Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-03-13
a Scene in the House,

On the 2Jth u,t.. Mr. Allen the abolition member
of Congress from Massachusetts,. made On outrage
Gus attack on Mr. Webster. This attack was fol-
lowed up by reply from Mr. Ashmun, which gave
the NEST positive contradiction to all and every
part of the charge against Mr. Webster. Aliens
speech is thus reported.
Mr. Alien alluded to what he said last night, as to
Mr. Webster having, as condition for taking the
Office of Secretary of State, demanded the sum of
fifty thousand dollars from business men III Wall
street. New York. and State street, Boston.
After some remarks by several members about
members speaking more than five minutes, it was
agreed that Mr. Alien should gu on.
MIR Allen said he repeated that there was no de-
NAL of the statement which he made yesterday
Does my colleague deny il? If he does, will meet
the Dc NAL; and will here say that if he denies the
facts, am ready to meet the issue whenever and
wherever presented; and all ask is that The Sccre
tary Of State any frien' Of his, to give me an OPP
pnrtuniy cali for evidence rs 10 the facts, and
pledge myself hsiaading any dental that may
be made. that, if the opportunity be given, l will
substantive wha. have asserted.
Mr. Webster, when he was offered tie post Of Sec
rotary of State. wrote 10 certain persons 70 ask
what they would do for him. On consultation it
was agreed to raise $4,000 in Boston and like sum
in New York: and am Informed that $4,000 vas
raised in the last named CITY, but fell short IN Bas-
ton; the amount being Sla, 500. Gentlemen there
had been aied freely other occasions, and it was
difficult 10 bring them up to the giving point. No
matter If this was fee gilt. Every man knows
that CONNIE eia me have an oijectin making pres
euts As a man OF independence. Mr. Webster
ought to have had nothing TO do with il; that he
would suspect the object of the gifts and those who
made them. But when gifts are made Of ms own
request ask whether an influence is not brought
to bear on the officer which Is dangerous tn pubic
Justice aud public interests. aud more especially
dangerous when pecuntaTy means oil large amount
are placed in charge Of that officer.
Mr. A. then replied to tie ieIf'arks Of Mr. Ashmun
OF personal character and spoke 1trher in con-
demnation OF Mfr Webster. ~F Ae
Mr Ashman said should do injustice 10 the
good sense of the House il consume the twenty
minutes allowed to me. II does not need remarks
from me to answer my colleague. The sense OF
shame and indignation in every face manifested last
night q more effective response than any words o!
mine. There was no honorable man but who would
cry ont ssshama! shame!' The gentleman ged
last night AMI repeated II to day Mr. Webster re-
qurea as condition precedent for him to acrep.
the office Of Secretary of state that he should re-
ceive fsomcertain pesons in Wall street and State
street. $50 90 and that the contract was entered III
to and that il was fulfilled in New York. and nearly
fulfilled in Boston. 1t was n charge of corruption
and that 1lf Webster entered into ofiicr by promis
ing 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 say that il Is unqualified alsehnnd.
/ am authorized TO say on authority ot Mr. Webster,
and do say. il is an unqualified fasehood.
Mr. Alien took issue.
DIR Ashmun. The challenge has been accepted.
Now let the efamer Of the Secretary Of State carry
out his charge. This is all have To say. There
can be mistake about this language.
Mr. Ashmun then replied to that part of the re-
marks Of Mr. Allen which related to himself, and
said. among other things. that his colleague had
smiled and pretended t. be q friend Of Mr. Web
ser while partaking of that gentleman's hospitali-
ty. while at the same time he held dagger IN his
hand, and had heart sutiilsed with mallgnity,
which hal been poured out to day. And Mr. A.
stated that he and Mr. Allen were delegates to the
Philadelphia in lSlS, and that they both
voted for iIr Webster candidate FOR the presi-
dency. but when the convention refused to nomI-
nate NfrWchster, Mr. Allen accused the Wing party
Of treachery.
Mr. Alien said that he was allowed to reply TO
personal attack Of his colleague. He had confined
his remarks to that attack. But another attack had
just been made ana he asked The justice to respond
Mr. Hiliiara wished to reply to so much OF MI
Aliens remarks related to him.