The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-09-23

he day bs1eFs ths NAL a1jpmBnsD4 Of Me 0enr
Dis6sssra the lAss Hon john Young, q New Yofh.
o. she friends Of Dr. G.. made him, in the sane OF
Esvsa BY, tISss IN The eosSdsase Of The Ccrnis.
sioners, That - claim Of any magnitude could pass
that Mr.. Curtis was the man who had sent MN,
and through whom alone it could be done; ana
Dr. G. vonia agree TO give up TO Mr.. vaIus a "
that might 30 awarded over and above the sun ,s o.
$3.50, 600, there WAS no doubt his claim would Pc
allowed and u nst there was every prospect OF lts
ssing rejected, or at least admitted for only very
small amount.
To this proposition Or. G. peremp.orily replied,
that hs aid NOT believe in any such alleged influence,
nor in the presumed corruption Of the Commits.
iOneYs; and even if he did, that be would not avail
himself Of them, preferrng rather to have his oiain
rejected, or cnt down to the smallest amount than
TO connive ut base to obtain his just dues
This unexpected reply to what they cOnsidered
magnificent proposal, wounded these men TO the
quick, for they had placed themselves in Dr. Gard-
To 81 rsvenssd on their intended dupe-so crush
him and destroy his character, by impeacning his
veracity for fear of his exposing them was design
they have for the moment accomplished, although
the Say Of retribution is nearer at hand than they
are aware of. ef
It win be borne in mind that Dr. Gardner claim
was before the Board of Commissioners for two
years that the decision Of the commissioners on
the United States thirteen months before the amount
of the award actually determned and that 1t re-
manned open for investigation during all that tune,
whilst it is well known that most Of the other large
claims, that were eventually allowed, were not pro-
sented to the board until near the ebse Of its
| labors. Some Of them having been actually
| rejected, ami then reconsidered ard admit
ted at the latest moment, ard conse.
| Quently not open to the same scrutiny as
hat Of Dr. Gardner. nor were they brought 10 pub
| lie notice, by which opposition or inyestiga:on
would have been invited or indeed scarcely heard
of until the last few days Of the session, when they
were suddenly admitted for large sums.
Had these cunning spectators anything to do
with those claims We're the testimony and vOuch-
eIs OF those cases Of SO weak chaIaseras TO make
it polite to present them at moment when inves-
hgation or opposition by other claimants, was out
| OF the question! It would seem so, and as the
base intrgues had jeopardzed the character Of the
commissioners in the eyes ofthe claimants, they Gre
ated just grounds of complaint on the part Of all
| those claimants whose cases were rejected Hence
the cry Of bribery favoritism corruption, &C.,
&c rnised by those unfortunate applicants 1t be-
| came then primary object with these spectators
mental in raising, or to divert it into harmless
channel, and to screen theparties whom they feared
by attacking those in whom they had no Interest," or
whom they believed could stand the brunt Of ON in
vestigation. DR.. Gardeners answered all their
PURPOSES in manifold degree, as ii offered them
prospect of revenge, by impeaching his oath and
bis testimony, should he attempt to expose them
whilst it would serve to screen other cases from in
the most thoroughly established case before the
Board, it would eventually be pronounced such, and
no one would then have the hardihood to impeach
another. Other motives influenced MIR. Curtisin this
attack. 1t will be remembered that $400 600 of the
largest award had been attached by the govern
ment, under the plea that the recpent indebted
TO the United States and may il not be presumed
that Mr.. Curtis had acquired the same interest in
of Dr.. GARDENERS land that, being aggravated at
the unexpected illustration of his golden schemes by
this act Of the Secretary Of the Treasury (the at
tachmenD. he determined upon a measure that
would make him Odious to the administration
and compel him to relinquish his high office;
when, by skilful management, one Of his own
clique, or perhaps himself, might BE- appointed as
the successor who wonld soon provide an excuse
tanned II his covert designs upon tie Secretary
had not their anticipated effect, and in case it could
be shown that Mr. Corwin really had an interest in
the Gardiner case then he could force him to com.
promise the whole affair by releasing the $4O0, 900,
on condition that the prosecution Of the Gardiner
case should cease But Mr.. Corwin never had any
other interest in the latter, except his contingent
fec of per cent which he had disposed Of together
with oil other legal feso pending. Schon he y
member Of the cabinet hr. Curtis scheme WAS
thus foiled; and there other alternative but
20 allow the bail to be kept in motion (Which he
had 80 a,tfuLy startcd) by the Disappointed c,am-
arts for il soil answered his purposes hy withdraw
ing obs eryations from other cases
During the time that DR.. Gardeners case was
counsel, already named, were somewhat deficient
Ia that strict attention to details which the at
fair required, ard he employed, for small con.io.
gent fee, for that purpose, Mr.. II. G. Corwin,
n lawyer who attended to them faithfully, and
transacted all the laboiious business.
Ii is quite important to state that whilst Tai, case
was pending, some of his Mexican creditoss, sap
posing they could attach his funds as soon as the
award should be made, if Dr. G. did not settle with
them in the interval, sent their accounts against
BIN for advances and supplies to the Mexican and
other foreign ministers for collection who transferred
their powers to attorneys OF this city, to whom Dr.
G. paid upwards of $50, 900 in settlement thereof
This simple fact, well known in Washington, would
OF itself corroborate the fact of his having worked
the mines in Mexico on an extensive scale, through
the aid in part of the very scredits already adyer-
ted to. and which his detractors, during the past
nine months, have so industriously asserted never
had an existence.
After the adjournment of the Commissioners the
amounts awarded to the claimants were not im,ne-
diately paid, not for one month afterwards afford.
ing go much more time for impeachment or attach
ment. And after Dr. G. bad received his money.
and settled with his counsel and others, he remained
here and at New York for two months more, invest
peach the justice Of his award. Having completed
all his arrangements, he determined, like other men
OF easy fortune to join the throng then resorting
to the worlds fair" and, in company with some
friends, left New York late in June, 1851, leaving
all his funds in The United States part in stocks
deposited with Mr.W. W. Corcoran, aud the balance
in one of the trust companies in New York, at a
very low rate of interest, taking with him only
letter OF credit for Two Thousand pounds This con-
duct would not seem to argue fear or guilt.
But no sooner had he left the United States than
the attack on him was commenced, in a manner
which at first excited only rdicule and contempt
" was alleged that Mr. Post had been told by
Dr. IT,, that ne had succeeded in swindling the 60
yernment, had pocketed the money, and was get
ting out Of the way as quick az possible. A very
likely story, that a man whose ingenuity enabled
him 70 weave 80 stupendous machinery of fraud
should DC guilty Of TIE besotted weakness Of such
an act of-sciE betrayal. Mr. Parrot, who had OBJ
tanned an award OF some $40 600, on a rather
doubtful claim, urged through at the last days of
the commission made this statement to one OF the
former counsel Of DR.. Gardiner, Mr.. f. Curtis.
Now, il is reasonable to suppose that Mr. Curtis,
having, counsel aforesaid realized some $2i 900
for his share Of the fees IN the suit would have in
yestigaed the charge said to have been made by |
fost to Panott and even have felt himself bound |