Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-04-11


enlightened constituency, In his place, and with all the
OF his official responsibility impress caution and
racy, soenny, not loose report hearsay Of any kind
but he avowed personal knowledge, after full exam
nation aveed and charged that the production Of pa
pers from the archives of the State Department would convict
late high unctonary Of the Government while in that De-
parment of pecuaton fraud, and corruption in the Of
public funds at his peculiar disposal Such charge, made
Mr. s. contended in substance should be investigated by this
the grand inquest of the naon all events the opportu
nifty of investigation afforded II due this House.
which might have solemn duty to perform, could such
charges be subsanaed it due to the nation to whom
the reputation of her high officers and precious
it due most Of all, the distinguished Senator himself
that inquiry should be made and the opportunity of vertical
ton or refutation afforded.
He (Mr s. had pretensions be the friend personal
POLITICAL of that Senator He did know him PERSONAL
y He did not accord in single political opinion of
with him. Still American, he did value the reputation
and character of Mr.. Webster. His fame than
tonal had spread throughout the civilized world and
would rejoice heartily than himself if his purity Of cha
racer could be placed lofty ground all acknowledged
his intellectual renown to stand He would give full scope
inquiry, because might result in vndcation and could
not end In condemnation unless deserved II this inquiry be
not allowed what be the opinion Of the country the
charge Suspicion and doubt at the least If sfed by the
action OF his partsans, the iustous Senator may well
claim, Savesave from my friends" The verdict of pub
lie sentiment will then probably be of condemnation and
execraton Mr. 8. thought the gentleman from Alabama
correctly appreciated the position and duty Of Mr. Websters
friends this occasion The inquiry should be demanded
promptly repclled and refuted.
But while Mr. s. thought the resolution ought in its APP
pcation Mr. Websters administration Of the State Depart
ment be adopted invent opinion much far in seek
exposure of the employment of the secret service money
after that period and down to the present time. Mr. g. pro-
ceeded in substance to contend that general rule the
disposition Of the service fund ought be dvulged
1t directly against the policy and object of providing that
fund.- to invade the veil Of which seduousy thrown
by law around it, The House PROFESSIONALLY had the right
TO demand the disclosure, but only grave and impor
an occasions, which might well constitute exceptions, should
that right be exercised Such exception the present
afforded To vndcate the purity Of the administration of
the State Department under its former Secretary to
pose and punish the venaity and corruption gavey al
legged of its head, ought certainly to constitute sufficient
reason for developing the of that fund But the
development ought to be confined to the administration of the
person charged with the aud yet if the friends of that per-
DESTROYS of contrasting the expenditure of the fund
during his administration OF the Department with other ad
mnistraons, and would parcularze any time circum
stance, such the negotiation of the Louisiana any other
treaty, he did not feel disposed deny them the opportunity
to do II for them make the proposition. He would
content himself with moving the following amendment After
lS4l insert un the retirement of Daniel Webster from
the Department of State"
Mr.. j. Q. ADAMS wished the House to divest itself Of
every feeling of personality and having Invested himself
he could for the resolution He then spoke of the
of the Government heretofore in relation to secret
vice money! which, far his experience and knowledge
extended had been for legitimate and proper purposes He
thought the resolution not properly directed The Pres
dent alone, by the aw responsible for the expenditure
Of this fund.- He must give the order for its application, and
he must know for what purpose expended The reso
luton ought be addressed to John Tyler and not to the
present President and Secretary of State If any person
chargeabe with impuny corruption the expenditure al
uded it must be John Tyler, and not Daniel Webster
Mr.. g. j. INGERSOLL interrupted Mr.. ADAMS, and said
that John Tyler innocent in this respect he wanted to
get his guilty Secretary of State who had abused his trust
and the confidence of the President
Mr. ADAMS said the Secretary of State had power to
he OrJe of
draw the money If any fraud pecuaton had been
mitied which he did believe, Mr. Tyler must be held
countab The money could only be touched by order Of the
President. Mr.. A. held that could be mpcached after
he retired from office for acts done while in Office.
Mr. BAYLY here inquired the punishment under con-
vction by impeachment not removal from office.
Mr.. ADAMS said Yes, and disqualification from office
forever afterwards And he said that if tenth part Of the
charges Of the gentleman from Pennsylvania true the
distinguished gentleman against whom they brought
ought to be at peached and he should have immediate
notice of it. That the way proceed and not to be
attacking him by side blows through the Department of State
Mr. A. thought there much secret history in the negota
ton Of the treaty referred and if it all brought out
might be found necessary call for documents touching
other persons besides the mentioned in connexon with
the resolutions He believed all the history of that
negotiation could be exposed it would rebound to the honor
of the distinguished Senator instead of involving him in dis
grace. He again repeated that if Mr. Webster had applied
part Of the service money in the Mcleod
to any other purpose he could not have done without the
order Of John Tyler and the inquiry ought to be directed
against him, and Daniel Webster. Mr.. A. said the call
for papers connected with the negotiation the Ashbuon
Acaty.
Mr. INGERSOLL, in a side way g 1t is not So"
Mr. ADAMS said he did then know what transaction
the call related and proceeded speak Of the collision be-
the United States and the State Of New York in rea
ton to the Mcleod case and could good that could
result from production Of the correspondence upon that sub
ect. He observed that the resolution must be very much
pared down before he could for no because he would
the gentleman against whom it directed He
take of HIMSELF but he is not here TO do let him be
attacked face face and he (aid Mr. Al would rather be
any where than in the place of him who attacks him.
Mr. INGERSOLL here again modified his resolution by
directing the inquiry the President instead Of the Seceta
ry Of State
Mr. YANCEY said that the money power Of the Govern
ment rested in this House it here money bills ogina
ted and yet it said it had power make this inquiry
into expenditure Of money which it had granted This
position he contested and argued length the power of the
House to investigate and inquire into the expenditure of all
public money granted for Government purposes Mr. spoke
OF Mr. Webster personally in terms Of condemnation and in
reference TO remarks of Mr. HILLARD in relation the
public reputation that gentleman and the honor and respect
which paid to his in foreign countries said that
the reputation Of his country abroad depended upon the epu
aton Of Daniel Webster he would hang his head in shame
Mr. billiard interposed and said that it within his
personal knowledge that the public reputation the character
and the talents of Daniel Webster stood high abroad
those Of any that breathes the breath of life.
Mr.. YANCEY resumed, and spoke length in refer
to the life of Mr.. Webster in which he did not find
much TO admire and applaud other gentlemen and in
reference to the negotiation of what is termed the Ashburon
treaty. (Which, he said, he did to discuss there
much the part Of the American negoator that he
could not approve but compelled TO condemn these he
enumerated He then again reverted to the power of the
House to inquire into the expenditure Of public moneys and
again maintained that the power extended inquiry into