The daily union., 1852-08-07
BY ROBERT ARMSTRONG.
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF HON. ). III. CLARK
or RHODE ISLAND,

or RHODE ISLAND,
Delivered in the Senate July 90 and ~, 1852; on the
Ms1tcan boundary COMMISSION and IN defence Of the
conduct Of Mr. J. X Bartlett commissioner of The Me1
ilaa boundary surrey.
[coHcLuDEDl
The Senate having resumed the consideration Of the
resolution submitted BY Mr. WELLER on the 25h OF
Mr.. CLARKE was entitled 10 the floor; but. before
proceeding with bis speech, gave way to
Mr.. WELLER who said: Before the senator from
Rhode Island proceeds with his speech. desire 10 call
his aieoton remarks which he is reported 10
have made yesterday He is reported having used this
language:
Bot regards any made by the from
f~ouii observe that with that shall have le to do
cept incidentally Ia the remarks OF the senator how
chsreas nrsIerad snd made by him. for tho fret te,
sgainst this commissioner far recollection extends
acter.''
Now, Mr. President, have no idea that the senator
from Rhode Island desires place in false position.
AT all events, satisfied 10 occupy that OF pub
lie prosecutor have preferred but single charge
against the present boundary commissioner in Mexico
and that was that by o udgmentfor accorded
him honesty OF purpose-he had given away between
five thousand and six thousand miles OF land, which. in
right and justice belonged to the OF the Uni
ted States And now from the course oi remark in which
the senator is ndngng, it seems he does not intend TO
respond To that charge at all | have not charged the
commissioner with squandering. the public. money.
have not charged him with entering into collision with
the commissary o the commission 10 swndle The
men only referred to certain charges which had been
made by officer Of high rank in the army of the Uni
ted States against him hun and 10 speaxg o. mat, s'ad M
truth faslty OF the charges Now, sir, what did
say' said that
In the month OF March, 1861, Colonel J. Mcclellan of
tailed chief the ssion, fused
charges be filed in the department against the chief,
sion TO the Senate and before me- These charges
senators will observe, Of the serious character i
p,iQsip m hs Hnf
false the officer who has used his position to prefer them
ought be dismissed from the army At all events,
would naturally have supposed that the department
would considered these charges of sufficient port
2 % have 0dsea % M ba sy re
army, more than year ago; and the only investigation
had disclosed in letter winch now hold in my hand
In subsequent part of my remarks said follows:
al have examined it with care and certainly with
disposition do the commissioner any njusrice but
say that the evidence has left entirely different i'm
Upon the mind Of the Secretary But are differently
constu.ed IN .nat nss testimony which carries conviction
In another place i used this language:
"As the or al.i:y the charges preferred against
the commissioner express no opinion, bat have con
tented myself with speaking Of the testimony as it now
tentimes done public officers by preerrina charges
ms Ss able esp .
and would be unfair at all events, 10 condemn him until
opportunity has been given for reply"
This the language used on the occasion to which
the honorable senator from Rhode Island has referred
simply desired TO bring before the Senate the fact that
these charges had been preferred. that they file
in the department. and that II due TO the character
of that public officer that full investigation should be
had before any more money was appropriated 10 this
she honorable senator from Rhode leland endeavors 10
place me--ihat OF prosecutor who comes here in the
Senate prefer charges against the commissioner. He
seemed yesterday to intimate that in that respect
occupying exactly the position which the and
ex- Secretary, 10 whom alluded on former occasion,
had occupied. | preferred no charges; have none to
make do not know that il will be necessary that /
should any further INTO the investigation of The
subject which the senator from Rhode Island has
the floor.
There Ii another question: and that relates the only
charge which did make, upon which II may be neces
sary for hereafter TO speak mean in regard 10 fx
ing The initial point OF this boundary line Whether the
officer who male the charges the habit OF drink
ing too much not is OF those questions that does
not concern me; but think that the from Rhode
Island would do more justice 10 his friend II he were 10
90 into fair Investigation OF the facts stated and leave
the character of the witness TO stand where II s Sir
ought to apologize 10 the senator from Rhode Island Tor
upon his time and the patience OF the Senate
now but il was necessary that should do it. in order
avoid being placed in the position of public prosecutor
Mr.. CLARKE. Mr.. President, may have been mis-
understood by the honorable senator from California Ii
was moi my ntenon--I was not aware OF any intention
on my parto charge that senator with any lmpropreiy
or anything that might lead TO the supposton that be
was part parcel In this prosec uton or persecution,
against the commissioner upon the Mexican boundary
What did refer to. in the remarks which | made,
the charge made by some ONE as understood, against
expression was in shaving" orders-n depredaing
upon the employees OF the commission; which charge
haze evidence to prove was unfounded The boDora
BILE senator did say, when he made that cbage-and IL
was the frat time had heard it--that II was com
municated TO him by gentleman OF character and res
pectablty. The name was not given. The honorable
senator therefore Stood in my humble opinion having
made that charge upon an authority Tor which he was
responsible and in the auson made intended 10 be
understood as combining myself TO that charge
Mr. WELLER II the senator will allow me, yes
terday offered to read the evidence upon which that
sation made made statement Of facts upon my
own responsibility said that had in my possession
letter written by highly respectable gentleman and
10 read that portion OF the letter which refers TO the
ter.
Mr.. CLARKE have no objection.
Mr. WELLER The letter is dated FL Paso, April TO-
1854 X states as follows;
There are ruen the conmisso receiving large
salaries, who hold Office whatsver-reai sinscures
will name Mr. Bartleu's brother, who last year
the office OF commissary for ab in that
department This is receiving VI 300 year,
title agent for the ssion Agent Tor what,
Isski We have regular qusrternaster, commisssry,
and every other iunconsy requisite for the good OF the
commission. Wherefore, them do have these parasites
substance and cog the operations OF the sur
Ito crafty private ambition, and h the purses OF
lazy avortes, while dlgen young men, who are Kept as
sduously work. down fifty dollars per month,
and Otherwise basely used Mr.. Bartlett has with him
private secretary and assistant secreary and several other
persons receiving higher hsn hose sctoay employed
IN the And here he has assistant secretary al
6iooo who has clerk assist him. and his brother tho
agent, all from Providence.
But the most vilanous conduct OF any connected
VITO the commission the practice OF this Bartlett
tnssseh o the commsspn-of pctrating and