The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-21
In CONGRESS OF THE U. STATES.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20. 1917.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 20. 1917
The Hon. DANIEL WEBSTER, of the State Of Mas
sachusetis, appeared in the Senate to-day.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.
message in writing from the President OF the United
States received BY the hands OF ]. Knox Walker,
esq, his private secretary.
CASE PICKETT AND OTHERS.
! The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a
port from the Solicitor OF the Treasury in the case OF
John Pickett and Others OF the brig Albert made
in pursuance of the directions OF the OF Sd March,
lSi7 which was read
PUBLIC MEETING IN PHILADELPHIA
The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate the
proceedings of meeting OF citizens in Philadelphia APP
grant Momons to rest certain unoccupied lands
which were laid upon the table
PETITIONS.
The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate the Pc
ton OF Charles y Jackson, an officer OF customs IN the
port of Phlade pha praying to be allowed certain items
rejected by the accounting officer the settlement OF his
accounts which was referred to the Committee on FL
nance
Mr. FELCH presented the petition of Evira F. Smith,
widow of Henry Smith, deceased officer in the army
who died of disease contracted the service, praying
be allowed pension: which was referred TO the Com
/ mittee on Pensions.
Mr.. SEWER presented the memorial OF the survivors
OF the OF the UAited States brig Somers, praying
demnty for the loss OF their clothing and personal effects,
occasoned by the capszng of that vessel in the harbor
Of Vera Cruz which was referred TO the Committee on
| Mr. CALHOUN submitted additional documents rela.
ting to the claim of Hugh Wallace Wormeley to pen
sion which were referred to the Committee on Pensions
Mr.. MILLER presented the petition of Susan T. +.
Williamson. widow Of Charles l.. Williamson. deceased,
late an officer IN the navy praying pension which was
referred to the Committee on Naval Affars,
Mr.. M. also presented the memorial of Joshua Shaw,
praying thar balance OF appropriation due hun, under
of Congress- and retained the treasury, may be
Affairs.
Mr. NJ also presented the memorial of the Vestry Of
Washington parish, in the city of Washington, praying
permission to purchase part of public reservation in that
city, for The purpose of enlarging their burial ground
which was referred to the Committee for the District OF
Columbia
Mr.. HANNEGAN presented the memorial OF Timothy
Upham John LaIghton, Thomas Hays, Michael w Ash,
Samuel McCleland Robert C. Wetmore, James H. Suy-
dam, and Allen Thomas, legal representatives, OF John
thomas, deceased praying compensation for performing
the duties Of navy pension agent which referred to
the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr. YCLEE presented the petition of Jesse Turner,
praying the confirmation of his title to tract OF land held
under Spanish grant, IN Florida; which referred
to the Committee on Private Land Claims.
Mr.. CRlTTENDE,N presented the petition OF Leslie
Combs, praying the payment Of certain bonds issued to
him by the late republic Of Texas which referred
the Committee on the Judiciary and ordered to be printed
MIR. JOHNSON, of Maryland, presented the memorial
Of William M Giendy, officer OF the navy, praying
compensation for performing duties belonging higher
grade than that held by HMM the service which was
ferred to the Committee on Naval Affairs
Mr. j. also presented the memorial of Sarah Hebard
widow of Andrew Hebard deceased, late chief engineer
in the navy praying to be allowed pension which was
referred TO the Committee Naval Affairs
Mr.. j. also presented the memorial of the seamen OF
the United States squadron IN the Pacific ocean, praying
the restoration OF the spirit ration which referred
to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr. j. also presented the memorial of Mrs Ann Chase
praying indemnity for losses at Tampico, in Mexico, in
consequence of outbreak of the popuIace the
mencement of hostilities; which referred to the
Committee on Foreign Relations.
Mr.. DIX presented the memorial of officers of the
act granting pensions to the widows and orphans OF such
may die IN service.
MIR. d. also presented memorial OF officers OF the
army now serving IN Mexico praying the passage OF
law authorizing the retirement of officers OF the army
from active service on certain conditions.
MI pinm rise % present Two petitions 70 winch
until yesterday that was apprized of their contents
should have brought them here at earlier day They
were left my table IN the city, week ten days
ago, when absent, sealed and addressed an hon
orable senator from Missouri, Mr. BENToN not
his place, who served for many years as chairman OF
the Committee Military Affairs, with distinguished
honor TO himself, and advantage the country and
greatly regret that he is not here take charge of them
am not In the habit, sir. you know, OF accompany
ing the presentation of papers with Introductory remarks
In ordinary cases, it is doubtless proper TO await
the action OF appropriate committees the subjects
to which they refer But rust the nature of these may
be deemed by the Senate to justify departure from the
usual practice.
They petitions signed by the officers of the army at
Puebla, the first day of August last Just before
menced its march towards the CITY OF Mexico The FIRST is
styled "ap petition for retiring st coniains two hun
dred and thirty signatures and prays for certain le
gslaye provisions IN respect TO aged and disabled officers
which, without casting any burden the public
treasury would, the opinion of the petitioners, add
greatly the efficiency Of the army and at the
DO justice to those who perform the drudgery, and
counter the pers of military service in the field | will
only say further in reference to this petition tina; the plan
suggested corresponds to extent, though not fully
with proposed by late commander of the army,
General M acomb,) and believe recently recommended
by the present Adutant General with view TO the
objects
The second is styled ga petition for widows and or
phans." Ii signed by two hundred and twenty-t
officers, and believe the names, far as they go are
Identical with those borne on the first It is also dated
at Pueba, the first day of August last almost at the
moment the army took up its march for the valley OF
Mexico; and when considered in connection with the
surrounding circumstances and the brilliant which
followed with rapdity of scarcely exceeded
by those which sgnaZed the first entrance of Bonapartc
INTO Italy, addresses itself with great force to the feel
ngs, as well the Justice of Congress and the country
will not detan the Senate by entering into any detail
ed review OF these events with enforce the APP
peal ned in the petition the attention. hope
however, may be INDUCED saying Justice TO those
who bore part them that the first conquest of Mex
co cannot as IT appears to me-, be compared with the
second either TO the obstacles overcome the
relative strength OF the invaders The triumpbs OF Cor
achieved by policy, and By superiority in dis
cipline, and in the implements of warfare. The of
firearms until then unknown to the inhabitants of Mex
co. sufficient itself make his force, small
was irresistible In the eyes OF that simple and super
stous people he seemed armed with superhunan power
Other circumstances combined 10 facilitate his success
The native tribes by which the country possessed.
were distinct communities, not always acknowledging the
same head and often divided among themselves by i'm
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