Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-02-26
MospAr, February -, lsAl.
Mr.. wEBsrER,s RESIGNATION.

The debate 90 MIR. Criitenden's bill having close
the following letter from the Hon. Daniel Webs,
was read:
Mellon. n. N. Jcuss,x. Vice President U. S.
asia: Il is the object of thi, letter to max
known 10 the Senate the resignation of my seat a
one Of the Senators from Massachusetts,, having al
ready informed the Execu,iv, OF that state ina
iron this day my place would be vacant
an retiring from situation in which so consider
able A part Of my life has been passed, hope ma,
be permitted to express my high respect tor III
body Of which have been member, the intercs
she'll ever feel in the preservation Of its character
and dignity, and my cordial wishes for the healti
and happiness OF all those with whom have beer
associated.
with much personal regard, have the honor to
be your obedient servant, ID. WEBSTER"
Mr.. CUTHBERT, of Georgia. expressed his re.
gret that the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr
Webstcrl was not present, rs he was deslrous OF
putting 10 that gentleman some inquiries to doc
trues some time since put forth by him, in which
the People Of the South had deep and vital inter-
est and in relation TO which il had been said that
the Senator had changed his opinions II the Sem
alor could explain in a satisfactory manner, he
would stand much better with the South than he
now did. Mr.. c. had delayed advertng TO the sub
feet under the impression that the Senator, being
about to make his resignation to-day, would ad-
dress the Senate in person on that OCCASION
Mr.. CLAY expressed the deep regret he felt that
occasion when Mr.. C.'s honorable friends absence
from these halls
MIR CUTHBERT here in,erposed, and protest.
cd against the idea that he had seized the opportu
nifty OF MIR Webster's absence to make the remarks
he had now done, or that il should for a moment be
supposed he had ever shrunk from expressing any
opinion he held in the presence of any man whom
il might concern. The document which his re-
marks ware founded, and in regard TO which he was
desirious OF inienogating the Senator from Massa.
chuseIts, had been in his possession last session,
but he had declined at that time to use It, and had
been left behind him in the district. He had d.
rected it to be sent to him. but this had not been
done; he had since used every effort in his power
possess himself Of 1t, and hoped soon TO succeed.
MIR c. had no, known till few days since that il
was Mr. Webster's intention 10 leave the Senate
before the expiration OF the session. He hoped,
therefore, that the Senator from Kentucky would re-
lease him from the lmputation OF being unwilling
to express his sentiments in that Senator's presence
IL was impossible MIR c. could, in this be in
fuenced by any party considerations, because
should the Senator be able satisfactorily TO explain,
the effect would be rather TO weaken the influence
Of the party 70 which Mr. G. belonged.
Mr. CLAY resumed, and said that it was far
fom his intention 10 convey the idea that the SEN
nor from Georgia feared 10 put any proper queries
TO his friend from Massachusetts, or had seized the
opportunity OF his absence with the view of taking
any improper advantage of that circumstance; still
he could not but express his profound regret what
ever circumstances might have caused the honorable
Senator to choose this moment for introducing the
remarks he had made, that he had not chosen more
suitable occasion.
Mr. Gu rHbERT here again inteIposed, and
inquired whether It had not been generally under.
stood that the Senator from Massachusetts, 10 be
IN his place TO day, and to address the Senate pre-.
viousIy TO making the resignation of his seat7
Many voices cried out, "No; there has been no
such understanding"
MIR CUrHBERT. There certainly has been on
this side OF the Senate.
MIR. CLAY said he could not answer for the
Senator's sources of Information. That il was his
trends intention TO resign his seat, was a fact
which had for some time been generally known.
and had been stated in the Journals OF the day and
the Senator had been here in his seat t near three
O'clock. MIR. c. must. therefore, repeat the ex-
preston OF his deep, his profound regret that AT
moment like this when every member of the body
could not but feel the great void which had bsen
created by the act just announced TO the Senate
from the absence of that commanding eloou.nce
and that unsurpassed logic which had been so long
and so often exerled in support of the rights and
best interests OF this country; in the midst OF this
feeling OF general regret-for MIR. c. would do
gentlemen on the other side the Justice 10 believe
that, Notwithstanding political differences of senti-
ment the feeling was fully PARTICIPATED in nv them
---ihat At such moment the Senator from Georei,
should have deemed II becoming, and a suita ble on
Portunity, TO introduce the subject which he had
)scimens of American eoquence, one Of the brshte.
ornaments Of these Halls, OF his country. and of
our common nature, had retired from his seat in the
Senate, perhaps for ever, 10 assume a station of
sui higher importance, and of still wider influence
over the future welfare OF this land was certainly
not time that most gentlemen would have selected
for the purpose Of lnterrogatng him as to any seo
uments he might at former Time have uttered
Mr.. Z. doubted It's propre.y at any time The in
terosatories 10 be put had no connexion with anv
subject now before the Senate; and the praciice
had never been introduced into our American Halls
OF legislation 10 put nterrosatohes TO Ministers as
was customary in England. But if the Senator
from Massachusetts had recently minated anv
change of opinion in reference 10 the subjects IN
which the member from Georsii alluded. wbv
shou that gentleman doubt his sincerity ? On
what subject had ne these doubtsl MIR c. stand
ing in place, could be witness for his friend
from Massachusetts,, that, from his first appearance
IN the Senate down TO this day Of his regretted re-
signation, no sentiment had ever been advanced nv
him which was not perfectly catholic and yh ch
dill not regard as much the rights Of The South and
the great interests of the West rs those NJ any
other potion OF the Union on the contrarv he
had ever been ready alike TO defend and maintain
IN ibe most deiorm ned nner the rights of every
quarter Of the country. He had on all occasions
declared u as hls sentiment, that the Constitution
Of the United States conferred upon Congress mo
power, directly or indirectly, 10 touch the snbiect IA
which he Presumed the Senator alluded. c.TtainI .
not beyond the limits Of the District and even
within the Disric, although he might be of oninior
that the mere abstract power did exist vet he he
leved as strongly that il would be inexpedient 10
exerise IT, On what subject, then, did the South
want guarantees 10 his course in higher and rnorc
extended sphere Of action His elevation TO thai
station was an homage richly due TO him for sery ees
and talents unreseryedy devoted to the service al
the country Tor twenty twenty FIVE years nas,
And the present was the first and only proof which
he had received OF the due estimation Of tbose
services by the offer Of any Office under the
Federsl Government; and Mr.. G, would lee
publicly express his full and entire conyicton the,
there was nosubicct IN regard to which the South
need indulge apprehension in consequence or his
elevation.
Mr. Gu THBERT said that the Senator from,
Kentucky had made a great deal out Of his briel
sddress 10 The Senate having spoken Of il as though
he had pursued a course which was subject of
poignant regret-as If he had been guilty Of some
gross violation Of decorum-soue unn,rdo,st,I.
outrage on public feeling; but Mr. G. was not IN
be imposed upon by any such affeotstiop
' Mr. CLAY. I call that Senator TO order. hc
cannot be permitted to use such language in sppi.
cation 10 me. fP''
MIR CUTHBERT here made some erpl,,,,;,r
unintellgbe 70 the reporter, but which ended win
lhe expression: well, then, we now understand
Q tch other. The Senator says that his fr end Co,
Massachusetts IS Senator Of distinguished Ali,
ties. acknowledged. That those abili,ies have
long and often been eXefted here. I nckpoV lsdg,
IT, That his opinion is Of high authority. / ac.
knowledge T. But ifho entenains the most beret,.
cal and abomin1be opinion in relation to a subiec,
which y Of the deepes; interest to large portion
o. lns country, am not 70 dare 10 demand from
him en eNplanation7 That must not dare 4,
speak Of q subject Of this Importance because !
does no. eompou with hat Senator's notions of de-
eoruml Can any man listen 10 this with natl, ce