The daily union., 1852-08-06
ny ROBERT ARMS RoNG.
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF HON. J. II. CLARKE,
on RHODE ISLAM

M. OF RHODE ISLAND, .s# f4
Deiipered ~ hs Senate July 20 and 81 1852; the
Merican boundary commission, aud IA defence of The
conduct Of Mr.. j. Bartlett, commissioner OF The MeI-
ian boundary surrey.
The Senate having under consideration the following
resolution, submitted by Mr.. WELLER on the 2slh Of
June
Resoved That the charges preferred by Colonel Nc
Ceap Of lie typographical and Others sgainstJ
boundary lime between the United States and tie lepubo
OF Mexico be referred 10 select committee of live in
vesugaton, with power If necessary TO send for persons
Mr. CLARKE said; MIR. President, this resolution,
the Senate will recoect was introduced some Ioir or
five weeks since by the honorable senator from Caor
Dia Mr. WELLER ] Three weeks since that honorable
senator gave his why select committee should be
appointed by the Senate nvestgate these charges which
charges have been reported TO the Senate, and comprise
OF the public documents upon the table OF every
alor This document contains not only the charsss that
have been preferred against the present on
the boundary hne between this country and Mexico. but
also charges that have been made by officer
of the navy oil The United States against Colonel John
Mcclellan, OF the Typographical engineers Upon these
il will be my duly 10 comment
need hardly say the Senate that il is with extreme
reluctance that / shall enter into this discussion II
necessarily of Itself is Of an acrimonious and personal
character Itinvolves the reputation OF men who have
been distinguished Perhaps for all the courteses OF iie
and therefore il is unpleasant 10 enter into i in any
ner before body like the Senate OF the United States
Ii is particularly unpleasant TO for this Iound
AIRY commission, and all that relates 10 it, brings nothing
to my mind but the saddest and mournful recoec
tons. Ihaye no uspositIca 10 Hollow that commission
from its ncpient efornaon in this cy,nor To- trace its
course into New Mexico, and thence to the Pacific
There is nothing in ii that is pleasant agreeable TO
would be glad. very glad II every recollection OF 1t
could be bloited from my memory; but that cannot be
done. would have been willing that every record that
before us. every charge that before every paper
support OF those charges and every paper in reluiaon
Of them should at once be bo.d from The recollection Of
every senator even from the public archives and, pos
sbe from the public mind But is 100 late TO DO that
am bound from the position in which stand and the
obligations which rest upon enter into this discus
son--to defend the innocent, and, unpleasant may
be 10 me, TO convict The gully.
These papers mol brought here at the instance
through the agency Of the commissioner upon the bound
aIy line They are brought hare by gentlemen who have
chosen 10 take the course they have taken and if the
oboquy falls upon them, the evil is their am
bound 10 defend this commissioner. who believed when
assisted in getting him the appointment, honest
man, and whom still believe 10 be high minded and
honest man. am bound 10 defend him, because then
thought, and still think him 10 be OF high and
b!emsfed reputation; am bound 10 defend him, because
was partly through my persuasion that senators
induced TO consent to his confirmation by this body.
am bound 10 gentlemen about me, who relying on my
assurance gave her votes for the confirmation of this
individual Il am bound to the administration that ap.
pointed hmto justify, in my person. the assertion
iha, made and The assurances that gave to them.
am still bound, SIR defend an absent indy
whose only possession his reputation and his talents
individual in the western wilds, performing bis
duties as an officer OF this government, all know,
amidst hazards, tolls, and sufierings who embark ed
himself in this undertaking, leaving home and friends
behind him, with nothing but The recollection of his
tues and his spoess character which constitute the only
legacy he leave 10 those who entitled
hentance from hm--an individual who has amsble,
excellent. and accomplished wife, who sustained his
absences by the hope OF bis early from honor.
able and by the that that service will
be faithfully and honoraby performed; and five children
who have nothing 10 console them or their deprivation,
but the hope that he will renew his parental
and bless them with his counsel Under these circum-
stances, feel necessary for TO go in the defence
Of this absent man, and TO assure the Senate and 10
prove suppou OF that assurance that he is honest
Injured, and peTsecuted Individual.
II would be easy task for me 10 defend Mr. Bartlett
from the accusations against him; but In doing that
bound 10 bring up ordinations gainst others, which
do with great reluctance.
The honorable senator from California in the course
OF his renarkss chose 10 speak strongly and forciby
against auack that had been made upon his private
reputation in this chamber by gentleman who is no
longer member OF Tue body, Mr.. Ewng,l and whom
hs designated ~ an accidental senator upon this floor
The language of the senator from California strong,
and marked with deep and intense feeling The senator
complained tbat while he private citizen upon the
member OF this body took advantage OF that position and
charged him with crimes oil which he innocent and
made unnsabe assault upon bis private reputation
With those cbarges have nothing TO do know moth
ing OF them. | am called upon here to defend the
/" accidental sena,orr from Ohio. But il did me
when heard the honorable senator from California,
with much feeling, with much strength OF
and deDuncaton, speak OF the cruelty towards himself
in being strongly marked out and denounced by the
from Ohio that II nigh, have suggested itself
the senator in the conclusion OF his remarks when he
spoke OF this commissioner, that he also absent
and could not be here TO respond the charges against
him. nor TO The inmaops Swallowed forth in the speech
OF the honorable senator; he should have recoecled
that the case was, in some MEASURE, reversed. Ihe
senator has and perfect consciousness of the evils
that result from attacks against the private character OF
individual His refined and elegant reading has taught
him undoubtedly what were The words OF one who un-
derstood well the human heart:
Who deal, my purse, steals trashj 'ds something,
nothingG
Twas mime Ills his and has been slave 10 thousand
Dot he that hcbes from ms my good name
Hobs me Of that which enficnes him,
And makes me poor indeed" .-.-.....
Poor. indeed" Mr President wllfbe tbs Individual
whose cause sasd here 10 Defend IL this rich posses.
Of bis il stricken from him by insinuaton or ground
less charges made az gainst hm. In the revolutions
which take place in this wide world OF ours il NAV
possibly that the Will be reversed again and
that lhs inirdaa ho stands charged before the
Senate and the county uiih such things as would
damn the reputation Of any man may, when hls skir,s
cleared, and he himself acquitted OF these charges,
even here, upon this hoor taking the example Of the
honorable senator from California reort upon him, II
he should have disposition 10 DO. But this oaly
reflection upon The chances OF life, snd is made with
dsfespec 10 the senator, and have nothing more to
say upon that subject.
Nj, President, the charges which have been brought
otwa,d against this commissioner, Mr.. Bartlett, are
| season OF senator's Some OF them of the most
helnoas and Offensive character. They strike at the
very vals OF the reputation Of Mr. Bartlett honest
man and, u uue show him 10 be unfit 10 be ihtfusied
Nim m,P9Yety or any commission from the government
" ms United States. ]. II true, just condemnation
Wouiu Ionrow him INTO private life; and If he is guilty
" u'en, hhall readily as gentleman this