The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-04-13
The pisode In the senate-Mr. Webster and
Mr.. Ingersoll.

dent
The Episode In the senate-Mr. Webster and
Mr.. Ingersol.
During the last week very remarkable episode
has taken place in the proceedings Of Congress,
which rather agreeable, but startling, diver
sifcafion of the hitherto monotonous speeches on
the Oregon, sub-treasury, and other matters.
We allude to the singular and curious passage which
has sprung up, between Mr. Webster and his friends
on one side, and Mr.. Ingersoll, Mr. Dickinson, and
taer friends, on the other side in both houses.
This passage, and the war OF words upon It, has
probably more meaning, and is intended to produce
more important influence succeeding events,
than people may be at first apt to imagine. We
have given, in another column, some singular deye-
lopements, procured by our correspondent at Wash
ington, relative to this matter, which we have not
seen alluded to ia any Of the debates In Congres 81
and which will undoubtedly give new direction
to this extraordinary episode, IN both houses Of
Congress.
II appears that the friends of Mr.. Webster are
charging Mr. lnge,soll and his associates in the de-
velopemens that he has made relative the Ashbur
ton treaty, with having formed conspiracy to dss-
troy this dIstn gulshed man, and proven. his useful
ness as Senator in Congress, on the pending inn
portant matters, both foreign and domestic It will
be recollected that this episode originated in
speech made by Mr.. Ingersol in the House, in
which certain charges were preferred against Mr..
Webster, connected with his conduct on the Ash
burton negotiation and the case of Mcleod. These
charges were repeated by Mr.. Dickinson in the Se-
nate, and on Monday st Mr.. Webster commenced
his repy-a reply which has astonished the whole
country, and which is said by his friends to annihi-
late his antagonists. Iagersoll now comes forward
IN the House. and calls for several papers, letters,
and other documents, in the Department of State,
IN order to sustain his charges, which motion has
been sanctioned by the House-all OF which has
produced feeling of bitterness and excitement
that may lead to various other matters and deyel-
opements hereafter.
great curiosity has been formed, to know what
the nature Of the charges against Mr.. Webster may
be ;and our Washington correspondent, for the first
time, dscloses what their character IS expected 10
be.
appears that there is a variety of correspondence
40 the State department, showing that Mr.. Webster
used the secret service money for the purpose of
regulating" the press on the frontier during the
Mcleod trial, and that one of the agents was Mr..
Smith, formerly member of Congress. This
movements called corruption, abomination, and
everything that is bad; but it remains to be seen
whether ii is not, and has not BEEN matter of COM
mon use, by both parties, foryears past "Regulat
ing" the press is matter which both parties have
tried their hand; and the startling Developments
which are now to be brought forward against The pu-
rty Of MIR Webster, may least be rivaled by those
which, may be brought forth regard to the annexa-
ion Of Texas. We should like to see the secrets
Of both negotiations-lhat Of the North
Territory and Texas--revealed to the whole world
We have not much faith in these extraordinary de-
velopements, that are gorg-before they are known
Ito blow up men and things, like volcano, in the
political world.
The revelations expected in answer to Mr. Inger-
soils resolution, may be hkened to those recently
brought forward by Mckenzie, exposing the secret
tactics of Mr. Van Buren, and his party in this coun-
try tor many years past. The Developments will be
an agreeable subject OF debate, and interesting
topic OF discussion. 1t will relieve the dryness and
solemniry that have prevailed in Congress on the
Oregon and sub-treasury questions, and on the claim
OF John Mcintosh, for horse lost in the service of
the United States. The secret management by
which Mr. Webster conducted the Ashburton nego-
hation 30 successfully, and settled the Mcleod diff
Guilty SO easily in this State, will be good for study
IN chemistry, In all future time. Nor will the tactics
adopted tor the annexation OF Texas the private cor
respondence, secret movements, the money matters,
and ALL be subject unfit to stand side by side with
the Ashburton negotiation. We should hike to know
the whole; and while Mr. Ingersoll has his fingers
in the fire, and is bringing light the secrets Of the
Asaburton treaty, we hope some will bring forth
the secrets Of the other movements and
We ought to have no secrets in this country
This matter, however, begins to have singular
aspect, and may have an important bearing on grea
political movements hereafter. On the Oregon ques
ton, by singular concurrence Of events, Mr.. Web
ster Mr. Calhoun, and Mr.. Benton seem to be all in
favor OF 49--all embarked in the same canoe Now
Mr.. Calhoun and Mr. Benton have hitherto been
powerful men IN the democratic party it, therefore,
revelation OF the secrets and private acts-acts
leading TO the Ashburton negotiation-would sink
Mr. Webster in public estimation on the Northea st
ern boundary, might they not help to sink the boat
that now contains all these three statesmen on the
latitude of i9, on the Northw estern boundary The
investigating the conduct OF Mr.. Webster, in this
matter, may then have important bearing on pend
ing questions, and particularly the Oregon question
and on men aud their positions, in Washington and
throughout the country. We do not participate
Ia any Of the extraordinary opinions regarding
the virtues or vices OF the great men of the
present day. We do not believe that they are all
% pure as the angels in the seventh heaven. God
forbid tina, We should do them such Injustice
Neither do we believe that they are as bad as the
devils In he'll Webster and IngersoI, and their re.
specuve troops Of friends, have vices and virtues
mingled IN their composition, according to Ger.
tain sensible proportions; and those virtues we
arehlways ready to appreciate, to set forth, and
encourage. Their vices, If we could, we would
pull up by the roots, and them into utter darx
ness, never to be again heard Of, excep, to use az
brushwosd Tor kindllng fires. But as we cant do
this thing, We must DO content with them in their
present mixed condition. We therefore hope tina,
their secret will be brought FORTH for by thess
we may learn something more Of men than VIZ
have ever known. We continue 10 learn more. nj