Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-04-30
MR.. wEBSTRR,S REMARKS.

The following are the remarks which Mr..
WEBSTER made in the Senate ON Wednesday :
Mr. WEBSTER rose and said have a
few. and but few, remarks to make on the
Presidents message in answer to the resolu-
ton of the House of Representatives, calling
for an account Of the disbursements during the
period in which had the honor 10 be Secreta-
ny of State, out ofthe fund for the contingent
expenses Of foreign intercourse.
In the first place, sir, | am happy 10 say
that entirely approve the course of proceeding
which the President has adopted. In my
Judgment. he could not have acted otherwise
than he has done, without the violation of law
and OK his own duty. Sir, as know that not
n dollar was disbursed from that fund without
the sanction of the President, and as am con-
scious that every disbursement was made for
a proper and necessary public purpose, it
might he thought that should desire the pub
LEGATION of the papers, in order that every bo-
DIV might see what they are. or what they
show But this is matter OF so little con-
cernment to me. (and presume tits Of little
10 the late Presidency that certainly would
not wish to see an important principle, and an
important law, violated and broken forany per-
sonal convenience in that respect. ! am not
at all apprehensive that the country viii sus-
pect either President Tyler or me, acting I'M
der his authority, of anything improper in the
disbursement Of a few hundred or a few thou
sand dollars, in a case in which the law repo-
ses confidence in the President, and gives him
discretion as to making the expenditure pub
lie.
Sir, President of the United States, OF the
head Of Department acting by his authority,
must think but poorly Of his own reputation
and standing with the country If he is afraid of
being suspected Of having violated his duty
and his oath in a matter Of so little moment |
will add, that person who entertains such a
suspicion without reason, of any pubic man,
may himself be well suspected of having held
auo very complimentary dialogue with him
self.
Sir, we all know that the head Of Depart
mcnt cannot touch dollar Of this fund except
with the Presidents sanction. The whole
power, and the whole esponsibility is with the
President The Presidents message states this
50 fully and clearly that need not dwell upon
H. | viii say, in the first place, thatno expen-
d,ture, improper in itself, or improper IN its
amount. was made to my knowledge, judg-
uIent, or belief And | will say in the next
place, that the late President Of the United
States, in all things respecting the expendl-
mra Of the public moneys, was remarkably
cautious. exact and particular.
And here say, sir, that all declarations.
avermenS, statements, or msinuations, made
any whore, or by any body, which lmpute
Perveron. misapplicaton, or waste OF the
public funds. committed or made by me while
Secretary Of State. are utterly groundless and
untrue And Twill conclude with one remark,
the bearing Of which shall leave to the Sen
\ ate and to the country.
Whoever charges me with having either
mlsappied OF wasted the public funds, while
n mthe Department of State, has either seen the
II papers, or has, in some other way obtained
d knowledge on the subject. or be has not. II
n he has seen no papers, and has no knowledge,
n then ms imputauonS are purely wantoh and
NJ 'auderouS If he has seen the papers, OF has
II any knowledge, then he should be sure to state
n what he knows, if he knows any thing TO sus-
n tam h,m IN his charge. Silence under such
circumstances, is conclusive that he knows
nothing, because he is under no obligation OF
secrrsy, and in absence of all other proof, he
would of course tell all he knew. II he knew
any thing which could, IN the slightest degree,
near HIM out. The charge, therefore, was ell
AA uadeln utter ignoranceof any facts TO sup
P.Eh, or else with the knowledge that the facts
|Mehd do exist would, if made known, entirely
oSpTo7e It. As to the source Of this miserable
llpeAuon. have nothing to say. am
a'rud shallbe thought to have paid too much
attention to IT already. Sir, leave the author
9'@eso SANDERS where he isl leave HIM IN
NE " Ist company know in the world
ave Mm with hmselG