The New York herald., 1878-01-15
FROM OUR REGULAR coRREsP oNoENT.

FROM OUR REGULAR CoRREsP ON DENT.
WASHINGTON, JAM II, 1878.
THE VENEZUELAN AwARD-1MpoRrANT PAPERS
TRANSMITTED TO THE HOUSE FROM THE
STATE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF FRAuDU-
LENT TRANSACTION.
A startling psper came to light to-day when tho
Speaker laid before Tho House vouminous docu-
ment containing tho correspondence OF the State Do
partment with tho Venezuelan government concern
ing the awards Of the mixed commission appointed
ten years or moro ago.
Tho Venezuelan authorities have claimed that the
awards OF the commission were unjust, extortionate
and excessive. The subject was examined by a sub.
committee Of the Foreign Affairs Committee OF the
Forsy-iourth Congress, and sunicent evidence ad.
duced lead to tho belief that transactions OF
our Minister and the American member and
agent of the commission not alto
gether regular. The action OF tho previous
Congress- had given character to the proceed
ings and show Of justice to the awards, for which
tho name Of Mr.. Godiove Orth, OF Indiana,
chairman Of tho House Committee on Foreign Affairs
in the Forty-tnrd Congress. became conspicuousy
and unpicasautly connected with the settlement of
the CLAIMS II will DO remembered that he
with the presence OF naval vessels.
II subsequently, appeared in tho Investigation
that during the Forty y-second Congress- OF
which Nj. Orth not member, he had
been the attorney ior number Of the Venezuelan
claimants These facts were fully corroboraied that
it became necessary for Mr. Orth 10 withdraw from
the canvass for Governor, for which Office he had
been nominated by the Indiana State Republican
Convention. About this time gentleman from New
York, named Noble, who is understood to be
clergyman, came TO Washington and gavo
Information to government official that
he had evidence In his possession proving tho fraud
uent character Of the awards made BY the venczue-
Ian government. II appears that tho State Depart
ment did not encourage tho House Investigating Com
mttec In It's attempt to damage the labor of the
mission and II Is matter OF record that the Secre-
tary held that II would DO unfair the prin-
c!plo OF arbitration II the labors OF the high
est peace commissions could be con-
stantly set at naught by fault-Hndng
complanants. Naturally tho republican Congressman
averss 10 encouraging the cry Of fraud gen.
orally prevalent during the Presidential campaign of
1875. II appears that Mr.. Noble brought with
him the documentary evidence to prove his assertion,
and had stated that In his capacity OF admins
traitor Of tho estate OF deceased brother
no had obtained evidence showing that tho
or that attempt had becn mado to defraud It out
OF hundreds Of thousands Of dollars. Mr. Noble says
that he scared into Withholding tho facts at that
time, for he informed and cautioned that he was
liablo under law OF the Uoted States immediate
arrest and imprisonment on criminal charge II he in
torfercd with the work OF arbitration between Com
mssioncrs OF the United States foreign govern.
ment Mr. Noble thought he was performing Just
and conscientious duty TO hts country, but was moro
than persuaded that 1t was his duty TO hold his
tongue. In fac he considered It also hts imperative
duty escape from the clutches OF the Sergeant
Arms OF the House, who anxious to secure his
attendance aud therefore he modo haste 10 Colorado
whore he remained his health for somo time Last
summer he concluded that he had burdcned his con.
science long enough for the good OF his country
and communicated all of his Information
to Senor Della Costa, tho representative of
the Venezuelan government who in timc brought tho
subject to the attention Of the State Department
Through Mr.. Springer, OF Illinois, resolution WAS
passed last calling copies Of the correspond
cncc aud the result the discovery Of tho docu.
ment below sent 10 the House to-day which drscloses
disrcputabo could possibly disgrace
the good namo of tho United statcs nor docs 1t help
Mr.. Orth tho other who were before the
investigating committee IN 1876
TalImadec, the United States Commissioner, is now
the commission all right. Murray, the attorney,
is a brothcr-in.law OF Minister Sullwoll He is now
In Minnesota Tho Noble was for $3.50 Oo0 and
Is also alleged that dollar Of this claim was
justly due from tho Venezuelan government.
H. Is tic intention OF the House Foreign Affairs
Committee, to which tho State Department commu-
nic,iion will he referred, TO prepare a bill setting
aside tho award OF the commission and proposing
that steps be taken for tho and OF
tho parties To the conspiracy. Tho following is the
text of tho letter referred to-
ST. PAUL, Minn., sept. 3, 1868.
DEAR CoLoSEI~-On the Goth ult. l reached Washing.
ton and on the 26th New YORK, where went for tho
purpose OF closing up our Venezuela matter with Dr.
Bcalcs. had hardly reached New York before rs-
mediate presence. Il ut once left New YORK al a
moments notice Tor Anderson, intending to return TO
New York. At Anderson ! found my family and
then. learning you wcrc at ST Paul came 10 tho
which would obviato the expense OF my return to
New York. On my reaching Caracas two months
elapsed boforo General Tamndge arrived. and two
months more before the umpire was appointed. Dur
and correspondence no at tho United
States Legation, at Caracas, and with the govern
ment of Venezuela, In regard the contracts
upon which the claim was based. l found two mis-
cu,ion OF the co.ms The FIRST the filing OF a
claim by Dr. Beaics tor $500 900 and his correspond
ence with Culver which Culver gave to the govern
ment as soon as received. Tho next mistake was IN
ocean stonmcr's contract tor damages, whcrcss
we shorld hnvc oased our claim the cpligrntion
contract. NJ once went 10 work TO manufacture
public opinion as To secure award Condo
was thcn The Venezuelan Commissioner | tried tho
usual appliances OF talking up tho merits OF claim
TO him but was "no go.p | then offered him nrst