The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-03-07

given his consent to the wishes expressed ly
Congress Well might General Smith decline
to serve ON the Committee; but it not ex-
pected that either of these three persons would
unite with those, who were Offering up their
thanks to the author of all good, for his distiri-
guished mercy in raising up and qualifying
George Washington, for the arduoUs duties
contided to him.
Mr.. Webster attended the dining party at
Mr.. Barnard's and presided at the liable. On
offering the first regular toast, he addressed
the company about an hour. in siFain Of elo-
qnence never before cqnalled by himself, nd
no! ften srrpasscd by any man. What oeca-
sion may call cut tho full energies, OF the mind
OF this greaI mar. is To me, as it is to all 9th
ers, unknown This may be said with safety
lie has thus far. at all times, exceeded the an
iicipaton of his friends, and surprised his enc
mics. He is great at all times, and on al! oc-
casions, without any apparent effort. The
DRIFT of his remarks was confined TO President
Washngtons civil qualifications and in de-
lineating the leading features of his admins
tratlon, he drew contrast; but this he lett
to be done by every intelligent person present.
1t is said his remarks will be published. If So,
they will throw all other public addresses at
this anniversary into the shade.
.Ne,o York .7drcTtiser-
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.
] propose this evening only to give you a
brief and hasty statement of something oil a
personal nature that occurred in our house TO
day, between Gov. Branch, late Secretary Of
the Navy, and Col. WHITE of Florida. MIR
Branch introduced a resolution of inquiry,
touching or embracing the lands in Florida,
upon which there are live oaks, government.
lands) and Col. White offered some amend
ments, extending the inquiry 10 certain trans
! n Of ha do, ,,hil 10 Rynp
was secretary. The resolutions. supp1se,
were armed at Col: White, and the amend
ments at Branch. After some remarks which
did not hear, Mr. Branch accused White OF !
Palhi!ng upon the government some worthless
lands, under pretence that there were live oaks
upon them, and specializing out of the govern
ment and out of individuas-his constituents |
and subsequently he accused Mr.. White of n
4 making tdiSe statements, and declared himsel
ready TO defend himself "hcre and elSeChcre."
White, in reply, explained very satisfactorily
the sale to the government-showed that the
| application for the purchase came originally
from there; that it was approved by Com
mitiee OF the House, and ratified by an act OF
/ Congress; that it was good bargain for the
United States; and that he had repeatedly of
! Tered To take the land back-whch was refus-
ed lie then adverted to the great desire
manifested by the administration, while Branch
was at the head of the Navy Department, to
establish their own character for REFORM
That, to help them in their clamors against the
former administration, they had seized hold of
this case where the original amount of purchase
money was less than $4,000; and had sent di.
Vers agents, employed government vessel in
exploring, and in various enterprises of that
sort had expended $4,000 paid out of the navy
fund, in their efforts TO prove this bad bar.
gan-and had failed at last. He praised the
administration Tor that best Of all reforms, the
breaking up of the late Cabinet; and accused
Branch of employing agents,-some of them
his own connections, at large salaries, to look
after this land He expressed his determine
ton 10 probe the matter, and have the facts be-
fore the nation; accused Branch Of publishing
a partial view of the case in the Globe, ana
Thanking hundreds of copies sent into his dis.
trct. Ho avowed that he was not to be driven
from his purpose, by the petulance or violence
of any man ; and advised Branch to reserve his
violence for more fitting occasion.
| .New York Commercial .4dc ertiser.