The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-01-12
BY THE SOUTHERN MAIL.
TWENTY-EIGHT CONGREss.
FIRST Sc 81 On.
Senate.
WASHINGTON. January 10, l

bIR Il r. 81 " ".
Senate.
WASHINGTON, January 10, 1874.
The Hon. Mr.. PEARcE, from Md, appeared, was
sworn in, and took his seat.
RED RIVERA bill was read once tor the sur
veying of the mouth of Red River.
Fox AND WISCONSIN RIVERS A bill was read
once for granting tract of public land for the i'm
provement OF these Rivers. and also for connecting
parts OF them by canal.-Postponed:
PEA PATCH lsLAND.-On motion of Mr. DAYTON
this bill was take up, and considered as in COM
mittee OF the whole.
instructions to refer the whole subject TO the Su-
preme Court of the United States.
Mr. DAYTON proceeded to state some facts, to
shew that certain private rights g had been invaded
comes from the fact that shaop, laden with peas,
was sunk near, or at that island In the year 1884,
the island contained 17S acres. In the fall Of lSl4,
Henry Gale being IN possession, the United States
elected him and took possession, which It kept un-
til 1916 or IT. 1t was IN litigation until 1880 AT
one time Dr. Gale offered to settle for Sl7 900 He
went down TO his grave maniac and pauper-in
consequence Of these troubles. In 1886, the case
had hearing before the u. S. Courts.
[MEssAGE-Mr John Tyler, Jr., here presented
a message from the PRESIDENT
Mr.. DAYTON proceeded to detail the history OF
this case, and earnestly besought the Senate to act
at orce upon this question, and decide It. 1t had
been in litigation for 30 years, and their lives were
worn out with it, 1t was but the simplest justice
to the parties. And he hoped the bill would pass.
Mr.. BAyARD made few remarks in reply, rela-
tive to the position of the question, and desiring
that the bill may pass.
MIR: TAPpAN made a few remarks in opposition,
not distinctly heard.
Mr. BREEsE was opposed to the passage of the
bl-dld not like 10 have so great question refer
red to Horace Blnney, however eminent he may
be. He could not, for the life of him, see what in
terest the State of Delaware had now in the mat
ter, as it had coded all its right to the United
States government. He was in favor of at once
appointing appraisers, in order that the heirs of
Gale might, speedily possible, get their Just
deserts II was reproach to the government that
it should delay justice until the party seeking it las
reduced to mania, poverty, and death.
Mr.. BAYARD followed with further explanation
as to. The legal labyrinth in which the question is
now involved.
Mr.. BREEsE again urged the appointment of ap-
pralsers.
Mr.. BENTON thought the refusal of all the sureties
tor thirty years past to pay any thing for this patch
out prima tacie case against this demand upon
the government. He thought Senators thirty years
ago knew as much about the merits of this case as
we do who are asked to eglslae upon this subject
after whole generation has passed away They
refused to pay. And yet we are very pathetlcally
told that the United States government refuses to
do justice. Mr.. Benton was proceeding to make
some remarks upon the titles, when he was inter-
Mr.. BAYARp, who again went deeply and
abstrusely into the ancient legal titles, &c, from
the Duke OF York in the 18th century down to the
18th century--more appropriate for publication in
an encyclopedia, than III newspaper.
Here followed some interOcutory remarks be-
tween Messrs. BENTON, DAYTON, and BAYARD
Mr.. BAYARD said the rent originally did not
amount to more than eight or ten dollars worth OF
coon sklns-(a laugh)-the rent having been paid
in that article.
Mr.. BENTON proceeded to say that he knew all
about it, and that this island was originally such a
piece of mud not even aturtle could dry him
nf a Nh IN dV
it. People moved every where-bought land every
where-became squaerstook up with every conceiya a.
its title is got up for the sole purpose Of getting claim
the United States. There 900 claims before
Congress The claimants all and always poor They
all make out pathetic case would be willing to
give them somehngeven $4,000 which ten thousand
times more than it is worth for not even coon could
live there-a augh)he could find no place no hole to
hide himself renewed augher)-he must always have
hole, behind rock or log to into-Qaugh
teri The Constitution provided for taking possession Of
these places, and gave power to make amends for the
same. Let this he done
Mr. BUCHANAN strongly in favor of passing the bill
question necessary for the defence and protection
the city of Philadelphia.
Mr.. IDAvros pursued the argument still further-al
though nothing developed of special interest
the public.
MIR BENTON reiterated his former argument at length
and stated his for voting give $4,000
what worth nothingit the principle of buying
peace Peace often bought by various persons in all
variety Of crcumstances-and he apprehended that we
should make good speculation to Buy our peace on this
question at $4,000 He would give his vote again to
make awards" for this Island Let the parties bring
bill to make appropriation and he will vote for it.
Mr. BUCHANAN again renewed his argument, and
marked at length the right Of Congress to take and
hold in fee simple, real estate.
Mr. WOODBURY. said few words in favor OF the BILL for
which he said he should vote.
Mr.. Benton in reply to question by Mr. McDufhe,
said that Congress had always been willing to pay inf
nitely beyond what this Island be worth to any
claimant But it had become Of extortion; yes
extortion.
Mr.. McDuFrIE opposed to any reference of this
question to Horace Binney. Congress was competent to
lecide.
Mr.. BAYARD agreed with Mr. Benton that it is OF
xoron and said that had always been regarded by
he people of Delaware.
Mr. MILLER denied and repealed the charge of extor-
ton originally smade by Mr.. Benton, and resumed by
Mr. McDufe and renewed the condition of the to
prove the same.
The question was finally taken the indefinite post
ponement of the bill, and lost, III to 81
Mr.. Breeze then moved to rec0mm the bill, with in
strucons to report in favor Of appraisers which
lost.
A motion then made to adjourn, and also lost
After conversation the motion to adjourn again
renewed and carried.
House of Representatives.
WASHINGTON CRY, Wednesday Night.
The Appropriation BMs-Rctrenchmcn Resolution,
Jesse Hoyt agan-POrtWguese Wines-Ihe Isl
Ruie--Ihe Western Waters.
Ac. -Iax Mr.