Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-06-25
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.


You say that you have much curiosity to know the truth
10 the notorious Gardiner claim" Well so have l. and
has the community ut large But DR.. Gardiner cannot
and the "prosecuton" W not bring the matter to an
ise suppose you and and the rest of mankind, must
wait awhile When the ends of those interested have been
served, then shall what shall seew At present.
the history Of the GARDENERS claim far gain
liable evidence reads thus:
Some previous to the breaking out of the late Next
war, Dr. George A. Gardiner, citizen of the United
States resident of the City of Mexico In the successful
practice of his profession "medcne and surgery and
occasionally filling his pockets by filling other peoples
teeth That he made his appearance stroing
quack itinerant dentist, il not true Waddy Thomp
son. formerly Minister Mexico from this country Zone of
the chivaric purelnnded of South Carona
and host of other distinguished individuals American and
European have borne evidence GARDENERS high standing
there both physician and
But Gardiner young and ambitious (he il now little
ifanyhing, thiry,) and, ancyng rapid road
fortune determined to throw physc to the dogs cut
himself loose from surgery and provide occupation for his
teeth by specializing in mining and other stocks"
he royal road to fortune in Mexico in Wall street,
Keen intelligent and sefpossessedthe result of remark
ably webaanced mind, with good fortune-ardner
found himself in possession of forty fifty thousand
dollars AS usual, lin matters of money. not in mat
rimony "appette grew with what it fed upon" Having
Gardiner wanted more and he determined to quit dab
bling in mining stocks" and go boldly to work and
"stock mine" Now with us, the idea of owning and
working silver mine presupposes the possession and out
lay of wealth In Mexico these matters
viewed differently There fact to possession of
the working privilege of mineral lands is matter at
tended with but little expense The mines belong to the
government Any mineral lands not occupiedor having
been occupied and subsequently abandoned for certain
timemay be entered and worked by any person, for
his individual benefit, long he peases to work
Them who will go through the necessary legal formula
paying by way of rent to the government five per cent of
the amount of "ore taken from the mine With this
PLANTATION therefore, easily see how Gardiner young
and foregner, could have got title to mine, without
first having been "miilionaire-a matter by the way
which puzzled Of the wise heads in the late commits
sion Mexican indemnity and which is still mystery
to many good folks who other legitimate of
raising the almighty dollar" than the gradual process of
accommodating just many copper cents will readily
change for their brighter representative.
Gardiner found a mine which had been abandoned for
years He made claim to it, publicly, according to the
ssatute such case received his tile invested his
capital and the subtle alchemy Of credit invested large
other peoples capital and oen avo Success
him. he invested and renreSd the fruits of
his enterprise until he actually became proprietor of of
hourshing mines in the CONTEMPLATING
S3 600 900 per month at expense of about
or $4,000
Well Texas and Tyler accidentally annexed the skirts
of Unc, Sam kicked up between Mexico and
pbcs-in which all parties of course bound" to suf
fer BY treaty stipulatons all foreigners residing in Mexico
and doing business supposed be protected and safe in
person and business Gardiner felt saepartcuarly
his operations employing large number of Mexican
abore and paying monthly tribute 10 the national trea
sury o continued work. hut day the valiant
Anna whose army lay in the neghborhood learning that
Gardiner had his mines quantity of gunpowder
hundred mules and other usefal military requirements
and he Santa Anna then in great hurry to inter
cep General Taylor at Buena Vista and off his retreat
the States, he bounced upon the poor Doctors mines
stole his "kllseed and "edible" stampeded his CATTLE
impressed his aborers; then setting FIRE to the premises
gave Doctor maguanimousy understand that he had
better off by the light of his blazing fortunes might
lose has head On this hint, Gardiner sopsd and made his
way disguise and in constant peril and great hardship
Tampo then In possession Of the American forces under
Colonel Gates Medical in requisiton Tampico
for the service and Gardiner attached TO the med
cal staff of the army Here the story Of his wrongs and
losses the talk He spoke of them then he
subsequently did in the United States and made his protest
before the United States Consul las the first stepping stone
redress The magnitude Of Garliners alleged loseshis
high professional l and the strict and undertaking pro
priety his behaviour amid the license Of garrison town
contributed 10 make Dr. Gardiner object Of interest
the close of the war; Gardiner to this city in search
Of his injuries ignorant Of course Of what the
womb Of that most unfathomabe Of all fureshe action
Of C6gresSwas to bring forth the Of prosecuting
his claim By-and by the Mexican Indemnity Commission
was organized GARDENERS claim among the earliest
presented His old friend and acquaintance in Mexico,
General Wsdy Thompson, employed his counsel.
General Thompson engaged his associate the present Sec
rotary Of the Treasury the Hon. Thomas Corwin to assist
him
Corwn remained thus associated until he called by
the universal voice Of the Wing party seat in the Cabi
Before he accepted his present appointment Corwin
transferred bona e all his interest in the Gardiner and
other claims 10 other hands without any contingent resd
nary resulting interest whatever.
Well Gardners claim presented Its amount made
II noted subjected II to the prying of gos
png curiosity and invited the closest scrutiny Of the vast
number Of jealous claimants whose several awards would
be Of materially affected by the defeat Of
so large a claim After months Of neutrality-suspicious.
being by the Board itself to see If Gard
ners testimony could not be invalidatedhis claim
pronounced valid This decision Immediately published
officially in one or more the Washington newspapers
The amount awarded however reserved for future
ton or disclosure Now this the proper time for objec
ton to this claim but months rolled by without whisper
OF objection Many Of Gardeners Mexican creditors In
formed that bis been allowed sent on their claims
to agents attorneys here for payment and Gardiner did
nav tbem-parnO with interest in his claim to Corco
ran the banker here TO raise the money This proves at
eos that Gardeners statements TO his credit In Mexico
we're true At length the final decision OF the Board OF
Commissioners was made known and Gardiner 1t appeared
was awarded something like $45OOoO large majority OF
the claimants at Washington loud In their denunca-
,ons Of the conduct the Board and particularly
TO all those claimants who had secured large amounts
IN their awards BY order Of the government the law or
the Board of Commission all the moneys awarded were to
remain in the United States treasury the OF thirty
DAVIS after the closing Of the commission in order to enable
setting up claims any part of said awards to en-
oin the same he answerabe legally to their demands
still no claim set to Gardeners award and AZ the
exnraton Of the time Gardiner drew his money, settled
,tb bis connse maid his debts and presume, thanked