The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-27

MIR. AsHMUN. Isuppose that can speak five
minutes on an amendment
Mr.. BAYLY am entitled to the floor.
MIR. ASHMUN. Will the gentleman allow me
moment, in order to make "a statement which was
not ready to make last night
Mr.. CARTIER rose to question of order, amid
the confusion Members had gathered in the area,
and private conversation was loudly INDUCED.
Several gentlemen addressed the CaAIRMAN, who
refused to recognise any one until order should be
restored He then raped and resorted to request
that gentlemen would resume their seats.
Mr.. CARTIER rose to question of order-that
Mr.. BAyLy had no right to yield the floor TO Mr.
AsHsUN.
MIR. BAYLY. never pretended that had.
MIR. CARTIER. don't say that.
Mr.. BAYLY. / was quite aware oft. yielded
to the gentleman, (Mr. AsHMuN,) supposing that
there was no objection.
Mr.. BURT. wish to make suggestion.
understand that the gentleman from Virginia does
not desire to occupy the floor for than fifteen
minutes. PROPOSE by unanimous consent, that
twenty minutes OF the hour be given to each OF the
gentlemen from Massachusetts,.
1t was agreed to, and MIR. ALLEN was invited to
ego on"
MIR. ALLEN was not heard with dstinctness
when he commenced his remarks; but in short
time became more audible. There was much anx-
ety manifested all over the hail. He repeated that
there was no denial Of the statement which he made
yesterday. Docs my colleague deny it? If he does,
will meet the denial; and i will here say that If
he denies the facts i am ready 70 meet the issue
is that the Secretary of State, any friend of his
to give opportunity to call for evidence as to
the facts; and pledge myself, Notwithstanding any
denial be made that, if the opportunity be given,
will substantiate what have asserted
Mr. Webster when he was offered the post Of
Secretary of State to certain persons to ask
what they would do for him. On consultation it
agreed to raise $4,000 in Boston, and like
sum in New York; and am informed that S25 900
raised in the last named city, but fell short in
Boston,; the amount being $500. Gentlemen there
had been bed freely on other occasions, and It was
difficult to bring them up to the giving point. No
that commercial men have an object in making
presents. As u man of Independence. Mr.. Web
ster ought to have had nothing to do with it; that
he would suspect the object of the gifts, and those
who made them. But when gifts are made at his
own request, ask whether influence is not
brought TO bear the officer which is dangerous
to public justice and public interests, and more es
pecialy dangerous when pecuniary means of large
amount are placed in charge Of that officer.
Mr.. A. then replied to the remarks OF MIR. ASH
NUN of personal character; and spoke further in
condemnation of Mr.. Webster.
MIR. ASHMUN said, should do injustice to the
good sense Of the House if consumed the twenty
minutes allowed to me. II does not need remarks
from me to answer my colleague. The sense OF
last night effective response than any words
OF mine. There no honorable man but who would
cry out "shame! shamc!' The gentleman charged
last night, and repeated to-day, that Mr. Webster
the office of Secretary Estate that he should receive
from certain persons in Wall street and State street
,000 and that the contract was entered into. and
thatitw was fulfilledin New York. and nearly fulfilled
in Boston. II was a charge of corruption, and that
| Mr.. Wesbter entered into office by promising to
favor certain persons by his official influence.
Now, have nothing more to say than this In the
length and breadth, in aggregate and detail, / am
authorized to say that it is AN UNQUALIFIED FALSE
| HOOD. am authorized to say, on the authority of
Mr.. Webster, and do say, it ia an unqualified false
hood.
MIR. ALLEN took issue.
Mr.. ASHMUN. The challenge has been ac-
cepted. Now let the defamer Of the Secretary of
State carry out his charge. That is all have to
say. There can be no mistake about this Ian ;
guage.
Mr.. ASHMUN then replied to that part Of the
remarks of Mr.. ALLEN which related to himself,
and said, among other things, that his colleague
had smiled, and pretended TO be friend of Mr..
Webster while partaking Of that gentleman hos
pitality, while at the same time he held dagger
in his hand, and had heart sui!used with mallg-
nifty, which had been poured out to day. And MIR.
A. stated that he and Mr.. ALLEN were delegates to
the Philadelphia convention in lS48, and that they
both voted for Mr.. Webster as a candidate for the
Presidency; but when the convention refused 20
nominate Mr.. Webster, Mr.. ALLEN accused the
Wing party of treachery.
Mr.. ALLEN said that he was allowed to reply to
personal attack Of his colleague. He had con-
fined his remarks to that attack But another at
tack had just been made, and he asked the justice
Mr.. HIELIARD wished to reply to SO much Of
Mr.. ALLENs remarks related to him.
There was much confusion above which the
voice Of
Mr.. JONES was heard, saying: Z" 1t is the duty
Of the CHAIRMAN, if he cannot enforce order, TO
call in the Sergeant alarms. [Cals to order,
and laughter
The CHAIRMAN exerted himself to restore order
MIR. BAYLY, who had given way for the ex-
plantations Of Messrs. AsHMyN and ALLEN, now
sumed the floor.
Mr.. MoLANE, of Maryland, asked him to YIELD
that the House might take action on what had just
occurred.
Mr.. BAYLY. My friend does not think that
would acquieece.
Mr.. McLANE. You ought not to object.
The CHAIRMAN. Does the gentleman from
Virginia give way9
Mr.. BAYLY. / do not, and shall not.
The confusion having died away to some ex-
tent
Mr. BAYLY addressed the committee in rea-
ton to the bill before them, and was followed by
other gentlemen, who spoke until the recess was
taken, at half-past three O'Clock.
EVENING SESSION.
There being no quorum present, at six o'clock,
(after the recess,) the House called, and one
hundred and ten members answered to their
names. This number was soon increased.