Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-12-29

SAry; or else lew petty oggers push laws through
whenfew members are present, which destroy the
merchant. But IL is impossible 10 do am Thing al
Washington without MONEY. QLaughter) know
it. For know this bill nearly passed, because only
a few memberSwere in the house; and had 10 hire
and TO pay hackney coachmen to drive to several
places to hunt them up-(lsughter) and they did
Qaughter) And in this way were got together 1872
Congres in one hour, and stspt the bill passing
and saved the merchants millions Of dollars
This, air, is the precise substance of Mr. Jaflrays
speech ut that meeting, of which he seemed 10 be
the mssnHs Apollo, and his very words nearly as
they could be taken by any human being. There is
ton; it is this:-My firm conviction is, that in
speaking Of :" the hackney coachNen collecting 1872
Congressmen in one hour from various places in and
around Washington, Mr., Jaffray spoke of it
circumstance with which he was personally con-
ed and which occurred at the close Of the last
session Of Congress- when you, sir moved, that the
House should take up the SO called Revenue Bill
with the amendments OF the Senate, out Of its or
der; which motion was lost for want of two-third
majority aud which defeat j, and several others,
understood MIR. Jairay to ay, was occasioned by
his sharp look out and diligence in procuring ard
paying hackney coGchnen TO collect and bring mem
bers Of Congress to their seats, in time ts vote
against the measure. Such was and is my convic-
tion Of hat he said.
Mr.. Jaffray first called upon me on the 18th in
slant, secen days after the publication of my re-
port, to explain what he said or what he meant to
have said in relation to this matter. In that inter
view, he admitted that he did say much that was in
my report. He then also stated to me that he did
relate pre- 81: ely such an anecdote in his speech
the 10Th inst blu that be spoke of 1t as having beel
enacted by some one else, AVID not by himself IL is
barely possible that he may have said at tho close
of his speech, although the context does not justify
sach abelef, and many W no heard him und erstood,
as did, that he hired and paid the hackney coach
man for that purpose himself.
At any rate, Mr. Jafray laid great stress upon the
ind nj plp,p hprs al hay a
under ii, own observation, and upon this point OF
hiring and paying hackney coachmen at Washington
to huat up ent and indoen; members Of Congress,
when there danger OF obnoxious bill pas sin
by reason Of thin house; he dwelt GA this point,
as way in which the Washington agent Of the
New York merchants would have to spend money
besides his necessary personal expenses; and he
dweIt again and again upon the importance of DOL
lecting money to place in the hands ofths Washing
ton agent, although he other particular ia
stance Of the way in which it was to be expended
But, he added, that agent W ho went to Washing
ton to prevent the passage of an odious law, might
as well 90 without kis head as without money.
At the same time Mr.. Jaifray did not in any in
stance, or for moment, ailude 10 the employment
Of money, directly or indirectly, to bride TO in
ducs in any improper way, members of Congress 10
pursue particular path in relation to any measure;
neither does my report Of his speech warrant any
inference that he did so.
Bot Mr.. Jaffray, whilst dwelling strongly the
punctua'ity with which you, sir, was in your place
attending 10 your Congressional duties, was very
severe and sarcastic on other members of Congress
whom, he said, repeatedly promised him to be pune
tua and as frequently broke that promise, because,
he added, 81 suppose that the champagne good,
ami legislation was = secondary objsct!" And this
elected considerable laughter from many Of the i'm
por,ers at the expense of the members Of Congress
alluded TO.
Mr. Jaaray dwelt with great force and severity
upon the conduct Of yourself. sir, in Introducing
this Revenue Bill, when he said, oaly four mem
Der. were present; and he and others in the meeting
stsmatised tho bill being ''jointly csncoeed by
Mr. Hoyt, Mr.. Adams, and Mr.. b. +. Butler! Some
deuourcedyou for being, as they said, closetted
with 1r Hoyt for two hours whea last in this city.
And in speaking of the services required OF an agent
at Washington, Mr.. Jsffray observed pointesly and
humnrousy that he had heard Of the plan OF inviting
members Of Congress 10 a dinner at Alexandria or
Georgetown but that he meant nothing Of that kind
and Only what fair and honorable; as stated IN
my report. This allusio was understood by most
persons present 10 refer TO the charge against Mr. j.
ID. Stevenson, and elected loud laughter irCm
jority Ct the importers.
am thus precise, sir, on these particular poiats
because they have been individually and collective
" denied ty Mr.. Jshray.
Al the close of the meeting asked the charn,ap,
Mr.. Hyslop, for the names Of the Committee, and
they were given to me instantly. Dir. Jahray was
standing by at the time, and heard me say that in
tended to publish his speech; he immediately and
loudly dsclaimed against such proceeding. and
Threatened TO take no farther part Ia The busi-
ness il his speech was Published.
This is mple statement OF the whole affair, and
e. siignatise earicature. Their judgmsht in the
affair ! neither object TO or envy OF myself, a. a
reporter, il does not become me to speak but JUS
tce 10 those whose con6d is reposed in me, and
whose interests il ny duty aad daily desire TO adj
vance, mag warrant me in say ing that am no novice
in the honorable profession OF reporting; that have
followed IT, with slight internissions, for fifteen
We that Messrs Monroe and Curtis whilst in the
Common Council Of this city. Mr. Hoffnsap, whilst
District Attorney, ind Mr.. Grinneil, recently be
fore the Recorder, have had convincing proofs Of
the accuracy Of my reports. The speech OF Mr..
Webster at Patchogue, (Which was heard By all
these four last named gentlemen at present mebsrs
Of Congress) and to the accuracy Of which they,
well a. Mr.. Webs er, cav and have borne testimony
IN various ways, was reported exclusively by me,
az was the recent speech Of MIR. Webster at Rich
mond, Virginia. ii farther proofs were wanting,
need only point 10 the two lectures recently de-
hvered by yourself before the Lyceum ip this city;
To tho sketch of your semi centennial Grafton; to
the lectures of Messrs. Bancroft, Barnard, Win
throp, Cushing, and othsrs; 10 the sermons and
speeches Of the Rev. Robert Newton; 90 the
ports Of our religious anniversaries In 1910, &c. all
Of which were reported exclusively by me fer the
" New York Herald !" and to the accuracy and fdeli.
ty of which abundant evidence has been, and can
be borne.
For myself, as an individual, I have but q few
words TO say. Iw.g sent TO that meeting with in
struciioBs 10 report AZ accurately and did so to
the best OF my ability. With Mr. Jaaray's mode of
" e9ricauring'' the English language, had nothing
TO do. | did not add a word that was not said by
Of the importers, either in their set speeches,
or miscellaneous conversation connected lrih the
subject 1 reported no private conversation, al
though many violent remarks were made against
> ourscf, SIR, and Mr.. Hoyt; and even the resolu.
lions themselves after they had passed the meeting,
were pruned and tanned down before they were pub.
lishsd, because they were thought too violent.
Mr. jail sy', remark in his letter 10 MIR. fsnroe,
which the latter gentleman read before the Honse,)
that nv report Of his speech is complete bur
lesque." pronounce 10 be a complete falsohood.
Reporting Is nv almost daily avocation; il is the
mean. by which attain livelihood, as honest and
bonorabGs as any which Mr.. Jsfray pursucs. l
have reputation which is desrer TO me than, by his
recent conduct, NJ. Jsray seems 10 consider lis 10
TO him and I will not allow Mr. Jsfray, any
else. 20 sssail me BY prsnouncing my lsbors to
be burlesgse aud fslsehood, which (alowing for
the common errors &C hun anity) were the literal
tru'h, without hurting the fslsehood back in their
teeth. have the honor 70 be, sir,
With all proper respect,
WITTY n ArrRrr