The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-20
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT

| wAsnIyoToy, Feb 10, 1877.
| sIB EDWARD THORNTON AND HIS DEFENCE OF
THE PROCEEDINGS IN THE MEXICAN CON-
MssIoX--HE MAKES DENIAL OF ALL
| CHARGES OF FAvoRIrIsM.
There Is no truth whatever In the report that
| diplomatic complication prejudicial to Sir Edward
Thornton Is likely to arse out Of his decision, as
umpire Of the Mexican commission, in the matter Of
| the claim Of Benjamin We'll for nearly $500 600
which no awarded In favor OF tho claimant according
TO the testimony which had been submitted to the CON-
mission. On tho contrary Sir Edward expresses
the hope that the claim which he was constrained by
| the testimony 10 award TO Well may be set aside
eventually, because he is convinced by evidence sub
mittcd subsequent the session OF the commission
that the claim was improper, II not frau
dulcnt This secondary testimony no could not
however, take into consideration. Ho was bound 70
render his decision ~ umpire only upon the original
testimony, which was strongly in the claimants
favor Sir Edward having had his attention called
this evening this matter and tho case of Alfred
A. Greon, he protested against the imputation which
had been put upon his decisions and action in conncc.
ton herewith SO far the case OF Grcen is con.
cerned he says that therc Is nothing In that no
has notified the claimant Of this There s nothing IN
It whatever, and no thinks IL Is not worth while to
say anything about Il.
Speaking generally about the character of the bust
which he has had TO perform discharge OF his
duty referee. Sir Edward added that In tho vast
and evidence which he had 10 70
impossible Of course to guard against frauds and
particularly perjury. Ho used the utmost care
and precaution in gong over the multiplicity of de.
tails and facts, together with tho questions Of law
poor chirography and bad way Of putting the cases
all OF which were in Spanish. II must
be remembered that no took the cases Just as they
mad nm nv 1nntss
thcm according 10 the standard Of equity justice and
common sense Dunne shree years past be has OK.
amncd 4o4 cases, and - umpire from original ag-
gregats OF claims amounting in money to over
$500 Ho has reduced the sum total 10 abo ut
$3,S0O.00Q The task had been no slight one He
had gone over every case himself from
the papers He had hoard no oral argument
but had required parties to submit them in writing
So far any feeling his part against American citi
xens 10 concerned he pronounced such allegation
simply absurd because the settlement Of claims he
has been obliged TO decide against McHicans. But
with all the care, caution and which
he has been able to exercise he has no
doubt there have been perjury and mis-.
representation, which, OF course, no cocld not
guard against, that was q department
OF the subject which was TO DO passed upon by tho
Commissioners. AS to the case of Well claiming
nearly $780, 00O he should be glad SEQ IL reopened
reconsidercd defeated, because It bears on its face
In the additional subsequent proof submitted to him
the evidences Of great fraud, Il not perjury, and no
thinks aud he hopes steps will DO taken by the
proper authorities against II accordingly He
has mol been In position by nero
examination judicial investigation or the papers
before him to decide where perjury has existed until IL
was subsequently brought to his notice, but IN tho
Vol case, ifis Is as, he has believe fraudu
lent case, he hopes IL will be upset. So far as any
faint OF corruption bribery Is concerned the insipu
alton Is rejected with the utmost indignation. lie
refused to receive anything from either tho Mexican
American governments In consideration Of his
services, although he has had an untold amount
Of labor which he wouldanot on any account under
take again OF his free WILL lilo has even used his
own stationery which is something, to say nothing Of
his services Ia reference the aspersons made upon
his clerks integrity no repcs the ausion as utterly
unfounded and impossible for the reason that IL was
Of bis secretaries OF the Legation, tho Hon. Henry
lie Poer Trench, who copied all his decisions about
which knew anything but himself until
they were all made out, when they were simply
copied by the Secretary. No but the British Min.
lister had access to them to know what they would be-
and hoDco there could be connivancc ut fraud or
bribery. The assertion IS simply preposterous Be.
sides being OF tho most exalted OF men in his in
tegriy Mr. lie Poer Trench OF distinguished fnp,lv
in Ireland and Of great wealth. to which reference Sir
Edward Thornton added that he would depend upon
him the very last degree put his hand in the fire
for him.
II Is only proper to say in this connection TINT Sir
Edward Thornton the dean OF the diplomatic CORPS
has always hold the most agreeable relations with our
government and the American people, officially and
socially here.
The case 10 be submitted to the judiciary Com.
mtec OF the Senate IN opposition to tho claim of Ben
jamin We'll, will be argued by General James r.
Slaughter, OF Mobile, who says that he will make the
following showing OF facts::-
Tho claimant Is Trcnchman who resided in Lou,si.
before and during tho war IN the y,nr 1851 We'll
claims TO have bought in Texas and across
the Flo Grandc for shipment at Matainoros "A CONVOY
OF 800 wagonloads Of cotton. ON the Mexican side the
cotton captured taken from MIN bv Cortina,s
bana OF gucriIIas The loss lie suffered by this
robbery, including interest to 1876, amounted
TO nearly $500 000 lie proved tho CLAIM, 10 the sats
faction OF the American Commissioner and Sir Ed.
ward Thornton, and was awarded Its amount and uu.
der the provisions OF tho bill pending in Congress.
would receive his pro rata oil the $500 900 which
Mexico Gent TO Washington u few weeks ago as The
first insalmcnt of her settlement OF all claims nd
verse TO her.
General Slaughter Will oppose au allowance 10 We'll
the several grounds following: -Hc charges that
We'll not loyal citizen Of the United states and
that shipment vi tie tine of the war was
In conraventoL of law. Therefore Wen had 10 stand
ing before the commission. He says that he viii show
from the books and papers OF We'll that |
such transaction as the purchase and trans.
pJriaiion OF 80 immense amount of cotton
recorded by him. He Will cite bankruptcy proceed,
nes involving tho business partners OF We'll to show
from adavis OF these partners that they know OF no
sucn Transaction, and that the terms Of copsrtnerhp