The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-10-29
wEBsTER's TACTICS.
How He Squelched Charles Jared Inger-
soils Proposed Investigation into the
INSTRUMENTATION Treaty.

now 0harieS
soils Proposed Investigation into the
Webster-Asburton Treaty.
William Campbell in Albany Journal
The numerous committees efinvestigation,
orig mated mainly by the Democrats, in the
last Congress. and the abortive results,
brought wildly to my recollection scene
which occurred in the Twenty-ninth Con-
gress. during the first session in the admins
tration of Mr. Polk The new administra-
ton came into power under circumstances
favorable to a renewed lease of life to the
Democratic party. The question of the adj
mission of Texas had been virtually decided
in their favor, but the previous administration
under the lead of Mr. Webster. had settled
our difficulties with England by the famous
Ashburton treaty. In the new House of
Representatives were the two brothers Inger-
soil, OF Philadelphia. Charles Jared, an active
member. and l may add, violent Demo-
cratic partisan, and his brother Joseph, an
equally decided Wing, and Il political and
personal friend of Mr.. Webster's. There
were necessarily three parties to the Ashbur-
ton treaty-the United States, Great
Britain and the State of Maine. 1t became
necessary that Maine should assent 20 the
surrender of portion of her territory, and
it was very desirable that the favorable in
huence of the press should be secured. To
effect this, Mr.. Webster had used some por-
ton of the secret service fund, under his con-
troll as secretary of state.
There had been an entire change of the
I administration Charles Jared Ingersoll, u
E. bitter Democratic partisan. had been NOUS
ing about in the office of the new secretary
of state, and there ascertain-d what use Mr..
/ Webster had made of certain portions of the
secret service fund. He came into the House,
! one morning, and after stating that there had
Z 10 IF .., l.x-M
Webster under the previous administration,
moved for u communities Of inquiry to in
vestigate the alleged abuse Mr. Prichard
| Brodhead. then a Democratic member from
/ PENNSYLVANIA, afterward United States sena-
tor from that State, though not ii political,
/ was "a personal friend of mine. came over
! from his side of the hall to my seat, and put
/ ting his mouth TO my ear, said in whispered
voice, Charley sees spook. And 1t was
| not long before the spook made its appear
ancc. Mr. Webster. then in the Senate
WIS indignant. He had effected settlement
of veXed boundary question, which at one
time babe fair to disturb the friendly rela-
tons between the United States and Great
Britain, and be gave notice that he should
reply in his place to the charges of Mr.. In.
gersoll was in the Senate chamber at the
appointed time. Mr.. Webster rose hi:
counten;nce dark and frowning, holding 4
sheet of paper in his h3nd, and addressing
the president, said that ..thc Senate wa:
aware that it was not his custom to read be
fore them written speeches, but under tn,
circumstances of this case he had felt it neces
sary to reduce to writing what he had TO say
so that there could be no ground for misrep
rescntation." He then proceeded to explain
briefly the circumstances, showing the vast
importance ofsettling a vexed question which
endangcring the peace of the country
and the making of treaty which had me
with a general appreciation of the people
Laying the paper down on his desk, he CLOSED
by saying: And now, Mr.. President, leave
him. leave him with the worst compan,
that ] can select for him. ] leave him witt
himself" The spook had made its appearance
and disappeared, and was seen no more. NJ,
recollection is that there was no inquiry, N,
, further investigation. the manly abswe
was satisfactory 10 friend and foe.
Some years after this ! was present at In
ver:,ry, in the western highlands ofScotland
, at the recollection OF Duncan Mcneil. thci
dean Of the faculty of advocates. and VIII
had been lord advocate of Scotland unde
: the administration Of Sir Robert Peel in tn
then recent Parliament Of Great Britain
In abiding TO the services, he remarked tina
among other things of importance which ha
,, been effected under the ADMINISTRATION {
Sir Robert Peel WAS the settlement BY th
Ashburton treaty of the vexcd boundar
: question between Great Britain and tina
great kindred country 'on the other side q
the Atlantic. i was present by Invitation
; st this election dinner, and was called u.n
, as an American to make sneech, ard anon
other things remarked that while the Ash
burton treaty In Great Britain was Gale
by Sir Roberts political enemies .'the Asl
burton scNpitulation," it was called in m
, coup .ry by Mr.. Webster's political opponent
. me Webster surrender" and If it was cal
:. ed capituation ON one side and surrend,
: Oh the other, it was probable that the vexe
o question was disposed of in way creditab
:. to both great kindred nations.