Galphin Affair
Encyclopedia
The Galphin Affair was the disputed settlement over the Galphin estate, where George W. Crawford
took 50% of the claim for himself. Crawford at the time was working as a part of President Zachary Taylor
’s Cabinet.
was an Irish immigrant and an Indian trader. He was very successful and respected for his work. He had a large land claim in what became the territory of Georgia
, but after his death and the Revolutionary War that was taken from his family. The government claimed the Galphin estate as its own and that is where the dispute over the land starts. The Galphin family fought for over 70 years, but it wasn’t until the 1840’s that they had any hope of getting compensated for their land.
In 1849 Zachary Taylor asked George Crawford to be a part of his cabinet. He became Secretary of War and from that position he gained many new connections and allies. He brought up the case to Attorney General
of the United States Reverdy Johnson
and Secretary of the Treasury William Meredith
. The Galphin family and Crawford demanded that interest be paid on the estate.
At the time Congress was in session, but the three officials decided to settle the claim on their own. On May 2nd, 1775 the Secretary of Treasry paid out $192,352.89 for the land and interest. William Meredith kept $3,000 for himself while Crawford also took $94,176.44.
George W. Crawford
George Walker Crawford was a Georgia politician during the nineteenth century. He served as the 38th Governor of Georgia from 1843 to 1847 and United States Secretary of War 1849 to 1850. He was the cousin of William H...
took 50% of the claim for himself. Crawford at the time was working as a part of President Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor was the 12th President of the United States and an American military leader. Initially uninterested in politics, Taylor nonetheless ran as a Whig in the 1848 presidential election, defeating Lewis Cass...
’s Cabinet.
Background
George GalphinGeorge Galphin
George Galphin was an American Indian trader, Indian Commissioner, and plantation owner who lived and conducted business in the colonies of Georgia and South Carolina, primarily around what is today the Augusta, Georgia, area.-Early life:...
was an Irish immigrant and an Indian trader. He was very successful and respected for his work. He had a large land claim in what became the territory of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, but after his death and the Revolutionary War that was taken from his family. The government claimed the Galphin estate as its own and that is where the dispute over the land starts. The Galphin family fought for over 70 years, but it wasn’t until the 1840’s that they had any hope of getting compensated for their land.
Resolving the Claim
Georgia’s Governor, George Crawford, took up the case helping the Galphin family fight for their estate, under the agreement to keep 50% of the claim for himself. During his last days in office as Governor, the claim went through Congress and going almost completely unnoticed it passed into law. The law directed the Secretary of Treasury to pay the dues for the estate. Crawford was to receive $43,518.97; this was the principle of the claim (no interest was allowed).In 1849 Zachary Taylor asked George Crawford to be a part of his cabinet. He became Secretary of War and from that position he gained many new connections and allies. He brought up the case to Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
of the United States Reverdy Johnson
Reverdy Johnson
Reverdy Johnson was a statesman and jurist from Maryland.-Early life:Born in Annapolis, Johnson was the son of a distinguished Maryland lawyer and politician, John Johnson . He graduated from St. John's College in 1812 and then studied law...
and Secretary of the Treasury William Meredith
William Meredith
William Meredith may refer to:* Billy Meredith , Welsh international winger, oft described as "football's first superstar"* William Morris Meredith, Jr. , American poet and Pulitzer Prize laureate...
. The Galphin family and Crawford demanded that interest be paid on the estate.
At the time Congress was in session, but the three officials decided to settle the claim on their own. On May 2nd, 1775 the Secretary of Treasry paid out $192,352.89 for the land and interest. William Meredith kept $3,000 for himself while Crawford also took $94,176.44.