Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-01-19
TwENTY-FIRsT CONGRESS- sessio,
MONDAY, JANUARY II, 1881.
SENATE.

Mr.. Livingston rose and observed, that it was
his intention to give notice Of the introduction OF
a Bill, but a moments consideration had led him
to think that the usual form ought to be dispensed
with, and that the bill should be passed this
morning. The present Indictment season and
the danger incurred by vessels on the coast in
consequence, had suggested Its necessity. The
bill gave the President of the United States the
power to fit out two vessels or more with sup
plies of men and provisions to succour such ves-
sells on the coast as were suffering from distress
of weather. 1t required the unanimous consent
of the Senate to have the bill how introduced,
and he hoped that this would not be refused.
Mr. Hayne wished to know if armed vessels
were contemplated?
MIR. Tazewell also enquired if it we're meant
to employ vessels belonging to the Navy, or to
charter merchant vessels. In either case he
would in the first place suggest to the Hon. mover,
that the effects of the storm would be over, that
all the harm that could be done would have taken
place before the object Of the bill could be brought
into practical operation. 1t was also to be OBJ
served that the storm had commenced farther of
prior, in all likelihood, to its being felt here.
and here it has now continued four or five
days; it therefore struck him that before the
bill could be adopted by both Houses and the
President act upon it, the storm would be at an
end, and all the injury already sustained. Be-
sides he was opposed to the Bill unconstitutional
grounds, and he did not know if the power lay in
congress-it must be partial in its operations
Charleston and the Chesapeake would probably
be the greatest extent to which any benefit result
ing from it would take effect-he therefore doubt
ed lest its objects should be misunderstood, as
having solitary part of the United States only
contemplated in its adoption.
Mr.. Livingston explained. Objections had
been raised where none we're by him expected
The object of the bill was to make use of the first
vessels that could be procured. 1t was no more
unconstitutional than for the President to send
out any part of the army or navy to protect our
Commerce. The protection Of our commerce
was clearly constitutional, and as the present
measure was certainly not unconstitutional. could
we not enable the government to relieve that suf.
fering which our commerce is now enduring!-
The other objection raised against the bill, tend
ed to cast shade of ridicule around it, but it
was not intended to trade in the benefits of pick
ing up wrecks, but to save vessels from bec0m-
ing wrecks. and this was the principal upon
which it was founded. Again, the storm appa-
rently was far from being over; the winds had
been high and boisterous, and, the probability
was that vessels that were approaching the land
NAV have BEEN driven off some forty or fifty
leagues. And to vessels in such plight-with
a crew of benumbed, frostbitten sailors the YES
sci herself unmanageble, mere moving mass Of
ice, with provisions exhausted-to vessels in this
deplorable state, he would appeal to every bosom
if the timely supply, which the bill provided
for, Of vigorous hands and fresh provisions, would
not be hailed as messenger from heaven! The
constitutional objection. he would again repeat,
was nothing for the design was to protect aud
save our commerce from the loss it was likely to
sustain; the object was also humane one, for
was it not likely, that vessels arriving only four
or five days ago, might have been driven off
again to sea, and to person who had experienced
such situation-whO had realized such scenes,
could its true character be all known.
The Bill was then read twice-the second time
by its title-.A bill to enable the President of
the United States to fit out two or more vessels
with supplies Of men and provisions to succor,
&C., on which,
Mr.. Livingston moved that the blank be filled
up with $4,000.
MIR. Silsbee rose to express his concurrence
in the bill. There were some powerful reasons
for passing the bill, which the Honorable Sena.
tor had truly depicted but which he would not
attempt fdfther 70 enlarge on. He presumed the
intention was. to employ small vessels for the
purpose; those of fifty Or sixty tons he supposed
would suffice, with sufficient supplies of men on
board, and bread; and these to a vessel suffer
ing IN distress from the present rigorous weather,
would certainly be, as was eloquentIy expressed,
like messenger from heaven, for none but those
who had experienced such timely succour in
the hour Of need were at all able to Judge of the
sensation. He had no doubt but the owner of
suchvessels aswould be relieved, would make com,
pensation, and he therefore hoped that the bill
would be allowed to pass.
Mr.. Tazwell still feltit his duty to vote against
the bill for the reasons he had already stated
He would ask, where could they discover the
power to fit out vessels for such purposes grant
ed by the Constitutions /
Mr.. Livingston replied that the same power
which government possessed to protectour CON-
msrce from the war made on It BY the foreign