Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-03-19

from observing that the gentlemen around
me are generally strangers to me, and that not single
individual Of all my ancient associates who served with
me in this body twenty -four years ago is present
am rresistiby led back to the events Of period over
which nearly quarter Of century las spread its
tie when those who filed this chamber the represen
tatyes of the sovereign States of this Union mingled IN
discussion on the great issues then before the country
and when the walls of this chamber daily rung with the
echoes of their voices, they poured forth the logic
and the wisdom and the wit for which they were 50 pre-
eminenty distinguished Their debates were but justly
compared 10 the procession of a Roman triumph moving
in dignity and order the lofty music Of its march, and
gtterng all over with the spols Of the civilized world
They gone and the youngest and humbles Of their
body left TO tell the tale The last Of them who lett
this Of their srifes and contentious the pre-
sent Vice President Of the United States the Hon. WM
r. KING who presided over the deliberations Of the Sc
nate nearly twenty years with unsurpassed ability and
impartiay and who during long period, occupied the
post of chief distinction here the chairman Of the Com
mitee on Foreign Relations.
/" Statesman, yet friend truth of soul sincere
In action faithful, and il honor clear!
confess also, feeling Of embarrassment from an
other am called upon to yindicate myself
against charges Of the grosses character preferred
against here during my absence Ii the first time
in the Of long life that have found it
~ defend myself against degrading mputatons before
any public tribunal. The caumnes which have been
uttered here all made in connexion with the treaty
of the 18th of April 1850; and intend if health and
strength permit TO yindlcate the which adopted
while acting Secretary of State under the admnisr
ton Of the iamented Taylor in regard to the negotiation
Of that treaty.
1t duty incumbent to speak: not, however,
merely for my yndication, but enable others
in the administration Of the Government TO understand
subject upon which truth has Been perverted and
fasehood more industrousiy propagaed, than any
uie ne he da, In dnty
ondeayor speak Of others with all possible respect
sisteny with what TRUTH to the country and to
myself All who recollect my course Of conduct while
occupied seat IN this chamber viii bear me witness
that never assaed any personally in debate-neyer
engaged in any controversy personal in its character
with any cne unless il previously provoked by him.
OF Gcct0trtm But let it be well understood by all
here that every word utter il debate hold myself
personally responsible everywhere gentleman and
Of honor have very great contempt for that class
Of puppies whose courage eyinced by their silence when
they hung up by the When attacked viii de-
fend myself without the slightest regard consequences
and in doing that liable to the intrmies OF other
men, will carry the into Africa whenever think
the assai.ant worthy Of my notice. On this occasion
much u what intended say must be omitted, in
sequence Of the absence Of the distinguished Senator
from Michigan Mr. CAsl who introduced the discus
sion in this chamber Of Thursday the 9th of January last
regret his absence and the OF it. cannot say
those things which intended say him if lie were
here, for do not much approve Of the modern plan Of
attacking absent men, who have opportunity Of de-
the referred tom that debate in whichta Senator
WAS my principal accuser during my absence, must
cessariy speak Of him, because my defence, for
which have demanded liberty Of speech at the-frs mo-
ment after the Senate could possibly hear me, would
otherwise be unntegibe And will say further that
willing 10 remain here till harvest if necessary in
order that all others who may choose to reply any thing
! shall say may have fun and ample opportunity Of
doing so.
At the time to which have referred the 9th of January
last the Senator from Michigan IN his place and de-
manded an opportunity to make personal explanation
In the course Of that explanation be distinctly charged
me, al the reports Of his remarks which appeared in
the public prints that anu the succeeding day will
show, with having recognised the British tile in Hondu
ras, commonly called the Belize My letter to Mr..
Buwer of the 4th Of July, 1850 completely dsproves
this accusation and shows that carefully avoided the
very thing Of which he accused me- Another version of
his speech afterwards appeared charging me with having
admitted by my letter that Central America not Cen
tral America at ALL and that the treaty did not apply
any territory where Great Britain had any Of claim
This also is disproved by the letter. Both these state
mens dd me gross injustice, and they went the wings
Of the lightning to all parts Of the country before could
possibly refute them. 1t is said fasehood will travel
league before truth put his boots and oundit
But, sir there n much grave and serious
cusation than that III understand it at ALL it
charge that had inserted in the letter 10 Sir Henry L.
Buwer direct falsehood; that had stated that Mr..
King, the chairman Of the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tons, the chosen organ Of the Senate to communicate
with mc-as much the organ Of this body as was the
organ Of the President communicate TO the Senate
through mm-ha4 Informed that the Senate perfectly
understood at the time they voted upon the treaty Of the
18th of April 1850, that British Honduras was not in
cluded in that treaty. The Senator from Michigan de-
cared in the presence Of the American Senate that had
that very morning himself waited Mr. King and had
ceYed from Mr. Kings lips the positive denial Of
the assertion. Now, Mr. President, | can understand
this: man Of hasty impulses might make great mis-
take in reference subject Of that character and
might misunderstood Mr.. King.
But the Saturday succeeding that debate there ap-
peared IN the public papers of this city, under my own
hand, vudication Of myself against the charge and
Mr. Kings letter dated at the very time writ
ing the letter to Sir Henry L. Bulwer informing me- in
the very words used by in the letter TO Sir Henry,
that the Senate perfectly understood that British Hon
duras not included in the treaty." have the ORR
ginal letter before The Senator from Michigan
surely that letter ia the newspaper, he heard it
here IN DEBATE for OF my friends, to whom l
great Acknowledgements for their defence of the
OCCASION brought that letter to the notice the Senator
ana ~ appears from the card Of Mr. Bragg gentleman
Of me oner House and friend Of Mr. King, published
on the Tuesday succeeding in the public popers of the
city, that the honorable Senator from N{ehioan must
himself have seen Mr. King after the morning on which
he made his accusation against me- and received from
Mr. King own lips denial az the statement which the
Senator made on this floor And sir what that
The senator camel to the senate the Monday follow
ing and Mr. Bragg states in his letter tb
accusation against 1t does not appear mon tbe a.
bates that he did but this did appear that lie was
entirely silent in regard tie whole matter Of his charge
In referring to the letter of Mr. King he only said ia,
he had nothing TO do with it, This left Mr. King in ~
unpleasant position well myself; and the Senate,
never did me the justice on any occasion to reract IN,
statement which he had made here on the 9Th dny q
January Ol that feel that have great cause 10 com
plain. There nothing in the personal relations or tn
Senator from Michigan with myself to in "a
expectation that be would make such assault upo