13. A corrupt negotiation by Georgia’s Governor, George Crawford, to extort tens of thousands of dollars from the federal government for personal profit, the Secretary of War was forced to resign from President Taylor’s cabinet in 1850 in disgrace
During the American Revolutionary War, Irish immigrant and merchant trader George Galphin sided with the Continental Congress, being widely credited for securing the support of Georgia for the rebellion as well as the neutrality of Natives in the conflict. Possessing a claim to a large tract of land in Georgia, following the death of Galphin in 1780 the colonial government ungratefully seized the estate. Suing the federal government for seventy years without success, in the early 1840s Georgia’s Governor, George Crawford, offered his assistance to the Galphin family to help them win compensation from the United States.
Unbeknownst to the public, Crawford had negotiated a fifty percent commission on any money won by the Galphins in return for his support. Sneaking a compensation bill through Congress during his last days in office, the legislation earned Crawford $43,518.97 via his agreement. Asked to serve as Secretary of War in 1849, Crawford brought up the case with his new cabinet colleagues. Asserting the compensation should also have included interest, Crawford negotiated with Treasury Secretary Meredith a massive increase in the payment netting himself a further $50,657.47. Revealed to the public, Crawford was forced to resign but was never required to repay his illicit gains.