The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-29

the Committee on Foreign Affairs, IN the House o.
Representatives Sir, have done no such thing, IA
that senator well knows.
| Mr. lngersoll, in public speech, delivered on
| the hoor Of the House, on the 9Th OF February
| last, made certain statements, touching the Mo
Leod affair, and the action Of the federal govern
ment concerning IL, through the then Secretary OF
State This speech was reported at length at the
time in the pubic papers (which circulate through
out the Union and are sent to Europe. Mr. lsGEx-
soil 10 a gentleman OF eminonce and distinction,
extensively known, and now occupying one OF the
most commanding positions In the representative
government The senator from Massachusetts
must have seen and read his remarks at the time
they were reported; and yet, for reasons unex-
planned by him, he interposed no denial whatso-
ever, but suffered the statement 10 circulate from
the 9Th 10 the oath of February, unnotced and
uncontradcted While speaking Of the extra.
ordinary submission OF our government 10 that
Of Great Britain, in the case of Mcleod, the
destruction Of the Caroline, and the murder Of
Durfee, alluded to the statement OF Mr.. IsGER-
SOIL, that the counsel Of Mcleod had been paid
from the treasury; the senator denied such pay
msni, but denied nothing further although offer
ed TO yield him the floor My remarks were pub
lished through the papers soon AFTER, containing
my ausion 10 the remark of Mr.. IsaERsoLL, and
containing also the denial Of the senator from
Massachusetts, as will appear by reference TO my
speech, but not containing the extract from the
speech OF Mr.. lsGERsoLL. | was then frequently
called upon for copies OF Mr. lSGERsoLL's speech
to which mine alluded and some two or three
weeks afterwards, in publishing pamphlet edi-
ton, cut an extract from the reported speech OF
Mr.. IsGERsoLL, and appended it in note TO minei
not TO make Il a part Of II, as the senator has err
roneously asserted and enormously repeated, for
| expressly declared at the time that knew moth
ing concerning the statement | expressed my
qualification at the denial, far il was denied
for | felt that the country had been sufficiently
dsgIaced and humbed in the transaction, with
out adding this item to her catalogue Of shame.
But appended the note after the speech of Mr..
IsGERsoLL had been more than month in circula-
ton for the convenience Of those who might desire
10 understand the allusion. neither adding to,
detractng from, the statement Of Mr. lngersoll, but
leaving II To stand upon its high responsibility,
accompanying il with the denial Of the senator from
Massachusetts, as to the single point which he no.
ticed. This, Mr.. President, has been alleged by
the senator from Massachusetts as a cause for his
assault and To show how lowly even great minds
and lofty pretensions capable of descending for
pretext, when they seek controversy, It is worthy
Of remark, that the senator charged me with having
inserted the word express" in that part Of Mr. In
gersoll's reWark appended to mine, so to make it
read that the letter spoken Of sent by express"
"a word in no manner material TO any view | had
aiken Of the subject, nor relating to anything had
aid. The extract from Mr.. lngersolI's speech
appended To mine, was cut by me from the columns
Of the "Unlon" newspaper, and not changed IN a
word a letter; and, besides, copy Of the "Con.
gressiona Globe" which ] now hold contains
another report Of the speech, with the same
word express" which the senator from Massa-
chusetts, with great pretenslpns TO dignity, and
truth, and fairness, with both these papers before
him containing reports of the speech, including the
same word in the note, charges were expressly in
serted by me-"
The pretences, Mr.. President, which have been
alleged by the senator, to excuse this assault, |
have, trust, shown to be what they really are
empty and insincere, and designed as an excuse
for assaIlng one, for other reason than because
he brought the notice of the country and called
in question the wisdom Of the Ashburton negota-
tons, in the hope, doubtless that hereafter no one
would venture ollude to this traffic in American
honor, lest perchance, he should incur the weight
Of that fearful penalty-the dispeasure Of the
tor from Massachusetts.
l now propose, Mr.. President, to review briefly the
remarks Of the senator from Massachusetts,, and TO
notice, upon his invitation, more fully than have
heretofore done, the settlement Of the northeastern
boundary, and the general subject Of the Ashbnrton
negotiations. Before proceeding to my task, how
ever, if permitted, would invoke the senator from
Massachusetts to accept word OF advice from one
who cannot boast Of his great xperience, and who
is by many years his junior. II, in looking back
over the dark and desolate pathway Of long life,
which, with high order Of talent, has been de-
voted to the public employment, il not The public
vice, he can find no objects upon which the eye
can win pleasure, nlmSeiI, ne can see no
bow of promise archng itself up in the future, let
him not ba st the fruition Of the present by the in
diligence of evil passions; but hush the angry tenn
pest which chafes and agtates his bosom, and cul-
tivate spirit of peace. If it does not improve his
bearing towards his fellows it will at least restore
him to better humor with himself, which, from the
exhibition he has given us, would seem to be desir-
able.
The virulent display of tho honorable senator
was no hasty or inconsiderate outbreak, but the
fruit Of careful and deliberate preparation. On
Friday last the senator not having the floor upon
the Oregon question, upon anything relating to
it, and not knowing that he could obtain it, POM
pously announced that he would speak on Mon
day one hour-a notice to the world, that, on that
day. the performance which had been so long in
rehearsal was to come off, and that the senator
from Massachusetts, for the entertainment of those
who should assemble on his advertisement, would
annihilate antagonist of "fearful odds" The
hour within which the senator was to dispose of
the question elongated until two entire days
were exhausted, commencing earlier than usual,
and during which time we were terrified by his
frowns, and overwhelmed and astounded by his
matchless rdcule So exulting was his tone, and so
Profuse were his anathemas upon the remark that 81
would endeavOr to speak of the history of the past
truly" that supposed had perchance fallen upon
an erroneous date, some other error of about
equal importance, and was waiting, as were the
Senate and the audience in breathless expectation
statement to be detected when, after all the empty
and vaingorious Boosting in which he had INDUCED,
he unable to point out a single misstatement,
and was compelled to fall back upon the stale and
thrcer eued denial that the federal government in
terfered with the courts of New York in the affair
of McLeod-an inference to be deduced from GER
tain ascertained facts, which have once fully es-
tabshed, and will again place before the Senate and
the country, beyond the reach Of the most brazen
falsiier or disingenuous caver.
The honorable senator is anxious that should
turn historian He has been pleased to remark that
the American people will pay well for whatever
gives them hearty laugh, no matter whether it be
carica,ure from Punch, or volume of my re-
searches after truth This is doubtless true though
they have sometimes "paid toeii" for that which
afforded them neither profit nor amusement. Al.
though by no means ambitious Of becoming aathor,
am desirous to obge him, and advise him, that,
upon sufficient invitation from him, | will so far
become one as to give "rue history Of the past;'
but whether its revelations shall cause amusement
to the American people, or to any particular indi-
vdua, or compel those to hang their heads in shame