New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-04-14
THE SECRET SERVICE FUND.
speech of MIR. Dixon Of CT.

nectcut had made able speech in reply 70 the at
tacks Of Mr. IsGERsoLL and Mr. YAscEY on Mr..
WEBSTER. | think il will please your readers 10
see The following sketch which send you
RIcBELIEU.
Mr.. DIXON having obtained the floor on privi.
legged question moved TO reconsider the vote of yes
terday on the resolution offered by Mr.. c. j. NIGER.
SOIL Of Pa relating 10 expenditure OF secret service
money whilc Mr. WEBSTER was Secretary OF Stae.
Some objection made, bat the Speaker decided
that MIR DIXON entitled 10 the floor.
In giving his reasons for moving the reconsidera-
ton Mr. d called the attention Of the House to the
state OF the question as it was yesterday The gen
tleman from Pennsylvania, MIR IsGsRsoLL,) in the
discussion of the Oregon Question, left the subject
before the House. and went out of his way TO call in
question the proceedings Of Member Of the Senate OF
the United Sntes at time when thst Senator wa Sec
Rotary Of State He brought forward special and pecu
liar charges Of the grossert knd-charges which true
must the Senator himself said In his defence dis
grace him in the eyes Of the world. The remarks then
made the floor OF the House were aiterw&rd puo'
Iished under the eye OF the gentleman from Penn.
sylvauia, and sent TO the public on the wings
OF the wind Nor were they mus sent by the
gentleman alone. but Senator from the STATE OF
New York, appended those remarks In their most OIL
fensve shape 10 Speech OF hls which was crcu
lated in great numbers throughout the State OF New
York AMI elsewhere. The charges thus obtained the
widest circulation and calculated US well AZ In
tended produc" powerful effect on the mnde OF the
people OF This do not now complain but shall not
say word ss To the propriey improperly the cir
cua,iop OF those charges But the Senator from Msssa
chuses took occasion come days since to reply TO the
accusations thus preferred in this House mud Upread
abroad the country. What else could have
been expected from the Senator from Massachusetts
need say that do not stand here to defend that
gentleman | should shrink from such task. The
Hon Senator needs defender but Is fully competent
for his vindcaiion Gould any one suPpose that no
he from Massachusetts) would cit down under
charges like those preferred bv the gentleman from
Pennsy lvania without sreplyi Did that gentleman nat
himself that the distinguished Senator whom he had
s1,,.a 81 ldclns lima in N
permit iheee caumnies 10 produce their effect an.
answered1 Was that the gentleman's hopef Or did
he think that il Mr. Webster replied at ALL he would do
IL In mild gentle, mercul and forbearing manner
II he INDUCED such expectation, the event showed
that he had been greatly mistaken.
But thing the Senator from Mass. did not do
When thus assaled he did like the gentleman from
Penn without making directrepy, call on the Senate
to aid him In proving the gentleman from pennsylvania
public deisuer. Suppose he had done this suppose
the gentleman from Penn. had once been public Of
fcer entrusted with public funds (Which believe he
pot) and the Hon. Senator had risen In his place
and while he suffered the charges against him To remain
uerriucd bad said TO the Senate have nothing % ssf
Ia my defence but If this body will lend mo ta nG
will prove the gentleman from Penn public default
cr If hs had taken such that what friend
ofIhe Senator could have Witnessed II without having
the Senator dof He called on the Executive Depart
eut for the official papers necessary for h's Hcupaon
and ss soon they into the Senate he addressed
that body In able, powerful, convincing scathng
cruising defence OF himself la the course OF whch tue
gentleman from Penn. suffered most severely.
What less could have been expected think the as
saant could not have expected treatment OF very mild
and gentle character II he complains OF it's severity be
will find itle sympa,hy In the minds Of those who bear
in mind tina, his attack was gross and unprovoked rs
well as false what manner the distinguished Sena'
tor repealed the charges preferred against Nun oy n
gentleman from Pennsy lvana, almost every Member OF
This House knows from personal observation Inc gen
tleman from Alabama (Air YANcEv) thinks the manner
of The defence undpnied That It was severe ana
terrific freely admit but in the opinion that was UNI
dieuited cannot agree To me II appeared as dienited
as 1t terrible. The gentleman from Alabama is
pleased say In his elegant language that the non
orable Senator only threw about him slme and MN
could amt fancy. listened tn the Senator that
could the torn limbs of the gentleman from fenhsy,,
vapiRihc Gisitcr embrG scattered on every SIDE 10 HI
the winds Ii the gentleman from Alabama considers
that scattering OF slime and fifth, let him say mat
In defence OF his friend shall not cay myself ou'
leave the honor 10 him.
In all tho indignant wrath Of the reply of the Senator
did not hear word or phrase which was not per
fcc,y diguifcd and becoming the mouth OF the most
scrupuous gentleman. | cannot say rs much lot tue
written cmaks Of the gentleman from yes
terday. IA far dignity and praprety OF LANGUAGE is
concerned there much in the written speech OF the
gentleman far objectionable than anything saia oy
the Senator from Mass.
Bu, IL seems ,hn, the gentleman from Penn complains
that prediction had been uttered 10y an tionorspe Mem
Der from sss (Mr WnthrcpD 10 the effect that ne was
To be sca-ifed. Ii such prediction WAS made THINK
the gentleman from Mass had not his usual propheuc
ken ScAnIriSp, What is the meaning OF this worc 7
Isuppose 1t cut somewhat sheh'ly-Not crushed
aud annhilated-but as we sometimes say nor escaping
with whole skin think the gentleman very fortunate
II only scarfed Had the victim been any other gentle
man he must have been totally crushed ana anne'is'ed
by the blows which were dealt thick aud last oy the
powerful arm of the Senator from Mass hut the gem
trnau possesses SO much ability repis and endure
that the blows instead Of destroying only scar'hed HIM
The spectacle reminded me rsher vf an tephent Tread
lug asunGcr the limbs OF his wreched victim Ihai the
gentleman survived II only proves his wondeiiu powers
" endurance
do not wonder that gentleman felt somewhat aggriev-
ed had thought him who could take az well rs
give blows and heavy blows knew that for bitterness
OF kcepuess of rrpartee, hrilltancy OF wit ne
g>prfa NV h.i npnn NJ ,hp la AZ
wish To encounter) and expected TO witness display
Of his powers when he came to reply and that be would
In way attempt TO sues'aats,e the chareesto which
the Senator from Mass had replied with much indig
nsnt power thought would either prove his charges
or like gentleman, retrsct them Blu, no. he comes
into the House. and in written speech prepared IN
cold blood without denying the truth of anything the
Hon Senstcr had sadwhout proving or retrac,ng his
arst oharges-he gives the House TO understand that
though his first accusation wss csuuinous yer TINS
body viii lend it's aid he will prove the HON senator
public detaultcr
Tho a.,onishment with which saw the gentleman
pursue this extreme; ent as tue resolution
ofiuoury offered thought il duty TO vote Tor IL
Thought it due Mr. Webster himself and tina; uasa
lied reputation which he has thus far Snoyed before n
country and before the world. was confident then rs
that let the Investigation pc prose
cp,ed as closely and rgidy Il may. the character
that lofty patriotic would come out OF
the furnace pure and without stain. proposed an
amendment TO the resolution. and had that resolution
been sdog,ed should have been satisfied with the reso
Luton modified. was Tor having ;he inquiry go iN
sher and Sud;ns cut Whist other gentlemen II any, had
eeensu,l;y Of an improper use OF the public money
Whether any part OF this Secret Service tund had been
iutprGerly otin the case OF Texas; and II So
how Al where; but the very gentlemen WAC Were SO
very eencst in oftae resolution US applied to Mr.
Meose. and who seemed so eager to drag down II pos
shie 'at great and distinguished would not and
dare no adopt this amendment l say that they Care
nos oeeose thought was obviously proper taey 'o'eu
ssans'N can conceive other reason for thetF vote
tnan dare not let in the light OF Investigation on
toose sssaciions They could that the curry
was nos proper in the in the o,her hence
INFER sn'l think ha, the country will iofcr with me,
that they ,er, afraid TIA, something vsoud come OUT
which ihey,oul6 no, meet
Ine gentleman from Pennsylvania had some excuse
Tor ms snse in the proyicsticn given. L, sufficient
perhaps n,rtv his replying In any manner hs saw
ht but
here Mt FRAN OF Ohio interposed to ask question.
Ioe senteniS from Connecticut had ssid ths, those
WAC opposed is amendment afraid 10 make the
inquiry, ies' ,hoad appear ,hss some improper
1sl oeen the Score, Service Fund in the of
teSas, ae ~oSd AJAX him whether public document
hac not been resd here the sor which proved ,ha,
not cent from that Fund had been expended between