Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-03-18
THE GREAT GARDINER FRAUD.

| fN'fO' w WI 'uC OHlleu states Government
by DIR. G. A. Gardiner, give more than usual
importance 10 that occurrence. A full history
oil the case appeared in the trial, but as that
event covered several months of examina-
''on, The testimony is too voaminous for the
Puolic TO recoilect. The origin, prosecution
ana detection OF the Gardiner fraud abound
with startling facts, and the mind is puzzled
10 determine, sometimes where completely
ends and innocent participation with it be-
gins A correspondent of the Baltimore Sun
gives The complete history of the case. By
'he treaty OF Guadalupe Hldalgo, between
The United States aud Mexico, concluded in
1913, S1l,o00,00o were to be paid 10 Mex
ico, as indemnify for the cession of territory
10 Inc United States Out of that sum S3,-
l25,0Oo was reserved for the satisfaction of
the claims Of American citizens, who were
damaged and interrupted in the prosecution
Of business affairs in Mexico by the act Of
! war Prominent among the claimants for a
portion Of this sum were DR.. Geo. A. Gardi-
ner and Dr.. John II. Mears. Gardener pre-
sented, before a Board OF Commissioners,
consisting of George Evans, of Maine, r. T.
Paine, of North Carolina, and Caleb B. Smith,
Of Indiana; his claims of S420, 900 damages,
for loss of a silver mine in San Louis Poosi,
and al the same lime claimed Sl53, 600 for
Mears. According 10 statements derived
from Manual Verasiigui, the Mexican accom-
plice Of the party, the whole fraud originated
with Mears, with whom Gardiner was ac-
quain,ed in Mexico Mears is said TO have
sprnng the design, but was not equal TO its
fulfIment, and by his own statement admit
ted Gardener as party, "because he was a
skilIfu man aud great friend of Gen.
| Scoitn
Gardiner was aided as counsel by the Hon.
Thos. Corwin of Ohio. Gen. WaGdy Thomp-
son Of c.: and Edward Curtis, Esq, ror-
merly Collector OF. New York, and ex.mem.
Der of Congress. The case was heard as
was also tha, of Mears, and both adjudicaied
iavorably for the full amounts caimed.-
Mears' claim was drawn entirely. Gardiner
received $50, 900 of il, half of which he is
said 10 have kept himself as his share,
which led 10 "a rapture between him
aud Mears Under power of Attorney in
Washington S3S, 900 was received in the
name Of Jose Pando, an accomplice in Mex
leo; and SIS, 900 was paid to Fernando de
la Cuesia, an aitache OF the Mexican Lega-
ton. The other 81, 900 we are not able TO
account for. All of this money is gone past
recovery.
OF Gardiners award, Mr.. Corwin is under.
stood 10 have received large amount but
sold his fee, whatever it amounted TO, for
$4,000. Gen Waddy Thompson is under
stood to have received a considerable sum-
Mr.. Curtis was in The case but short time,
and after he was out of it, rendered impor.
lant service to the Government, in the delec-
lon of the fraud. Gardiner. with his share
in the Mears' award left his county for
Europe, with some 100000 subject to his
order on deposie with Corcoran s. Riggs,
, and others in Washington and New York -
Thus the whole matter seemed effeciuaIly
, closed, Gardiner himself being evidently
, confidently secure.
, The frs, Secretary OF the Board Of Com.
, missioners was Edward W. Johnston, for.
tiSiIl Vi ANdtiplds iuitlllscUCtI, anu moro
, recently connected with the Richmond press
, He occupied his position until The whole oi
the Mexican claims, we believe, had been
ajudicaied, and then resigned. Dr. Charles
w. Davis, was appointed his successor
, This gentleman is a native of Washington
, but had resided fifteen years in Mexico. Tc
2 him, we have reason to believe, belongs ex
cluSively The credit, of detecting The Gardi,
ner fraud. 1t was ordered iha, the whole Of
the papers in the Mexican claims should, af
ter adjud icalion, be filed IN the State Depart.
: men', and it became the duty of Mr.. Davi:
, 10 perform this part of the work. On pro.
> ceeding to the examination of the Gardiner
1 papers, with view TO their endorsement
4 and arrangement his attention was arrested
by the palpable evidences of fraud He al
once made a more thorough examination,
and satisfied himself thai they were utterly
). spurious. ......
The MeaTs claim, moreover, came under
his observation, and il happened that he
knew him in Mexico as fugitive from jus.
lce, and a man of bad repute. He was also
| acQualNleu Win lho NnihinS iocdiilies III odI
f Luis Polosi. There was, perhaps, no othel
A man in Washington who could have been sc
e appropriately appointed 10 that situation a
y tha, particular time. He al once, and almos
J intuitively, arrived at just estimate of the
/, whole fraud Upon this conviction, he ad
y dressed letter, stating the fact, TO Mr.. Crit
!. lenden, then Attorney General, bu, finding
e that his communication was unnoliced, he
q published letter in the National lnteligen
# cer boldly avowing his detection of the
n fraud, over his own name. This was on the
d l2ih Of May, 1851.
This letter engaged the attention of Pres
dent Fillmore, and at a Cabinet Council ell
II ther called for the purpose or otherwise i'm
, mediately occurring, the subject was discus
ir sed, aud DR.. Davis summoned TO appear
"a He was asked what information he had t6
q Justify the publication in question, when he
). explained the nature OF his duties, his ac
a quainiance with the subject, and his convie
,ion that the Gardiner claim was a bold and
daring fraud. Mr.. Fillmore repToved him FOL
/, his has,y publication of the fact, and askec
why he had not communicated with the pro