The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-01-20

he acknowledged OF lust complaint--he committee were
bound 70 abide BY their Instructions; but when he reco
ected that thswhee matter had been referred TO them
he should not think himself for much in fault know
ing that they had endeavered TO devise and report the
best sy stem.
Mr. BADGER thought proper as a member of the Com.
mlttee Military Affairs 10 give few words Of explain
alton. lie was not in the situation of the chairman OF
not recollectng, not knowing that such instructions
had been given He was aware OF the specific instructions
alluded TO, although he, IN common with the chairman
di not look at the instructions alter the subject
erred because he thought he understood precisely what
was conded to them BY the order OF the Senate He
not present at the meeting of the committee yesterday bat
at the meeting this morning nothing determined by
them but the question which had been referred TO- The
great question before the committee was, Il st Whether
the donations OF land should be rendered naenabe al ali
III at ALL IN what mode and for what length of time
lie was clearly OF opinion then, former OCCASION
that every restraint upon the power OF alienation on land
given to the soldier, INJURY and not benefit to him.
II essened the value of thing, clearly if he who possess
ed il not able dispose OF it, In fact one OF the in
cidens of ownership was the power OF disposition lie
also of the opinion then now, that so far from
this naenaby having any effect in protecting the sol
der from the influence OF Spectators, il would make the
person designed TO be projected the victim of still au.er
eXactons. But majority of the committee being in IA
OF some restraint upon this power he thought il had
better be expressed IN the form OF this bill Blu, who
were the persons TO whom the bounty was to be given
The details OF the bill had been left to the chairman OF
the committee, without word bengsaid on the subject
knowing that they were equally instructed to intoiuce
provision for volunteers both priyates and officers
he thought that such provision would have been
introduced 1t had been truly said that the amend
ment of the gentleman from Pennsy lyania contem
plated giving the bounty TO the officers also, and that at
the suggestion OF individual II had been strick-
en- out. He was perfectly willing vote for
his amendment after it had been retrenched in that par
hcuar; but believing that IT defective in some re-
spects and there being attempt to reduce OF its
provisions TO cearness and certainty he thought that he
under obligations to reduce the obscurity to
cleaness, 10 which he himself objected He consequent
y prepared an amendment which he submitted the next
day to the gentleman from PENNSYLVANIA. Though he
would not extend the benefit to any officers higher than
non-commssioned officers, he confessed he saw some
propriety inserting amendment include these Off
GERS In addition TO the which had been named
by the gentleman from Georgia, he would say il was
well known that these volunteer companies had many of
them. been raised BY the active eXertons OF talented
young men--young men OF spfrt-7disposed to devote
themselves to the service OF Their country during the pres
ent waryoung men in very moderate circumstances in
life, giving up their time. and using their influence IN
raising volunteers and should be properly remunerated
1t evident that officers OF the regular stood upon
different footing, his friend from Kentucky Mr..
CRuTENpEN] had remarked Again: the very terms on
which the land was proposed TO be gwen showed that
regular army They could not obtain grant OF the land
for seven years When obtained, they could not sell
it. They could not remove and settle upon H. for they
were in the regular service of the United States
they wished TO do they had not the privilege of
selection OF the location. He could moi his fam
lily to the place he knew moi at what moment he might
be compelled TO leave them 1t was useless, therefore,
to extend the grant to the regular officer But the vol
uneer officer, when discharged could go and settle and
remain as long as ne chose ana seven years II
minister to the support OF himself and family He be-
lieved, therefore, that there was disposition the
part OF the committee to overlook disregard their in
sirucons, but that the omission from the circum
stances which had been mentioned Being still in favor
eli comforting the bounty upon volunteer officers, he
prepared to vote for the amendment OF his friend from
Georgia. and ii thought all desirable he had no
reluctance in concurng with the proposal OF the gentle
from Missouri to include the regular officers though
he did not think there the call to make prov
sion Tor them which WAS proper for the officers OF the
volunteer CORPS.
MIR. BENTON explained the position OF the susect
before the Senate lie was ready now to sustain the
regard 10 the. distribution of the public lands He
would give them 10 those who would settle upon
them and cultivate them. He was willing TO give
the land the condition that they should occu
py, and not otherwise He still sad that they inclui
ed branch of officers, they ought include both
He was by no means wiling to exclude from the bounty
four or hive hundred officers contemplated by the bill, 10
make room for others, who Were not included
Mr.. BERRtEN rose, he said. for the purpose OF
poonging the debate, Of delaying the bill The best
evidence OF that was that instead OF moving recon-
mitment OF the BILL he had moved shorter course-an
amendment. He gave tina, answer any ntima-
ton OF purpose his part delay the passage OF the
bill His chief purpose rising was TO ask for the yeas
and NAYS.
Mr.. CAMERON spoke in favor of the amendment
proposed by the honorable gentleman from Georgia
Mr. BENTON said that abandoning the itea that the
committee slightly censurable, he would now say
that they were obnoxious to no censure al all They
referred to they did BY half dozen Others which
were brought before them.
Mr. CALHOUN asked that the instructions to the COM
m,tee might be read
The Secretary having again read the Instructions
Mr.. CALHOUN said he was in favor OF the amend
men and doubted whether he could bring his mind 10
vote for it; but he rose TO say that in his humble
opinion, II was due to the mover--due TO the
Senate itself, that the amendment should be put that
the bill might stand precisely where would have stood
the members OF the committee had ecollectei their in
strucons He not disposed TO the members
OF that committee There were great many amend
mcnts submitted to them and it not extraordinary
that this one had been overoosed but most Individually
the committee Knew OF such Instructions and neglected
10 embrace them IN the BILL il an act OF the deepest
dsrespect to the Senate Under this opinion he for one
should give most decided vote 10 put this question
where fought 10 have been put BIZ the members If
they had put it where they should
Mr. BENTON, IN conformity with the suggestion OF
the honorable gentleman from South Carolina, here
understood 10 that the amendment be back
the committee.
MIR CALHOUN said he was no, in the habit Of doug
anything without reflection He spoke under the impress
sion that they were then in committee Of the whole
He maintained that IT was point which the Senate ought
never to yeld-that committees were subordinate to the
Senate
MIR BENTON. The Senator from South Carolina
makes II question OF revoa quesi on of revolt, sir
OF sobedence the Senate of rebellion for which the
children building cobhouses Is this Senate By grave
vote, TO put in amendment, and Immediately TO knock
II out And that for the purpose of showing the
miec that the Senate will make them obey' For that
is the ground upon which the senator puts it-o disobe
dicnce of revolt Of disraspec and If is in his way that
chips upon another's head and knocking them of
The appropriate motion 10 reinstruct the committee
move TO recommit the instructions; and in the mean
time, sir gay again that the committee acted like men