New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-06-23
settlement of the Wine Cases.

The following circular is published for in
formation. 1t is signed by j. s. Whitaker
and approved by F, Laborde, chairman OF
a committee of wine merchants:
1t gives me pleasure to inform yout that
the long controversy involving u the final
settlement of the so-called wine cases has
been brsught to conclusion There were
originally seventy suits, nine of which were
long since closed and the funds distributed
DEGREES OF condemnation have also been en-
tered in twelve more, eight thereof repre-
scented by bonds to. the amount, in aggre-
gate, of Sal, 0Sl, and the remaining four by
cash, resulting from the sales of wines,
'$7496 As. In seven other suits stipulation
exists by which they these seven SUITS were
TO abide the decision of certain others, in
which, since the date of such stipulation.
final DEGREES have been entered, which said
suits amount, in aggregate, to $l4, l2I 30.
In the remaining fOrty-two cases the claim
ants have, in some instances, bonded their
wines, and in Others the wines have been
sold and the proceeds are on deposit in the
registry of the court The bonds amount
to $70,646 10; the proceeds to $685. lib as. /"
l have obtained the dismissal and dis
continuance of all the wine cases, the can
collation. of all the bonds and the restora-
ton OF the proceeds to the parties in inter
est by the payment of the judgments in
condemned cases, on deduction of duties
paid at time of bonding the wines in the
value of gold at the then correct rates when
the wines were bonded, in the eight cases
as above, and by abandonment to the gov
eminent of the proceeds in the four cases
where the wines were sold, the claimants
paying the costs, and the government paw
ing its own costs, except in cases herein
after referred to. |
In the seven suits where a stipulation ex- |
lists the invoice value of these wines at Bor- |
deaux has been taken as a basis of settle |
ment, to wit: 1914 gold, and these eases |
nave been compromised upon payment of |
fifty per centum of said amount of yalua-
ton at present prices of gold, the govern
ment requiring costs to be paid in these
suits by claimants, thereby releasing bonds
to the amount of Sl3, 1876.
1t is understood, also, that the claimants
pay the duties in gold at present rates on
the original invoice valuations at Bordeaux
IN all cases where the wines have been sold
and the proceeds remain undistributed
A deficit exists in the funds resulting from
the sale of wines, by reason of the failure of
the First National Bank, where these pro-
ceeds were deposited, and, in one case, the
marshaPs return is incomplete. This de-
hciency amounts in aggregate to nearly
$4,000. The government assumes RESPONSE
bllty for the loss in the registry, in all
cases, without controversy.
Z Considering the vast expenditures of the
government to effect the forfeiture of these
Wines and the unfortunate issue of these
cases heretofore to some of the claimants
the results of this settlement may be con-
sIdered, on the whole, favorable to the wine
AS soon as an adjustment can be made of
-he accounts, and the same be verified by
he government officials, will send you a
statement showing your pro rata liability {
lnder this compromise.