.MTA2NA.NzIyNTI

Memoranda in regard to a contemplated examination into the transactions of the Commissioners under the 17th article of the treaty of 1835, with the Cherokees. The irregularities and improprieties charged against the Commissioners , appear to be of three kinds. Wt. Prejudice against that portion of the Cherokee claimants, who opposed the Treaty , and apartiality for those who favored it; which led to the rejection of many honest claims of the first and to the admission of many unfounded of the latter. 2d. That there were persons who had claims of the most unfounded character against the Indians, (particularly those hostile to the treaty) admitted to a large amount, while honest claimants had theirs rejected. 3d. That there were some persons, who, in an underhand manner, could get claims of any description thro' , even if they had once been rejected by the Commissioners , when others almost uniformly failed, and that the former realized enormous amounts. There charges considered simply with reference to the claims imply this distinction-- good claims rejected and bad claims admitted. Whether this were the case can be ascertained only by an examination of all the original papers, and by a careful comparison of those admitted with those rejected. Should such an examination disclose the fact that a considerable number of claims were admitted of a much less meritorious character than many of those rejected, the truth of the charges would be pretty clearly established. This examination would, however, require