The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-29
I'm CONGRESS OF THE U. STATES.
Thirtieth Congress-First Session.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 81, 1878.
SENATE.


The VICE PRESlDENElaid before the Senate re-
po oil me Secretary OF State, made agTeeaby TO law
with an abstract OF returns of American registered
during the year ending the 3oth September 1917 which
was ordered to be printed.
Also report Of the Secretary OF War, made agreea-
bly, to law, showing the expenditures for the contingent
expenses of the military establishment during the year
1877; which was ordered to be printed
PETITIONS
Mr. UNDERWOOD presented the memorial of the
Board of Managers of the American Indian Mission Asso
cation, praying the adoption OF measures Tor improving
the condition of the various Indian tribes; which re-
ferred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Mr. BENTON presented the petition of John Charles
Fremont, praying investigation, by committee into
claims on the government originating in California partly
IN the establishment OF the independence of California
before the war with Mexico was known, and partly since
in carrying military operations under the authority of
the United States, and afterwards in supporting the civil
government there.
For part Of these claims (Nlr B. sadly the drafts
drawn by the petitioner had been protested and for these
and other claims the Secretary of War had answered that
especial Legislation was necessary For this special e
glslaon the present petition was presented and It asked
the speedy action OF Congress that the far distant claim
ants might not wait too long for tardy justice The claims
meritoous they for personal services render
ed in WARRIOR supplies furnshed-for sacrifices made
and all spirit OF patriotism and honor They had given
California to the United States, and the gift worth
INFINITELY more than the cost when all Just claims
were paid, and all justice done TO the settlers The
ture and amount OF the claims required careful nvest
cation; the good should be paid at the bad should
be senced forever and now is the time TO do it, The
petition asked the establishment OF commission in Cali
forna audit and allow the claims, the amounts be
paid there to the claimants by the proper officers of the
Auditing the accounts there and paying there, were the
great points Of security both to the government and the
claimants. Nothing should be paid at Washington TO
agents or speculaors none but claimants IN their own
persons should be paid at Washington,
To go to paying claims here would open the door to
unbounded fraud, which would not be closed IN ten
twenty nor fifty years He (hr 3D. believed he might
say seveny-ti years; for Congress was now paying
nj tn iu0th Tho hand nj and
SPECTATORS, would be rich mine to be explored for
long time; and the longer the richer especially after the
mission, TO act on the spot was the proper way to 40
justice and prevent frauds in future The petition ayowed
that the petitioner knew almost every transaction on
which liability of the United States could arise Where
he did not know the transaction HIMSELF he knew the
who did, and they could be equally prompt and cor
rect before commission, in verifying an honest claim
What the petition specially asked was, that the commit
tee TO be charged with the question should take evidence
era amount Of the claims, with view to judge the
necessity OF commission, and OF the amount OF the a
petition asked that The testimony OF persons now in the
city might be taken oath, and reported to Congress
as guide to its action. Evidence enough was now in
the city to enghten Congress on these points Military
and naval officers in the city, who knew the
general character and the probable aggregate amount OF
these claims Citizens Of California, Of character, and
not interested in the claims, also present Their
testimony could easily be obtained; and the petition
prayed that they should be summoned and examined.
b.
settling the claims should be adopted, which the petition
recommends: FIRST Justice TO the claimants; who I'M
less they paid at home would become the prey OF
agents and SPECTATORS Secondly Justice TO the United
States; which, unless it settled face to face with the
claimants, and closed up the business at once would
have 70 pay false claims Tor lndeinie tune false CLAIMS
the would be got at half price, less but the false
much lower; and when dependent upon vouchers here
The false and the would be about equal foot
ing Thirdly Justice to Mr. Fremont himself. This
justice OF twofod characterone 10 his purse, the
other to his reputation He was already under proes,
for large sums, and expected more-$io,ooo or $4,000
in the whole He also liable for what got from
the inhabitants for the troops under his command, both
under the revolutionary movement for Independence and
afterwards, when the carried on Tor the direct
benefit OF the United States, having also got the benefit
of the revolutionary movement Justice TO his reputation
required the he recommended In no other way
could false claims be prevented from rising up to Be
charged to his operations In no other way could his
reputation be shielded from false accounts founded on
false charges of his having taken property forcbly
from the people Either of these reasons ought to be
sufficient to have the commission established and the
business closed up at once the three put togeherus
ce TO the claimants the public treasury, and to the
reputation of Mr. Fremont-he (Mr. b. hoped would be
sufficient not merely to secure reference of the petition
TO the proper committee the Miary) but also to al-
horize the establishment OF the commission which
prayed for.
The petition referred to the Committee on Military
Mr. CRITTENDEN presented the petition of George
Poindexter praying compensation for the occupation
and of his property by volunteers mustered into the
service OF Inc Umleu WHICH W INC
Committee on Claims
| On motion by Mr. BRADBURY, it was
| Ordered That the documents relating to the claim OF
John Clarke the files of the Senate, be referred TO the
COMMITTEES on Pensions. -
Ordered That petition of Noah Miller, the files OF
the Senate be referred TO- the Commitec on Commerce
Ordered That the petition of Isaac Davenport the
files of the Senate be referred to The Committee on Pensions
THE SLAVERY QUESTION.
Mr. BAGBY said: Mr. President, the day before yes
tcrday had the honor present three resolutions de-
claratory of certain fundamental principles, with respect
to the truth and correctness of which clearly and
without shadow of doubt, thoroughly convinced
These resolutions, without amendment alteration,
notifications contain and express the convictions OF my
deliberate judgment upon the great and delicate
questions which they relate. They disclaim and deny
the power OF Congress- and of the treaty making power
to interfere with the question of slavery any State
ton, restriction in regard to slavery in any territory
hereafter acquired So far good II has occurred to
me, upon reflection however that they do not protect all
the points intended to secure. hold in my hand an
additional resolution, which, think, is necessary in Or
der complete the series, and which is intended TO
tive the idea entertained in quarters entitled to great
spcct, that there power the inhabitants OF Ter
ritory to exclude slavery. The resolution hold in my
hand declares that there is such power IN the egsla
turc the people of Terriloeyhat they possess no
political power except such conferred upon them by
the act OF Congress authorizing them to form Territorial
government-and that, nasmuch as Congress does no'
possess this power they delegate to the Terri
tories, the inhabitants thereof. ask, SIR tna ms
resolution be laid upon the table and printed ana wnen
my original resolutions taken up, shall move as
an amendment. - 80. Ia,
MI b. then submitted the following resolution; which
was ordered to be prnted