The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-22

public money | will proceed with Mr., King and i
atof from Georgia, who prepared 10 defend this admin
stIaon, TO another fact MIR. King returned 10 the Un
ed States, and made report on California
rom California, without disclaiming disposition TO de-
lend the administration when think proper TO do so i beg
10 say that The senator has totally msconceved the dec
aIalion which made the other day said that this ad
capable OF defence when the proper
occasion should arrive. have not said (as the senator
now says) that was prepared to make that defence.
But desire 10 say that there nothing the remark
which made the other day that authorized the
from California 10 appeal 10 me in the manner in which
he has done
Mr. GWIN. am very sorry that | misunderstood the
senator. certainly understood him 10 make general
statement 10 the Senate that he very much suprsd
at the course OF remark pursued by The senator from Vr
Mr. BERRIEN. So was.
Mr. GWlN. | understood him TO say. further that he
was not then prepared TO 80 into defence of The admin
isration but that il capable of defence and drew
the inference that It was his intention hereafter make
that defence II the senator's attention bad been turned
what said the opening OF my remarks, he would have
discovered that stated would give Items 10 be defended
additional TO those which the senator from Virginia had
presented 10 the Senate for thought the administration
the attention OF the senator from Georgia to these facts
because he had as conceived, the part OF the admin.
straon, thrown down the gaunllet and was prepared
to take il up.
will proceed very briefly 10 call the attention of the
Senate and oil the country TO fact Mr. King, after
his return TO the United States and during the of
lector OF customs tor the district of San Pancsco,he
second appointment conferred upon him strng the time
Tor which he had been elected member OF the Thirty
first Congress He proceeded TO San Francisco and in.
stead OF remaining there discharge the duties OF his Of
hce he repaired with despatch TO the seat OF government
and became candidate for the Senate OF he United
States he spent weeks al the seat OF government keep
ing open house," eeconeering for the oise OF
aor, while the duties OF the Office oil collector left
10 be performed BY persons inexperienced at least If
incompetent The incumbent OF this high Office Il the gov
eminent enters the political arena with all the power il
conferred-power that he used that occasion, If am
not misiniormed TO promote his eleclsa "a the Senate
Tor one OF the most important considerations with
who sustained him was, that they expected b get his
place in the event OF his election to The United States
Senate. lie carried on that contest during one hundred
and oly-iwo ballots for senator with spirit and energy
rarely il before known in this country Thsegisla
ture adjourned without making election. Mr.. King,
holding this high executive office, went before the people
OF California as candidate for the Senate. 1t was
charged-and have not seen il contradcted by authority
that large number of individuals were employed in the
custom house who travelled through the State OF Cao
MA and edeavoed in every way they could to carry the
election IN favor OF the present administration, and
Pecaliy TO secure wing maloriy IN the legislature IN
favor OF the election of Mr.. King to the Senate.
We have SEEN the newspapers good deal OF credit
given TO the Treasury Department because it had recently
greatly reenched the expenses the house San
Francisco wish to bring to the notice OF the Seale and
wish the inquiry answered at the proper time, whether
not these expenses had not been increased eYtraor-
binary extent 10 accomplish political objects, and when
there was no necessity for these additional forces for these
Then the reenchment took place, and, divert public
attention from the fact, credit given the aminsira
ton Tor this evidence OF reform. Under the unlimited
power That we have given to the Treasury Department
California is excluded from the operation of the general
law, which makes IL necessary report the expenditures
appropriated IN collecting the customs-or. owing the
great distance OF that country from the seat OF govern
men have reason to believe that the expenses of col
ecng the revenue there have increased TO treble what
hey were under the de aeo government when the price
oil everything IN that country was higher
There IS another fact which, if 10 ORDER wish to
bring to the notice OF the Senate and the country That
the nomination Of Mr.. King. which il was known to the
administration would be contested on constitutional
grounds was withheld from the Senate that could
not act upon H. until after the 9TH OF March last when
the time Tor which he had been elected member of the
Thiry.hrst Congress expredthus giving the co.ordi-
nate branch OF this government in making appointments
10 once no opportunity oil passing upon the constitution
alily OF the appointment
The senator from Virginia referred the other day 10 the
extraordinary expense that incurred in sending Mr.
Collier, the hrst collector, 10 California He stated that
IRON oca papers IN his possession he knew that there
were nearly $4,000 expended for that purpose furnished
by The Quarlermasefs department What became OF the
property Was u, or any portion OF IL returned
Certainly not Here was an expenditure of near
$500 OF public money in sending collector TO Cali.
iornia, when be could have gone there by Panama in
hve or SIX months less time for $500, and should have
paid his own expenses He had long tail in his
coIt as comet. number OF them, when they got 10
California a, the expense OF the government, went their
way-sone to the gold diggings, not connecting them
selves with The government at all do not wish 10 do
an injury 10 any persons but II is my duty 10 state these
facts, when, as believe, the malpractice OF the officers
OF the government in California is likely 10 do great in
Jury to that Stale in the appropriations which she
asks and so much needs 1t is a painful duty TO ar
ragn any individual; but must state that this collector
VIGOROUSLY violated the law in seizng the cargoes OF
French vessels; that he conscated those goods and,
in further violation of law, peddled them through the
country, sold them here and there. aud never made
any return OF the proceeds OF the sales OF these goods
none that was Ineligible. When his acts were dsa-
vowed by the Secretary OF the Treasury and he was
ordered TO return these goods, they had been thus
disposed OIL and we were compelled in order do justice
TO the citizens OF France to pass law 10 pay them from
the treasury OF the United States. Claims thus arising
from the illegal acts OF this collector TO the amount Of
San Francisco, have been presented this government
and have and now being paid at greatly reduced
estimates by the Secretary OF the Treasury. Was not
this great abuse OF power which has resulted in a
great loss to The government In addition to this, il
charged against this officer by members OF his own party
that he had, IN violation OF the subireasuy law used
the public funds that into his hands for speculative
purposes which should subject him TO criminal prosecu
ion. notwithstanding these violations OF law, the
knowledge OF which was in possession of the admins
tration when the districts changed the same ind
vdual with these heavy and grave charges hanging
him. again renomnated TO the Senate for the very
important Office which he had before held But such
was the effect produced the Senate by the rehearsal
OF these facts that he almost unanimously rejected
The Official records OF the country prove that this gentle
man, whom wish TO nnict injury stands charged
the books OF the treasury being in default to the
government for hundreds OF thousands OF dollars.
Mr. DAWSON. Will the senator from California
give the name OF the officer TO whom he alludes
Mr.. GWIN. | have already stated that these charges
against Mr. Collier the first collector Of San Francis
co. do not wish to inic any injury on him, pre-