The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-11

doubt whether the hAal settsmsni 40 item OF 500
was not by mistake carried 10 his credit, winch had
been before allowed him. lhls error was
pointed out TO the committee oy the uisours'
ing agent, by whom the account Was Drawn
up and the settlement made. lie proves that II was
at his own suggestion and not at that Of Mr.. Web
ster that Ibis item was carried to his credit in the
final settlement IL Is not necessary 10 90 into the
particulars of the history Of this item, and Of the
cause of the mistake, If one was made. The COM
mittee deem il sufficient to remark, that blame is
impulable TO Mr.. Webster, who, they are satisfied,
Was not aware, and probably is not now that this
item had been before credited to him; is the dis.
bursting agent who drew up the items Of the final
settlement, liable 10 the charge Of negligence. IL il
be assumed that this item twice allowed TO him,
and that the final settlement was in all other respects
correct, then, IN refunding 10 Mr. Webster, he
should have been repaid $3.50 only, instead of ST.
$50. But if Mr.. Webster was not mistaken in the
belief that he had paid the 81 1000 aforementioned,
then the government still owes him $780,
The committee deem any comment on the above
facts connected with this charge unnecessary. In
their opinion, there is proof n relation TO any Of
the charges to impeach Mr.. We6ster's integrity or
the purity of his motives in the discharge Of the du
ties Of his Office. The value Of this opinion is per
hRps extent, en- anced by the fact, that IN
their investigation the committee, IN observance OF
the usage in similar cases have taken the testimony
without notice TO him. in his absence, without com
municason with him, or explanation from him. In
conclusion, sy beg permission 10 remark that their
investgugonhas brought out facts (Which are emoo-
died in connected with the foreign rela-
tons offbs country the disclosure Of which public pol
ICY would seem forbid On this subject they entire
concur with the President of the United States in
The views so fully and strongly enforced by him in
his message al the present session, IN answer To
resolution Of the House, requesting commanicauon
70 Il OF the same facts that are embodied in the lss
.L.n. h.. h
sons then assigned no declined TO communicate or
hake pubic except with view 10 an impeachment,
and TO furnish the proof necessary 70 attain the
great ends Of public justice He expressed the ops-
gIon, that in that the House should adopI
al wise precautions TO prevent the unnecessary ex-
nosure Of matters, the publication OF which might
niunousy affect the public interest. No dissen,
from the views OF that message was expressed by
the House. The committee therefore think that
these facts were laid open 10 their view, with an
IN pied understanding both on the part OF the Pre-
sdent and of the House, that they would be made
public only in the event OF Impeachment, and OF
their being necessary for bringing to justice great
public delinquents lnasmuch, therefore, ss no evi'
denee has been exhibited to the committee which
can lay any foundation for an impeachment all the
reasons which induced the President TO decline 10
make these facts public, on the call Of tho House,
return in their full force against their disclosure
now
They therefore recommend that they be dis.
charged from the further consde ration OF this sub
jet, and that the testimony taken by them (Which
accompanies this Ieport) be scaled up, endorsed
confdental,n and deposited in the srchiyes Of the
House, not to be opened unless by It's order. And
they report resolutions accordingly. to #.a9
Re,osel. That the testimony taken tins Investigation
be sealed up by the clerk under the super yop OF the
committee endorsed CONFIDENTIAL" and Deposited IN the
archives Of the House, and that the be not opened
less by It's order.
R1ssI.ss That this report be laid the tssie and
printed and that the select committee be dschHg from
the further consideration Of the subject
Signed and submitted by
SAMUEL y. vINToN
JEFFERSON DAVIS,
DANIEL p KING,
sEABUN Jones