The New York herald., 1870-11-14
!, MAT FAMOUS EGARRAHAN CASE.
Secretary Cox's Quarrel with
Z the President.
Curious History Of the Litigation in Con-
eress and the Dspartments-Letter from
William McGarrahan to the presi-
dent-Accusation OF Unfairness
in the Official Conduct Of
the Secretary.

uOuTeSScu
% the President by Mr. william McGarrahan,
claimant Of the Panoche Grande Rancho, on which
the valuable quicksilver mines Of the New Idria
Mining Company are situated. The letter Is connec
Ped with and grows out OF the controversy In regard
20 the causes leading to the resignation OF Secretary
Cox, Of the Interior Department.
- WASHINGTON, d. o.. Nov. 10, 1870
Sm-Th6 statements relative to myself ana my
claim to the Panocne Grande Rancho contained In
NJ. ex-Secretary Cox's letter TO you pubiisned 10
Ena lay before yea eapfs ne iOowinS facts which VIII
enable you to Judge in measure between truth and
do not consider il necessary at This time to de-
Rotl the frauds which were practlsed upon the Su-
o9Sas s my py he USc d n
nours was deceived into assuming unwar-
Of my case ana rsvers
Rhe court below under which purchased the prop
erty; sufice to say that submitted the whole mat
Ter to the Congress Of the United States and asked
bts relief on the merits or my cause. The Judiciary
COMMITTEE OF the House, 10 whom the matter had
chairman. Hon. James T. Wilson, OF Iowa, and q
bill for my relief passed the House OF Representa-
The report OF the Judiciary Committee In my be-
half speaks OF the merits of my claim as follows:-
An impartial statement of the facts and of prominent
sn'
Sns memorial presented House: ''S:4 ~
% o '
and indnspns;sey shown -.
tdistrict Of California confirmed the grant
S IN N Mr. sa'' asd s
entry that effect 10 be made the books his
Hon, Caleb smith, Secretary of the Interior after er-
sa n ona % Of the 'as ordered to
Mr. Usher, the oce of Mr. Smith, similarly
MT Lincoln after inquiry decided the genuine,
The committee have bestowed great deal OF time and
the parties sss:ns hIs ea aaa
have been heard patiently and at great length.
7 Mt vhich tha rpnifte
have arrived they do wish to be
relative case Under and By virtue Of the rahs
s oas @ s
anG%rs into the grounds Of his complaint This has been
S,ca were not place. before the court Additional cyl
closed which have Induced your commitsee 70 con.
ns ought the s' for Y Mr. .na Me is
the a'GTfS Uned saes pss
and Y merely question whether he shah be permitted
y az sorsss es
ing S % s
the sa'ss title 70 o Mhch
clear that McGarrahan purchased the property in good
1.ith: and for yanaoo consldsration, when IT
lacked his title resisted nominay BY the United States
s S Ta p the New Lorna Mining The q
70 resist hts claim all the property vaIu
Of ss ne Of
one through s11s' i. yes as
from the 10 and throuyh the
Supreme Court of the United States.
The bill for my relief as passed by the House was
GeIeated In the Senate through breach Of faith on
ats psr "a & u my opponents sprung upon The Senate
nent OF the first session OF the Fortieth Congress-.
TINS scsSn was So TN tnat the Senate at
During the interim. however, Senators James w.
ana made a
Commissioner OF the General Land once, for
I nv a fa1l of Mr. Rrnx
ing then Secretary OF the Interior, Mr.. Cox's i'm
mediate predecessor.
DrpAETMENT OF rnr INTERIOR.
N, % Of 10 s @
Land Ss on s as @ s NANCE 1857 the House Of
M on resolution drecng the Sec
res Of .n interior 70 wthhoa @ aG ssmn OF ANY
title to the tract of land above named until the claim
In defeence to this resolution instructions were issued in
April 1857 by the of the General Land Once
the local land Offices to suspend action on all claims falling %
were subsequently repeated and the
Of Congress the House of Representa-
after % an and Discussion OF the
on that he Should within twelve months after the
of 81 for lie land embraced within the survey.
The bill thus by the House sent the Senate for
its but hna action has not been had
after full aud careful cor Of al
claim, clearly Indicates their opinion OF the equities o the
Under all the circumstances it would in Judgment, be
h as Iss @ &c I'M should az be had in
until the claim thereto now pending In Congress shall have
You viii therefore repeat your instructions to the local
land Offices 70 suspend action on all claims falling within the
The papers accompanying your letter are herewith
am sir, very respectfully, your obcdient servant.
Hon. JOS. s. WILSON, Commissioner General Land Office.
This decision of Mr.. Browning IN force wnen
Mr.. Cox became Secretary. The alleged decision of
Mr. Brownng wnien Mr COX auoses agansa me % 70
where to be found except in his letter to you.
The delay consequent in getting my bin restored
to the calendar OF the Senate prevented 1t from
being reached during the session, and was COM
PEELED to renew my petition to the Forty-frst Con-
gress. The Judiciary Committee OF the lower House
OF that body, to whom the matter had again been
referred, on the 23d OF March,, 1859, through Its
ing communication TO General Cox, Secretary OF the
INTERIOR
fonrrr,rsT VsI,np W,aS sraTTs a ESQ
% TIE ss y Err
McGarrahan relative his title to the tract of land Cali
pending directed me to request sha. you win st fur.
so1
m until until the the matter BY
,S the land an officers vsala San Eaneeo
fornia to this effect Yours, respectfully,
Chairman Judiciary Committee House of
The next day, March "a the committee received
the following reply from Secretary Cox:-
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.,
WASHINGTON, ID. c., March "a, 1S69.S
STR have received letter OF the 23d inst
TO the claim Of William McGarraban to the California ranch
Known q: ranoche GIande reply haye the honor
this day been instructed to suspend all proceedings in
case until the final determination the Congress-
am, sir very respectfully, your obedient servant,
j. d. cox Secretary.
The Hon. JNo. A. BINGHAM, Chairman Judciary Com
mittse, House of Representatives.
Being satisfied with this pledge of Mr. Cox the
committee adjourned the case to the following ses-
Gvoa
lonCY Will remember. q few a. dur