Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-04-25


course with them They trust their officers employ secret
agents. Why should refuse Are they less
patriotic trustworthy Can it be that republican officers
elected by the people for their abilities and PATRIOTISM tested
they always by years of for their country
not worthy of confidence the officers OF monarchy
Now ysad Mr. W. what is the resolution under consi-
deraon The Senate is proposed shall ask the President
to inform ii how the secret service fund for certain
Rod has been spent The Senator who offered this resolution
satisfied has no idea that any improperly has occurred
TO It's disbursement convinced he believes do
not hesitate to declare that do nay, deem my duty
say that the imputaons made against tho late President
and the distinguished Senator from Massachusetts, in reference
to the Of this fund improperly whilst the latter Secre
tay Of State ISLANDERS Of the liest and most pfu cha
racter. Sir said Mr. W., viii Senator by any vote
Of mine, permit any such fgacious scandal against any high
Executive officer Of my country, of any political party and
especially against citizen who stands high before the world
does the Senator assaed and Of whose reputation and fame
abroad Opposed am to him in political opinion almost
every subject of party contes American feel proud-I
will not consent that such gossip shall be the foundation
OF call upon the President any action whatever of this
chamber.
will dignity such unworthy accusations by any notice
OF them whatever But this the chief for my
desire that this resolution may be voted down by Senate
10 stand as precedent He said he especially desired that
President Polk, and all future Presidents may bs assired
that to the disbursement Of this fund.- the Executive acts
upon his responsibility, and be called ac-
count otherwise, the of Congress would dirty trap
Sir is pretty business if repose sufficient con-
fdence in Chief Magsaeone who is elevated the
highest station in the gift Of the people these States by their
free suagesto enrust him with the expenditure the pauy
OF fifty thousand dollars year for his country this mode
Mr.. W. said he felt humbled that he need by what
he conceived to be his duty make these He
regarded the fair fame Of our distinguished public the
property OF the country had received rich heritage from
those who preceded us and any who ustly a
ess assails the reputation Of such American friend
Of the people or their institutions.
Mr. w. said that he held it to be important that the Ex-
ecutve branch OF the Government should be satisfied that full
confidence is and will be reposed in it to the fidelity With
which this fund may be dbursedas the DISCRETION which
will be exercised and that it Will be protected by Congress
and by the people om scshdaous mpuaons easily made
in regard to it and that it may not be deferred from its f-
dcious and patriotic by any apprehensios Of popular
suspicion improperly ercted, popular c1u ststca IN
for other than pJtriofc Objects M
The distinction which the resolution makes between the dis
closure foreigners names and the Of citizens employ
ed agents, Mr.. W. said he regarded untenabe All
should be protected from exposure else may procure
the information they disclose, obtain the services they
der But he opposed the resolution on tho General
grounds he had stated scarcely necessary he said
for him to remark that he could safely vouch that no know
ledge had by the distinguished worthy functonary at
the head Of the State Department. by the faithful officer
next to him. of any disclosure Of documents in their care
justify the call proposed He felt assured of this from their
high character He hoped the resolution would be rejected
at once.
Mr. MANGUM said he heartily concurred in the sem
mens expressed by the Senator from Florida. He hoped
the vote would he aken and when aken that the resolution
would be rejected by the unanimous vote Of the Senate He
thought the PRESIDENT his message had done all that
ul-
orded him pleasure always approve of the ccuse of the
Chief Magistrate Of his country He took for granted that
the President would always act, in reference to the small
amount OF money devoted TO service, in manner con-
sistent with honor andinegy He would not for roent
admit supposon of the and prudent or wanon
curiosity should be INDUCED in locking this matter He
hoped that the of the Body would be unanimous for the
rejection of the resolution the ground that the inquiry wss
In itself improper.
Mr.. JARNAGIN hoped be might be INDUCED in single
remark This resolution although he had had the honor Of
nbrpttt kut~
should be dissatisfied with refusal part Of the Senate
to adoptn 1t had for time past been lying upon the
table at his own instance and for satisfactory him.
self, and he had doubt perfectly obvious to the Senate
Since he had the Presidents message in answer to e
solution of the other House. he perfectly satisfied with the
reasons thcre assgned and he would say further that he
heartily approved OF the arguments and principles therein laid
down and no would vote heartily favor Of those
principles than he would do by voting against his resou
ton, leave to withdraw il had been refused.
Mr. BREESE said he did not know what OBJ ect could be
attained by taking direct vote upon this resolution He
would, therefore, move that it be laid the tible.
Mr. ALLEN said he should without hesitation against
the of the resolution and he would do the ground
that an inquiry Of this kind could be justified except
upon the allegation of the existence of abuses or improper con-
duct the part OF public men, and with to base an
impeachment upon those allegations charges Besides the
Senate OF the United States not the body whose duty
was to originate impeachmens the body that ap
pointed by the Constitution to charges when made but
not to make them And if there were therefore, allie
cations concerning public officer upon which it
tended to base impeachment he would STILL upon these
grounds, vote against the resolution.
The motion to lay the resolution upon the table mega
and the question being upon its adoption yeas and
ordered and, being taken resulted as follows
YEA-Mr. Turney.
NAYS-Messrs. Allen Archer, Ashley, Atchson Atber-
ton Bagby Barrow, Benton, Berrien Calhoun Cass Thos
Clayton John NJ Clayton, Colqu Corwin Davis Dickin-
son, Dix, Evans Fairfield Greene, Haywood Houston Hunt
ingon Jarnagn, yenness Johnson Of louisiana Lewis Me-
hacker, Phelps SEWER Simmons spegh Upham Webster
Wescott, Woodbridge-44.
So the resolution rejected.
CLAIMS FOR FRENCH sPoLIATIoNs.
Mr. j. NJ CLAYTON moved to postpone the prior orders
and take up the bill TO make ndemnes for French spoia
prior to 1900.
Mr. BENTON hoped the Senator would pardon him for
Directing to the motions but the was to proceed
with the calendar in its regular order Besides there were
two bills that had been introduced by himself for tho relief Of
praisewohy widows, both of which had precedence Of
the bill Of the Senator from Delaware and one of which was
among the first the docket.
Mr. CLAYTON expressed the hope that the Senator would
not object to the motion. His bill where hundreds OF
widows and orphans interested and besides he mr.
would be very willing go with the Senator from Missouri
In support Of his widows and he trusted the Senator
would agree to permit the bill to be taken up.
Mr. BENTON. | surrender, sir | surrender. The
gentleman can make his bill the special order.
The question was taken Mr.. CLArroSs notion and
decided in the affirmative.
Mr. CLAYTON then rose and addressed the Senate until
after F. M, making powerful argument support of the
bill.
Mr. BERRlEN from the Committee Of Conference on the
part Of the Senate the dsagreeg vote of the two Houses
the question of Great Britain for the