Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-03-01


Webster, Secretary of State with entering Office only
after receiving $4,000 from brokers and bankers OF
State street. Boston, aud Wall street, New York He
was OF the impression that there gentlemen in the
House who were personally cognzant Of the fact
LFolces-N; me them! maine them!l He held that in
former times the country w6ud have risen Indignantly
against any such conduct as the reception osuch sums
by gentlemen IN the position OF Mr.. Webster, from
parties who were notorious spectators in tho public
funds. He called the wing party refuse to palIi-
ate this conduct on the part of the Secretary of State
and IN that manner to vindicate its 'ntegrity-
He also warned the democracy of the House of the
danger OF standing by the mpuaon OF any such trans
action.
Mr.. AsHMuN replied, with great severity, but we
omit his remarks, as he made more direct answer to
the charge the next day.
Mr. billiard said that an unpropitious moment
was selected 10 make the attack while debating a
matter of pablie policy. He should not attempt de-
fence OF Mr.. Webster. but he asked every gentleman
to agree with him that public reputation was public
property and that the tame OF great man is not to be
thrown idly away. He then spoke of the eminent me-
rts OF Mr.; Webster as statesman, patriot and man
and said that he stronger in the affections of the
people than before the shafts OF venom were directed
at him.
WEDNESDAY, Feb 26.
The House having the same bill under consideration
Ii committee,
Mr.. ALLEN of Massac husetts asked the consent of
the House 10 indulge him in few remarks.
Great confusion ensued MIR. A. was entitled to
speak three four minutes before the time for cosp
the debate expired.
Mr.. ALLEN then alluded to what he said last night
as MI Webster having as condition for taking the
oce OF Secretary OF State, demanded the sum of fty
thousand dollars from business men in Wall street
New York, and State street, Boston. And how hs
asked, had this statement been met Notat all. He
did distinctly hear the enuncation of his collaa oua
tMr. Ashmun,) ard he could not speak in the broken
accents OF that gentleman. But Notwithstanding
member OF this House, on his responsibility, stated
grave TACT one gentleman, and then another rose last
night, and eudeavored TO divert the attention of the
House, and 10 excite prejudice against the speaker
The CHAIRMAN informed the gentleman that the time
to Which the d baie was limited had expired. [Cres
OF 30 on.'I The gentleman could proceed only by
unanimous consent. [Repretiton OF cries Go on Ego
on."I
Mr. AsHMUN. | suppose that can speak five mi
nutes on an amendment
Mr. BAYLY. am entitled TO the floor
Mr.. AsHMUN. Will the gentleman allow me mo-
ment, IN order to make a statement which was not
ready 10 make last night
MT CARTTER rose to question of order, amid the
confusion Members bad gathered in the area, and
private conversation was loudly INDUCED.
Several gentlemen addressed the Chairman, who re-
fused to recognise any one until order was restored -
He then raped and resorted request that gentle.
men would resume their seats =
Mr.. CARTIER rose to a question Of order--that Mr.
Bayy had no rghtto yield The floor to Mr. Ashmun.
Mr.. BAyLY. | never pretended that Ihad
Mr.. CARTIER. | don't say that
Mr. BAYLY was quite aware Of it. yielded to
the gentleman, mr.. Ashmun,l supposing that there
was no objection.
Mr.. BURT. l wish to make suggestion. under
stand that the gentleman from Virginia does not desire
10 occupy the floor tor more than fifteen minutes. ]
propose by unanimous consent, that twenty minutes
OF the hour be given to each of the gentlemen from
Massachusetts,.
It was agreed to, and Mr.. Allen was invited TO ego
on 81
he'commenced his remarks; but in short time became
more audible There much anx ETY. manifested all
over the hall He repeated that there was no denial
OF the statement which ne mape yesterday. Does my
colleague deny itl Ii he does, will meet the denial
ane will here say that it he denies the facts am rea
dy 10 meet the issue whenever and whatever presented
and all ask is that the Secretary of State, or any
friend OF his to give opportunity to cali for eyi.
denre as to the facts and pledge myself nowithstand.
ing any denial be made, that if the opportunity be p-
ven i will substantiate what have asserted
MIR. Webster when he was offered the post of Secre.
tary OF state wrote to certain persons ask what they
would do for him. On consultation it was agreed 70
ra Sc S25C in Boston. and like sum in New ork:
and am informed that S25 600 was raised in the last
named city, but fell short in Boston; the amount being
$4,000. Gentlemen there had been bed freely on
other occasions, and It was difficult to bring them up to
the giving point n o matter this a free gilt
Every man knows that commercial men have an object
in making presents As of independence Mr.
Webster ought to have had nothing to do with it, tina,
he would suspect the object OF the gifts, and those who
made them. But when gifts made at his own 70.
quest ask whether inue is not brought to bear
on the officer which is dangerous public Justice and
public interests and more especially dangerous when
pecunary means OF large amount placed in charge
OF that officer.
Mr.. A. then replied tc the remarks of Mr. AsHhrN
OF personal character; and spoke further condemna-
tion OF Mr.. Webster.
Mr. 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 shame and ndir.
naoni every face manifested last night effective
response than any words OF mine. There was NJ hon.
orabe man but who would cry out ''shame shame"
The gentleman charged last night, and repeated il to-
day, that MIR. Webster required, a condition prece
dent tor him to accept the office Ut Secretary of State
that he should receive from certain persons in Wall
stree. and state street $4,000, and that the contract
was enter ed into and that ii fulfilled in New York
and nearly uihlled IN Boston 1t was charge ofcor
ruption, and hat Mr.. Webster entered into office hy
promising to favor ain persons by his official nlu
eace. Now have nothing more to say than this: In
the length and breadth, in aggregate and detail am
authorized 10 say that it is AN UNQUALIFIED FAIs EHoop
lam authorized to say, on the authority Of Mr. Web
sterr, and do say is an unQualifed Jalsehood.
Mr.. ALLEN TOOK issue.
Mr. ASHMUN The challenge has been accepted -
Now let the deiamer Of the Secretary ofStae carry out
his charge. That is all have to say There can be
mistake about this language.
M. AsHMUN then replied 10 that part of the remarks
OF Mr.. ALLEN which related to himself and said
among other things, that this colleague had smiled and
pretended to be friend of Mr.. Webster while parak-
ing OF that gentlemans hospitality, while at the same
time he held dagger in his hand and had hart s,a
ed with maignty, which heenipoued out to day
And Mr.. A stated that he and Mr. Allen were dele
gates to the Philadelphia convention in lS4s and that
they both voted for Mr. Webster as candidate for the
Presidency; but when the convention refused to nomi-
nate Mr. Webster, Mr.. Allen accused the Wing party
OF ueachery
Mr.. ALLEN said that he was allowed to reply to a
personal attack OF his colleague lie had confined his
remarks to that attack. But another attack had lust
been made, and he asked the Justice to respond
Mr.. HILILARD wished to reply to so much of Mr.
Aliens remarks as related to him.
There as nh; tba
of WV
Mr.. JONES was heard saying at is the duty of the
Chairman, ii he cannot enforce order to call ia the
Arms. [Calls to order, and laughterl
The Chairman exerted himself to restore order.
Mr.. BAgLY, who had given way for the explanations
Messrs Ashmun and Allen, now resumed the floor.
oMr: McLANE, oil Maryland, asked him 10 Weld, that
red.
Mr.. B,YLT. My friend does not think thai I would
acquiesce.