The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-05-23

We published few days since the report OF
a speech delivered by Mr.. Dana, at Worcester,
on the 9Th of April, containing the following
passage:
Haven is a gentlemen whom know very
well lie is no politician, and never has been !;
and he has no more to do with the office of
Secretary Of State than have; and he has not
perhaps, so much knowledge of its duties. He
has not perhaps, taken one-tenth of the interest
in politics that have.
He is retired gentlemen, and skilful
manager of monetary affairs; but Daniel Web
ster would no more have thought of writing to
him for advice rs to an appointment to the
Office Of Secretary of State, than he would of
writing to the cashier of one of the banks in
Worcester"
| This, we presume is news to most persons in
Boston, where Mr.. Haven is extensively known
as one of our most active men, and one of those
most engaged in the hustle Of affairs, CONNER
cial and political. Mr. Haven ia sub-treasurer
of the United States, United States pension
agent, and president of the bank in Boston that
has the largest capitalize Merchants with
capital of three millions lie is, too, an old
friend of Mr. Webster, frequently making at
Marshfeld visits, which Mr. Webster has re-
turned at Beverly, where Mr.. Haven resides in
the hot season.
For ten years-and we believe yet longer,
but certainly for ten years-Mr. Webster has
been in the habit of writing often every year to
| Mr.. Haven and Mr.. Haven has now in his pos
session a very large number of letters from MIR.
| Webster on the general affairs of the country,
some of which, we venture to say, will here
after--long hence, we hope-be found mpor-
tant for his biographer. Mr.. Webster, however,
as his letter given below shows, did not advise
with Mr. Haven, as Mr.. Dana says he did, about
the appointment to the office of Secretary Of
State and we doubt whether he advised about
it with anybody in this part of the country. But
though he did not do this, still We think-Mr
Dana's authority to the contrary notwithstand-
ing-that Mr. Webster, considering his intimacy
with Mr. Haven, and Mr.. Ravens known intel
ligence in affairs, and high and honorable char
acter, would have been more likely to consult
with him on this subject than with "the cashier
of one of the Worcester banks"
| The facts, which we have given for the better
understanding of Mr.. Ravens position here,
which may not be known at distance from
Boston, cannot be gainsaid Mr.. Dana may deny
them in Worcester, and again represent Mr..
Haven ms "a retired gentleman !" but he will
not deny them here; and we commend them to
the consideration of all our friends, while they
are reading Mr.. Ravens plain straightforward
| statement of case, on which MIR. Dana has
ventured to speak SO rashly and recklessly of
facts.
BosroN, May II, 1851.
To The Editor of The Transcript
SIR: | saw last evening, for the first time, in
your paper Of yesterday, speech delivered
/ April 9Th, at Worcester, by Richard H. Dana,
jr, ESQ.,, containing, among other things, some
statements concerning myself and my relations
with Mr.. Webster, Secretary of State, to which
| desire toreply.
am aware that, in cautiously written note,
dated the 18th instant, and addressed TO the edi-
tor of the Daily Advertiser, Mr.. Dana says, on
the subject of this speech, that the expressions
therein attributed to Mr.. Quincy are not cor
recty reported" adding, that the report was
made without his knowledge, and published
without having been submitted to him, and with
out his authority" He does not, however, in
any way imply that he did not say in substance
what he is reported to have said at Worcester :;
and as the speech in question has, am told, of
| ten been printed without remonstrance from
him, as true report, since it first appeared six
weeks ago, and as Mr.. Dana has not seen fit to
| qualify, or correct any part of of it in which
am concerned | shall, until otherwise advised
| believe that no injustice has been done to him
in these particulars.
| Mr.. Dana more than endorses all the base
caumnies uttered in the House Of Representa-
tives against Mr. Webster, by Mr. Charlss AL
| len, on the 25th and 26th of February, for which
was subsequently, vouched as the principal au-
thority. He says: 81 consider Judge Allen
pould hare required justification had he failed 10
take The ground that he did on this subject and
| ask if it is not the duty of every man who
sees corruption in high places to expose it!
This calumny was, Gas your readers all know,)
that Mr. Webster had been induced to accept
the place of Secretary of State in consequence
of money paid, or promised to be paid, to him
from Boston and New York, and that this bar
gain was proposed by Mr.. Webster through me,
and, in the result, was consummated by the re-
CURED payment. Such bargain Mr.. Dana
calls corruption in high places" and it would
be so if il had been made. He says too, re-
peating after Mr.. Allen, and speaking of the
contract for the payment of the Mexican indem-
nifty, that Mr. Webster was dependent on the
bankers (Messrs. Corcoran and Riggs Z" to
whom the contract was given; !" and he adds, af-
forwards, that Mr.. Webster :" has received gift
from the reJv class of men concerned in this con
tract as the condition of taking the Office of Sc
cretary of State; $4,000 from New York and
s 5000 from Boston"
think all persons who know meas Mr.
! Dana says he does" very WELL" know that
would not be connected with transaction 40
discreditable to all who might be concerned in
it, feel equally sure that Mr.. Webster would
not, nor would the honorable men who subse-
quently came forward in Boston, and did what
they thought their duty required them to do to
a great statesman, who had made great sacri-
flee of his pecuniary interests and those of his
family to the service of his country. was not
one of these gentlemen but know that they
were highminded men--most of them retired
from affairs, and little concerned in politics. ex-
cept just so far as they are concerned in the well
fare of the Union.
Mr.. Dana, in his speech, refers to the letter
which Mr. Webster addressed to me on the state
Of things Immediately after Gen. Taylor's death.
He had therefore read that letter, dated July -,
1850 and suppose he must have read my let
ter, published 10Th il, and dated March l, 1851.
| The letter of Mr. Webster, written before the
funeral of President Taylor, and before Mr..
Webster or any one else knew who would be