The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-08-28
TIE GALPHIN CLAIM.

TINS claim against the government, as all
instance, not only of Wing extravaganza,
but of corruption in Wing Cabinet.
The base imputation has again and again
been refuted, but continues to be reiter-
ated. The following extract from a
speech delivered in the House of Rep
resentati,es on the 10Th inst, by the
Hon. Mr.. Campbell of Ohio, silenced
the locofocos of the House, and shows
the true state of the case. We ask the
readers attention to it, particularly
A few words, Mr.. Chairman, upon the
subject of the "Galphin claim" Our
opponents are flooding the country with
publications on that subject, well calcu-
lated to deceive an unsuspecting people.
This was claim on the part Of the heirs
of Gal phin for money expended by their
ancestor in Georgia during our Revolu-
tionary struggle. will not 60 into its
interesting details, but will state that this
expenditure, at the time when our fore
fathers ''fought, bled, and died" for our
liberties, brought down upon the head
of that patriot the vengeance of Old En-
gland. Such was his efficiency in the
struggle for independence that resolu
ton passed the British Parliament at
tainting him for high treason, and set
ting a price upon his head as an outlaw
and rebel. But, sir, neither the just
ness of the claim, nor the interesting as
socialions connected with it, are matters
of any consequence for my present pur-
pose. 1t is sufficient, for the purpose Of
heading the Democrotic leaders in their
effort to manufacture party capital cut
Of it, to say that the Journals before me
show (Which no Democrat will deny)
that the bill allowing the claim passed
the Thirtieth Congress, and tina: not a
single Democrat opposed its passage
Mr.. HALL. deny that. did not
vote for it.
Mr.. CAMPBELL. The record may not
show that you did. There was no per-
son to raise voice against it. Your
voice, sir, if raised in opposition to it,
would have defeated this bill.
Mr.. Hail. That is mistake. 1t was
passed under suspension of the rules.
Mr.. CAMPBELL. say that under the
rules, when it was acted upon, single
voice in opposition could have killed
the bill. addressing Mr.. Stephens Of
Georgia.) Am | not correctl
Mr.. STEPHENS, On his seat.) You are
Any member Directing would have de.
frated it.
Mr. CAMPBELL. Then sir, charge
home upon the Democracy, as | have a
right to do by the record, the RESPONSE
bihty ofthe measure-at least their equal
share of it.
The bill allowing this Galphin claim
was signed and approved by President
Polk. The principal was paid by Pres
ident Folks administration. The ques.
ton of allowing interest upon it wa:
left open by that Administration. II
was taken up as unfinished business by
the Taylor administration. The ques
ton was one of doubt Secretary Mere
dith submitted it to the Attorney Gen
eral, the legal adviser of the Government
upon all doubtful questions, who made
an able and an elaborote report, show.
ing that interest should be paid. Robt
}. Walker (Mr. Folks Secretary of the
Treasury states in his testimony before
the committee of investigation on this
subject, that such was the character Of
OF the question of paying the interest
that he, upon the opinion of the Attor
ney General, would have paid it. Thus
Mr.. Chairman, do |, by these official
documents, cast back upon the Democ.
racy the responsibility of this claim.
Mr.. FLORENCE. desire to ask the
gentleman single question. Has il
not been the practice always, both in
Congress and in the Departments, to re-
fuse the payment OF interest upon any
claim!
Mr.. CAMPBELL. No sir. By no means
MIR. FLORENCE. thought that such
was the case.
Mr.. CAMPBELL. Not at all. The
honorable gentleman from Pennsylvania
only shows that he has not examined
the documents in this case, and is there
fore not posted up"
| shall not now discuss the propriety
of Secretary Crawford IN entering Gen
Taylor's Cabinet whilst he had con
tlngent interest in this claim, nor repel
the charges of my colleague against him
He has friends enough on this floor com
petent, fully, to that duty. On that sub.
ject it is proper to say that the very
gentlemen who defended that Secreta.
rvs course during the last Congress
(Messrs. Toombs and Stephens, of Geor.
gia) are now giving no "aid and com.
fort" to the cause of General Scott, as
my honorable friend before me (Mr
Stephens) will at any time testify. On
the contrary, the weight of their inilu.
nnc.. snplns To he thrown into the sea lie