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Show 472 LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN HISTORY do with the rejection of grants which otherwise would have been confirmed. The area of land claimed by the famous James Addison PeraltaReavis and wife amounted to 12,467,456 acres, covering all of the best portion of Arizona and a fair THE PERALTA-REAVIS FRAUD part of New Mexico. This claim was found to be entirely fictitious and fraudulent. The history of this case in itself would fill a large volume, full of romance, which can only be briefly epitomized here. This fraud attempted against the government was the most stupendous in the history of the world. Reavis was a native of es > ad gt eo of the make him conspicuously qualified for the work to which he was called; and when to these qualities, indicative of the widest versatility, were added his thoroughness and untiring industry, it is not overestimating him to say that ne was simply invaluable to the government. _ ‘“Mr. Henry O. Flipper was employed as special agent and Spanish expert in 1893, having reference to private land claims lying within the Gadsden Purchase. During the seven years Mr. Flipper was connected with this office his fidelity, integrity, and magnificent ability were subjected to tests which few men ever encounter in life. How well they were met can be attested by the records of the Court of Private Land Claims and the Supreme Court of the United States. To Mr. Tipton and to Mr. Flipper is due the credit of all of the expert work upon Spanish and Mexican archives and the translation os laws and decrees applicable to land grants situate in the ceded territory. ‘“ There were employed in the office from time to time a number of special agents either for general or special work, and among the latter deserving 0 the e See oe mes — * * * 2% Pa ee eee. ba oe ek tek oe Oe ea eee i ee te ete omnes nee ee eh oT Pe @*4 at OS eee < > | ‘ le Court tting: : ‘ of Private At ? <2 Pee aa ES one a No Land Claims—Chief Standing: Wilbur F. Stone, Henry Thomas C. Fuller, Joseph R. Reed, Chie ee 6 Jt pa v a a Nan AP A Ph il 8 attorney. PPh at) Ce oer a eae ae ete bl Pe te os a o ee ee aoe ae Se tekbe. teak el BP de > EE ad padet Pe. 8 Laas a States a ee United he the de) of 2 ** ee ee" &-e 8 een Rt oe ty pa ee ee ae Se ever ee oe associate 8" trusted eo and rendered more valuable assistance than he. His accurate knowledge of Spanish, expert study of handwriting, thorough familiarity with land titles in the Southwest, and his acquaintance with the details of public survey, combined to ae as judge ee Commission " Philippine Pdr the 2 under et appointment first instance. To Mr. Pope is due much of the credit for the painstaking and careful preparation and trial of some of the most important cases tried. . . His fidelity and ability in the discharge of the many and burdensome duties and the magnificent success accompanying the same deserve special commendation by those associated with him, the Government, and the people; no official connected with this entire litigation rendered better and more lasting service for good than Mr. Pope, and his public service since on the bench in the Philippine Islands and on the Supreme bench of New Mexico is but a continuation of that high and honorable standard fixed and attained by him in the Court of Private Land Claims. ‘*Mr. Will M. Tipton was appointed special agent and expert by the Attorney-General at my urgent solicitation in 1892, and remained for nine years the confidential a a hae * eer PBS THT accept es people may in the years to come deem the settlement of land titles in the territory acquired from Mexico in 1848 and 1853. In 1894, Mr. Summers Burkhart, of Alburquerque, New Mexico, was appointed special assistant to the Attorney-general and assigned to the office as assistant at my request, and continued in that capacity for two years. His fidelity in the discharge of duty to the office and Government merit the good will and respect of Government and the people. Upon his resignation, in March, 1896, Mr. William H. Pope, of Santa Fé, N. Mex., was appointed to succeed him and continued with the office until the litigation was substantially concluded, when he resigned to |