AARC u state that it was a mute point ...uncle sam didn't only award mel the treasure for the reason your thinking ...think like a thief .....if uncle sam award spain the treasure ... uncle sam would of been out half the treasure u forget the kings taxs ....know your thieves and know them well ....one thief beat the other ... mel paid federal and state and with blood no treasure for free
I guess "uncle florida" after seizing your means of operation for 3 years was mute to ....when someone seizes your property they are thieves where i come from.... and they shut down your business well that sounds like mob to me ... mel was probably the greatest treasure hunter of all times ....so a conflict of interest helped mel ....uncle sam working for uncle florida against king spain i could be all wrong about what happened thats what 45 years ago it could of been fake news what i heard ....remember the maine and the hell with spain..... mel RIP