The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1846-05-09

a small minority in the House Of Represen'
IaIiyes, 1--WE had forty votes, lhiKt, under
the previous question: to resist treaty
which Nj. Webster has lately stated in the
Senate, granted near half million of dol-
lars from the treasury Of the United States
10 the people of Maine and Massachusetts.
then desired to contend, when put down
by the previous question, that the House OF
Representatives had constitutional right to
pass on such treaty.
What am now enabled 10 add, Of revs.
laIicn from The Department of State, will
prove that nv instincts Of aversion TO the
Treaty were even truer than reason.
lathe Department OF State there is now
letter, signed +, o. ]. Smith, marked pri.
Udie, dated Portland, the l2Ih Of August,
1912, addressed to Mr.. Webster, Secretary
of State, substantially as follows;
Ii begins by congratulaliug Mr.. Webster
on his settlement of tbe Maine boundary
question, by nelo mode Of approaching
the subject, after forty years Of diplomacy
without which new mode another forty
years Of diplOmacy.g. would have come to
nothing.
Mr. F. O, j. Smith seems 10 have sug.
gesled The Soas! with which his cortespon.
dent, Mr.. Webster Rugged himself in his
elaborate vindcaion in tho Senate.
Mr.. Smith informs Mr.. Webster by this
letter that he had occasion 10 resort 10 SER
vices and influences, in order 10 adjust the
tone and direction ofthe party presses, and
through them Of public sentiment TO pur.
pose SO desirable of accomplishment under
Mr.. Webster's administration.
Mr.. Smith, therefore, submits claim or
account if reccollect right, in blank for
Mr.. Webster TO fill up, Of which he calls
for payment out Of ihs contingent fund.
Mr.. Smith presumes that the contingent,
fund will be ample, and Mr.. Websler's con-
troll of it complete, 10 do whatever he may
thirk just.
The sums Mr.. Smith vouches IS got by
him from Mr. Webster are $4,000 for seTvi-
ces connected with The Northeastern 5ounS
Diary, and two years after he vouches $500
more, as will be shown.
Thirdly, Leaving the Department o.
State in debt 10 the secret service fund
s229o
The records of the Department show The
default beyond all denial or question.
They show, furthermore, that il was
neither paid or accounted for during nearly
two years after Mr.. Webs!er's removal
from Office.
They show several sent TO him BY Pres
iden! Tyler's direction, urging payments and
Qvasive letters of excuse from Mr.. Web
aier for nOn'payment.
Atlength, peremptory letter that ex-
po.ure would or might be The consequence
of mere delay, produced Reimbursement
Blu, settlement did not take place ill the
Isl February, ls45, ten days before Pres
idenl Polk arrived IN Washington, 10 be in
augurated when Mr.. Webster produced an
other voucher from Mr.. F. o. ]. Smith for
on additional $500, and another voucher,
one from George Smith for $500.
George Smith, since dead, denied thai
io had ever been paid or vouched more than
$l5o, TO which sum Mr. Webster reduced
the $500 al first dapaHded,as his agept,now
in Washington, will prove.
Granting all the vouchers Mr.. Webster
produced, there was nevertheless balance
of abou. 81 200 due from him at all events
when he'lef lhe department. That sum h'
was in default to the secret service fund
after crediling everything in the way o
payment, offset, or voucher, that he claim
ed.
IN all have said in This affair, no allu
ron has been made 10 any private aggrava
ton Regreling the exposure forced upO
me, having afforded Mr.. Webster severa
opportunities to meet Tie charges in hi
own, way that which he chose left me no al
Iernai vebut mis- fOrboaIing justification o
myself.
A resolution, or com nitee, which can
no, inslinie, will soon lest the truth of m
statements.
AT the conclusion Of Mr.. IngorsolI's state
nent, Mr.. Ashmun, Of Massachusetts, ros
and asked leave 30 make reply.