Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-05-01
To Alexander Powell. for journey to, and
stay ON the frontier in lS4l, on the sub
jeci Of The disturbances, 100,
l,,,ha


stay on the frontier in l84l, on the sub
ject of The disturbances, 600
With several other items.
The first item 10 this short account concerning
Mcleod will show how was led from that 10
other objects; and some Of the other items will
show the agents whom, as Secretary OF State,
Mr.. Webster employed. Both houses OF Con-
gress, if not the public at large, have not been
left in ignorance OF the characters Of some oi
those on whom the Secretary of Stale bestowed
large sums of public money, il their receipts cor.
rectly vouch wha, they got.
In memorandum of payments 10 Mr.. Weo-
ster, by authority OF the President there is MI
mute dated June %, 1912, "By cash returned,
s., OOO"
After drawing $4,000 to himself during ff-
teen months, during which period there IS no
trace of what he did with those large sums ne
appears 10 have returned one-lhird OF the amount
withdrawn. Why retarn it. if taken for any
public purpose2 Where had il been kePti IL
in any place Of depositc, was il separate from
Mr. Webster's private funds? Did ne use III
These S5 600 were returned ten days after, &C
cording to the Published correspondence, his ne
gotiat0n with the British Envoy Extraordinary,
began by conversational and confidential inter-
course, without protocols or other usual records
of such transactions.
In l843 MIR. Webster took to himself S2,0OO
more, making altogether SIT 600.
On closing his account, erediting the S3,OuU re-.
turned, and various other sums, there renamed
balance against him OF $3.50 OF the secret ser
vice fund. One OF his credits against II was Tor
81 400, published in House document, repor, NO.
%, first session, 2S,h Consress-rePor OF Mr..
Rogers, for maps charts, surveys and expenses OF
bringing them to the seat Of Government, and for
copies OF transcripts, and for various agencies to
procure information connected with the boundary
treaty
This inarlculate and comprehensive mixture
OF many inconsruous items, without specihcaiion
ofprices dates or any apparent test OF reclilude,
MI. Secretary Webster certified himself as pro-
per credit for himself and deducted from his debit
10 The secret service fund. Without that credit
his default, to that fund would have been S3,69O,
instead OF 81, 900 which i, was when ne was re-
moved from Office.
The $4,000 were in his hands, contrary 10 uni
form usage: if used by him contrary to the sub
treasury act Whether SO, is for him TO make APP
pear. The burden Of proof is on him.
Secondly: Application OF the secret service
fund 10 corrupt party presses. The Ashburon
treaty bears date the 9th August, 1912. Congress
were then in session; and as Mr. Adams has
charged me lately, and confess did what little
Il
OF Representatives I've had forty votes, think,
under The previous que,.icn) 10 resist treaty
which MIR Webster has lately stated in The Senate
granted near halt million Of dollars from the
treasury OF the United States 10 the people OF
Maine and Massachusetts, then desired to
contend when put down by the previous question,
that the House of Representatives had consitu-
tonal right 10 pass on such treaty.
What am now enabled to add, OF revelation
from the Department OF State, will prove that my
instincts of aversion to the treaty were even truer
than reason.
In the Department of Stale there is now a let
Ter signed F. o. J. Smith, married prtrate, dated
Portland, the 18th of August, 1912, addressed 10
Mr.. Webster, Secretary Of Stale, substantially as
follows:
1, begins by coneratulating Mr.. Webster on
his settlement Of the Maine boundary question
by ns,r mode Of approaching he subject, after for
" wears of diplomacy without which nsW mode
another forty years diplomacy would have come
TO nothing.
mir. f. o. ]. Smith seems to have suggested
the boast with which his correspondent, MIR. Web
s,er. Rugged himself in his elaborate vindication
in Senate
Mr.. Smith informs Mr.. Webster by this letter,
that he mad occasion TO resort to services and
influences in order 10 adjust tss tone and direction
of THE PARTY PRESSES, and through them oil puo-
lie sentiment, to purpose so desirable of accom-
nl;shmen. under Mr.. Webs;ers administration.
MIR. Smith, therefore, submits claim or ac-
count, il recollec right, 10 blank for Mr. Web
.,er TO fill up Of which he calls for payment out
of the contingent und MIR. Smith presumes that
the contingent fund will be ample, and Mr. Web
s,er's control Of ii complete, 10 do whatever be
may think Just
The sums Mr.. Smith vouches as got BY him
from Mr. Webster are $4,000 for services con-
nec,ed with The Northeastern boundary, and two
wears after he vouches $500 more, as will be
shown.
Thirdly: Leaving the Department of State in
deb, to The secret service fund 1880.
The records of the department show this default
beyond all denial or question.
They show, furthermore, that il was neither
paid or accounted for during nearly two years amer
MIR. Web.ter's removal from office.
They show several letters sent to him by IRE,
sidsnt Tyler's direction, urging payment ana
evasive letters Of excuse from Mr.. WEBSTER lot
non-payment.
Al length. a peremp,ory letter that exposure
would or might be The consequence OF more de-
Law producsd reimburse ment. But settlement did
moi take place until the LIST February, IS45, ten
DAYS before President Polk arrived in Washing
ton 10 be inaugura'ed, when Mr.. Webster produ-
ced another voucher from Mi. F. 0. J. Smith Tor
an additional $500, and other vouchers, one from
George Smith for $500.
George Smith, since dead, denied that he had
ever been paid or vouchsd more Than Sl50, 10
which SUN MIR. Webster reduced the $500 al
first demanded, as his agent now IN washington
will prove
Granting all the vouchers Mr.. Webster pro-
duced there was nevertheless a balance of about
200 dollars due frsm him. at all events, when ne
left the department. That sum he was in default
10 the secret service fund, after credlting every
thing 10 the way prepayment offset or voucher
that he claimed.
In all [ have said in this affair, no allusion has
been made to any private aggravation. Regret,
ting the exposure forced from me, having afforded
Mr.. Webster several opportunities TO meet the
charges in his own way, that which ne chose leit
me no alternative but this forbearing Justifcation
of myself
A resolution, or committee, which cannot in
.titute, will soon test the truth Of my statements.
On question by Mr.. Hunter of Virginia, Mr..
Ingersoll said that he had received no informa-
ton or ntimation Of any sort on this subject from
Mr.. Trist, who was then acting Secretary OF
State; and on a question by Mr.. Bayly OF Viz
ginia, Mr. Ingsrsoll repeated that he had dis
claimed impuling 10 Mr.. Tyler, late President OF
the United States, any fault in reference 10 the
abuses thai had been committed in this fund.
We continue sketch Of The proceedings 10
the end, emitting the points of order raised and
decided, in endless confusion.
Mr.. Ashmun of Massachusetts said, was We
~ confident, Mr.. Speaker, that the sense OF JUS
lice tina, prevails in this House would ne, pre-
clude me from an opportunity Of replying TO me
member from Pennsylvania. After the repeated,
deliberate cold-booded ebullitione OF that gentle
man here
The Speaker inlerposed TO order. The gentle
man from Massachusetts must avoid PERSONAL
ties.
MIR. Ashmun. Well, suppose il was perfect
ly iu order for the member from Pennsylvania
10 utter all sorts OF abusive epilhets about an abb
sent gentleman, and that senator, calling him
by name too, and yet il is not strictly parliament
tary 10 impute any bad motive to
The Speaker. The Chair has no power be-
tween present and absent gentlemen, but he has
power between present gentlemen, and il must be
exercised.