The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-01-24
MEXICAN InsrALMsNr.


part, the twelfth article OF the treaty with Mexico,
concluded at Guadalupe Hidalgo IL appropriates
So 600 for this purpose.
MIR. ALLEN, of Massachusetts,, after prelimina-
ry remarks, spoke about ihe present Secretary Of
State having made q contract with the Barings
How land and Aspipwall and Corcoran and Riggs,
for the payment Of the instalInent Mexico, near
ly two years in advance, without giving 10 other
bankers an opportunity 10 make proposals. IL APP
peared, last year end was satisfactorily established
that the contract OF great value, as the con-
tractUts would not have made one uniavorable to
themselves bargain was concluded with these
individuals IL seemed to him that the course pur-
sucd by the Secretary of State not only not &C
cordng TO the treaty, but was an interference with
the Secretary of the Treasury, by whom the pay
ment should have been arranged. II II was neces-
sary to have n contract, the Secretary OF the Trea-
sury was the man to make it. There another
course which might have been pursued, without
resortiug to the Intervention OF bankers. Nseemed
10 many members of the House that the payment
could have been made directly by the Government,
by accepting the drafts of Mexico at the city of
Washington. In this way the profits OF brokers
would not have been realized. The money could
now be paid thus if the Secretary OF State had not,
two years ago, made contract with these brokers.
He denied that any officer of the Government has
a right to make conditional arrangement, such
Us that Effected by Mr.. Webster in advance of the
appropriation by Congress.
Gentlemen who have read the document laid
upon their desks, and which contained portion of
the correspondence, knew that Mexico was pre-
pared 10 receive the money III this city. but the
great question was, has one of the Executive De-
partments acted Justly and properly in the trans
action OF this business? His first position was, that
no officer of the Government has right to make a
definite contract in advance OF an appropriation by
Congress. He had seen no man who opposed this
view; on the contrary, there seemed to be an implied
assent TO il. If there was any one who did OPP
pose il, he should like to see him rise and say SO
This House held the purse strings OF the nation.
No matter what treaties are negotiated, and sums
agreed to be given, the APPROPRIATION must DC
made before a contract can be made for the pay
ment Of the money. No man has right to put his
hand into the treasury.
Now if he was correct in the first proposition, it
followed that the Secretary of State has lnterfered
with wise and salutary principle in disregard of
law. In his summing up, MIR. ALLEN said that
Mr. Webster did what Secretary Clayton refused
TO do, and almost directly after getting into oitce
made contract with bankers for the payment Of
the money to Mexico two years in advance of the
time of payment And he then referred TO what
he said of Mr.. Webster last year, about subscrip-
ton of fifty thousand dollars being gotten up for
the private benefit OF that gentleman; stating, IN
addition that this the identical time that the
contract was made with the Earrings and their as
sociates Having exhausted his hour
MIR. DAVIS, OF Massachusetts, obtained the floor.
He said that as regards the general points relating
to the payment Of the indemnity he had not the
experience which other gentlemen possess. How
ever, ne thought that there could be but one pro-
minent question, namely whether this course OF
proceeding, in passing this appropriation and ar
ranging and paying out this money through the
Secretary of State, is in conformity with law, and
whether there is objection "a to point OF principle.
lie found that the Cabinet OF General Taylor Gree
from any of the influences which have been sug-
gested here) decided that this was proper matter
10 be conducted by the Secretary OF State; there
fore Mr.. Webster did no more than follow the
course which they indicated before. There have
been two committees, organized by Democratic
Houses-men of experience and judgment, with
no particular Partially and bias for Mr.. Webster,
he presumed-who have, on this abstract question,
unanimously reported and taken views sustaining
the Administration upon this point. This should
40 a great way IN satisfying our own Judgments
His colleague had introduced no new matter, for
he (AIr. D. had examined the Congressional Globe,
and discovered that every thing that could be said
against the Secretary of State and the Administra.
ton urged during the last Congress; and
there is a number OF acts conc usively in Mr. Web
ster's favor which did not then appear.
Upon these very questions, with an opposition
majority in the House, by vote OF one hundred
and ght nst thirty six the course OF the
Secretary of State was Sustained. How idle, then,
is it 10 state points which no man can maintain!
II this all in the matter now before them, he
should hardly feel inclined to trouble the commit
tee. Certain complaints and Intmatons had been
made Who brought them here' What parties
outside making a lamentation and outcry!
There has been much said about the suffering oil
Mexico, and strong sympathy has been expressed
for her by the Messrs. Green. who make their APP
pearance here, and not the party which suffers SO
far from the Greens not making complaint here,
and being indignant, it would be a singular thing
ii they did not hate Mr. Webster. They have one
hundred and seventy five thousand reasons for
hating him.
IL is agreed all round that they had not capital 10
carry on the financial operations which they pro-
posed; and these men expected, by the use oi their
wits 10 realize the pairy sum of slI5,OOO! As
the case stands, Mexico makes no complaint, and
the money is paid to her with rigid punctusty. II
be had found MIR. Webster going into contract
with the Messrs. Green, lac should have been DIS
posed TO mlstrust him. Mexico Is better OIL by the
arrangement with the Barings, How land and Aspin-
wall, and Corcoran and Riggs.
There was another point But one gentleman
ia this debate had gone into an investigation OF
the private Affairs of the Secretary Of State. Might
not his colleague be mistaken! Did II not occur TO
him that he was acting under the stimulus OF per-
sonal hatred! The Greens and his colleagues,
whose political associations were so lar removed
ia profession, the one side from the other, were now
brought together in the same truckle- bed by this
systematic attack Up to 1913, and to the time his
colleague LEFT the Philadelphia Wing Convention,
lac (Mr. ALLES) thought that Mr.: Weoster was
the most proper person to be placed in the highest
office in the gilt Of the people. And now, what had
his colleague said that he did not express last year!
Nothing new. IL il well known that MIR Webster
l. indifferent TO money as he u devoted to the
common veal. His application TO public affairs
has eit him no time to take care OF himseli. And
the question is whether the country should be de
prived of his services, or his friends aid hun!
Burke, mt, or Canning, IN tue GA WorIu, anu JCl
ferson, Madison, Monroe, in the new, would
have been disqualified by poverty had they not re
ccived assistance. lls colleague G@d stated col
lateral issues and not only said that donations
we're not only made to MIR Webster, but for the
reason Of inducing him TO accept the office OF
Secretary Of State. Mr.. ALLES "Yes."l
This then was his colleagues understanding.
Bot his colleague had not thought lt 10 set himself
right before the people in his own matters. Mr..
DA.l. went on TO speak Of Mr.. ALLgs's secret pc
Htcal movements in Massachusetts; and then said
that bis colleague particularly sensitive on the
subject Of corruption. There waB party OF cor
ruption In his own State and under uis own eye,
and 10 the reformation of which his talent and force
might be more prohtably employed than by trump
ing up charges against Mr.. Webster. Nr. ID.
then spoke of the shameless coalition between tho
Democrats and Freesoilers Of Maesachusstts-so
opposite in their professions Of principles on ma
tonnl subjects yet coalescing for the sske Of the
spoils And these things were favored and encour-
aged by his colleague, who ought TO put his mouth
III the dust and set about correcting the mischief
which he hls done TO society. Other matters were
,Iluded 10 ia this CogEsyion; and, in conclusion
the honorable gentleman passcd glowing eulogy
on Nr " chatter.
MIR. MEADE obtained the floor, vhen the com
mittee rose.