The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-05-02
The Secret Service Fund and
MIR Webster.

The followingis an authentic copy of Mr.
Webstcr's remarks in the Senate on Wednes-
day, on the resolution offered by Mr. Jarnagin
some days since, calling on the President for
information relative to the Secret Service
Fund. The resolution having been read Mr.
Webster and said:
81 have a few, and but few remarks TO
make on the Presidents Message in answer to
the resolution of the House of Representatives
calling for account of the disbursements
during the period in which had the honor TO
be Secretary of State, out of the fund for the
contingent expenses Of foreign intercourse.
In the first place, sir, am happy to say that
entirely approve of 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 oflaw
and of his own duty. Sir, as l know that not
a dollar was dsburscd from that fund without
the sanction of the President, and as | am
conscious that every disbursement was made
for proper and necessary public purpose, it
might be thought that should desire the pub
LEGATION fthc papers in order that every body
might see what they are, or what they show.
But this is matter of so little conccrnment TO
me (nnd presume it is as little to the Pres-
den) that certainly would not wish to see an
important principle, and an important law, vi
olated and broken for any personal conven-
fence in that respect. l am not Mt all nppre-
hcnsive that the country will suspect either
President Tyler, or me, acting under his au-
thority, of any thing improper in the dis
burscment of few hundred or a few thou
sand dollars in case in which the law re-
poses confidence in the President, and gives
him discretion as to making the expenditure
public.
Sir, n President of the United States, or the
head of a 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 matter of so little moment
i will add, that person, who entertans such
a suspicion, without reason of any public man,
may himself be well suspected of having held
a no very complimentary dialogue with him
self.
Sir, we all know that the head ola Depart
ment cannot touch dollar of this fund except
with the Presidents sanction. The whole
power, and whole responsibility, is with the
President. The Presidents message statss
this so fully and clearly that need not dwell
uponit. Twill say, in the first place, that no
Expenditure, improper in itself, or improper in
its amount, was made to my knowledge, judg-
ment or belief. And will say, in the next
place, that the late President of the United
States, in all things respecting the expenditure
ofthe public moneys,was remarkably cautious,
exact and particular.
And here say, sir, that all declarations, a
verments, statements and insinuatiOns, made
anywhere, or by any body, which impute per-
version, misapplication, or waste ofthe public
funds, committed or made by me while Secre-
tary of State utterly groundless and I'M
true. And l viii conclude with one remark,
the bearing of which shall leave 10 the Sem
ate and to the country. .yd
Whoever charges me with having either