interested in claims before the
Mexican commission. But of this point not
and therefore pause for direct information For
the present we have accomplished prpose; which
IS to attract the public attention the abuse:
and unequalled corruptions which must flow from sys
which permits officers of the national legislature
sell their political influence. The system is growing
daily; it must be abated IL not the annual expendi
ture will in five years reach seventy millions
We have noticed that some of our exchanges said
when 1t was believed that the claims sold by Mr. Corwir
did not profitable expected that, IL
that event, Mr.. Corwn would feel bound to refund
We do not pretend TO know what authority that
# ment was made; but if it true then Mr.. Corwin
Il sale was mere nominal sale, and he much in
teresed in the Mexican claims after he went into thu
# treasury before. But draw close for
present We may have further remarks to make th
S point as further Developments may justify.