New-York daily tribune., 1851-07-12
The Charge of Attempt to Bribe the Attorney
From the Evening journal.


From the Evening Journal.
IN ASSEMBLY, July 10.
Mr.. TOWNSEND made a report on the
charge that the Attorney General had been Of
iered $4,000 not to institute proceedings 10 pre-
went the operation OF the Canal Bill.
The following is the correspondence between
the Chairman of the Committee and the Attor-
,ney General;
ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE,
July Sth, 1851.
Mon J. TOWNSEND CAN, &c:
SiR have the honor 10 acknow ledge the receipt
of copy of the preamble and resolution, adopted by
The Assembly on the 7th instant, together with your
note, asking TO appear before the committee, APP
pointed IN pursuance OF the resolution, at l2 O'Clock
q noon OF day.
Allow me TO say that am no, unaware of the Oh
Hcto raising this Committee It's purpose has been
souhcaty foreshadowed M both the Senate and
assembly, during the present extraordinary session.
Tie whole proceeding is entirely extra legislative
and can Subserye no pse.ul purpose whatsoever, and
permit me to suggest that you possess too much dis
elimination not to know, tha, no action whatsoever
can D. taken by the Assembly on any report which
ms committee may make. and that the subject mat
woi The investigation Is not within the jurisdiction
% tAe Assembly.
II all that is charged IN the quoted remarks of Mr..
kherkln proved 10 be strictly truc can any use be
made of this matter IN the Assembly except 10 ena-
De Mr. Macomber, Mr. Briggs and others TO reite-
nk this ungentlemanly charge of falsehood. and
peIAaps superadd TO II that OF perjury
During the slttngs of this Legislature either at the
present OF the past session. an no, aware tha, |
sSse IN any manner lntercyet or attempted 10 inter-
ere With the course OF legislation On the contrary,
nave orbone 10 ASK for The passage of bills affect
ny ONCE. and valy important 10 the transaction
" ns ordinary business Vet have constantly been
@aof the subject OF rdlcule, vtlperailon and lllbe
~ remarks IN both branches OF the Legislature.
soa, Sir. on more occasions than one have forgotten
e respect due 10 your exalted position, If not TO
youi character as gentleman, and descended to the
Seooe occupation ot abuse and dctraction ofme and
~ character, IN your place IN the Assembly and
sees, less learned and circumspsct than Yourself
sase followed your pernlclous example, in language
~ refined than your own.
Admonished as am by these transactions can
sot Ail 10 comprehend the purpose Of raising this
eeomlttce, and the tact exhibited IN the composition
o. The Committee, while II commands nv unteigned
eonrailon, does not serve 70 change my views of as
Intended use
III Was less informed in the history Of the pas,
: ~ months, might De disposed 10 attribute this
.eseinent 10 an earneS, desire, on the part OF tins
A@<moly, 10 expose guilt, affecting the admlniStra
- OF the government, and 10 punish the offender
| s1Anowing, as do, that IN this case there Is no
ssh punishable, either by law by the Legislature
mai transactions a thousand fold more criminal
hore dangerous 10 the public than this, and deep
S11 uhectly compromising the Legislature itself,
se oeen allowed 10 sleep und sturbed, must be al
= N ~N 70 say, that have good reason 10 doub; the
Sg ard patriotism Of tins proceeding.
,ssa .onmltiee was appointed by the Assembly OF
mQulfe INTO the official acts OF certain public
sts, who were charged with gross misconduct
AmSofity OF that Committee reported the result OF
~ inquiries, with the evidence taken by them "a
M nesent Legislature The Report was in some
c,rn ,rnVhtaoie manner suppressed; al all events il
i ~ oe found. The suppression Of this documen,
H., Ss1anpled IN the history OF the Legislature o
ahhs%e Het no Committee of Inquiry was raised
H.. $50 u seemed 10 be necessary, TO the vndica
certain members Of this Assembly from ,hs