The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-02-25


Tennessee and myself well the accompanying CORES
pondenee which | deem important in explanation Of a
point In the discussion not anticipated This favor win be
but an act Of justice TO my constituents and trust you
viii oblige very respectfully your obedent servant
A. E. maxwell
HoUsE or REPRESENTATIVES,,
Washington February II, 1855
Sm II having been stated the floor of the House Of
Representatives In reference the East Florida claims
der the treaty of lsl9 that those who alleged that they
had suffered and chose TO present their claims presented
he and they audited and nothing was said or done
10 protect the government from the frauds
being perpetrated will yon be so kind as TO answer,
at your earliest convenience the following questions with
view rebutng this charge, or, If true confirming ~
TSee interrogatories in the answers OF Mr. Young
An early answer will greatly obge, your cbedent ser
want a. H. MAAWELL-
McCLNrosK Youxa, Esq
WAsHISsToS February 2l 1855,
SIR Ia compliance with your request have the honor TO
transmit to you the nerrogatories propounded
to me by you in relation East Florida claims for losses
of the inhabitants in 1912 and 1873 s@#
Yours respectfully, McC. YOUNG.
Hon. A. E. Maxwell,
House Of Representatives
ns,cers Of McCztock Young iarogatories pro
pounded to hin. by Hon. A, r. MaxweH
lst inquiry Have you any interest direct indirect
present or prospective in these Florida claims?
Answer. have not.
cd inquiry Were you not connected with the Treasury
Department whilst the East Florida claims under the act Of
1884 were being acted on and if so what position did
you hold2
Answer was chief clerk Of the Treasury Department
when the East Florida claims under the act of 1884 were
acted on by Secretaries Woodbury. Ewing Forward Spen
GER Bbb Walker, and during part of Mr. Meredths ad
ministration of the department
Sd inquiry. What the adopted by the depart
men in examining and revising these claims, to guard
against improper payments?
Answer The adopted by the several Secretaries
above named in acting these claims, invariably to
refer the reports Of the judge of the eastern district of
Florida of the subordinate officers of
the department. report their opinions the testimony
in each case and then decide the award made by the
Judge
4th interrogatory Was the scrutiny Of the depart
ment just thorough in regard to them as il was in re-
gard to claims without previous adjudication
Answer Fully much as if the testimony had been
submitted directly to the department
9th interrogaory What was the usual price per pound
allowed for cotton and what evidence that price
sanctioned by the department n
Answer To the best of my recollection fifty cents per
pound was generally allowed for Sea Island cotton In
some cases. think, high seventyve cents al
lowed Thee evidence which the judge made his awards
invariably laid before the department. and after the
most careful examination of that evidence the award was
acted on by the Secretary.
9th nterrogatory. What price allowed for sweet
potatoes And do you recollec any instance where rom
So to SIS per bushel" allowed for them
Answer Fifty cents generally allowed. ! remem-
Der no case where from So to S5 paid but to
fully this nterrogatory, would have to examine every
case acted have only to say that award made
by Judge any which he did not accompany with
the evidence before him in the matter With regard TO
the prices paid for sweet potatoes, must say that diff
erent amounts allowed to different claimants it
been the testimony taken and reported by the judge
in the respective The claims for potatoes of
great amount
7th nterrogatory. What the rule adopted by the
department making allowance for crops prevented from
being made in 1919? Was it not done by the advice OF
the Attorney General a.e.. II. ~
Answer. To the best Of my recollection, allowance
for the crops of 1913 founded that of ls2-two-
thirds of this generally if not always allowed for the
estimated crops of 1873 As any opinion of the Aor
ney General this subject have recollection excepting
one by Mr.. Legare sauctionng the principef
9Th nterrogatory. Did the department in any instance
allow than what conceded to be- after the closest
scrutiny the fair original value of the property destroyed
Answer cannot recollect instance in which the Sec
retary acting on award by the Judge allowed more
than the amount awarded by him. When in the
treasury, believe every Secretary examined fully every
before he directed the payment The Secretaries al
ways allowed the fair original value of the property proved
to have been destroyed.
9th inerrogatory Was the practice OF the depart
recommit these to the judge for further tes
mouy whenever any doubt to the price guam
tty of the property before anconng the award Of the
Judge and do the records show that the witnesses
all examined personally by nterrogatory by the
Judge, and the commissioners to take depositons Sc
ected and instructed by him. and the department
in correspondence with the judges whilst adjud
eating these claims
Answer The department often referred back the
Judge for further examination and testimony when doubts
presented suggested any points The copies OF
the records returned by theudge show invariably that in
all necessary cross-examinaton made by him
under his direction Frequent correspondence occurred
between the department and the Judge the subject
these claims
To show the high prices OF 1912 sls during
the with England the following references made
Niles's Register. a7a
In the dated December 25 ls3 the price
staple cotton Is stated as follows #.~E
Cotton sold ia baltimore last wcok for 40 per pound
BY he qaany has been sold at that price II Phiiodei-
phia."
Vol O. p 1884, No. for May IA, 1874 is the following state
ment:
''Soa bland coaon liverpool March 4, ST. Upland,
.AiIings aud pence scriiRg."
Vol TO- D. a05 The prices Of Sea and cotton are stated
at from 70 shngs sterling per lb being from Is to 90
cents per h. ..fr
The Charleston Is C Courier OF February o. 1855 quotes
the price of Sen Island cotton follows
Fne, from 80 % 40 cents and fine and Gerry fae, from
As 70 IS csais and sprard., as ~ qSahty"
tThe following extract from the opinion of Attorney