The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-15
THE UNION.
In CONGRESS OF THE U. STATES.
FRIDAY, JANUARY "a, lsls.
HOUSE OF REPREsENrAr1vrs

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
The journal having been read
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
The SPEAKER called the committees for reports,
when several were made and disposed Of as follows:
Mr. JOHN A. ROCKWELL, from the Committee of
relief of the administrative of Elisha L. Kean deceased
without amendment: committed TO Committee of the
Whole House.
Mr. r also, from the committee, reported upon
the petition of David Thomas accompanied BY bill for
his relief: read twice, and committed
Mr. THOMAS, from the committee, submitted
adverse reports on the petitions of Daniel Brown and A.
Conkng; read lald upon the table, and ordered 10 be
printed
Mr. COLLAMER, from the Committee on Public
Lands, reported the following resolution;
Resooed That synopsis of the geological observations
on The mineral lands OF Lake Saperior made during The
last season under the direction of Dr. Jackson United States
geological surveyor be, and the is hereby ordered
Public Lands.
Agreed to
Mr. TUCK, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, made
report on the petition OF Stephen Champn, accompa-
MED by bill for his relief read twice, and committed
Mr. WHITE, from the same committee, reported the
following resolution
Resolved That the Committee on Naval Affairs inquire
into the expediency of continuing the pension of Martha L.
Downs five years from the 10th March, ls47 and report by
bill or otherwise
Agreed to-
On motion by Mr., FULTON, it was
Ordered, That the Committee Invalid Pensions be dis
charged from the consideration of the petition of Levi NJ
Roberts; and that said petition be ordered lie upon the
table.
Mr. ROBERT SMITH, from the Committee on Roads
and Canals, made report upon the House bill mo o to
provide for completing the Cumberland road in Ohio, In
DIANA Illinois, and to Jefferson city, in Missouri
miteed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
state OF the Unon and ordered that the bill and report be
printed
Mr. JAMESON, in pursuance of notice, introduced a
bill for the relief of c. Orear read twice and referred
to the Committee of Claims.
The Senate bill for the relief OF w. B. Slaughter, late
secretary of the Territory of Wisconsin. read twice,
and referred to the Committee on Territories
MIR CONGER, from the Committee Printing, made
report to provide for the printing of 1000 extra copies
OF the report of the Secretary of the Treasury upon the
coast survey: agreed to.
BUSINESS ON THE PRIVATE CALENDER
On motion OF Mr.. j. A. ROCKWELL, the House re-
solved itself into committee of the WHOLE (Air HOWELL
CoBB in the chaD and proceeded to the consideration of
the business the private calender-when
bil for the relief of Robert Roberts" and 'bill for
OF Boston, were considered and laid aside to be reported
to the House without amendment.
MAJ. JACOB BROWN
bill for the relief of Mary Brown, widow of Jacob
Brown" was taken up for consideration
Mr. GIDDINGS moved that it be reported to the
House, with a recommendation that the bill do not pass
Mr. g. said he made the notion in order to ascertain from
the chairman of the Committee Invalid Pensions upon
what grounds the bill rested and whether it not spe
cal legislation to provide for case not coming under
the general pension laws whether this bill not the
Il
whether the same which would make the present
bill just and proper would apply in favor of the passage
of general law extending the benefits proposed to be
now granted to all OF the class 1t appeared
to him. that if the precedent proposed established it
would cause an unexamped drain upon the treasury.
Mr.. 7, B. KING. The petition for this claim was re-
tionary Pensions, where it fully considered That
committee unanimously reported bill for the relief of
this widow, and the press of business alone prevented
its passage. By the present Committee Revolutionary
Pensions. Mr. X had been UNANIMOUSLY directed
TO make favorable report. His friend from Ohio, how
ever, to think these cases are likely to make too
be allowed because it did not come within the scope
of the general law But the fact that this could
not be relieved by any general law Its merits were as ne
would state. This lady the widow of revolution
airy soldier whose husband received pension and had
no Of support, except what that ninety six dollars
year afforded. She had aevated the wants and sooh-
Of his life; and at his death, which happened several
years ago, she left deshtute-except what was
supplied by the affection of her step son. Major ia
cob Brown, also soldier distinguished by services
rendered in the last war, and fallen in the war with
Mexico, and whose body lies buried at the foot OF the
flag staff which now waves over Fort Brown near Mat
anoras. Should il be said that this country will refuse
pension to the mother of such a soldier as Jacob
Brown? Ii was really but pitful boon in comparison
with services actually rendered. and suerng and sacr
fees actually endured 1t was, indeed, very peculiar
case and there could moi be the least danger of its con-
shutting any part of precedent likely to make danger
GUS drain on the treasury
Mr. H., the Memorable gentleman concluded by referring
to the terms in which the fall OF Maj Jacob Brown is
represented in Gen Tayors dispatches irreparabe
loss to the army and to the recommendation of the Pres
ident that provision ought to be made for the relief Of
the families of such officers and soldiers have fallen in
battle.
Mr. HASKELL. 1t strikes me II at this is peculiar
case This lady the widow oil the late Jacob Brown
soldier of the army of the revolution, and pensoner
She in her seventy Fourth year, and could not
remain long as tax the country. Out OF all the
cases of claims of this character presented, likely to
be presented to this Congress, he did not believe there
could be one found addressing itself keeny to
sympathes than this This lady was subsisted by his
pension alone, up to the day OF the death of her husband
and after his DEATH she indebted for her support to
the kindness of her stepson, the late Major Jacob Brown
who was the first officer in the army to fall in the begin
ming of the conflict with Mexico Mr. H. considered the
relief proposed in this bill in the light of obligation
the part of the government and due to the cherished and
beloved family of fallen officer Major Jacob Brown,
sir, entered the army as private soldier; and Tor
his courage and good conduct, he was promoted by
ginning of the conflict with Mexico, he peculiarly
distinguished AS discussing officer, millions of money
had passed through his hands, and there
officer more faithful and acceptable in that capacity.
At the time when General Taylor found himself stripped
of provisions and had to fall back Point Isabel, out
of all his officers he selected Maj Jacob Brown to have
charge of the post opposite Matamoras. How he dis
charged that trust, the army and the country well know,
and the hand of History will not fail to record. But
hitherto while the deeds of other chieftans who have
fallen in battle have been heradei every wind, and
have challenged the admiration of all men, the name and
services of Jacob Brown seem to have been temporarily