The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-09

anxiously, how long, and how ably on both sides,
all these questions at that time debated in ths
House The final conclusion Of il was very signal
ly manifested not only by the defeat Of every prop
oson against the treaty, or lis negotiators but by
the passage OF an act Of Congress, now the law OF
the land, aseertaining and removing from all posi-
biity of question, that which had constituted the
Mr. INGERsoLL. VIII the gentleman allow
me TO ask him question:
Mr. ADAMS. will allow the gentleman to ask
me question, If he will allow me TO sit down and
not 70 answer him.
Whereupon Mr.. ADAMS took his scat
Mr. lNGERsoLL. wish to ask the gentleman
whether he recoects that a gentleman from New
York, who then represented The Utica district IMr.
FLorD,I moved resolution Of inquiry on this
subject, upon which and others spoke, and that
that, too, was put down by the previous ou estion
We never got word Of answer from the Executive
on this subject. -.
Mr.. ADAMS. Irsfsr the gentleman to the Jour
Mr. INGERsoLL. have already examined
the journal. ! wish the gentleman would do like
wise.
Mr.. YANCEY differed, he said, from the yens-
rable and distinguished gentleman from Massachu-
seets lMr. ADAMS IN regard to the question, wheth
er the constitution authorized the proceeding here
proposed. He had examined the provision of the
constitution, and did not find il to Justify the inter-
probation put upon IL by the gentleman in the least
degree. Money expended for secret purposes must,
under the constitution, be accounted for a. well as
any other funds drawn from the treasury. II Ave
dollars could be expended, without responsibility
and without any account, 90 could forty millions be
expanded and no account be given OF y.
The constitution provided that all expenditures Of
money, from time 10 time, should be accounted for
All money appropriated by this House was public
money, and regular statement Of its expenditure
h.. Ia ~ l.. =
for the benefit Of the public and, therefore, regu-
lar statement was required.
The peculiar spirit Of the American government
requires that this House should exercise the right OF
calling TO strict account all who were charged with
the expenditure Of public money. The gross
attack made on the honorable gentleman from
Pennsylvania Mr.. @. J. IssEAsoLL1 warranted this
inquiry Il showed that its author had neither dig
nifty nor morality In his character. The author OF
such abuse deserved no respect nor consideration
from Us. Even his own friends could not object TO
the proposed call.
His honorable colleague tMr. HlLIIlRDl had said
that Mr.. WEBsrEk was respected, honored and
loved abroad and that he was the proudest boast of
every American. He should despise himself as an
American II he could think so.
Mr.. billiard said he spoke Of Mr.. WEp-
srERs public character, and he did know that Mr..
WEBsTrR did occupy in Europe as a statesman as
high position IN public estimation as any that
breathed.
Mr. YANCEY asked what public acts Of Mr..
WEBsTIR'B life had made the American name loved
and respected abroad Was il his course in the con-
test with the lion power Of England Did that make
him loved abroad Did his votes against the supply
Of provisions and clothing Of bare-fooed and starv.
ing American soldiers attach honor TO his name
Was il that that made England love himl
Mr. BlGGS here asked IL IL was in order on this
resolution TO discuss the character Of DANIEL WEE
sTER
Mr.. YANCEY asked whether Mr.. WEBSTER,
course on the French question entitled him to re-
spect when the noble-heartea Jackson was endeav-
oring TO enforce France TO fulflment Of her trea-
ty stipulation, did not Mr.. WEssrER say in the
Senate that he would not vote cent even il the
British were batering down the walls Of the Capitol
Was 1t not declared here by the venerable gentle
man from Massachusetts, Mr.. ADAMS in regard
TO that God-like man, whose name was so much
honored and loved abroad that he had but one
more step to take, and that to Join the enemy
in battering down the walls Of the Capitol Were
these the acts that caused his colleague to say that
his name was loved honored, and respected abroad
As TO the Ashburton treaty, he content TO lei
that subject sleep; but he must say that better
treaty could have been made; he must say that an
American negotiator in whom was felt the pulsa.
TONS OF an American heart would have demanded
somsthlng like satisfactory apology for the muir
der Of Durfee.
But the venerable gentleman from Massachusetts,,
MT hDhMs,l says tnat tne secretary oil State was
not responsible but the President for the use Of the
secret service money. All the recommendations for
the application Of the fund, were however, made by
the Secretary, and the vouchers by him placed
before the President If the money was improperly
expended il the fault Of the Secretary. Ii was
the duty Of this House to present articles of i'm
parchment, and of the Senate to try them. How
could this House present the articles unless they
could call for the necessary papers, This House |
had right to demand a statement Of the manner in
which the public money was expended. The hon |
orable gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. NIGER
SOIL had stated how the money, was expended,
and he stated 1t his responsibility and there
fore the subject ought to be examined
He protested solemnly against the remark that !
the character of Mr.. WEBSTER was loved and hon. |
ored. His talents admired, as he would agree
Many names went to posterity with opprobrium, |
while the names OF honest men were lost in obscure
ty. The name of Benedict Arnold would be re-
membered through all time, while many gallant
soldier who fought barefooted and bareheaded for
his country, would be forgotten. He would like to
know one fact. Was Mr.. WEBSTER the pensioned
agent Of the Massachusetts, manufacturers 1t had
been stated that the sum of 100000 had been paid
10 him, or settled on his family for services which
he to render here to the manufacturing interests
The tariff would, he hoped, soon come up for dis
cussion here; and he would ask whether Mr.. WEE
srER's views on the subject would be regarded by
his brother senators the views Of an independent
ana OlSnteTeHteu man!
Mr.. McCLERNAND said the subject had been |
sufficiently discussed, and it interrupted the regular
business Of the House. He therefore called for the |
previous question.
Mr.. billiard earnestly requested the gentle
man to withdraw it for brief explanation, prom
sing to renew it, if required.
Mr. HILLIARD's request having been complied with,
he sad in reply to his honorable colleague for whom
he entertained high respect, that he had nothing
to do with Mr.. WEBsrER's political errors, and as
to the charges brought against Mr.. WEBSTER, he
would believe until they were proved that they arose
from msconception. II Mr.. WEBkTER's course
was unfortunate as to the war, he (Mr. II had
nothing to do with it. He envied the feelings of no
one who would the pages of filth and vile
party defamation to rake up charges against any
man.
What he had to say was, that he had noticed
with pride and Satisfaction, when in Europe, that
the name Of WEBLrER was loved, honored, and re-
spected. He would meet the full responsibility Of
this declaration here and elsewhere. Did his col
league seek to identify him on this account with
Mr.. WEBsTER's political errors, and use it against
him at homer
Mr.. YANCEY said that he was aware that the
decle ration was uttered in the warmth of feelino