The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-03-12

Wllllam ScnOulcrS StSq., -DOSton. Wlll
thank him to tell me, after have read
it, whether il is hls letter, and whether
this be his testimony now, as it was two
! years ago, in relation to the allegation Of
/ the honorable member from Ohio.
The letter is as follows;
WAsHINGToN, April lst, lS4S.
Dean Sin II have received your let.
ter Of the 30th ult., and in reply to it, |
have to state that | remember very well
the casual CONVERSATION which / had with
you recently in Boston, concerning a
meeting Of Wing members Of Congress,
held on the morning Of the | llh Of May,
lS4G," and 1 will briefly state at your
request, what | recollect in relation to
the absence of the Hon. Robert G.. Win
throp on that occasion
That meeting was held in consc-
quence Of the hostile collision which had
Just occurred on the Rio Gtande, be-
tween a portion Of our military forces
and those Of Mexico, aud perfectly
recolect that not only attended the
meeting, but that also made some re-
marks in it, the substance Of which
still remember. The meeting was not
full, many members Of the House be-
longing TO the Wing party being absent,
and | distinctly recollect that the meets
ing adjourned without coming TO any
formal conclusion on the subject, in
consequence of this fact, as was then
mentioned, and understood by those
present. | remember that Mr.. Smith,
Of Connecticut, Mr.. Hudson of Massa>
chusetts, and MIR. Giddings, Of Ohio,
were present at the meeting, and appear
ed TO me TO be among the most promi,
nent of the speakers in it, and also re-
member that had few words of con,
yersatlon with them after the meeting
was over, and before we separated, upon
the subject of some remarks which !
had made IN tie meeting. | have a
very distinct recollection that Mr. Win>
throp was not present at the meeting,
and Of noting his absence, as well as
that of Mr.. Vinton, of Ohio and my
reason, if any should be required to for
tlfy my memory on this point, for OBJ
serving this fact, is this had already
come 10 regard these two gentlemen as
among the most experienced and prom
'nent members of our party in the
House, and as one sat directly before Inc,
and the other Immediately on my right,
during that session, in the House, it will
not appear strange, apprehend. when
these two circumstances are taken to-
gether, that | should not only note but
remember their absence on that occasion.
Such is my distinct recollection, aud
without wishing to raise any question OF
memory between nystlf and others OH
this or any other point, have no hesi-
tatIon in giving it to you in compliance
with your request.
As to the meeting held some time pre-
vlous, on the "Oregon question, " as ii
is lamllarly termed, have to state that
1t is impossible that could have con-
founded it in my memory with the meet
ing first mentioned. As | did not at
tend that meeting, and knew nothing OF
lis existence, until day or two after it
had been held
am very truly and respectfully,
Your obedt seryl.
JOHN W. HOUSTON.
! VIM. ScnoULER, Esq.
Mr.. IIousroN. That is my letter, anil
| have no alteration to make in it.
MIR. WINTHROP. There are other
leucrs here, sir, equally distinct and
conclusive
But the honorable member summons
Mr. f. d. Culver, Of New York, late
member Of this House, to his aid, and
insists that Mr.. Culver has substantiatcd
his charge. Sir, think ii is in Sheri-
dams play Of the Rivals, that one Of the
characters is made to say" whenever
| draw on my invention for good cur>
rent.lie, always forge Endorsements as
well as the bill" Now, do not intend
to apply the offensive part of this lan>
euage to the honorable member. dis
claim doing so. Still less DO intend
any reflection upon Mr. Culver. But
say that .he letter Of Mr.. Culver does
little or nothing iosustaln the honorable
members accusation, and that he must
procure stronger Endorsements, if he ex-
poets his bill to pass current
What says the Hon. L. D. Culver, in
the letter upon which the honorable
member relies.
" In reply TO your note of the l1lh
(says hey which came to hand last eve
ning, | would slate that was at the
" hlg caucus, in the \. l.. corner oftac
Capitol on the morning of the llih Of
May, 1916. The subject of our deIlb-
erations was the anticipated War Bill.
Miak Mr.. Winthrop, Mr.. Vinton, Mr.
Hunt, and yourself, aud others were
present and spoke. The precise senli-
menls advanced by Mr.. Winthrop can-
not call to mind but the pmport, the
general scope Of his remarks was, that
we (the Whigs) must nol oppose the
measure that poHey would require Us
to support il. do not recollect his al.
lusion to tho Federalists aud the war Of
1872" Git seems that this impartial
cross-eXaminer had asked some leading
queslions). | think Mr.. Vlnlon took
a similar view. Yours was quite the re-
verse.
Now, sir, in answer TO these Miakiags |
and indislinct remembrances Of what
Mr.. Winthrop said, aud what Mr.. Vim
ton said, and what Mr. Hunt said. Ihase
here letter from Mr.. Vinton, 10 say
that he never attended that meeting, and
here, within three feet Of me. is Mr..
Vinion himself, to acknowledge the let