Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-07-15
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY. JrLY IL, ls4s.

lAOO1I III MI nILCIILN a 1ltES.
TUESDAY, JrLY III, ls4S.
The House resolved itself into Committee of the Whole
the Of the Union, (br. Roor the chair and
resumed the consideration Of the civil and diplomatic appro
pussion bill
PAPERS OF JEFFERSON AND MADISON.
Mr.. GOGGIN moved to add item to those for the Ii
hray OF Congress- to appropriate 500 900 for the purchase of
the manuscript papers Of the late President Jefferson
Mr. G. W. JONES nterposed, and inquired if the motion
in Order there being law authorizing the appropriation
He based his objection the SlsI rule which provides
no appropriation shall be reported in such general appro
praion bills be in order amendment thereto for any
expenditure not previously authorized by law
Mr.. GOGGlN said it amendment relating to the
Library of Congress- for which proposed purchaeof books
and il therefore in order
The CHAIRMAN said the amendment was in order
Nj. JONES suamiited that there law authorizing
the purchase of these papers, and therefore not in order
70 Introduce an item In the general appropriation oil to
FOR them.
The CHAIRMAN said the item was proposed for the pur
chase Of books for the Library which existence
and the rule from which the gentleman from Tennessee had
quoted gave authority 10 make appropriations " in coutinua
ton OF appropriations for such public works and objects
already in progress" He held the amendment, be
oder.
Mr. GOGGIN said he did not discuss the amend
rnent al all, but simply rsmark thai memorial had been
presented this House. ard had been referred the Lii
bnry Committee thus bringing the subject under consde
ton, and hence he had been induced oer this amendment
The object was TO make appropriation TO purchase Mss
which were said 10 be valuable and OF which be had
proof deemed produce He re-
fefed letters which be held his hand from gentle
who belong the political parties Of the country r
Van Buren TO Mr. W. e. Rre The author Of these papers
belonged the Democratic party but he nevertheless desired
that those papers should be published for ne believed they
veuabepspes many Of which had yet
the light They Of character which showed that they
belonged to the country aud he hoped they would the
fate Of others which this House had heretofore purchased he
would detan the House with speech the subject bot
refer gentlemen report which made durng the last
Congress BY the gentleman opposite (A BRoDaEAD) oc this
very subject
Mr. PALFREY moved, for the purpose Of Obtaining an
opportunity make few remarks, amend the amendment
by adding twenty thousand dollars FOR the purchase the papers
OF Alexander Hamilton. The subject had come upon him
very unexpectedly but, aluson bad been made the
views OF The Library Committee, though he author
zed speak for that committee other member OF the
Library Committee was present, be would word two
expressive Of his views upon the subject He
that the Library Committee had had the subject
under consideration. they had Il time when be
was absent but IL he express bis opinions OF this
Of uanuscp be should say that be deeply regretted thai
their purchase had earlier ordered that the
ungs Of Mr. Jefferson could have been given The world
dei the responsibility OF the nstion and under such
p'ces those under which part OF Mr. Jeersons papers
had been Published They should all De published in
ner that would be credabIe 10 the fame Of that great and
of this nation
The CHAIRMAN reminded the gentleman fom Mas.a-
chusets that five minutes allowed to him to explain bis
amendment 10 which he mus, coufne himself
Wr. PALFREY submitted thai, in order to make bis own
amendment satisfactory, proper that he should make
remarks the object contemplated BY the amendmen,
which he proposed amend. However the remarks which
he desired TO make applied equally the papers Mr. JEFF
fenon and Mr.. Hamilton VIA, he had say was true Of
both, and therefore, when be spoke OF Mr. Hamilton he
hoped the committee would understand him speaking ike
wise Of Mr. jefferson The papers which yet remain in ma
nuscrpt, both Of Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Jefferson, he un.
derstood very volumnous they intimately
years nothing could imporisnt than these writings
we're to history, and the highest degree material
At these papers should be rescued from the possession
any body where they would be exposed any chance
den and placed 10 the possession Of this country and Of
the world through channel such this nation could ap-
prove He felt confident that Library Committee
tanned these opinions in common with himself
Mr. NlCObL inquired il these matters had beeu
FIRED 70 any committee Of this House II So be would like
60 have the report read.
The CHAIRMAN reminded the gentleman from New
York that tbs no, debaabe question under the order
of the House The Chairman had not the information re-
quired by the gentleman from New York
Mr. NlCoLL supposed the information could be obtained
at the Clerks desk
The CHAIRMAN said doubtless and the gentleman from
further responsibility.
Mr. B0WLIN ssid proper thai the point should Be
settled whether these amendments IN order under The
sis rule Of the poue The Chair on the question being
raised by the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr Ioxx.0 de-
ded that they in orde and he now again raised the
qosssion for The purpose Of taxing appeal from the decision
= Of the Chair.
TeIles demsndedon the appeal and Ness vrs.pLr
and PoLLocK appointed and they reported ss IN the
Affirmative and 81 in the negative TIE decision of tbe
tChsr was therefore, sustained tie rdgment Of the COM
rniuee.
The question then recured the snendnen, Of the gem
0emsn from Massachusetts Mr. PALFRKr TO the amendment
.of Mr Goesrs and adopted By msory Of So to S.
The question recurred on the amendment amended.
Mr. yENABLE made pro fovusa motion, that he might
express his uocomPromsng opposition this whole matter
IRON beginning TO end He believed il the inroduc-
Of system which involved incacuahe amount Of
nousy. He would G the purchase Of The manuscripts
Of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton for
fhose Of any body but, il this be pursued I,
would Be many before the hundred volumes Of Mr.
Q. Adamss journal and writings, and perhaps the paper.
Of er-Pfesidcnt Tyler, would be Purchased.
Mr. PALFREY, with ssrrnth denied that the
House would BE- asked to purchase the papers Of Mr..
Adams.
Mr. vENABLE said they should have been told the same
shins about shess Jefferson and Hamilton papers ten yesu
seo He was opposed 10 the whole system a. one which
You'd inevitably Be- attended With mievous results Al
% the purchsse Of Mr. Adamss papers, he hoped the que