The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1826-02-23

eztenslon OF the. system. lie wasfagalnst
the principle, ana "a, cd the House would
reject .hc biz.
Mr. PEARCG, OF Rholo- Island, said,
ile'qles;ion had been asked by gentlemen
oppo ed 10 the bill, who is Penelope Den
Lcy2 Sir, knew nothing about Penelope
. Denney until ! came TO this place, and all
' 1 now know Of her have learned in this
House; and from what has been disclosed
By documents submitted To our inspection,
and from the arguments that have been
used, am prepared to vote for the bill.
In order to form right estimate OF the
propr.ty ofsuch apoto. it was necessary
10 advert 20 the facts Of the case.
I.o son OF this venerable petitioner was
y Seaman, employed OH boa d one Of our
national Ycssc.', in an expedition lmm-
nently hazardous, in which hc had TO en-
counter not only the bloodhounds OF the O.
cean, but the fatal influence Of a peslllcn-
.-,aE cline. 1t appeared, in evidence, that
thI3 sailor was brave, was yallant-and
where there no other proofof it, sufficient
evidence was found in the fact, that De-
ney was one Of tie few selected by the
gallant ALLEN to accompany HIM IN one
Of the boldcst and most dangerous enter,
prises Of tho pratichl war. The sequel
bhowed that the selection had been made
with Judgment, and that Dcnney was we'll
calculated for the service on which he was
sent. Though no more than quarter gun
rer, he gave the the most signal proof Of
"A heroic spirit. He fcll in tie ensuing bat
tie. But before he went on this his last
expedition,he settled an arrangement with
the navy agent at Y. York, that half of his
pay should 20 TO the support of his nged
and widowed mother. What his feelings
werc, on her account, in the latter mo-
mcnts Of dissolution. il not hard to conf ,ct-
urc. 1t is true, he did not like the brave
Allen, survive his mortal wound for five or
SIX hours; he was killed outright, and 10
time was left kimto commend his helpless
mother to the protection ofthat country for
which he shed his blood. He had not
even time TO put up that petition which SO
we'll becomes us oil, " God be mcrclful 10
me sinner" He died, and, with him,
perished her entire support her only staff
Mis- death deprived her Of bread. 1t is
4rue, sir, that this venerable matron can go
To- the authorities OF the city Of New York.
can throw herself on their compassion; and
beg from them what she ought to receive
from us; poor pittance, to keep off starva-
ton. But, if the claim be just, is it for
this House to say, Go and depend on the
charity Of the City of New York?
trust, Sir, there is ieelins here, which
rcyolts from such language, in such acHse.
| trust there is OH this floor disposition
TO protect this petitioner, though she be
feeble, old, and poor without wealth and
without influence. Sir, if Penelope Den
ney had been rch--If she had had any
thing to bcstow, we should never have
heard her name, os petitioner, before
this House; bat she has no friends. There
are none who partake of her hospitality
or who are interested in securing her good
viii. Destitute and helpless, she depends
alone on the justice Of her country.
But, the procedcnt-Therc, say gentle
Inan, lies all the danger Sir, Nh now TO |
learn, for the first time, that Congress is
bound by precedent in Legislation. | know
Sir, that, in our courts, regard must DO paid
to preceding decisions, and that there
thcy have. the force of law; but | never
heard, until now, that the body which
makes the law is TO be bound in the same
manner. But, granting it so, what danger
results, when we find another man, who
has mingled his blood with the melting lava
of the canuon's mouth and who dying for
his country, without>wife or child, left the
mother whom he had. supported to the char,
,ty of the world, we inay admit the force
ofthc precedent, and hold ourselves bound
To give, without any fears for the Treasury.
1t is not body of priests, it is not n
wealthy or oveGgorged aristrocracy, whom
we are asked to provide support out the
public resources: it is the poor pittance of
eight dollars II month, for poor widow.
Gentlemen tell u.s. that if We grant this
pension, we must go on in the ascending,
as well AS the dccCnding line, and pension
ali thc relatives Of those who die in our
service. Sir, | believe there are but few
men who leave, when they die, more than
five or six grandmotiSrs, and granting the
evil to be ever 80 irightiul, it is one that
at least will be Of rare occurrence. We
are asked whether Penelope Denney ever
ecrvcd in our Navy, aud what military ser
vice she has rendered that she is TO re-
opportunity Of serving in the Navy ne of
proving her courage in tho performance Of
military service. But, Judging from the
son, which she had given TO her country, |
have no doubt that II the hour of cXtre-
nifty had presented itself, she would have
done what the famous Mrs. R,YLEY did, in
like circumstances-she would have fur.
nished her under petticoat for the service
ofthc country | mean for the purpose of
making cartridges. But DO gentlemen ask
what she has done / answer she has nur-
turcd and reared man, who, after exhibit
ing the most heroic vaior, willingly shed
his blood for the protection of the peaceful