The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-18
In CONGRESS- OF THE u. STATES
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY IS, ls4s.
HOUSE OF REpREsENTATIv
The journal having been read


" I'M.
Elections, submitted resolution, ordering the evidence
taken in relation to the in the House from the 9th
congressional district of New York, occupied by
DAVID JACKSON and contested by James Monroe TO be
printed which was agreed to-
Mr. HARALSON from the Committee on Military
Affairs reported joint resolution TO refund money for
expenses incurred, subsistence transportation fur-
nshed and money advanced by individual citizens OF
the United States for the of the volunteers before or
after being mustered into the service OF the United States
which read twice, and referred TO the Committee OF
the Whole on the state ofthe Union.
PAYMENT TEXAS VOLUNTEERS.
Mr.. BURT, from the Committee Military Affairs
reported joint resolution, providing for the payment OF
the Texas mounted troops called into the service of the
United States under the equison OF Col Curtis, IN the
year 1917; which read twice
Mr. B. asked that the Joint resolution be put upon lis
make reference TO the Committee of the Whole on the
state OF the Union necessary II SIMPLY provided Tor the
payment of the volunteers called out by Col Curtis, out
of moneys already appropriated for the Mexico
Mr. HENLEY moved to amend the resolution by sri-
king out the clause directing remuneration for horses
LOST for want OF forage The universal practice hereto
fore had been to refuse payment OF such clams and an
exception the present would be PARTIAL and unjust
those who had formerly presented such claims, and
which had been rejected.
Mr. BURT said that the gentleman from Indiana Mr..
HENLEY had perhaps, in his life made so palpabe
mistake, he did in asserting that the practice had
been refuse payment for horses lost for want OF forage
either because the government could not would not
provide it, and he would ask how any man with con-
science could refuse TO pay for horses thus lost'
of the subject to the Committee OF the Whole on the
state of the Union.
Mr. BURT said that simple statement of the circum-
stances under which the requison for these troops was
made would be sufficient to convince any member that
they ought be paid and he begged the indulgence of
the gentleman from Pennsylvania while he should make
Mr. ASHMUN interposing, desired that the joint reso
luton might be read again; and 1t was read accordingly
Mr. BURT It was with reluctance that he, he took it
stances under which this regiment was called into the
services but, perhaps he should do there had been
manifested disposition to retard the progress OF the JOINT
Mr. COLLAMER (interupting) said he understood by
the rule, that this subject must go TO the Committee OF
The SPEAKER did not so understand the matter.
| Mr. BURT 1t was we'll known to maryland he
would state the fact TO the Housethat, after the army
under Gen Taylor marched from Camargo towards Sal
tillo, Col Curtis of the Ohio volunteers, left in
command at Camargo, and the line from the region OF
the Rio Grande westward Col. Curtis apprized Of
Anna, and OF his descent upon Gen. Taylor. lie had
learned that there had been skirmishng between
the two armies on the 2lst OF February But Colo
mel Curtis was unable TO hear anything further
left totally ignorant OF the result till the first
of April following-so entirely his communication
cut off by the enemy In addition TO the suspense ars-
ing from this circumstance the fact that the Mex
General Urea, with large force, was threatening
an attack the garrison at Camago and it was under
to call on the States for reinforcement Of troops Ac
cordngly he made his call the State of Texas for two
thousand volunteers. He did this without authority
either from the WarS Department from Gen. Taylor.
He made this requisition on his own responsibility, and
addressed it the governor of Texas who being absent
from his office at the time, the proclamation for volunteers
issued by the Secretary of State in which the village
of San Antonio designated as the point OF rendez-
vous The proclamation was responded to with most
commendabe prenpude, and this regiment repaired to
the rendezvous and mustered into the service OF the
United States Now Mr. b. submitted that the question
of the authority of Col Curtis rested wholly with the
State of Texas upon which the requisition was made
hats f,to nj time Of
State considered that the exlgences OF the service
justified the call, and issued the proclamation which
tonic, under the command of Captain Howe Early
in the month of May, they put in motion to-
wards Camargo and when they had been only one day
on the march. they met by order from General
Taylor to return to San Antonio, and be there muster
ed out of the service. On the part OF this regiment, he
SAID there here displayed The most gallant OF
was not their place. as citizens to go behind the ai
thoy of the State and inquire into the competency Of Col
Curtis to make the requisl1on i was their business to
obey the proclamaon and they did And while their
way the rendezvous, they necessarily passed through
region where they could obtain sufficient forage, and
many horses lost thereby in the service of the Uni
ted States Mr. b utterly at loss to perceive why
any gentleman should oppose this proposition to pay for
them Further, with respect to the pay of this regiment,
in the report Of the Secretary Of War With reference to
their allowance of bounty land, the joint resolution
placed this regiment the same footing with those vol
uneers mustered under the requisuon of General Gaines,
which was made with no more show of authority than
that OF Colonel Curtis and the resolution for the pay OF
these latter troops voted by the House almost with
out dissenting voice. Mr. B. submitted whether the
two cases should not be made equal The joint resolu
ton simply declares that this regiment shall be entitled
to bounty land just as they would have been had
they entered into the service under competent authority
in compliance precisely with the recommendation from
the War Department.
| Mr. POLLOCK replied, and submitted his reasons for
referring the subject to the Committee of the Whole on
the state OF the Union; and he made a motion to that
effect.
Mr.. G. w. JONES advocated the passage of the reso-
luton and adverted to another of horses lost by
regiment of mounted raised in Tennessee; which
should be included in general bill to reimburse their
owners.
Mr. GIDDINGS rose to speak in opposition to the reso-
| luton.
Mr. BURT asked the gentleman from Ohio to give
way for motion TO postpone IN which he was joined
by Mr. BOYD; and then,
On motion by Mr.. GIDDINGS. the further consdera-
ton of the subject postponed till Tuesday next.
| APPROPRIATION OF PUBLIC LANDS.
| Mr. r. B. KING, from the Committee on Naval AZ.
fairs reported act granting to the Florida, Alabama
and Georgia Railroad Company the alternate sections OF
the public lands along said railroad route; which was
read twice, and referred to the Committee OF the Whole
on the state of the Union and motion to print an extra
number of copies lies over.
| Mr. COLLAMER moved reconsideration of the ref
erence to the Committee of the Whole the state of the
Union for the purpose of having the bill referred to the
Committee on Public Lands. He contended that there
was no poprey in having the subject of appropra-
ton of public lands acted and reported upon by the
naval committee. 80 ~
| Mr. r. B. KING explained. The object of the bill was
IN aid in tho opening If an available communication with