Year: 1860

his own interest to 90 abroad Another was that ne he
found it. until after the meeting of Congress- de did IN
fact not change it during the recess. .h;s,oa
paper understood to be conducting it in suGn man
to expose him to the susp cion OF personal
to the President and intention of going over to the other
side beran to be told constantly Mr.. Forney had
6er personal enemy of the President; that ne
was in his heart against the Democratic party and would
be openly ol the opposition side very soon. .
Things just in that condition when Mr. webster
'PHnADA, Dec. Is, 1857.
There is some little stir town to-day created report
that the has received the job of printing the
Post Office blanks the exclusion of Forneys paper NOW
not to oo.o out such marked and nvidous
ITO its logical to quote language which
growing to be immensely popular with u.s. am ndueeo TO
tnn w nsed eween u.s. when YOU were last in our
city Your explanation Of certain and conversations
when the time and opportunity arrived good friend For
the Administration has allowed that opportunity pass by
with such promise unredeeme l. and be rejoced
get line from you saying that the report which we have
heard is unfounded.


(sipned, '"l '''N' DAVID WEBSTER.


Washington, D. c."


Not having time to discuss the subject with him in writ
ing sent him note requesting him to come over mere
of confidential intimacy He had behaved very well to me-
and hand be had received nothing deeds and
kind words spoke him freely as would have spoken
body the world The conversation lasted should
think for three or four hours part of it in my hense



of and public and private past and future
Among other things talked about the printing of the
Post Office blanks Mr.. Webster knew that Mr. Cobb and
had been very efforts to get that printing tor
Mr. Forney that opposed else but him and
effort good faith He said the Administration ought not
to make distinction between Democrats on account of
difference o opinion upon the Kansas question. told him
that made upon body for mere difference Of
opinion but fierce and air war had been made upon
opinions added that what stood in the way Of
Mr. Forneys application for patronage was, not his differ
Of opinion upon Kansas affairs but he was believed
be personally hostile to the President on account f not
getting what he expected, that in addition to that it
suspected by that he intended to take the hrst oppOr
1t manestly impossible, said for the Post Office De
partmeut besOw favor and patronage upon man who
engaged deamng the Presidents personal character
or who was ready to join his political enemies told him
that would not ask body to humiate himself by unsay
ing what he had said upon public subject that Mr. For
had committed himself the Kansas question to
extent that rendered impossible for him to get back


Mr. Webster said he thought as did, that mere differ
ence of opinion upon public question was thlog which
ought be tolerated and settled inside of The party AS
to the other two points, mace against the President, and
sympathy with the opposition he denied tnat hey were
true i'll point of fact He admitted at Mr. Forney IN prl
vate conversation in his paper-had said harsh
things about the President; but he mpulsve
and often expressed feelings that transient at the
bottom of his heart he really friendly to the President
He derded the allegation that Forney would turn his Po
ltical coat perfectly ridiculous FOrney, he said, had
been beed; he had no such intention.


then expressed the opinion that the facts were as Mr.
Webster said Mr. Forney might very readily place himself
rectus IN cTd by taking occasion in his newspaper
of expressing what his real sentiments He might
that the President though not entertaining the
he did upon certain public questions yet
governed by honest motives and in the same article he
chose another he might abure all sympathy with the
political enemies OF the democratic party That would
place him IN what Mr. Webster said his true attitude
and that all thought ought to be asked of anybody
under such circumstances.


do whether Mr.. Webster expressed the opin-
ion that MIR Foney would would not upon this sug
gesn Bat he said that he thought he ought do
perfectly prope and right He agreed with that
who applicant for patronage from Admins
tatOn could not expect succeed he allow ed suspicion
of malice and treachery to stand without contradiction





ceed them?' told him that | thought he could, that
knew 10 reason why he should not any more than if
suspicious had existed He asked what portion
that printing he could get answered that he got any,
he would be bound to get the whole of it. inasmuch as it
had been settled after full consideration that there could be
division of it that the job could not be divided up and
given to that the order would have to be
given (as it subsequently given) to single individual
who would be responsible for the whole work, and who
might make out of whatever profit he could according
to law.


When told him this, distinctly said that speaking
for but myself that he knew very well the
age not i'll my gift; that had right to besow it
that belonged to the Postmaster General who took it for
granted woud under the advice of the Pres dent.
expression my opinion about the of the applca
ton aud had power authority make any prom
would have claim upon the work, and might expect
directed him to make Mr.. Forrey understand before
he did anything that if he should fail not be held
pOIsbe or the ADVICE had given otherwise than my
error OF judgment as TO what he ought to do.


Mr. Webster " ent home and some days afterwards, on
the 24th OF December 1851 he addressed to me this letter.


" PHIL, Dec "a. 1857.





"Forneys reply your proposition is, that if twenty
years active service in the Democratic party, and the
interests OF Mr. Buchanan no guarantee of his continued
devotion to the great principles OF organization then he
has lived in vain That he would consider himself humlia
ted he had to make such declaration in his paper at the
present tlnG, and on mere erpectdt' on


This IS as you know, what feared would be the char
h5 a ply the OF M an object o yR eater
one exception at least and that is the public hitting For
undoubtedly the possession of that ensures create amount
OF happiness and prosperity than uncertain claim upon
it is likely to CONFER


Your friend,


(SignedO DAVID WEBSTER.
Hon. J. S. BLACK,


P s. Things eeorse and ecOrse You cannot be too
prompt in your remedial measures. D. W."
about every of this letter except the first
He thinks he has given the whole of Mr. Forneys
he has left out most important part of what perceive
to be III quotation marks He says that he added of his
accord certain expressions Those expressions
IN the letter at ALL and in place of them others totally diff
fe1ent The underscOrng of the words at the present tune
mere expectation" poSSeSS1On," " ensures" and
cerdin is his own manestly intended to call my
attention to the fact that Mr. Forney had promise
pledge and thai he wanted have before he
press friendship for the President the party.
stood these words very WELL but Mr. Webster says truly
never replied.


Webster also says tt at Mr. Forneys friends valued
any such valuation before think Mr. Forney himself knew
the value of it we'll any person. know he was
willing in the early part of the to take portion
it, amounting $8 900, but he willing wait for it
until the meeting of Congress-


Mr.. Webster utterly mistaken in saying that gave him
promise gave him none. Nor did | utter word on
the subject coming from the President the Postmaster
General Moreover did not mention the article which
thought Mr. Forney ought to publish consideration upon
which he would receive the printing but thing which
ne ought to do for the sake of the TRUTH and for the
pose of putting him right applicant for patronage


have no right to suppose that Mr. Webster would wu
y msstate fact Our relations have those of
friendship and great confidence and have been dis
turbed by differences of op non feel very that if he
could have had opportunity to compare his recollection
with mne he had his letters before
fed he never would have made such statement he did
Mr. Winsowt is due to Mr.. Webster say, that he
sired to before he communicated this matter
the Committee oVerrued him upon that and compelled him
to testify then.


He is nnffh he kindn If hon