1872 Correspondence with Lawson and Walker

[printed letterhead Office of Lawson & Walker, Average Adjusters & Insurance Brokers. No. 62 Wall Street, PLEASE ADDRESS P. O. BOX, 2552.

New York] Jan'y 9 - 1872

W. W. Crapo, Esq. New Bedford, Mass.

Dear Sir, Your esteemed favor of the 8th inst. is just rec'd, and we have to thank you for your kind attention. The claims referred to {us} were sent to us from San Francisco, and we will advise the claimants of this correspondence and its results. We were not certain that you had included the crew's share of actual and prospective catch in the claim for the owners, and are entirely of opinion that it will be much better to continue the prosecution of these claims as you have commenced them.

As your experience in prosecuting and collecting claims for damages to whalers at different times and under various cir-

-cumstances has been very considerable, we would like to learn what the chance of recovering the claims for prospective catch may be worth, in your opinion.

We are glad to find that your views concerning the claim of the United States for the payment of a gross sum, coincide with ours, and we would be pleased to receive suggestions from you as to the best means of securing an award direct to the claimants. So far as we can learn, it is generally believed in this city that Mr Cushing and Mr Evarts favor the award of a gross sum.

We think the better way will be to preserve an expression of opinion from Congress in favor of our views, if possible, and we have already addresses Gen. Banks to that effect.

We are, Dear Sir, Very truly Your's. Lawson & Walker

Lawson & Walker Jany. 9 1872