The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-12-19
CMentp=&f0enth Congress.
THIRD SESSION.
SATURDAY, December II, l642.
The SENATE did not sit to-day.
Your obedient servant.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr. CAMPBELL, of South Carolina, introduced
the Hon. s. w. TRorrI, member elect from that
State, in the place of the Hon. Samson Butler, re-
signed.
Mr. TROTTI was qualified, and took his seat.
DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM.
Mr.. THOMPSON, of Kentucky, introduced bill
in relation to the lands heretofore granted to the
kentucky Asylum for the education OF the deaf and
dumb
BY general consent the bill was read third time,
and passed.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
Mr.. TII.LIN GHAST submitted Joint resolution,
which was adopted on the part of the House, d.
rectng one copy of the catalogue of the Library of
Congress, now on hand, to be distributed to each
member of Congress.
THE PUBLIC CREDIT.
Mr. EVERETT gave notice that he should on
future day, ask leave to introduce bill entitled "An
act to revive and establish the public credit"
FRENCH sPeLiATIoNs.
Mr. J. r. lNGERSOLL, by unanimous consent,
presented memorial with reference to French spoil
ations committed on American commerce prior to
the year 1900. The memoralsts, he said, set forth
their claims at large, and protested against the de-
lay heretofore attending the consideration Of this
subject by Congress.
The memorial was referred to the Committee Of
the Whole on the state of the Union.
PENrrENTIARy OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Mr. BOARDMAN submitted resolution which
was adopted, requesting the President to commune
cate to the House certain information in relation to
the Penentiary of the District of Columbia the an
nual expenses to the public Treasury attending for
the last FIVE yeas also, the number of officers and
assistants, with the amount of compensation allowed
to each the number of prisoners, the offences for
which they sentenced and the periods for
which they have been confined, etc.
THE APPROPRIATION BILL
The House resolved itself into COMMITTEES of the
Whole the state of the Union, (Mr. BRIGGs in the
chair and resumed the consideration of the bill max
ing appropriations for the civil and diplomatic cx-
penses of the Government for the half calendar year
ending on the 30th Of June, lS43.
The question pending was on the motion of Mr..
AYcRIGG to strike out the appropriation of fifty thou
sand dollars for tie survey of the coast of the United
States including the compensation the supernten-
dent Mr.. Hassler) and assistants
MIR. J. X. lNGERSOLL opposed the amendment
and entered into defence Gas he said) of an absent
man, (Mr. Hassler,) indicating him from the charges
of several gentlemen who spoke upon the subject yes
terday, and showing the universal interests connected
with the survey of the coast.
Mr.. AYCRlGG briefly replied and short con-
versaton took place between these two gentlemen
with reference to the accuracy of map Of Newark
bay, executed under the direction of Mr.. Hassler
Mr.. REYNOLDS felt Indifferent about this matter
ITSELF nevertheless he DESTROYS that Justice should
be done to this man of science. He was willing that
the appropriation should be suspended at least until
more light should be shed upon the subject and it
should be ascertained whether or not this survey
ought to be continued. No serious inconvenience
would occur by adopting this course, for the law
lating to the subject was suspended for fifteen or
twenty years, and revived in 1892; and the Repub-
lie would not cease if this philosopher should be
| turned out of Office. Had Mr.. Hassler a right in
fee simple, to this station No his claim was no
better than that OF thousands who could be found in
the United States lust as worthy. The West Point
Academy ought to furnish individuals equal to Hass-
Ter to conduct the survey and he would ask the gen.
tleman from Pennsylvania whether there were not
officers in the Navy and Army competent to conduct
the work
MIR. J. r.. INGERSOLL said that he believed there
were not men in the Navy Army of the United
States, in civil lie, who had the experience and
particular qualifications adapted TO this particular
duty which are possessed by Mr.. Hassler.
Mr.. AfCRlGG said that, suppose Mr.. Hasslcr
should die, what then should be donel He had ask
ed questions OF gentlemen acquainted with the sub
ject and had received answers in reply that there
were in the country men as competent 10 discharge
the duties apperajning TO this survey as Mr. Hassler
Mr. Hasser had been hfty-six years in the SER
vice of the United States and, notwithstanding the
assertion OF the gentleman from Pennsylvania, mir.
Ingersoll he (Nlr Hassler) was more than seventy
three years of age.
MIR. J. r. lNGRERSOLL observed that this morn
ing he had received several communications in rela-
ton TO this matter and that one Just placed in his
hand, signed by ~ c. Hasser the son Of the gentle
who had been referred to- stated that his father
be tween seyenyhree and seventy -four years Of
age.
Mr.. REYNOLDS said he could not conceive why
the age OF MIR. Hassler brought into this ques-
ton He based his objection on frmer ground
that of incapacity. Was il criminal to be sew nty-
| three years of age No individual would so regard
it, nor would the Republic. Let Mr.. Hasser retire
on the property he had amassed and the character
| which he had established, and then he would avoid
these storms and bowling winds which were so rife
about his head. Let him retire 10 his family Qor it