The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-04

nave taken the matter into full consideration and
propose that Ii further reduction Of % 900 taes be
made, fixing the total amount at 500 900 taels The
Custom House certificates can he issued at Canton
Shanghai and Foo.Choo, dating from the first day
OF our next year. February 8, 1859, which can be
successfully applied to the gradual payment or the
entire sum.
After all the payments directed by the Commits
soners large surplus was found in the custody Of
the legation at Pekin, which was subsequently trans
ferred to the United States This surplus, with ac-
cumulatlOns OF interest and gain by exchange less
an amount paid under authority or an act OF Con.
gress approved January %, 1867 as Statutes at Large,
440 has been invested IN tenforty bonds which are
now held by the State Department, amounting at
par to $3S6,000. Another amount of s206 81 in cash
Is also In the possession of the department, and
about 81 900 remain In the custody Of the Minister
to China, who has been directed to make remittance
Of the same.
The committee is brought to the conclusion that,
In equity, this sum does not belong to u.s. What
ever may be our technical title, in conscience the
money Is not ours
accretions the United States Will relieve themselves
OF an embarrassing trust, While they render unto
the distant Caesar what Is his and set an exam
pie by which republican institutions will be ele-
vated The question OF It's application, which has
occupied the attention OF successive Presidents,
which has been presented TO successive Congresses
and is still undecided, Will be at rest. Schemes for
the bestowal OF the fund In such way as TO har-
m0nize our sense OF justice with our obligations to
China, if not with Chinese proprietorship, Will cease
There will be nothing for disappointed claimants
to pursue. China viii receive her own-if
~
nations have rarely lived according to
the golden rule. Such act cannot be otherwise
than honorable to the United States. 1t will be
victory IN a new field. making us first in new
order OF conquerors. China with infinite resources
will be more than ever open TO American enterprise.
Thus, while doing right shall we benefit ourselves.
SO Is Justice TO Others the way to national advan.
tage. But whatever ths advantage, 1t must not be
forgotten that the first nducemelt Is the essential
equity OF the case.
The measure now proposed Will be valuable in
proportion as 1t Is spontaneous. Thus far China has
made no demand or suggestion even. year hence
the venerable empire may appear before the youth.
fu republic with formal claim The very fact that
We deliberate about this fund Will spread the tidings
OF its existence. Better anticipate demand tnan
wait and at last yied an ungracious compliance,
urged by foreign plenipoentary IN the service or
the ancient government whose money Is now III our
hands.
A Fraudulent Land Claim.
The House Committee on Public LANDS have re-
ported bill TO repeal the act OF June H. 1866
hrming the claim OF Jose Domnguez to a tract OF
land named Los Petos Najalayegua, situated in
Santa Barbara county, Cal, three leagues in extent
They say, from tue evidence before Them that "the
fraudulent atmpt 70 tamper With the records Of the