The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-01-18
BY THE SOUTHERN MAIL.
Washington.
Correspondence OF the Herald

The rumored defaicatiom oths Clerk Of the House of
Representatives-As entire jaisity-1hs Duel in
the House Oregon Nominations Polk for
Naples and John Tyler for England-At,oood,
SNydam and Shalsr-1hs Tsras Debate and the
meU Christening of anti-I Texas democratic mem.
bers.
JAMES G. BENNETT, Esq -
There is no doubt that the public press, especial
ly that portion that have no regard for truth, or
have no enterprsing spirit TO ascertain facts will
contain variety of false statements in regard TO
the alleged dsfalcation Of COL G. ]. McNul,y, the
clerk of the House Of Represent The law
OF Congress, making the clerk of the House the
dlsbursing agent of the contingent fund, compes
him TO enter security in the sum OF $40 900 for the
faithful performance OF these duties. On being
elected to the station of clerk, Col. McNuity
gave the requisite security by entering in bond
with four sureties, either one of whom are
fully responsible for the whole amount These
suretes are members OF Congress, and are fully
capable # meeting the payment OF ten times the
amount for which they held liable The Pa
triotic Bank OF this city has been the usual place
of deposit of the contingent funds Of the House,
under the discretion of the Clerk, although there
is no law OF Congress compelling such deposit, as
the Clerk and his sureties are alone responsible
for the fund. During the past summer, Colonel
McNulty drew the sum OF $4,000 dollars from
this bank, and deposited 1t in other hands,
and received the most undoubted security
for its safe return at any time that it desired
This he had perfect right TO do, legally and
morally; and it is because he made this tranfer
that he has been pursued with that revenge so pc
cuar to corporate institutions, whose selfshness
prompts destruction to all who follow not their nod
and bidding. The call upon the contingent fnnd
tor the payment OF recent printing ordered by the
the sum deposited, and Mr.. Kershaw, one Of his
assistant clerks, was deputed go to Ohio for that
purpose and also, at the same time to enter notice
Of the intention Of the Col tocontes the result OF
order to claim a seat as member OF Congress,
which had been given to his opponent by few ma
ority, votes which are alleged to have been illegal.
The absence of Mr.. Kershaw tended toinduce one
or two of the members OF the Committee on Ac-
counts, who knew the money had been removed
from the Patriotic Bank, TO excite suspicion that
pcioH was Immediately followed by an out. door
rumor that defacation had taken place. In the
meantime some private business kept Col. McNul-
" from his seat as the Clerk Of the House, and
his temporary absence was tortured into an
additional evidence OF guilty conduct. Rumor,
with her wholesale tongue, was instantly rite with
every imaginary superstition, and the amount of
money, alleged to have been appropriated by the
Colonel, was extended to almost any sum, and
the manner of the appropriation attributed TO every
improper influence. Mr.. Kershaw arrived here
from Ohio, and having also effected change Of
deposit of the $50 900 into hands more agreeable to
the ins,lgators Of this rumored defalcation.
The Committee of Accounts will be notified of this
OF the clerk to deposte the whole of the contingent
fund when and where he pleases, as himself and
his securities alone responsible for its safety
My knowledge on this subject il If founded on fsct
Of the public money has ever been used or applied
by Col. McNully Tor his individual benefit, and
that this amount of $4,000 was drawn from the
Patriotic Bank, and deposited, as it was, with full
legal power, and with no violation of the obliga-
tons due by him to the government. He preferred
The security of individuals over that of corpora
ton and allowed them the temporary use of
the funds, in preference to the creditors o
of the Patriotic Bank. This is the head and front
Of his offending, and his long known hostility to
the rotten bank institutions Of Ohio and elsewhere
has thus brought down upon him a combination
Of those who thrive. and live from their drippings,
and who presumed at this crisis to be able to glut
their revenge for his past opposition to their cor
porate interests.
BY reference to the proceedings of the House you
will perceive that resolution OF enquiry 10 the
late duel, emanating from Preston King, Of New
York, was laid upon the table, thus evinclDg con-
clusion on the part OF majority OF the House not
to agltate an affair ending as that was ended, in
smoke. The full account of the duel, as forwarded
to you and published in the Herald, receiv-
ed here to-day, read with great interest
The facts were communicated to me by gen
teman who was present at the meeting, the for
tunate termination OF which met with gratifca-
uoa Of all parties. To the high minded and pa
must this result be mainly attributed, and in JUS
rice TO that gentleman, am here induced to state
that no communication Of any OF the particulars
contained In my recent letter emlnated from him,
or was given with his knowledge.
The movement in the Senate yesterday on the
Oregon question produced rumor that Some COM
munication would be made to-day to that BODY in
Executive session, but such was not the case. The
secret session was occupied in the confirmation Of
appointments, list of which send you in another
package. You will perceive that the nomination
of Mr.. Abeel, the biosrapher of President Tyler,
although rejected yesterday for the Consulate TO
the Sandwich Islands, wasreconsldered to- day and
confirmed. The nomination OF Col: VIM. H Folk
as Charge to Naples will be confirmed. 1t has
made considerable excitement here, and some per-
sons have been lnatured enough to assert that the
President elect, would, in return for this favor 10
one of his kih and kin, select President Tyler az
The representative OF the government TO the Court
Of St. James, where his young and blooming bride
can receive the compliments Of lorded nobility as
a contrast to those that have been SO profusely
rendered at the White House by the real lords OF
creation. James X. Polk has never contracted for
such arrangement, but the selection OF Presi-
dent Tyler for the Court Of st. James or any other
European capital, could not be considered as
violation of any Of the powers conferred upon Mr.
Polk by the real democracy of the country:
The nomination of Henry G. Atwood, for Sur
veyor of your port is still before the Senate lie
will be confirmed, and as soon as II is made mani
fest the peculiar position of several applicants for
the place, and the means taken by them and their
friends to defeat his confirmation, Will be fully ex
posed. The nomination OF Mr.. Spydam, as Navy
Agent, has not been acted upon in the Senate. The
most extensive efforts are exercised to defeat him
by those who wish his position. They must sue
coed in his rejection or all will fail, as his sterling
democratic character and influence will endorse
him N. T. B. R.-not to be removed-by James
K Polk
William Shaler, Esq, OF your city, will proba-
bly, be nominated by President Tyler as Charge
d'Affsirs to Guatamala, South America.
AS have before informed you, the correspon-
dence and negotiations with Great Britain relative
Oregon, will be laid before Congress in few days
in order that some definite action may be taken
will be occupied Great Britain may growl, but
bite she dare not
The Texas debate was not continued to-day in
the House, the whole morning being occupied
with other business DR.. Hammeth, of Mississippi,
has the floor, and will speak Tomorrow. Some
twenty others are preparing TO talk their hour and