The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1846-05-09
Congressional.
Correspondence of the Public Ledger

s WASHINGTON APRIL 27
q Mr. Hebster and Mr.. HgnsOA-Enci
ting Discussion The House was the The
aIre of excitement to-day. Isen, you In
substance of tie scene by Magnetic Tee
graph, but was obliged to curGI my des
patch to fnd half irs original length, 10 en-
able me to have it 10 Baltimore in lime 70
The 3 o'clock cars. ia il wsa, tho las
word was there al minuts, before Q O.
clock.
| Immediately afer The reading Of the jou,
nal Mr.. lngersoll rose and asked leave tt
make personal explanation.
| Objections we're made, and in answer tc
question from Mr.. Henley. the Speaker
stated that there was no such legislation re-
lcognzed by The rules as a personal sxpIa.
nalIon,' Such explanation would only b.
made by suspension Of the rules
Mr.. lngersoIl asked suspension Of The
rules, and on this The yeas and nays wer,
demanded, and resulted, yea, lO2, nays 26.
So the rules were suspended,
Mr.. Spsaken-Whsn Mr.. Webster, in
ViFuIanI Terms, in Senate pssailed my nu,l,
concerning transaction Of which proofs
ought TO be in lhe Department of Slate,
went there in search Of rhom for my vindi.
cation. AS member Of the Committee Of
Foreign Affairs, for sons years, have
soma freedom Of access there, though prob
ably mono which sny other member OF Con.
gfess is not entitled to.
When the Presidents answer to tho ree
o'ullon Of the House of Representatives, re.
used certain documents, l repsstsd,in in gen.
lefsl assertion, The fact Of HE delinquency
and added that it 10 easily susceptible o
proof My friends ,dvisepd me- 10 60 ro
ut'hsr, suppo'ios thai MIR. Webster would
|oha!engs investigation,
No, having done so but having sgsin,
with oPpfohr,oas language in Senate. chsrg
ed wa with SANDER. and ,slIsd on me al
su5SIanta'e my accusation Of him, J nov
submit short statement which may bl
IeVied as 10 truth.
There are three charges Of dcIinqOer.I
'cy:
First Unlawful u1s Of the fund appro,
priated for the contingent service of for.
eign intercourse, commonly called lhe 81.
crel service fund.
Secondly. MisapplyiOg part Of IhsI lunG
70 conOp' party presses.
Thirdly. Leaving lhs Department o.
SIals 10 defaulI 10 hal fund
First. Congress S7pfopriotes ANNUALLY
a small SUN, commonly, sGO0 900. for The
contingent cx2sDoss Of foreign iotercoufe;
he disbursement Of part Of which is soms.
lines useiuIIy csndsssine, Dat never, 90 ha.
1een erroceouaIy supposed, corrupt. When.
'Ver, in the Presidents opinion, il would b.
'roog to make public how Gny or part of
5 disposed Of, he go Csrsiies. end. BY tcr
# Congress, hi, mere certificate is sufficient Il
'oucher at the treasury fer the required eel {
lament. (
Tbess funds have, for he lat ,ixisen +,
ears, II mol always. been in the haods od5
clerk, called, by se's Of Congress. the a
,isbursing agent Of the Department Of Al
aa. who kept thsm In banks, Gs sgs1t v
he official rouIlne is for The President, on
,s requistion Of lhs Secretary OF State, TO "a
ulhorzs payment OF Tho money from the AZ
easufy TO the discussing agent Of me STATE r5
department. The disbursins agent is debit 81
/ al the treasury with the sum drawn into hi
Ie Department Of Slate, keeps ii to HE 3:
.sdIt as agent, in bank, and give checkG as hi
'quired by the Secretary, for payment to 8
ny person he may designate. "
In this way the check saw, ~ hen Iwenr
the department, was drawn by the agen, "a
r he service at Now York ia McLeod's 70
ss. Sl ,0OOy 70
Bu! shortly after President HARRISON, pl
'alh, and before Vce.presidenI Tyler was
home in chief magestracy in April Is Vi
Mr.. Secretary Webster began an en- A
rely novel method of dealing with the Sc II
et service fund. Instead Of dire citing the as
sbursing agent 10 pay any third person, |