The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-28

ner in which this shall be done Persons must be APP
pointed by the court for that purpose will agree to the
mouonas gentlemen wish for further information upon
the subectthat the further consideration OF the bill be
postponed until tomorrow.
The question being taken upon the motion 10 postpone
on division no quorum voted.
Mr. CLAYTON. If | am called to act upon this bill
to-day, sirthough should prefer that the proposition
of the gentleman from New York Mr. DIx1 should pre-!
vail in order To give tmeI shall found my vote
upon single matter. II can ascertain one single
actand that is that the site proposed TO be purchased
for this lighthouse Is really Indispensable for the
merce and navigation OF the Mississippi rverf that be
the fact and the gentlemen from thu South give
certain information to that effect, shall have hesta
ton IN voting Tor the bill.
The bill seems to have been misunderstood II is not
bill TO authorize the Secretary of the Treasury pnr
chase this land at all events II leaves him 10 make the
bargain, and the Secretary OF the Treasury is pay
sum not exceeding the amount OF $4,000 do not pre-
tend that $j 900 the value of the property for OF that
have no knowledge We do not commit ourselves on
that subject by voting for the BILL any further than by
saying thai we will give no more than $4,000 The
Attorney General will be bound undoubtedly 10 make
the best bargain he can.
Then this is the only question: have stated it, Is
this site absolutely necessary for the navigation and
merce of the United States One of the from
Louisiana is clear upon this subject. His Information
seems TO be IN accordance with the information expressed
by the committee which originally reported this bill
They say in the close of their report that "the purchase
of the estate OF DIR Bale Peyon this section of land
is Indispensable TO the commerce, and navigation and
substantial interests OF the United States" Such, too
was the opinion of the Secretary OF the Treasury that
! reasnfy mas ever gwen contrary OPINION ,
Now, sir if that be true, if it be indispensable for
the commerce and navigation OF the United States al
the mouth OF such river as the Mississippi, then
am prepared 10 vote the sum al $4,000, even
100000. do not intend, however, 10 give vote that
will enable anybody to eXtot money from the United
States do not understand that 10 be the object here
We hope We have complete check upon any such at
tempt in officer He is not to give more than
the land is worth 10 the United States.
My friend from Massachusetts, MT DavIsl observes
that he would deal in matters OF this kind matters
OF private life So would | ; but if man should hap
pen 10 purchase tract Immediately in front of my
sion, with the very view of extorng more money from
me than the land was n,rnslcally worth upon the road
do not exactly understand the wisdom of my refusing
to pay additional price for the land, and thus robbing
myself of the necessary of the road. In private life
we are often compelled TO give more than the intrinsic
value of property.
1t all rests upon this Is this light house ndispensa-
BILE TO the commerce and navigation OF the Mississippi
rivera The gentleman from Louisiana who sits far
thest from me Mr. ppwSs has not spoken in this HI!
opinion upon the question; and there other gentle
men residing the light house, within few hun
dreds of miles, who undoubtedly have much more inior
nation upon the subject than can have, living at such
distance.
Mr.. DOWNS This bill came from committee of
which was member and thought was not particular
y called upon to say anything with regard to It, have
no information upon excepting the general nature OF IT
as stated in the paper understand that the lighthouse
far may be absolutely necessary for the navigation OF
the mouth of the Mississippi but take it for granted
that it is necessary and important to the Uned States
from the fact that is in That is all the nforma-
ton, SIR, that have upon the subject.
Mr. JOHNSON | would simply remark that an APP
preparation was made some years ago Tor light house,
and site selected for that purpose. 1t was built
upon the selected site. 1t was afterwards deemed ne
cessary to have lighthouse, and appropriation
was made by Congress for that purpose and the execu
tive department authorized TO contract for the build
ing of this lighthouse, and to select the spot for It's oca
ton They selected this spot as the most eligible, and
erected the light house there some wears ago That
| nee | ~
There place on the globe where light house IS more
required than upon that spot The t-house has been
years ago for that purpose This spot was selected by
the Secretary of the Treasury the highest and most
eligible at the mouth of the river; and If is not
used, unlnormed OF 1t, and have not he ard OF the
proposed construction OF any other.
Mr., BRADBURY. There is one consideration which
think should be taken into view, Mr.. President; and
that is, whether the United States cannot from the
interest which il has, to itself all the land which
is necessary for the construction OF the lighthouse
The United States IS the owner OF hall OF lot OF
100 acres unless part of it is disposed Of Being
the OF onehalt of this land as appchend that
it is but small portion of land which is necessary for
the construction of light house, there could be no
of difficulty in securing, upon division, portion suf
cent erect lighthouse upon or in the securing OF
that portion upon which the lighthouse stands if
one is erected which is worth preserving. 1t is imposs
bic conceive that, owning oneha of tract OF land
large, the United States cannot to itself ade
qualc site for a light house.
1t is said that The spot is little higher than the other
land That would prevent the necessity of the erection
of a building high would be required upon spot
which is lower; but the expense between the different
sites must be very little; and if the of spot
somewhat elevated than the land around 1t should
demand an exorbanl price, it would be much cheaper
for the government to build upon the lower spot and
build the house the higher.
Now, is suggested that the government has parted
with portion OF lis interest in this land If they have
undertaken to do this is declaration upon the part of
the government that they hold more land than they
want; and should consider it proof enough That the
government is left possession OF enough for the
construction of the clubhouse.
| do not understand that this is application the
part of the government. do not understand the
be- as ntmated by the honorable from louisiana
Mt JOHNSON, that the government is here with APP
pca,ion 1t seems TO that it will be time enough for
us to act upon it. and make purchase of this character
| at an expense OF $4,000 when the government shall
come forward and signify their desire that should do
it, Why should undertake to anticipate the wants
of the government Undoubtedly the government is
aware of the necessities of its commerce; and shall
have report from the Secretary, in the form of APP
pcation from that quarter when the necessities OF
merce require action. 1t is not necessary that we
should anticipate this
The owner of an undivided interest comes forward
and claims and asks that government should purchase of
him his interest; and the government has right to say
We will divide. 1t will be WELL perhaps for us TO stop
here; and after DIVISION IT, upon investigation, they shall
find that they land, the Secretary of the Treasury
who has charge of that matter then ascertain how
much land shall need and when the application
comes from that quarter, alter investigating how much
we want and that we eau best make the purchase here
shall perhaps be in better situation to act upon the
claim.
Mr. BELL. One word more, Mr. President have
examined the report until olay. would suggest
TO the senator from louisiana Mr. JOHNSON, who has