Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-03-10


HISTORY OF THE GARDINER FRAUD.-Many OF
readcrs familiar with the history of the Gardiner
claim while others have forgotten tho facts If they ever
knew them Inquiries the subject having been epea'eu
addressed 10 u.s. since The subject has been invest
cd with additional and thrilling interest by tho convcon
and traglca death Of Gardiner have determined 10 give
once moro; brief history of tho caes
BY the treaty OF peace with Mexico in l64s, UuO
was set apart for The satisfaction Of the claims of American
citizens against Mexico for damages their business IN
Mexico on account of the Board Of Commissioners
was appointed 10 adudicate these csms-he awards being
Aua aud conclusive The Board composed of George Evans
of Maine, President Robert IT, Paine Of North Carolina
and Caleb Smith OF Indiana, met in Washington 10 trans
the business of s appointment during the Admnislra
ton OF President Fillmore
Among the claimants before this Board DR.. George
A. Gardiner, formerly Of New York. and of highly respect
able family He demanded half million ofdoas for damages
incurred In The suspension, during the war; OF tho working
OF certain rich silver mine In the State OF San Luis Po'os
in Mexico and for the total loss of said mine and all his IN
vestmens therein. An award made 10 his favor by
the Board exceeding s42s,750. The decision being
final, the money forthwith paid by the Sec
rotary of the Treasury, Mr.. CorwIn. The counsel
for Dr.. Gardiner in the prosecution Of his claim be-
fore the Board of Commissioners were Thos Cor
wn Esq, Major LaIy, Edward Curtis of New York. ane
Con- Waddg Thompson. MIR. Corwn sold out his interest
Mr. George Law for sS0000 previous to taking charge
of The Treasury Department Shortly after the award had
been made and the money paid Gardiner visited Europe
and while there suspicion aroused OF fraud having been
perpeated and Gardiner hearing OF 1t came back 10
confront and silence his accusers. Two commissions
out by tho Government and another by The
Senate who could fnd mine. Gardiner, however, nc
compaued by friend or two also visited Mexico and les
tAed his first trial to finding mne The Jury on The
first trial did agree second commission was sent
by tho government under the charge OF MAJOR NOR
deca OF the Ordnance corps, who made report cohhne
evidence Of the previous commission that there was no
mine The second trial commenced in Deccmbcr as and
the result Is we have stated.
Of the amount frauduIenly obtained from The Treasury,
600 has been enoned by the Government In the hands
Corcoran Riggs whom Gardiner had deposited that
eum and which will probably bo returned into the Treasury
The remainder of the money fell Into the hands Of his coun
sell agents, &C.. of which the New York Herald says:
Mr. George Evans of Maine, President of The board
which awarded the claim His son.inaw, MaJUr Laly, Is
said TO have been @ one Of the counsel or agents Of Gardner
said TO have had fec Of $4,000 In the way General
Waddy Thompson of South Carolina also OF the
counsel Of Gardiner and he ia reported having pocketed
$4,000 for his servicr and Messrs Corcoran & Riggs
Washington bankers, said have received at least
S20 600 for contingent advances mado Gardiner in ad
vance OF tho decision OF the board.
Gardiner also drew from the Treasury sl53 900 the
claim Of a certain Dr.. H. Mears se3 oO0 which d.
eoy 10 his own endowment. Mears who is in Mexico,
having been Indicted, boldly admits that his claim
shameless fraud and unbushngy dees the Government OF
the United States. there being exadon convention
treaty between the governments, under which he
be demanded Of Mexico for trial under Indictment in this
country.
There can be doub, that lhe Gardiner claim was a
wholesale fraud upon the Treasury Of the United States pro-
by wholesale perjury the part of Gardiner and 9th.
aiding and abetting In the cton The Washington
Star says here Is question in The minds Of any among
us except immediate personal friends OF tho deceased TO
the justice of tho verdict of the jury, who found Gardiner
guilty, and thus yndcaed the majesty OF the law, after
delay OF years, though il has been"
The Baltimore American Thinks that "r Corwn dcclar-
ed s intention to refund the Government the
obtained if The claim should be proved be audulsnt"
We doubt 1t.