New-York tribune., 1873-05-24
GEN. VAN BURBN'S CASE.

| THE VISIT OF HIS FRIENDS TO wAsTIINGToN-THEIR
| RECEPTION BY THE PRESIDENT-MR. JAYS TELE-
GRAMS THE ONLY EVIDENCE ON FILE-THE PREsl-
DENT TO TAKE PERSONAL CHARGE OF THE NATTER.
| The delegation of prominent citizens OF New
Jersey who visited Washington in order TO obtain an
Interview with the President in relation TO Gen. Van
Buren, this city late on Thursday night after
a heightened conversation with Gen. Grant One OF this
number had preceded them TO Washington, In order 10
discover what evidence there might be on file in the state
! Department against our Commission TO vienna, OF
facts iustfying the Government in its emphatic action
He discovered that there was not on file IN the State
Department syllable of evidence against Gen. Van
Buren, and that the Of the Government had been
based throughout the whole OF the unhappy difficulty
entirely upon the kilograms OF Minister Jay 70 Secre
tary Fish. The Mt Sutherland, the restau
rant keeper, had accused Gen. Van Buren of making
corrupt proposition to him, was repeated in one OF the
official papers Of Washington before the arrival OF the
Committee, with the assurance that Sutherland had
made the statement to three prominent gentlemen III
this city, and that their adavs 10 that effect were on
file in the State Department. The article went
on to say that the President and Secretary
Of state had doubt of the truthfuness
of their assertions and if this sufficient, they
had other and stronger testimony to warrant their sc-
tion Notwithstanding the official tone Of this article,
in the next morning issue appeared frank withdrawal
OF the charges specified which is understood TO nave
been written by Government official OF prominent po-
stion. On Wednesday morning last, Gen. Van BuTens
friends had the with the President the results
OF which have been briefly ntimaed by telegraph The
only papers or Importance which the committee sub
mited were the a1idavits of Mr.. Sutherland that no
proposition had made to him by Gen. Van Buren,
and private letter written by Gen. Van Buren, TO Mr..
William Walter Phelps. In private conversation
with the comDittee, Mr. Sutherland admitted
that "a gentleman had come 10 see him IN
relation TO opening restaurant in the ExhI-
Af9ftp alTip
expressed the significant wish that Mr.. Sutherland
would do the right thing" His description of the per
sonal appearance Of his visitor 10 point TO Mr.
Meyer as probably the The President, during the
interview which lasted than three hours, spoke
with great freedom He admitted that Minister jays tel
egr formed thus far the only indictment against the
Commissioner and while confessing his fears tdat some
OF the members Of the Commission had accepted brbes
expressed his unshaken faith in the integrity OF Gen.
Van Buren. lie explained his action in the matter
By saying that tho Government was compelled TO rely
upon the representations OF Minister JAY who had
oussed the suspension OF the entire Commission, but
had aftcrwaId recommended that number Of them be
reinstated. The President stated that he should now
take the matter into his own hands and upon the arrival
OF tho papers concerning the investigation In Vienna,
shoolI examine them personally, aud enieavor to 90
Justice 10 al concerned He IL said to have expressed
determination to rens ate n Van Buren,, If ne should
be found innocent.
Gen Van Burens friends. though was politically
and several personally opposed 10 the President,
seemed greatly pleased wlth thcr reception and treat
ment Tney now Only await the arrival OF the lnVest
cation papers, which they are confident Geu Grants
friendship for Cen Van Buren VIII induce him to exam
ne with care Ihelr explanation OF the d!iheuy ~
that arises from what Gen Van Buren sugnaGzes as
the "unhallOwed ambition OF Munster Jay. They
state tnat MI jay, mIAihs IL proper that ne shoui Oe
Cnief Commissioners applied for the appointment, but
received NO i4Voi nom If flsh' Nio appOnIeu ue van
Buren,; tldt MI JAY hhClhs hnsei without cOntO OVof
Van Bureu, and discovering the dishonest transactions
of OF the Commission, seized the opportunity 10
procure general suspeh'iOl Which lie mOdlncd Dy
subsequent recommendation that The suspension be re-
moved from number Of the Commission; and thus, by
clever subtractOn left Gen Van Burel ia his present
position They also state that Gen. Van Buren attended
thar when his case came up nc would DO informed 80
that he might be present The Investigation continued
until Tvs close IN secret session aud WltnOut once nu
ting Gen. Van Burcn
GEN. VAN BURRN ON HIS OWN CASE
EXTRACT FROM PRIVATE LETTER TO FRIEND.
VIENNA, May 6-FOr months John Jay has
been plotting TO break up my commission
two before left home telegraphcd to Mr.. Fish, and
afterward told him personally, that II John Jay 10
run the Exhibition 10Y commission at the service Of
the Government He then gave me assurances OF sup
port As soon however, left shores Jay began
with the cable. Long ago Jay an
nounccd 10 Of his intipates that the American
Commission would be remOvedAs as 1t reached Vi
emma and his friends appointed. Cannon Roosevelt
bpang &c, notified and everything arranged.
lie fret charges against Gen. Mayer Of my
sstaut who has done faithful and devoted work
the past nine months than have ever known public
officer do In my life. The charge based the
hearSay of barkeeper here who wanted deprive
another Of his place. and therefore persuaded 20
before Jay and cay he had heard that this fellow had
paid Mayer 1900, the faot being that Mayer
had borrowed $500 from him after he Ofayer) had
pended all his own money for the Government, and
after this same fellow and hundred others tsomo OF
them most excellent gentlemen) had frequently offered
To contribute TO ofice expenses and
been refused. Mayer openly borrowed $780, promising
Ia repay it when ne had got the amount he had
exoended back from the Government lie told about
Il at the time and could not conceive there waA