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

by the Indians Instead OF lis being sold however,
provision was made that it should not be sold for GER
lam time for less Than 50 an acre and Tor certain other
time for less tina - 50 per acre The consequence IS,
that but little OF Il disposed Of BY direction OF the
President of the United Ststes what raised was APP
proprlaed to the payment Of other claims. After full
consideration for considerable length Of ume the COM
mee came to the conclusion that the land should be
sold at government price, and that in the time the
claims should be paid. The matter IS not entirely free
rom doubt but consider this the best There
bill now on the calendar for the sale OF these lands
MIR. BRADBURY. l thought, from the reading OF the
report that the committee regarded the case as one not
perfe Jty free from doubt and IN such cases committees
frequently report bills IN order 10 present the subject to
the consideration of Congress II would that the
treaty provides for payment TO be made out OF the pro-
ceeds from the sales OF the lands The price at which
they were offered in the market, was such that they
could not be disposed Of but il proposed 10 make
disposition of the lands think il deserving Of consid-
Grafton, whether we might not wait and realize from the
proceeds of the lands, money to make the payments in
accordance with the terms OF the treaty. without antc-
patton. would suggest that the bill be passed by n
formally, that opportunity may be had (now that aen-
hon called 10 the subectl 10 examine it, for do not
wish to withhold payment which ought to be made, nor
am prepared to vote II without examination II IN
wolves very considerable arnount-hfy thousand doll
lars-and therefore make the motion to pass by in
formally, rather than move 10 lay it upon the table,
lest the latter motion might do injustice to The bill
Mr.. DOWNS. should prefer to have II postponed,
and examined by members
Mr., DOWNS moved that the further consideration Of
the bill be postponed until to-morrow which motion
The Senate then proceeded in committee of the
whole 10 the consideration of the House bill for the re-
lief OF Archibald Bull and Lenuel s. Finch which was
reported 10 the Senate without amendment ordered TO
third reading read a third time and passed.
The Senate proceeded, as II committee of the whole,
the consideration of the House bill for the relief OF
Esther Russell which was reported to the Senate with
out amendment, ordered to third reading, and subse
quently, by unanimous consent was read third time,
The Senate proceeded as in committee of the whole,
the consideration of the House bill for the relief of
Tilpha White, when the report accompanying the bill
Mr. BRIGHT There is nothing in the paper to show
that this clam possesses the least merit The PROPOSE
ton is TO give pension i9r SIX months service and
rendered The object OF pensions, understand, was 10
reward long and tried service. Do ever give PEN
sions for less than six months
Mr. HAMLIN Yes for three months.
Mr. FELCH wish merely to remark, that under
the law winch now exists this pension can be allowed.
and would be allowed if we could be satisfied that the
evidence sufficient to establish six months service.
The only question is with regard to the proof of SIX
months services On the musterro the christian name
of the husband lett blank. There is of ev-
dence that the White whose christian is omitted
William White, the husband OF the petitioner This
is the testimony embodied in the report, which may be
useless 10 read There is ample proof OF six months
service.
Mr. BUTLER presented the petition at the last SEES
sion, and partly know the facts of the He served,
| am perfectly satisfied than SIX months. regret
ted very much that the petition not then acted up
on am willing to give a pension to any man who
has served three months, for any service during the
war, as there must be very few of this class who
claim pensions. shall therefore Tor this claim with
very clear conscience a. have no doubt he did per
form service IN the revolutionary
Mr.. WESTCOTT inquired whether the general law for
pensions for service in the revolutionary war, author
lied pension for less than nine months service
Mr. HAMI.IN Yes for three months.
Mr. WESTCOTT Does that include soldiers not in
the continental army, or both classes
Mr. WESrCOTT | am satisfied, then.
The bill was then reported TO the Senate without amend
ment, was ordered to a third reading, read third
time, and passed
The Senate proceeded, in committee of the whole
10 the consideration OF the House bill for the relief OF
the heirs OF William Evans which was reported to the
Senate without amendment, ordered to third read
ing, read third tune, and passed.
The Senate proceeded 70 the consideration of the bill
for the relief Of Henry Vincent administrator of the
tate of James Lecaze which read second time
and considered as in committee Of the whole.
The report accompanying said bill having been read
Mr.. WESTCOTT. | feel constrained to vote against
all bills of this character based merely upon these old
balances found unsettled on the treasury books. will
induce great caution by Congress in allowing them. At
last session claim presented by the representatives
of gentleman named Cox of New Orleans, founded
upon a balance, believe of thirteen or fourteen hun
bred dollars, stated certificate OF the Fourth Auditor
OF the Treasury stand on the books OF his Office open
and in favor of Cox, for stores sold navy agent Being
referred to the Committee OF Claims the other House.
it reported in favor of the claim, and believe the bill
passed the House and sent here II not, petition
was presented here and referred TO the Committee
Claims The committee were about reporting IN favor of
the claim, when 1t was suggested that Mr.. Cox was a
wealthy merchant and strict business man of high re-
spectabliy not likely TO let such claim remain unset
tied and recolected that he had once been sued
security of the navy agent and the decided by the S
pJeme Court and the Solicitor of the Treasury. Mr. Get.
being applied to- that vigan officer hunted up the record
of the suit and found that Cox had claimed to set off
this Identical balance claimed against the United States
in that suit and that IL had been allowed 10 him The
mode Of settlement the OF the omission by the
clerks TO enter the credit the books. Mr. Cox had
died, and most probably OF those persons who
make business of hunting up these old balances and
Kindly advising The representatives of deceased parties of
the existence OF them informed his administrators OF
standing Open and then tac petition 10 Congress
There have been several Of like character before
the Committee Claims at former sessions. The fact
that balances are found open in an old book is no evil
dence of their being paid The Treasury Department
has been twice three tunes burnt, and books and pa
pers destroyed The only safe general rule enforce
the limitation act OF Years strictly Delay for longer
time should least till rebuled, afford nothing pre-
sumptive against The justice OF the CLAIM. shall there
fore vote against this claim, and all like IT.
Mr. RUSK. The remarks of the honorable senator.
il seems TO me, are not very well founded. He brings
forward three facts and the sum and substance
of his argument would appear TO be- that we ought not
pay any debt whatever, because mistakes have been
made by committees investigated this case notwih-
standing nv nreidce against il account of its age
and lind The facts be these On the books kept at the
time of the contract there large balance standing
in favor OF ecaze. Shortly after, the trans
erred to set OF books and still the balance stands
there There is proof that LecaZe left and went TO the
Island OF ST. Domingo, where he afterwards kill
ed In an instruction OF slaves; and through all the
books this balance retained belonging TO Mr.
Lecaze These individuals his heirs and the reason
very evident why they did not claim il before-ihat
fharFr tln ahp ha.r 4 ~.