The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-26
i the claim. in the amendment, and at pass

Mr.. CAMERON remarked that he member OF
the committee to whom the case had been formerly re-
ferred, and he had satisfied himself that the Clam was
Just The Senate also satisfied OF It's lusuee and
passed the bill by almost unanimous vote In ms
OPINION the only objection advanced against lhe ell
which was presented by the senator from Mssour iur-
nished the strongest argument IN ITS faysr II justice
had been delayed this case for period OF seventy
wears that was surely of the most powerful reasons
why justice should be promptly rendered now. There
was gentleman present. there was scarcely man
in the country, who did not know of some case standing
from the time of the revolution till this day, unsettled
1t was true that the of the revolution ustno
body of men that existed were so; but they
poorthey were not only too poor to be generous,
but pay their debts The debts of the revolution
left to be discharged when the country would be able to Ii
quidate them He himself knew of thousands of dollars
worth OF the continental money which lay locked up in
old chests In his State which had been qui-
dated The country made compromise; but he believed
now as he had always believed that it discredabe
to them But the strong argument in favor of this bill was
that IT had passed through all the forms OF Legislation
and accidentally failed to receive the signature OF the
President and thereby become law. passed after
it placed the bill within the reach of accident again File
could not beeve-he did not know till that moment hal
any would have looked at this as anything more man
matter of form. He hoped the bill would be passed
Mr. BAGBY said that it appeared to him that the sen
ators from Indiana and Pennsylvania had boih mistaken
the true point issue with regard TO this bill ne did
understand thathe merits OF the claim of the heirs OF
Paul Jones were all involved the proposition sub
med by the senator from Massachusetts, The distinct
and simple question before the Senate was whether that
was deliberave body or not and whether the usual
forms of legislation were to be adhered to- or be over
thrown and lost sight Of He did not understand the
gentleman from Massachusetts, to be opposed to the bill
It's merts on the contrary that senator had distinctly
stated that he did not at present inquire INTO the merits OF
the bill But It must be obvious, he commended, TO all
who have at all observed the transaction of business in
that body, whether with regard to old or new claims,
that they were falling into very loose careless and in
his humble conception improper practice Although
both of his friends his right mr. HANNEGAN and Mr.
CAMERON belonged to the junior members of the body
of that advanced age which insured elaboration before
they came there; and now what was the argument adj
vanced? Why that because this bill had slept for three
quarters of century, and because passed at the very
last hour of the last session. that therefore to be
taken up post haste and carried through the body 1.-THE
bill possessed one oa of the merit attributed to by both
his friends his rght-and he did notqueston that did
where the danger fsubectng to the usual ordeal of
legislaon' He did not, he had said, at all enter into
the merits OF the BILL he took it for granted that its pas
sage was Prind evidence that the claim was good
ones but he maintained the principle, that the character of
the body dsDetve assembly required that every
years and ten, should be subjected to the ordinary forms
OF legislation.
Nj. HANNEGAN 1t has been knocking at the doors
Mr. BAGBY No doubt; but he would rather have
this or any other claim lie till next session than the
established forms of this body should be dsegarded from
day to day. He insisted the strict adherence to the
usual forms Of legislation in this as in all other cases
Mr.. MANGUM remarked that the only difficulty which
he perceived in this case arose out OF the iac that the
bill at this session not reported by committee al
all; for if it had been reported he had no doubt it would
have passed that chamber and then having also passed
the House of Representatives with amendments, would
its RETURN in the amendments should have been
regarded mmateral by It's friends, have been at once
however little strength given to the propo
sition that it should be referred to committee Yet,
what was TO be gained by reference The only CUES
ton now remaining was on the amendments of the
House, which did not open the merits OF the bill
not at all; and those who had charge OF it had rep
resented that the amendments were merely verbal,
pyc onpXE was mt nj much i'm nd
even if it were concurred in, and it should turn out
that injustice had been done to any branch of the am
lily, redress easily to be obtained by applca
ton to Congress. He knew that this case had undergone
very thorough examination its merits, not in that
chamber but BY committee who set upon il week after
orable senators, that it was utterly impossible for any
member of this any other legislative body to become
intimately acquainted with the merits of such from
personal examination. twas necessary that they should
trust TO their organs, the committees In this case, the
committee had repeatedly examined the and report
ed favorably He believed that the Senate would sutfy
itself in the eyes OF the country IT, after solemn adudl
cation, should refer the bill again to acommee, where
its merits would not be at all open and the amendments
were admitted to be quite immaerial. Even if it were
possible that under the influence OF feeling, they might GO
little further than strict justice, yet the consideration
that this was just claim, which had lain unsettled for
more than half century, ought to be allowed some
weight Besides, their means were now abundant Tor
he understood that the with Mexico had ceased He
hoped, then, that there would be unwngness to do
full Justice the claims of the descendants of one who
not only rendered important service in the revolutionary
struggle but by his great achievements had added to
the renown of the American name
Mr. BADGER said he had voted for the passage of the
bill at the last session. and had voted for similar bill
this session But he could consent that it should be
passed Immediately, in consequence OF the statements
made by the honorable senator from Indiana he
thought it proper TO refer it to the committee. Had
the question on concurrence been presented ne would
have once voted in favor of the bill but he felt that
there necessity of referring the subject to the COM
mittee if any senator desired the reference He believed
that his honorable colleague quite correct that the
merits of the not involved; yet that did not
furnish any reason why the reference should not De
made The long session was before them, and he could
why the ordinary should be resisted when
it demanded He hoped that his friend from Indiana
would yield and allow the reference.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Massachusetts, wished to assure the
Senate that nothing more opposed to his view than
any purpose OF unnecessary delay He had desire to
nepose the slightest obstacle the passage of the bill
and yet he somewhat responsible for the motion to
REFER he wished to say word in reference to his purpose
III making the motion The business in such con. |
fusion at the close of last session. that the bill had fallen
under the table, and was there lost
Mr. HANNEGAN begged TO inform the senator that
the bill had long previously passed the Senate
Mr.. DAVIS said he knew that and that it had been
brought to receive the signature of the Vice President
Mr. HANNEGAN stated that it did receive that Off |
GERS signature and that the way to the Execu
tive chamber that ii was lost.
Mr. DAVIS. The bill did not become law Now !
he did not complain of the rapdity with which the bill
passed; all that he wished to proper exami
nation of the amendments which il had received in
the House The object, in organizing the committee
was to secure deberation The remark made by the
honorable senator from North Carolina, mir. MAN