Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-30

capasy for the benefit of those who are recipients by
the treaty all moneys arising out of the settlement OF their
partment such contracts have been fully and faithfully eom
piled WITH far practicable BY the other parties named IN
ne bases his opinion with any paper in the possession OF the
Department showing the extent Of the services rendered. and
the the claims thus made against the moneys which
msy be awarded under the treaty OF August 8, 1si6
Mr. KING stated that the Senator from Pennsylvania
absent and moved that the further consideration Of the
luton be postponed until tomorrow which motion was
agreed to.
PRIVATE CLAIMS.
On motion Of Mr. BENTON, the Senate proceeded in
Committee of the Whole to the consideration Of the joint re-
solution for the relief Of Major r. L. Baker, which was read
for the information Of the Senate.
The Joint resolution then reported to the Senate with
ont amendment ordered TO be for third read
ing and subsequently read third me by unanimous
On notion Of Mr. DOWNS. the Senate proceeded, in
Committee Of the Whole the consideration of the bill for
The relief Of Thomas w. Chinn and others.
The report accompanying the bill having been read and
the bill explained by Mr. DOWNS, reported back TO
the Senate without amendment was ordered TO be engossed
for third reading, and subsequently, read third time
by unanimous consent and passed.
GOVERNMENT LAND PURCHASE.
On motion of Mr. JOHNSON, Of Louisiana, the Senate
proceeded as in Committee Of the Whole, the consideration
az the bill to authorize the Secretary the Treasury, with the
APPRECIATION of the Attorney General purchase for the Uni
ted States the interest Of Bale Peyon in the tract of land on
which the lighthouse stands at the Southwest Pass at the
Mr. JOHNSON said Mr. President the object Of this bill
is to authorize the Secretary Of the Treasury purchase from
the holder his interest certain tract OF land near the mouth
of the Mississippi in the State Of Louisiana, which
there has been erected lighthouse This tract of land was
settled originally by of the Of Fitzgerald, who
obtained under the act Of Congress pre- empton right to it.
He paid FIR the land and settled it. After he had established
his claim and obtained his certificate of ownership the Secre
tary Of the Treasury, being informed that this tract the
only site the Baze calculated for the erection of light
house. undertook to reserve from public sale, and to set
aside the certificate which had been granted Fitzgerald
Theeupon suit instituted by Fitzgerald in the Circuit
Court of the State of Louisiana, and decision given
,abshng his claim the land The subsequently
carried the Supreme Court and this decision Of the Circuit
Court there sustained Afterwards the title Of Fitzgerald
was purchased by individuals, Mr.. Carter and Mr.
Peyton. The United States having claim against one Of
these purchasers Mr. Carter his interest in the land
seized upon by the Government and two appraisers appointed
to value it, in conformity the laws of the State Of Louisiana
These appraisers dsagreeRgone estimating the value of his
interest at $4,000, and the other at sl5OoOanother ap
praise umpire by law appointed, and gave his dec
sion in Of the lowest estimate The value of his interest
in the land being thus asceained according the laws
Louisiana be $4,000, it bid of public sale by the
Government at that price, The Government being thus pos
sessed Of Carriers interest," and having already lighthouse
erected upon the land this bill proposes purchase the
interest of Peyon the joint partner of Carter in the purchase
from Fitzgerald.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Massachusetts, would ask the Senator
from Louisiana what was that Government gave Carter for
his interest !
Mr.. JOHNSON. Fifteen thousand dollars in cash and
this bill authorizes the Secretary Of the Treasury pur
chase Peyons nterest-givng him the that
given Carter and more, provided the Attorney General
examination, shall be satisfied to the character of the
title But there can be doubt to the title, its validity
having been sustained by decision Of the Supreme Court
Mr. DAVIS. How many there in the tract
Mr. JOHNSON. One hundred and sixty acres-lying
the mouth of the Balze and the only high land suitable
for tie site Of lighthouse within several miles
Mr. DAVIS What do you want with a hundred and
sixty of land for lighthouse
Mr. JOHNSON. The Government wants it and the
lighthouse being already upon the land in which Peyon holds
joint interest," is necessary that the Government should
purchase his interest in order to control the work. The
bill to recommended by different commit
tees, who havo thoroughly the the report
companyng 1t is SO lengthy, that unless Senator desires
il, will not ask for the reading.
Mr. BALDWIN was understood to inquire whether the
land could not be divided that the portion owned by the
Government with the improvements, may be retained
Mr.. JOHNSON. The lighthouse cannot be divided
Mr.. DAVIS. do not with my present views Of the sub
ec feel disposed to vote for this bill II to pretty
eItravagant price pay $50 900 for the site Of lighthouse
and do not exactly why should require hundred and
sixty acres Of land for that purpose.
Mr.. JOHNSON. would remark that the great value Of
the land consists in It's peculiarly favorable position, and il
cannot be divided According the laws Of Louisiana,
tract Of land held by persons either of the parties desire
the SALE the sale becomes imperavey necessary, cannot
properly be divided and the law provides that shall be Sold
The bill does not maket absolutely binding upon the Govern
ment to give for PeytOns interest in the land It
only authorizes the Secretary to offer that amount
Mr.. NILES. There is evidence before that this
land Is worth any thing like $4,000 for the site Of light
house In ORDER therefore, give time for particular
examination Of the subject, think the consideration Of the
bill had better be postponed
Mr.. JOHNSON. This bill was postponed from time TO
time during the whole Of last session. because consider
ed public bill In addition what have already stated
with reference TO the appaisemen and value Of this land
would further remark that the Government made PROPOSE
ton to Mr. Peyton TO purchase his interest," and appointed
two persons in this city to value IT, One Of these appraisers
the Comptroller Of the Treasury, and the other Mr.
Pierce Butler These gentlemen estimated the value Of the
interest, for the second time, at SIS, 900.
Mr.. wESTCOTT. VIII the Senator answer aques.
ton
Mr. JOHNSON. Certainly.
Mr. WESTC0TT. I understand this land was origi- |
nay procured for lighthouse Mr. Bae Peyton owns one
half Of it, and the United gave 900 for the other
half The question wish TO PROFOUND Is, whether, since the
United States purchased this interest Of Carter this site for
lighthouse has not been abandoned and the building itself
gone into ruins
Mr.. JOHNSON. Not 10 my knowledge.
Mr.. DIX not aware, until my attention was called
to the subject that this is the bill which brought
forward several times the last session. understand that
the Government do this land that the lighthouse
on Il has decsyed and that in all probability, another site
will be selected. have not before me the information
pertaining 10 this natter which in possession last win
ter This is not an application the part Of the Govern
men hot an application the part Of individual Tor the
oyrnmcnt to pay large Of money tor land which we
do NOT want understand, moreover, that the Government
has sold the other half this land for few hundred dollars