Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-03-01
Correspondence of the Spy.

WAsHIN TON, Feb. 26, 1851.
You are aware perhaps that the dependent finan-
cia position olDanie Webster, for long time past,
has become matter of general notoriety, and that
rumors have lately obtained currency ofcertan rea-
tons more recently entered into with Wall-st. and
Safest, by the distinguished. Regarding the cir
culaon ofsuch imputations against the Chief of the
Cabinet as calculated to reflect discredit and dishon-
or upon the Administration Mr.. Stephens contempla-
ted Resolution Enquiry, for the purpose of bring
ing the matter officially to the attention of Congress-.
But before he had found good opportunity of execu
ting his design, the Mexican indemnity Appropr-
alton came up, and point was raised concerning
the transfer of the disbursement Of this appropriation
from the Treasury Department to the Department
of State; IAN ca post fdcto authorization of Mr..
Webster's act) In opposing this transfer, 1t became
proper for Mr. Allen, your State to urge that the
disbursement of moneys under treaties should not be
made by the same officer that makes treaties, be-
cause generally this arrangement Is hostile to the IN
tegrity of official administration, and because special
y in this particular instance the present incumbent
of the State Department is not person fitted to have
the management of the public moneys In support
of this allegation he charged that Mr.. Webster e.
quired, before he would accept the Office of Secre
tary of State, that the Merchants of New York and
Boston should agree TO raise and pay over to him
fifty thousand dollars to support him in that position,
and that this demand was acceded to, and the mon.
ey mainly raised and paid in. He Submitted wheth-
err one who had thus become, by his own solicita-
ton, the stipendary Of certain interest, thus con-
shutting himself the paid officer and agent of that
interest rather than of the country, was fit person
for the management of funds whose disbursement
properly belonged to another officer Mr.. Aliens
remarks in support of his allegation made in
calm and decided manner, free from all unnecessary
invective, but with force and direcness that excl
ted the undivided attention and interest Of all hear
ers. Mr. Ashmun followed, and without venturing
to take any upon the charge, took up the usual
resort of diverng attention from the subject in hear
ing, by induging in personal viuperation of Mr. Al
len. This was matter of taste on Mr. Ashmun's
part, but he has personal reputation in part of
the country, and if that reputation is true, he is
precisely proper person to vify Judge Allen.
This morning, after battling against unparalleled
opposition, Mr. Allen obtained the floor for twenty
minutes, during which time he reiterated his aega-
lions against Mr. Webster, and briefly alluded to
some of the personal aspersions cast upon himself
by Mr.. Ashmun. Mr. Ashmun followed, denying
the allegation, and making further personal assaults
upon Mr.. Allen, for the apparent purpose of preju
dicing the charge, by heaping odium on the person
making it. When the Committee rises, the House
will probably take action upon this subject, di-
rect issue is raised between Mr. Allen and Mr.. Ash
nun, who processes to speak by authority of Mr..
Webster.
ought to add, the very general conviction is, that
the charge is true notwithstanding the disclaimer Of
Mr. Ashmun. The public interest and anxiety is
very great j. Z.