Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-06-23

President, there could be no valid objection
= n. IL was not rigily TO reimburse, crantin
collar Tor collar for whit had been expendoC
out The sum appropriated ought 20 be sufficient I
cover ALL le, 1t be done principle of hberIlit,
alike honorable TO the nation and TO the memory
the lamenied and illuS,f0us deceased.
Having thus accomplished the purpose for whic
he had risen, MIR q. would fulh, his promise 10 IN
House by not further consuming its time, bu
would resume his scat
Mr.. SUMMERS, Of Virgins, spoke at som
length in favor OF the bill. He said II was with re
luctance that he threw himself upon the attention
of the House; hut as ne intended to vote for tn
proposition to I'LL the blank with ZOO, and 70
the bill, should That be Incorporated into II
he deemed due TO himself and TO those who tool
some interest in his here briefly assign III
| reason for the vote he should give lie rcioiccd, h
| said, that he did no; find himself in the position O
| the gentleman from Kentucky, mir. Underwood
whose feelings led him in one direction, while m
judgment pointed IN another. There was viri
ancc between his (Mr. S.'sl head and his heart
Both were for this measure; both ccneurred in it.
| proprely, and impeed him 10 vote for II.
| lie said he would not go into the inquiry how
| lar II was competent, upon constitutional grounds
TO grant money 10y way Of graiwiiy. He shoulC
not follow that course OF argument, drawn ftom To-
glsatIve precedentS, by which the former exercise
OF such power by this body had been proved IN nu.
merous instances, and which had been so ably exa-
\ mined by the gentleman from Pennsylvania, iMr
Sergcant.) He was content to place his vote upon
the measure had been placed by the venerable chair
man OF the committee (Mr. Adoms.) He mir S.)
went Tor II on the ground OF an inGernni!p, on the
part OF the Government, for losses sustained and
expenditures incurred by the late President IN the
service OF the country and in preparing that
| service under the mandate of the People.
IL is objected tina, we have no power to grant mo-
ney, except in discharge OF debt due from the u.
States; and that years salary cannot be consider
ed as due the representatives OF Gen. Harrison, in
asmuch as he did not perform the services of q
year, having died at the expiration OF a month ON
the time he entered upon TIA" duties OF the Office
Mr. $ said the amount proposed is not asked i'll the
form Of n salary fns services in Office, of one year.
actually performed. The sum OF twenty five thou.
sand dollars is proposed because 1t is believed by
the friends OF the bill that sum AZ least equivalent
10 one years salary ought 10 be given, by way of
compens ton and indemnity tor the heavy eIpendi-
lures aud arrangement Of business suffered by Gen.
Harrison in removing from his home to enter upon
the Office TO which we called him. From the mo-
ment Of hls nomination, indeed, ut Harrisburg, 10
the period Of his iriumphal entry into this metropo-
lls, he was subject 10 continual and ouerous expen-
dfureS. Mr.. ). stated that he was informed, from
good authority, that his postage one atcr
his nomInAton, amounted 10 eighteen bundled dol
ars: TO say nothing OF the heavy lax upon his un-
Sunted hospitality 10 which the PECULIARLY of his
situation subjected him. After his election he
was compelled to assume new and large Pc
cgnary responsibilities, 10 cnau him 20 enter upon
the high duties which his cOuntrymen had assigned
him, and was forced to shape and arrange ali his Pc
cunla5y affairs with reference 10 absence of four
years from his business and home.
Upon his arrival in Washington, large supplies
betting his and exalted station, were neces.
sar.y and actually laid IN, with 20 residence
here during the Presidential term. This change Of
condition and these Liabilities were brought upon
him by the viii and command OF the American PEG.
pie. They were made and incurred in anticipation
Of, and upon the faith Of The salary attached by
law 70 the Presidential Office. Had he been spared
10 discharge the duties Of the Office during the term
for wh.ch he was elected, the compensation
provided by Jaw would have enabled him to
iqu!dAte these responsibilities, and he would
have been entitled 10 nothing further al The
hands o! his c5un,rymen but their gratitude
and affection for a long and Iliustrious lie
spent m their service But scarcely had he
entered upon the high career 10 which they had ca.
Cd him, when by a mysterious dispsnsatlon of Pre-.
violence be was released from all the cares and nj
the responsibilities Of this life, leaving his memory
and ms family 10 the protection Of his country.
Mr.. ). said he claimed 10 have no special know.
edge OF the CONDITION Of Gen. Harrison's estate
lie came from the district 10 Virginia which Law
nearest the home OF the revered patriot. lie was
informed IN an authentic manner, that the estate
was encountered, and that a large additional debt
was incurred by the deceased IN consequence Of his
election TO the Presidency, and greatly bevont the
amount which the mtyc sum Of one months Sllary
would pay. lie was therefore rendered uOo,er
and h!s estate diminished, by his being called into
the public service. We SIMPLY pyopose now by
this bill, to refund and indemnify. II goes upon the
principle thlt the employee Ut the Government
who Loses in the service OF that Government. win
out his own default, snail be shielded by the I!be
raj justice Of the nation.
But We cannot make this appropriation, because
we owe nothing beyond IN: mon;h's salary-it is
not public deOt-Ihc executors Of Gen. Harrison
could not recover It by suit al law, and therefor.
we have no power. | know (sa.d Mr. : } there /,
bond signed, sealed, ard delivered. but tber- !,
IN my opinion, high mora obligation resting upon
this nation 10 relieve the family Of Gen II IrrI.on
from responsibilities which he incurred al our ma
ding; 10 indemnify his representatives for losses N
which We subjected him IN calling him from the
SHADES OF private life 10 the high station which he 81
Lately occupied. Il Is an obligation OF h.,her i'm.
port than that sprnsirs from a written covenant-it
rests upon the .ousc foundation Of national honor
naiona. faith and na,iora justice.
Mr.. ). here remarked upon the argumcn, Of Nj
Gimer. he s;id his friend and co league had ex.
pressed his willingness, and indeed anxiety 10 vote
Tor the bill, upon the principle OF INDEMNIFY. but
seemed 10 Alnk hat the amount appropriated ought
- have exact relation 70 tile sum expended. Nov
SIG how IS this 10 be asccrtaueil Shall re refer
the account 70 Commissioner IN chlncsry 20 remit
20 US with ar hme'i,a, accuracy and in derl. the
dollars, cents and mills, ard The items which con.
situ'e III j. this great nation 10 LIE r1bi1if,f il,
the attitude O; uIs-Tiy contractor, settling with
one who has shed Isi.e upon her name. and whose
history Is OftAe treasures which belong % br- nc.
eordn. 20 the strct .,.er OF the Covenant; demand
ing the iiGms Of lie account and Tsguiung proof Of
every iaE-Alus would preserve tie pr.nc.p.c OF
indemnify, bit appyi with Ioerluty. S1aI',Esre
be no ni,ionl generosity Have we Goyefr
men: 50 maulc.eI IIG -st down lh1t it's without
power % DO noy ccsGs2 / would not wish 10 le
.ong 70 Government that had 10 power % do CHI
N that which concerned the common honor OF that
country; no authority 20 discharge .hs mos, solemn
obligations which can rest upon nations 20 10 ,qYi,y
and execute justice.
Mr. > said had Cen Harrison lived one wear he
would have yssn, by existing Law, entitled 10 the
sum now proposed 10 be appropriated. He, now.
ever had lived but one month, and gge are ,ked d,
aproNion the compensation with exact reference 10
the time Of service, as between individuals ia the cs.
Of h..c. Does u become us 50 10 act7 The Yea,
having been entered upon, the outlay having Bsen
made, The nation should, DO this inst1ncc. know n,
fractions Of the year. ami should ask 90 appaor.ion
msrL
We found Gen. Harrison a private cit.zc, b,,.
Py amid the erJoymeu. OF his own family, and rep5s.
ny m peace uzugr the shade Of those alres which
be had Won IN by gone days. A nations voice cal.
led hin from that tranquil home. We babe him
again enter upon the strics. the cniangemen's, and
Ihe respSHs.ylii.cs Oh pub DC lie. lie oygyed the
summon, ans 70 tie Republic he devoted time
money health, and l.. his energies, and IN the ser
vice OF the Republic, be died. And vet We have
no power % indemnify even his pccunilry losses,
by passing TINS DI.. III IS cDuutrymen every where
demand b.; au0, 10 their honor be DO said without
distinction OF parry, so far as can be gathered from
those eKppnsnt OF public opinion usually relied on
From tho modriun- and the plains, fIDm the sea
shore 90 the IDs cabins whch skirt the utmost ve,gs
OF cy zlIon, there 10 bu, one vo.se, and the pre-.