The Madisonian., 1840-02-01
TwENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
IN SENATE.
Mrnsrsp.r January o. 1910.

Senate a report from the Department OF War, in
compliance with resolution, showing the number
OF persons massacred and property destroyed by the
maraudiDg Indians OF Florida since the commence
u.ent OF the war.
Also message from the President OF the United
States, containing further correspondence 10 relation
la The disputed northeastern boundary between The
British Minister and The Secretary OF State.
Alter the correspondence was read
MIR. WILLIAMS was understood TO say: Wheth-
er this communication from the Executive 10 the
Senate was calculated 10 allay the apprehensions
already abroad on this subject Of the Maine bounda-
ry, he was altogether unwilling 10 say; but II he
understood Il, 1t here asserted that The British
wasthe only authority which, by the agreement had
the right 10 maintain military force within The
disputed territory. II thai an efeci OF The agree
meni, Mr.. w. desired that his constituents might
know IL or II, on the other hand these documents
would aIlay appre hension, he desired they might be
known on iha, account. He moved, therefore, the
printing Of 5000 extra copies Of the message and
documents; which was ordered accordingly.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
Mr.. WALL, from the Committee on The Judicia-
ry reported the bill referred TO il for the speedy col
lection Of small bank notes within The District OF
Columbia, with Recommendation that il should not
pass and the committee substituted in lis stead bill
ioT the coleciop-oI bank notes OF aud under the de-
nomination o $40, issued by banks within the Dis
tricl Of Columbia.
Mr.. BENTON, from the Committee on Military
Affairs, reported bill ior The reiei oi the corporate
authorities OF Mobile.
Mr.. DAVIS moved to take up the report submit
ted yesterday from The Committee ON Commerce. on
The memorial Of the Atlantic Steam Navigation
Company when, on being read
Mr.. DAVIS 10 favor, il was postponed in consequence
oil the absence Of Mr. Buchanan, who, his colleague
said, desired to speak On the subject.
STEAMBOAT DISASTERS.
On motion of Mr.. WEBSTER, the resolution offer
cd by him former day, lnstructing the Committee
on Commerce to inquire whether the existing law on
the subject Of steamboat navigation requires revision
and amendment, was taken up.
Mr.. WEBSTER said he wished to refer 10 the singu.
arly affecting incident which lately befel OF the
steamboats, IN Long Island Sound But, If the duty
proper for HIN, he hardly knew how he would be
able perform it. regard It, however, (sad Mr. W)
OF those occasions in regard TO which wise men,
who are guided by the lights Of experience will endea-
vor, much Is in their power, TO give better secu
rty TO the lives and property Of embarked on board
these conveyances over which, yet, adequate Il
risdicton is extended and sufficient responsibility
imposed.
And the best way to guard against the recurrence of
such accidents is for those who have the power TO
certain. far they can the Of the Disaster to
the end that they may know how to guard against its
recurrence.
wish, therefore, in the first place, to suggest TO the
Committee on Commerce the propnety OF an inquiry
into the OF this disaster IL has been said, IN va
rious quarters, that IL cannot be sscerained how the
FIRE originated But believe II csn be, with reasoDa-
bic certainty 1t said by the survivors, that the
fire. when first discovered could have been extingulsh-
ed with Two three buckets OF water. The place OF
its origin can, therefore, be asceained and that is the
first aud important step towards the discovery OF
the cause.
wish, therefore, that the committee would summon
all the SURVIVORS, and ascertain from them how the fire
originated If 1t purely by accident against which
no human vigilance could guard, this particular case
H0uld note call for a remedy. Hut III motif
was from which must have produced the result,
and which might have been ioreseen--hen It is mpor-
tant that IL should come under the administration Of
Congress- who should take the whole subject into
and provide, if possible the proper remedy.
Il is important TO inquire whether the fire originated
from spark, from candle, from any purely
accidental or whether it was owing to the careless
structure Of the vessel itself For example, was the
iron heated to such degree that the communication of
fire TO the wood near it necessary consequence
II that the case, 1t accident. II the FIRE
heated tho iron to such degree that the ood-wofk
near necessarily took fire, nobody would call
cident.
Apprehensions abroad for considerable time
that this boat would meet its end by such dsas.
ter that it would be burnt. And, after il failed to
come to its destined port, the apprehension iheQ
that had probably been destroyed by confagraiion.
And, such being the fact 1t worthy Of consideration,
for is strong presumpye proof that was no acci-
dent.
With this view and with view to make certain
other amendments OF the law, wish the committee to
obtain the fullest and perfect information from all
the survivors, and also to make inquiry Of pract
cal men who acquainted with this boat, and with
the subject generally
But, sir wish also to suggest to the committee the
consideration that we may do much more than have
done. is vastly important subject, and is felt very
deeply TO be the present .nent at the North
for there is man who know whether
nexon, friend. valuable acquaintance may be
Il 49, A
for greater security, no man can know but he OF his
friends may come TO the same disastrous end. With
this view, is important to look extensively into the
Of steamboat accidents, and provide all the
medcs OF which they are susceptible. have doubt
that great benefit has resulted from the passed few
years ago. There are sundry provisions Of that act
such, for instance, requiring the OF iron chains
which are very useful and there is little doub, that 1t
of the most important acts that passed the
Senate. 1t makes the fact Of explosion Ia steam
vessel presumptive proof, or prima factc evidence
against It's managers and proprietors till they show the
contrary. Since that, explosions have been less fire.
quent And IN my opinion there is way in the world
prevent fire but by such provision against ,he
o fire. II they will expose llfe they ought
be snswerabe, and be required show that there
was caelessness but that was accident, or, In
other words, an act OF God.
And would 90 still further and authorize the COM
mit,eo report direct, decara,ory law tha, all
Of vessels aud carriages conducted by shall be
taken common carriers in the view Of the law. and
not be able TO relieve themselves from this by any
tice advertisement whatever. believe they
considered by the better Informed; and yet very
thing give notices respect TO railroad cars
and vessels that they not responsible for the
fate Of what they carry There no more sense 10 this
than ,ha, man should be responsible for assault aud
battery Yet by notice. they think TO discharge them
selves from oil responsibility happened TO receive
bale or box Of books from Of the railroad cars and
here is the bill oflading
Received from A. b one box, marked and number
ed as per margin, which promise to forward (da-
IMAGES Of FIRE, water breakage, and leakage excepted
and not holding ourselves responsible if lost stolen,
damaged beyond the value Of 5000 per package, unless