Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-05-05
Mr.. Pearce's Defence of the Administration.

tiser for the following excellent summary of MIR.
Pearce's triumphant defence of the Administers
ton in the Senate of the United States, few
days since, in reply to the arrangement of Mr.
Gwin, of California
Within few days Senators Gwin and Hunter
have presented in the Senate charges against the
administration for misconduct Mr.. Gwin arIaigns
it for the faults Of the administration of General
Taylor, as well as for their own sins. The Sena-
tor from California might, we should suppose, en-
ploy himself more usefully than in disturbing the
sleeping ashes of the departed patriot and hero
His first charge was that IT, Butler King was a
member of the House when he was appointed
special agent to California. We shall give the re-
ply of Senator Pearce to this and the other
charges which he makes. The vindication of Mr.
Pearce is quite conclusive. The answer is that Mr.
King might have been member of the House de
jure, but he was not de facto. Beside, special
agent like Mr.. King was not officer recognised
by law. Mr.. King was not invested with COM
plete power over the army and navy.
The next charge was, that Mr.. King despatch
ed the steamer Edith with $4,000 on a useless
service, in which she was lost. 1t was not a use
less service being the conveyance of the men,
bers of the California Convention to Monterey,
and the honorable gentleman himself urged the
appointment OF particular gentleman to COM
mand it. After all, the Edith cost but $685.
000 Again. the nomination of Mr.. King as Col
lector was not Mr.. Gwin had said, withheld,
till after the 4th March to avoid the constitutional
objection to the appointment. 1t was made before
and afterwards confirmed; Mr.. Gwin himself vo-
ting for it.
The escort sent out with Gen. Wilson is also
matter Of objection. An escort was also sent
out by Mr.. Folks administration with Weller
the Boundary Commissioner, costing SOL
O00 with Messrs Wilson, Collier and others
under Iaylor's administration, costing S56,OOO,
whereas the whole of Wilson's escort cost but sl2
600. Besides the military force must have gone
whether Wilson did or not. There was charge
about the appointment of Wilson. The fact is he
was nom mated by Taylor but not appointed till
Mr.. Fillmore came I'M and he never acted, accor-
ding to the usation, fora long time without civ
ing any bond. He gave two bonds, which were
approved. He did not draw large salary from
his office; he had none, but only one per cent on
his disbursements, which Mr.. Gwin as chairman
OF the Committee on Naval Affairs ought to know
Mr.. Pearce next proved the futity of the charge
of extravaganza for MIR. Golfers escort.
The next charge was the unwise selection of
Benecia as the chief military depot of California
and the extravagant outlay there for barracks and
the like. This is an unfortunate count in Mr..
OWNS Indictment, because the place was selected
by General Presiter Smith who was appoint
ted there by Mr.. Polk; and the barracks, &C..
were ordered by him. AS soon as the present
Secretary of War came into office, and was in
formed of these proceedings, he countermanded
them. The next charge was for collecting du-
ties of Calfornians for goods brought into their
country, which Mr. Pearce defended.
We come now to the California Indians, Con-
gress had at different times appropriated $780,
900 dollars for them. Three commissioners or
agents were appointed; :hey arrived there and had
no money. 1t was advisable to treat with the In
1.o., +of% ol-
vailed. The commissioners applied to Collector
King for 5000. He refused but, by the ad-
vice of Mr.. Gwin. advanced $4,000. The com
missioners then divided the State into three dis
tricts, each proceeding to separate one. They
could not go alone; escorts were necessary. Mr..
King advanced $l50,000 to the Quarter Masters
department. but only 10000 of it were expended
on the escorts, the rest was appropriated to other
services by the department. These advances
were illegal, and had been condemned by the
but may be defended on tie
ground of imperious necessity, as we'll as the ad-
vance of $4,000 recommended as we have seen,
by Mr.. Gwin. 1t made difference in princi-
ple whether the sum was five thousand or five
millions. These commissioners are admttedto
have exercised powers they did not legally possess,
in negotiating treaties with the Indians. The
Senator from California complains that they have
not been laid before the Senate. These treaties
were not received before the first of February,
and the President has properly detained them for
and further information. The SEN
ate will need it much the Executive. The
President disapproves of some ofthe clauses in the
treaties; why then asks the Senator, are not the
dismissed! Because one of them
opposed all the proceedings; another has resigned
and the sub agent has been dismissed. The third |
understood to be the best of the |
number, is relied upon by the department for in
dispensable information. Where is that to be OBJ
tanned if he should be dismissed?
Mr.. Pearce proceeded then to reply to Sena-
tor Hunter, but we must postpone the remainder |
for the present. Mr.. Gwin seems not to be so
successful in argument, as in California specula-
ton.