Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-04-14
RICHMOND DAILY WING.
A Conspiracy Charged!

We had condensed. for this mornings paper,
the pungent debate in the House of Representa-
lives on the 9th instant upon the resolution offer
ed by Mr.. Iugersoll, in reference TO certain allie
rations against Mr.. Webster, growing out of the
adjustment of the Northeastern Boundary Cues.
ton; but the important foreign intelligence COM
pels us to pretermit 1t.
Connected with this subject, we observe in the
proceedings OF the House on Friday last reso-
luton submitted by Mr.. Ashmun, which will at
tract the attention of the country. The resolu-
ton is as follows:
'Resolped That the Secretary OF State be directed to
inform House whether has been permitted
TO violate the secrecy Of the Department of State hy
animation Of tho confidential and private papers docu
Incnts which placed in his Keeping and II so, when
said violation took place, and by whom it was committed
r whether he has communicated person sny parts
of the contents OF such papers documents which
thus confdentsly in his keeping and So to whom and
when said communication ~ss made"
Mr.. Ashmun in the course Of his argument in
support of the resolution, was interrupted by MIR.
Houston of Alabama, when the following colo
guy took place
Mr. HOUSTON. Do understand the gentleman from
Massachusetts, charge that there is a conspiracy
Mr AsHMUN. lido.
Mir HOUSTON. Upon whom 7
Mr.. ASHAuH. Not upon the gentleman from Alaba
Mr.. HOUSTON Who does the gentleman suppose
Mr. ASHNUN. One member in this House, and oth-
ers out Of II. who stand behind him
Nr. HOUSTON. Does the gentleman from Massachu-
sc,ts mean TO include the President
Mr. ASHNUN. When the information which
outou calls for obtsined, will give him full
Mr.. HOUSTON. Then the gentleman has made
ch,rre which he dares disclose, snd therefore
think he does not believe II himself.
W. ASHNUN. Let the gentleman from Alabama
for the cali for information, and will show him that there Is
conspiracy II nc and his friends prevent the inquiry in
10 the facs they probably fear the effect OF them"
1t will he remembered that Mr.. Ingerso, in
introducing his resolution Of enquiry, declared
that he had not, until the day before, been appri
zed of the existence of any ground Of suspicion
touching the grave matters against the distinguish
ed Senator from Massachusetts, OF which he
so promptly made himself the sponsor. The en-.
quiry naturally arose, in every mind, whence did
Mr. Ingerso derive the information upon which
he has hazarded such serious accusatons-accu-
satons which. if they be sustained by the record
will place Mr.. Webster in the same category
with Lord Bacon, as the ''meanes," as well as the
"rreatest" man Of his time but which, If shown
To be false, as we believe they will be, must
coil with tremendous effect upon his accuser
The answer suggests itself rs readily the enqui-
~. The information could only have been de-
rived from the Department of State Itself; and
the public will be at no loss to decide upon the
delieacy Ito say nothing more,) Of this inSidious
attempt, on the part of the Erecmire, to dishonor
and PROSTATE political opponent, whom it both
fears and hates.
Mr.. Webster is no fayOrite of ours. His con-
neclion with the Tyler Administration, long after
the alleged excuse for il ceased to exist. and his
Objectionable course, before and afterwards, to.
wards a distinguished political associate. to whom
tine ewes of the great body of the Wing party
throughout the Union, had been long and an1-
lousy turned as the great embodiment of their
principles, by whose elevation to the first office
in the world they had hoped to grace their tri.
umph, had abated much OF the admiration nspi-
red by his great abi tiles and by the exertion of
those abilities in the support and maintenance Of
sound principles. But who, that regards the fame
of our great men the property of the nation,
would not lament to see the reputation Of one so
eminent in his own country, and so favorabIy
known throughout the civilized world furnished
and backened by such Aagrant offences rs those
imputed to him by Mr.. lngersoll Who does not
feel. indeed, that the character Of the country
such man Most sincerely do hope that
he may pass through the ordeal without leaving
the smell Of fire upon his garments.