Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-05-07
TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS.


M Clayton who supported the bill
In the House, Mr. G. J. lngers0ll rose 10 per-
sona explanation, e. to renew aud explain his at
lacks upon Mr. Webster. lie said that as Chair
man of the Committee on Foreign affairs he had
access 10 papers in the State Department, and a.
mong them had found the documents upon which
he based the charges he had made against Mr. Web
ster. Since the President had declined to answer
the call of the House for information respecting Mr.
WIS use Of the secret service fund, &c, he felt
Obliged to come forward with his proofs
Mr. Ingersoll then briefly reiterated his charges,
which were, lst Unlawful Of the secret service
fund I'd, misappcation Of said fund TO corrupt
the party press Sd, leaving the Department Of
State dciauer and went on TO show that the
cret service fund was always kept in the hands Of
the " discussing agent Of the department Of State,
and that during the first twelve months OF his adj
mnstration OF that Office Mr. Webster drew from
that fund on his own orders, payable to himself the
sum Of $4,000, and there evidence in the De-
pariment Of State to show that this proceeding did
not receive the sanction OF the President OF this
$4,000, Mr. Webster returned $4,000 on the Odd
June, 1912 aud 81 ,45O settled by the Presi-
dents certificate in July, 1912, the greater rart
of which was applied the corruption Of the public
press through the agency Of Mr. f. o. j. Smith
Mr. lngcrso said that after crediiing sundry other
items Mr. Webster still defaulter to the a.
mount Of 81 800 when he en the Office, and the
account not finally settled until the 18th Feb.
ruary, 1916.
Mr. Ashmun of Mass asked leave to reply. OBJ.
lection was made and motion to suspend the
rules prevailed by very large majority-l35 TO %.
Mr. Ashmun then entered into a review Of the
history Of Charles Jared Ingersoll, from his en-
trance into public life and showed that he had
been the radnccr and villiier Of some Of the best
men in the couniry-among others, Of Richard
Stockton of New Jersey. lie also showed that
Gen Jackson had dismissed him from the office Of
District Attorney for the Eastern district Of Penn
syvania for improper conduct in Office, and that
he had retained the public funds in his hands, for
which suit had been brought and it two years
after judgment had been rendered against him be-
fore he paid over the amount
Mr. j. r. Ingersoll (Whig from Philadelphia, and
brother to Mr. {. J. H. made beautiful and feel
ing defence of the conduct Of his brother while
District Attorney, and assured the House the
word OF gentleman that his course il that office
perfectly honorable.
Mr. Ashmun said he appreciated every thing
which came from the gentleman from Pennsylva-
MIA, (Mr j. II. Ingersoll,) and had doubt that
such was truly his opinion. But he must leave the
House. unbiased by ties ofsuch close relationship,
10 Judge from the facts he stated As TO the charges
against Mr. Webster, he pronounced them 10 be Ut
terly false. Mr. Tyler had given his testimony that
no money was drawn from the secret service fund
without his express authority. Mr. A. said he knew
of invdious efforts that had been made to induce
Mr. Tyler to dsavow the sanction he had given to
those disbursements.
Mr. C. J. Ingersoll-By me, sir, by me
Mr. Ashmun,-Yes, sir, by you.
MIR c. J. Ingersoll-It is false--it is lie.
Much confusion ensued, during which Mr. In
gersoll INDUCED in the ePiiheis liar and coward,
and was called to order by the Speaker
Mr. Ashmun preserved his GOODNESS, and said he
not 10 be drawn into a personal controversy
with the member from Pennsylvania He came
from part Of the country where the duel and the
pistol were not in vogue, and where the people
were not afraid 10 decline resort that mode Of
settling disputes. As TO his personal courage the
member from Pennsylvania, any of his abet-
tors could have proofs Of it, lfthey felt disposed to
attack him. Mr. A. then concluded his remarks.
On motion of Mr. Schenek Of Ohio, the follow
ing resolution was adopted
Resolved That Select Committee OF FIVE MEM
bers be appointed to enquire how the seal Of con-
fdence, imposed by law and heretofore uniformly
preserved, in relation to the expenditure OF said Sc
cret service fund has come to be broken and how
the said Charles ] Ingersoll has obtained the in
formation which he has communicated to this House
and to the public, and through whose agency such
information has been procured whether by the
act Of said Ingersoll by any officer of any depart
ment Of this Government and that the said COM
mittee have power TO send tor persons and papers,
aud that they report TO the House as praca
MIR Petit OF Ia then moved the following reso-
luton which was also adopted by the House.
Resolved, That another Select Committee Of FIVE
be appointed inquire into the truth Of the charges
this day made in this House by Mr. c. J. Ingersoll
against Mr. Daniel Webster, with view to found.
ing an impeachment against said Daniel Webster
And that said committee have power 10 send for
persons papers, books and vouchers.
The House then adjourned, after refusing TO ter
inmate the debate on the Smithsonian Institute
Bill.
TUESDAY, April 2s
In the Senate, the resolutions Of the New Jersey
Legislature in favor of the present Tariff, were pre-
scented.
Mr. Jarnagin gave notice Of a Joint Resolution
authorizing the appointment of board TO adudi-
cate upon the claims Of our citizens against Mexi-
CO.
In the House, the Speaker announced the Select
Committee, on Mr. Schenck's resolution, TO inquire
how Mr. ingersoll obtained possession Of the papers
on which he had founded his late charges against
Mr. Webster. The committee consists of MessTs
Schenck, Dobbin, Mclvaine, Stanton and Rock
well. [Schenck, Mcllvaine and Rockwell are
Wings the other two are Locos.
The Committee 10 inquire into the charges bro't
against Mr. Webster with view to his impeach-
ment, as offered by Mr. Petit, was also announced
as follows Messrs Petit, Vinion, Davis Of Miss
King Of Mass. and Wimot. This committee is po-
ltcally the reverse Of the other King and Vinion
are Wings, and the other three Locos
The Smithsonian bill was discussed by Messrs
| Sims, ]. O. Adams, Johnson Of Tenn. Thurman
and Raihbun.
|