The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-22

reported to Congress but they have always failed in con-
sequence OF this contest always going on among the OH
GERS in respect the distribution OF the prize money
The officers, believe, not being the usual quota, claimed
thai that should receive the full which would be
paid to full quota OF officers, which would have given
them much larger proportion than Congress seems will
ling 70 allow them at present The committee has endeav
cred 10 bring TO termination by adopting The scheme OF
distribution laid down in the prize act which allows
the men and Inferior officers much larger proportion
than has been considered belonging to them heretofore
This IS case which should have been settled long ago
but prevented from passage many years by the
claims 20 larger share than was allowed them.
/ Mr. KING. [ suppose that senator's prepared to
give full credit TO the gaanry and patriotism OF Com
9modore Decatur This perhaps OF the most bril-
liant victories which ever took place, aud he was pro-
noted rapidly in consequence OF this brilliant action
recnlect the case we'll SIR IL has been before Congress
titled 10 remuneration, aud that his officers all
entitled 10 certain proportion OF prize money. The
Senate had adopted the principle of giving onehalf the
amount OF such vessels captured to those by whom they
were captured. That principle adopted in order to
our navy from falling into The hands OF the enemy
and Il prevailed for long time. w sometimes varied
from IL by giving half the amount OF the value OF the
vessel although actually lost | quite conf
dent that the honorable gentleman from Florida was mis-
taken regard TO his statement that allowance has
been made OF this claim. Is there not law
existing which passed few years ago. giving consider
able amount to Susan Decatur, the widow OF Conmo-
dore Decatur conseq OF tins clam Tor the capture
of the frlgate Philadelphia!
| Mr. YULEE. No, Sir
] Mr. KING Well, / am under the impression that it
| is a fact Certainly II worthy of inquiry whether
this may not be hope shall upon the bill
until that fact he asceralned am prepared to go
rs far as any in rewardlng officers and
men for the gallantry and good conduct which they
have displayed on every occasion where they have
had opportunity Of exhibiting their vaor; and
merltOrous officer than Stephen Decatur served
under government The officers associated with him
were all.deservng; and am disposed to act literally
not disposed, however, to pass thus bill until we
learn whether the amount has not been already nppro
pnaied by the government.
Mr., HALE. would call the attention OF the chair
man of the Naval Committee to what | understand to be
the facts OF the gathered from the public papers
This claim has been before Congress long have
been the ha0lt OF reading the newspapers, and how
much longer do not know | understand the state OF
the facts alluded to by the honorable senator from Ala
bama 10 be this: The CLAIM urged Congress very
pertnacousiy twenty years ago. and failed Very soon
after the failure OF this specific BILL there introduced
into Congress-and 1t became lava plan OF disrbu-
ton OF the naval pension fund, which gave most eXrav
and most eXraor urinary appropriations TO these very
widows That bill went INTO operauon and the conse-
quence that the naval fund, which pledged for
specific purposes, entirely dsslpated The widow OF
Com Decatur received than four times much
the claimed AMI the naval fund entirely
disspated IN this way, that we are Obliged to make
appropriations from The general funds of the treasury to
meet It's necessities hope if the bill lies over, the hon
cradle chairman OF the committee Will state how much
the widow OF Com Decatur has received by that bill out
Of the naval pension fund
Mr. BADGER | concur entirely, sir, with the honor
able senator from Alabama that the government has
heretofore paid all claims included in this bill. 1t
proper that inquiry should be made and hope the mat
!
tgaton.
take the opportunity however, to say that know Of
no event IN the history OF the American army which
the parlcpuOrs emnentiy entitled 10 reward,
the noble and heroic little band who concerned
IN The destruction of the Philadelphia and If they have
heretofore received the just pecunlary compensation
to which they entitled from the government,
think only proves that Congress ought not 10 suffer
that debt remain longer unpaid which has been al
ready too long delayed IN my Judgment for the credit OF
the couatry.
Now SIR in reference the suggestion OF the
from New Hampshire, Mr. HAE He is mistaken, |
apprehend SuppOsng that the absorption waste OF
the naval pension fund anything do with the
now under consideration. That fund was established in
1887 1t became exhausted, and are now called upon
10 make appropriations for the purpose of supplying the
deficiency. What has been received by Mrs Decatur,
by any other person, has more reference TO this
claim than the payment OF any other account
/ hope, SIR the matter VIII he
MIR. GULEE. Undoubtedly, If the senator from Ala
hama has such an impression as he suggests ought to
lie over, that he may have opportunity of satisfying
himself upon that point feel quite sure that he will
lind that he IS mistaken in the IMPRESSION winch exists
IN his mind.
While am up sir will state that apprehend that the
senator mistaken with regard to the practice IN cases of
this description and lest the should pass OIL leaving
incorrect impression, feel called upon to aude
precedents The committee considered the report to be III
accordance with long established and long continued pre-
cedents which they found in the Iumes of laws Il
the senator will look at the reports of naval laws he will
rapid succession presidents which establish the
ice OF the government ~ such cases lie Is mistaken IN
surprising that merorious reward is made OF
alone winch captured ana brought safely
but II Is also made in OF the capture and desruc
ton OF vessels, done under order OF the
dofe IN the apprehension that II would be exposed to
being realen, it much shattered TO be
worthy of being brought IN 1t is in evidence that the
frIgate Philadelphia destroyed by order OF the
modore and that had been for that order she might
| have been preserved.
Here laws in immediate succession in 1913.
One approprates $4,000 to Capt Hull &c. Tor the
ure and destruction OF the British frgaie Currere $4,000
to Captain cambridge, &C. for the capture and desluc-
%
capture OF the FroIic, This was approved March 3,
1913. The other, which approved July 10, 1913,
apprOpnates $4,000 10 Captain James Lawrence, &c,
for the capture of the British brig Peacock and $4,000
to Lieut.. Eliot &C. for the capture of the Detroit, &c
Here five precedents two single acts and you will
lind a dozen others OF a similar character
Now, sir, 10 another point The senator refers to
rapid promotion of Com Decatur. 1t may be true that
he rapidly promoted; and 1t may be also very true
that his widow has received considerable amount
of money for pensions But this bill before
the Senate on the petition of the steward OF the ex-
petition, who volunteered TO act sailor upon
this occasion. This is not upon the application of
the officers, but upon the application OF the seamen
for the pitiance to which they entitled a debt
from the government the payment of which has been
delayed these many years since the capture of the PhIa
dcpha frigate On account Of the contest which has
been going among the officers scrambGg Tor the
prize money Upon their application the committee
have been induced 70 act, and they have followed the
prize act Heretofore the clam has from the obi
GERS but now i comes from the men, Ii you choose to
exclude the officers, very well but allow the
the men. have no objection, however, to lis lying
over.
Mr. KING | did not propose to impede the progress
of he hill | only wished infn which the