The Columbian fountain., 1846-07-29

proceedings IN the case.
The bill for the reliefof Mrs. Pike, widow Of
The late Gen. Pike, coming up,
Messrs. Gordon, Culver, and Mcdowell, OF
Ohio, advocated, and Messrs Daniel, Grover,
and Atkinson opposed it,
Mr. Mcdowell said:
Mr. SPEAKER do not design TO occupy the
attention of the House but few minutes on
the bill now before il; for il seems TO me that
no one, who has taken the trouble to read The
report Of the Senate committee, whose report
is before us, can have a moments hestancy
as TO the course he should take in reference 10
the objects of the bill. This bill is the result
of the investigation Of committee in the Sen
ale of high character for intelligence and talent
Ii passed the Senate scarcely without opposi-
ton; came to this House, and was referred 10
the appropriate commiuee here, which inves-
llgated the claim, and reported it back with
recommendation that it pass. | know that
some objections are urged upon the ground OF
expediency, but it is now TOO late TO establish
new rule on subjects of this nature after the
practice OF the government from the days Of
Lewis and Clark down TO Wilkes expedition.
Congress has in these cases given large exta
pay, because OF The importance Of the services
rendered. II that was good reason n those
cases surely no one who has made himself fa-
miliar with the important services rendered by
Gen. Pike 10 this government can deny It's
force in this. The purchases of Indian lands
amounted 10 many thousand acres, which were
procured by him upou the most favorable
telms. The explorations also made by him
were Of incalculable advantage TO the govern
u,ent in enabling It 10 avail itself Of positions
10 prevent smuggling by British agents into
those then frontier portions Of the country,
and thereby added thousands TO the national
treasury.
Sir, desire il TO be recollected, also, that the
applicant is the widow of Gen. z. M. Pike,
who gloriously fell al York, Upper Canada,
iii l8l3-a name sacred in our country's his
Tory, one that lives imbalmed in every Anne
rican bosom. After having established, as
is shown, that such has been the policy Of
The government in such cases, appeal with
confidence 10 every gentleman present not 10
make the claims Of the worthy widow Of
this distinguished and departed patriot an ex
cepion 10 the rule. ! will close, Mr.. Speak
er, by reading an exrac, Of a letter from Mrs,
Pike, 10 friend in this city, Of the date Of Ja-
nuary II, 1876:
"DEAR SIR: Your kind favor came TO hand
a few days since, and for your unceasing ex-
ertions IN my behalf, permit me 10 return my
sincere thanks. have been in i'll health ever
since wrote you, seldom able 10 leave my
room; and although for several days past have
experienced some change for The Letter, there
is lI'e prospect Of restoration 10 even a tole
rabe share Of health Indeed, under existing
circumstances, il canno, be expected. My pre-
sent dwelling is lily calculated for security
from the rude tlasls OF severe winler had
haltered myself that il would have been repair
ed ere the cold weather sci in; but was disap-
make no further remark. This short ex.
tract makes It's own appeal 10 every heart
Mr.. Wheaton, from the Committee OH En-
crossed Bills. reported that the committee had
found correctly engrossed the bill appropriat.
ing tor certain rivers and harbors, and certain
other bills; and they received the signature Of
the Speaker.
Mr.. Wentworth moved the previous ques-
ton.
Mr.. Houston, of Ala, moved 10 lay the bill
on the liable.
Mr.. Mcdowell, of Ohio, asked the yeas
and nays on this motion; which were refused.
Tellers were asked and ordered, and the
question being taken, they reported ayes AZ,
noes rs
So the House refused TO lay on the table.
The question recurringlng on second the de-
mand for the previous question, was taken,
and decided in the affirmative.
The main question was then ordered; and, !,
being taken, the vote resulted yeas SO, nays Ga,
as follows
YEAs.-Messrs. Abbott, John @. Adams,
Ashmun, Bell, Blanchard, Brinkerhoff, Brod-
head. VIM. w. Campbell, John n. Campbell,
Cathcart, John G. Chapman, Chase, Grams
ton, Crozier, Culver, Cunningham, Dilllng-