MASSACHUSETTS CLAIMS,

From Washington, Dec. Is.
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4E~
TO THE EDITOR OF THE BOSTON cENTINEL.
You will perceive that the report in "a


vor Of the Massachusetts Claim has been post
Fponed at the desire Of its friends: but will


probably be called up again before the end ot


the session. understand from good aashor


ity that after much consultation among the


members from ysur State, it was determined


to be the most expedient course 10 attempt TO


postpone the consideration of the report and


that this was assented 70 not only BY The de


cided friends TO the claim, but by some who


had not made up t.er minds to vote in favor


oft at present. Several considerations, il is


understood, Influenced ibis. decision.-The


members oflhe present House were elected


before any complete report or statement OF


the facts and Of the whole merits Of the claim


had been prepared, and lard before. the pub


lie and many Of them, doubtless in common


with their constituents, bad imbibed senti


ments extremely hostile to The claim, founded
on a misconception Of facts, and on the gross
Misrepresentation, which am sorry~to say
have been authorized BY some ofyour public
prints. and which the friends to The State and
The advocates offhe claim have permitted to
pass without discession, through an.unwilling
ness TO produce an excitement Of party feel.
ing. Whatever confidence therefore MIGHT
be INDUCED that truth win finally prevail.
and that those VINO are In The first instance to
decide upon this is-claitn may be inclined to
candor and open to conviction, II was thought
probable that they would not take the yespon-
si5iGty Of resisting The opinions aud preiudi
ces OF their constituents, and that it would be
therefore better to wait for the effect Of sound
reason and sense of justice ON the public
mind, which is not to be despaired Of when
information shall prevail, and prejudice sub.
side. And this course was thought the wis.
est, as it would prevent the disadvantage Of !
rejection Of the. clain--by- the votes of some.
who, atte: voting, would feel bound by re.
gard 10 the apPeaFance Of consistency. 10 per
severe IN an opposition which might other
wise be less unrelenting. Il was also con
ceivesitirat as',hs debt, if hereafter allowed
will bear interest, and the Suspension Oft
though Iuconvenient is not distressing to the
people OF the State, 20 advantage from push
ing i to decision now, could be equivalent
10 the disadvantage Of a vote Of rejection.
Some further documents were also thought to
be, il not essential, al least worth lie trouble
OF sending for and as lbe Legislature would
soon be ia session, it would be desirable 70