Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-01-15
REPORTED FOR THE NATIONAL iNryLLieNsc.r
Eighteenth Congress.
IN SENATE

Il
! Fhe Senate resumed, "a in Committee
OF the Whole, Nr. Mills in the Cbnir, the con-
sderation of the bill for the relief OF Francis
Henderson jr. 1t will be reeoiected that this
nn' proposes to grant a sum of money la
Francis Henderson, jun, Ia full for services
rendered to the country, by his grandfather,
Col John l,aurens. The question before the
Committs was upon II motion by Mir.
Holmes, II Maine, To recon- nit the bill Tor the
purpose oil altering 1t, So far as TO grant llm
msney 10 Mrs. Henderson, the daughter OF
Col. Lsurens. This motion, at the reau.s1
OF Mr.. barbour, was withdrawn.
MIR. Barbour, after some frirthey remark ; on
Tie Dature ot this claim, and in confirmation
81 those which he had previously m ade in
Committee OF the whole moved that th,.
blank in the bill should he filed with the sur,
WHICH the Co.amtfee originally reported 10
he due for the expenses Inc urrsG by Col. Lay
rens.
Mr.. Lowrie said. that he had paid great ~,
teniipn to this subject, aud he trt, after ftiii
investigation, ihat he could not vote far the
hill, in any shape. As the subject had bee,,
discussed two days, he would now, IL OF der 10
try the srnse of The Senate move its indefinite
rp0stponement.
Mr. Elliott opposed tn" niotinn To postpone
indefinitely. He said there could be me-
doubt that Col. Laurens had really expend-
ed the moneys which the bill rropns.d 10 re
imhurse, and that the claim fairly came under
The provision ot Congress, existing al that time
tor The payment of the expenses of their fureign
ministers The property left by Col. Lau-
rens 10 his family, had been diminished by
these expenses and, it appeared no more
than just that they should be paid. The cir
cumstences uIdsr which the daughter was
situated were such, that MIR. E. though; The,
money ought not To De given TO her-he dir
not, therefore, see any improrriety in voting
it to her son.
MIR. Lloyd Of Maryland. said he understood
The question As TO passing the present hill, not
to turn upon the justice of the claim, but.
whether the person. whose name was mru-
'ioncd IN the bill, was fairly and legally auiho-
rlzed 10 receive the money. Ii was not ask
eel as bounty, but as a remuneration for ser
wees rendered, and expenses incurred and
it WAS imperative upon the Government 10
pay It's Just debts bat it was also important
to know, who has the just Claim to il. IfGoI
I-aur"ns had any claim upon the Government
when he died, his daughter undOubtrJi, he
came the heir TO that claim. When she maj,
RED hlc. Henderson, he acquired the right 10
the claim. 1.-THE claim rests on the law, il Is
certainly highly important TO know to whom
II how belongs. ID Congress were TO nav il.
now, wrongfuy, they would BE- bound, by eve
ry rrinc'ale ofjusice, TO pay it aga in ber ter
PROVIDED ihe proper person came forward 10
claim it. If Mr.. Henderson were now sepa-
rated from his wife, by covenant or contract.
II became necessary To inquire how far that
separation would affect the claim. Whist is
The natura OF that separation 2 Dors j, Sc
cure The right IN this claim TO Henderson
ON" ne could see some idrnce on this sub
Jrct, MIR. L. said he could not saw what rieht
the grandson had Ia receive this money. No
one, Mr.. l.. remarked, could he more ready
than himself TO extend a fostering hand Ia
'h"se, and to the descend ani of those who had
rendered distinguished services TO the cuun-
Try, ana no one was moe sensible Of the i'm
portance of the services rendered by Col
Lanrens but he wished before he was cali
ed upon 10 vote on this subject, TO knew 10
"nom the money WAS due, and who had lr-
gai claim to It-suppose, 10y contract with
ms wife, that Henderson had been prohibited
rom receiving the amount Of this claim-un.
uer snch circumstances, how could he trans
Ter right To bis son, which he did not him
sell possess? Ii it were paid 10 the son in
such case, Congress might be called upon by
TIE vile oi ii henderson, TO pay it again Tnese
REASONS, Mr.. Lloyd said, would induce Tim ga
Vote Tor posiponemeOt, reser, ing it to he JUS.
ice oi tpe country Ia recognise the claim.
when u came forward in less dubious shape
Mr. Lantnan made some inquiry rs 10 I'm.
items in Col. Laurens' account, which had
been allowed by the government in answer
To which, Mr.. Barbour furnished the ip(orua-
ton required.
Mr.. Edwards Of Illinois, believed that moth
lag less than an absolute divorce could de-.
prive MIR. Henderson, the father, of the right
10 receive this claim. As no divorce had fax
en- place, he surely retained that right; and,
u so, he could transfer ii 10 his sen. Ifnolbng
more than separation, without a divorce, had
taken place, il did not vltiae the right Of Mr.
Henderson; and, as he had assentpd 10 the
giant being made in favor his sun, there WAC
no doubt in his mind, MIR. l.. said, that the son
ofHenderson had fair claim.
Mr. Barbour niimaied his wish, provided
The mofioa To postpone definitely we're with.
drawn, IN propose an amendment 10 the bill
so "a 10 require the re nquIshment of an claim
by Francis Henderson the father, and France,
T.. Henderson the mother previous 10 ti,,
payment OF Tie money To- Francis Henderson
Jun.
Mr.. Lowrie accordingly Withdrew his motion
Tor indefinite Posiponement, in order TO adrit
the amendment.
Mr.. Lloyd Of Massachusetts,. was in c,vor
of the allowance OF this claim-Ior. hs he
lierrd That wise liberalhy in conducting IN,
affairs 0i The natoa, was the most proper econ.
ony ne would not agree that one dollar nf
this money should go To the husband, or 10 the
WIFE, IN This case but he felt perfectly willing
to give VI 10 the son. for lis Ow n exclusive uss
and benefit he, therefore, proposed an amend
ment, to strengthen fhp expressions used in
that which was olfe red by MIR. Barbour.
Mr.. Edwards Of Connecticut, expressed his
reluctance TO legsiaie at all, on this sublrcl
at this time, and renewed shc motion for us TO-
definite POSTPONE ment.
AL
could see 90 good reason for refusing TO se.
upun the claim. There cof,Id a.. nn Jo,d,