The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-20
INVENTIVE CONGRESS-.
FIRST SESSION.



WASHINGTON, April Is, 1874.
Greenhoc's History of Oregon and California.
Mr., ARCHER calledup his bill appropriating $4,000
tor the purchase of 1900 copies of Mr.. Greenhow's
Book on Oregon for the Library.
MI IAPrAN moved to strike out that clause which
gave one copy to each member of Congress The
motion was carried
Mr. TArpAN also moved TO deposit all the copies
IN the Library OF Congress subject the future dis
posal OF Congress. This was also carried
Mr. Japan opposed the bill Mr.. Greenhow is
and has been IN the service of one of the Depart
ments, as clerk IN the pay and employ of this Co
vernment. What has the Governrnen nj to do with
1t! If it's coed work, the public will buy it any
way. IT it Is not good work, we don't want it.
Mr.. ARCHER stated that Mr. G. had been employ
ed SIX years IN compiling the book, which one
OF great value and fully established the title Of the
United States to Oregon. The booksellers were
afraid to publish any large quantity of the book lest
it should not sell and pay expenses Mr. G. must
be remunerated by Congress or not at all. Weare
about to conduct this negotiation to a successful
issue by evidence furnished exclusively by this
book. Will you refuse to pay for 1t
Mr. TAfPAN said at least he hoped if Congress
bought Mr.. CPS book they would not buy his map,
when Congress already has map producing it)
| much better than Mr. Gs, and owns the plate.
MIR ALLEN also opposed the passage Of the bill
MIR. G was clerk IN the pay OF the u s. Govern
ment. The u. S. Government must regard Mr.. G.
| simply private individual.
Mr.. BUCHANAN said, as a matter of strict justice
to Mr.. Greenhow, he was In favor of this bill. And
if matter OF strict justice, the bill cannot be
sustained, he will not vote for it, Mr.. Is. said If
the information contained in this book could have
been obtained four years ago, he would have voted
$4,000 for it.. With all due Difference TO others,
he said we had never yet understood our own title.
| 1t established our title rresistiby-based upon the
| old Spanish titles If Congress did not take these
! copies it would ruin the author. No bookseller
would take the book for nothing and publish it
| The author had had an order from England for 25O
copes-and he glad of it. Congress daily
spent more money in printing use less documents,
| which no man ever read, than is asked for this
book. This book fully and rreslstlbly establishes
our title to Oregon, not only to 40 but up TO 54o
40'.
Mr. BUCHANAN said he really hoped Cunning to
Mr.. Archer who had expressed that opinion long
since) that treaty settling this question would be
negotiated, but he should doubt until it was FORM
| ed
! Mr.. TAppAN moved to pay Mr. Greenhow $1,000
in cash instead of taking his books.
| Mr.. ARCHER charged this upon Mr.. Tappan as a
mere to Kill the bill. He said if Mr. G.. chose
now ~ withhold tins book, the negotiations could
not go on-could not go on wisely MIR. G.. re-
ceives $1,000 per annum, and has employed his lei
sure moments in compiling this book-at the same
time discharging all his duties faithfully to the gov
vernment.
2P. M-Mr. BAYARD now has the floor upon tn,
same bill, IN Its favor.
The bill will undoubtedly pass to-day by larg
majority