The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-04

gress who voted for the bill authorizing the settle
meDt OF The claim of the representatives Of George
dalphin; condemned every member of the Cab-
| net, and all who have vndcatcd and justified the
claim. He was content that the member should
have the benefit OF all the abuse and denuncistion
IL did not accord with any sentiment which he mir.
I'D entertained Of personal honor and integrity to
seize hold vi this subject and turn il To the vile pur
poses OF party. The member went further Afer
having denounced the Secretary of War
rupt and dishonorablc man, he finds him the least
guilty OF ALL on the ground that the Secretary had
money to make by the transaction. 81 hope" said
Mr. H., sit is not a fellow feeling which makes him
wondrous kind, and that, because he could be in
huenced by such considerations, he excuses the
Secretary ON that ground"
In the speech Of the member were bold and reck-
less charges against the members of the Cabinet.
The member Is aware that no testimony has been
adduced TO justify him in bis course; such
tinony can be brought forward; and there was no
ioundaton for the assertion that majority of
the existing Cabinet knew any thing Of the claim
until 1t became public. II was confined TO three
members. But II was not his purpose, far the
lnerits Of the question concerned to vindicate
these gentlemen. He believed that majority Of the
House, without distinction OF party, would Join in
the conclusion that there is not circumstance at
tending this which warrants the charge OF
fraud or corruption in the most remote FORM or
any thing like that for which the member arraigns
the Cabinet He (Mr. H. was one of those who,
In August S4S, voted for the bill Of those who
allowed il to pass without objection. II authorized
the Secretary OF the Treasury (Mr. Robert J. Walk
er) ~ examine and adjust the claim of the represen-
tativcs of George Galphin, and to pay what due
on il.
He would go further, and say that if he were
called on now to vote for the bill, he would again
do go. In the former and the preceding Congress,
he was doing nothing but voting for the payment
Of claims. He had voted millions of dollars to
carry war, for the purpose of obtaining Sin
dcunity for the past and security for the future
and after having voted for all these if he had voted
against claim like this he should have felt that
nc guilty of the grosscst inconsistency as u
public agent. He then maintained that the claim
was we'll founded, and therefore just; and related
the circumstances under which the debt was con
tracted, and spoke of the patriotism Of Mr.. Galphin
during the Revolution and vindicaed his charac-
ter from the attacks of the gentleman from Ohio.
In conclusion, he alluded To the calumny and abuse
which had been heaped upon MIR. Crawford, and
said that there was nothing in that gentlemans
history which justified the belief of the least faint
nor, with respect to the other members of the Cab
net the slightest badge of fraud or official abuse of
station.
Mr. KING, Of New Jersey, obtained tire floor,
and gave way TO
MIR. BURT, who, after saying that it was
half past two O'clock, and there no probability
of getting vote upon the question day, moved
to adjourn. He, however, withdrew the motion,
which
Mr.. KAUFMAN renewed; and Oh the question
being taken, it was decided in the negatve-ayes
81; noes Us.
Mr.. KING then commenced d speech in vindica-
ton of the claim, but lac had not proceeded far
when he again gave way to
Mr. BURT, on whose motion the House adjourned
TILL Friday.