The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-23
THE UNION.

OF the petitioner were entitled 10 the same avo Tor they
| Mr. WEBSTER thought the word "gallantIy" should
be stricken out, and moved so TO amend the bill.
The question being taken upon the amendment, It was
| Mr. BREESE then submitted that there no evi.
dence in The case which could justify the payment OF so
great sum as was proposed by the bill There Was a
great deal SAID about the galany OF the individual He
belonged 10 the Unlled States brig Somers and was
qured to make an examination OF the coast OF Mexico
al certain point; and while so engaged, he was iaken
prisoner. There was evidence OF gallanlry. II
does not appear that he was ever IN single baile
When he escaped from the enemy, 1t IS true that he
Joined the army OF the United States; and there was
no doubt that he performed good service. Compensation
allowed Tor The loss OF all the property on board mat
ship and this gentleman came in for his shae-at least
bill ior that purpose had passed the House. and he be-
leved the Senate. But where was the authority tor
granting this compensation OF So 800? Could any senator
Tell him hat the claimant had done that he should be
singled out from among the rest OF the gallant men who
figured on land and during the war with Mexico
Was not dong IN Justice 10 others who were as brave
and as gallant as he'
Mr. RUSK said that was unnecessary to relate the
circumstances under which the petitioner captured
at Vera Cruz He was made prisoner while engaged in
the performance OF his duty, and treated spy. The
only means which he had of relieving his necessities
and they were very great 10 prisoner in the hands OF
Mexican enemy, because they often sarve them to
dealhthe only means OF relief through ths kind
ness of individuals who furnished him the means of
subsistence, and clothing They deprived him of every
comfort and protection, and friends there united In ten
derng him the means which he required for which his
WHO wills lUl Ill gave
We have (said Mr. the most reliable evidence that he
robbed BY the robbed OF these
means which he had procured for his subsistence The
young came before Congress, and would have re-
signed his Office for the sake of relieving his father from
the embarrassment which absolute necessity had forced
upon him. The Mexicans threatened to send him Oft to a
distant province, and condemned him as spy. He ef-
eced his escape entered into the United States army,
and fought bravely
1t had been said that Congress had not paid any ex
penses OF this description Had not the government paid
for the property lost IN the brig Somers And they
going to depart from any principle, when they paid The
absolute expenses OF young man imprisoned IN Mexico
young mans father who had acknowledged drafts to the
amount Of $4,000, and thus impoverish his family
The bill was then reported to the Senate with the
amendment; which was conquered in.
Mr. KING said this young officer was gallant man;
he knew that his suerngs must have been great from
the description which he had seen He was in imminent
and condemned to be executed as spy But 1t was
less true that others imprisoned, and suffered every
hardship and Inconvenience which that species OF con.
fnement could subject them to- and had they been PAID
Was the Senate about TO establish the principle that
every person captured by an enemy, and not treated as
prisoner of war, but who was put in confinement
not only 10 receive his regular pay, but also to
be compensated by pension on account OF ms suffer
ingsl If that the principle, then why. not
pass general law calling upon all those who have
been husiAprsoned to and present account OF
their suerngs and privations the difficulties they have
encoshtered and the great and extraordinary gaanry
they have displayed in making Their escape i was no,
fighting their way back almost single handed; but al
this time their pay was going on IL by am cause what
ever Their property was DESTROYED, then It became
for that loss But could 1t be said that it cost " $40 to
support them in confinement for that short perHl The
enemies of the United States supplied them very literally
and they did not complain OF starving. II, said MIR. X
Were governed by my feelings, should be carried away
like the senator from Texas But in this matter, while
can have other feeling than to do justice 10 every IN
dvdual who presents claim, wish to avoid princi-
pie wrong in itself and unlimited in its effects. repeat
that there are numerous Individuals not only officers but
soldiers who must under the same principle
Mr. WESTCOTT. | take this occasion to do act
Of justice which has been neglected since this claim was
first presented to the Senate When the case was first
brought to the attention OF the Senate by the honorable
senator from Delaware not now in his seat Mr. CLAY
TOM that senator paid very high euosium upon Mr.
Rogers did not find fault with that. II was deserved
But i'll the remarks that senator then made, there was
total omission notice other officers OF the navy who
with Mr.. Rogers when he was captured, and who,
by superior adroltness agility, and management or per-
1t will be recoecied three officers were engaged in re-
connotrng night expedition of the suburbs OF Vera Cruz,
and were discovered and Mr. Rogers was caught while
the Others by great dextey escaped the clutches OF the
Mexican scouts The service was one OF great import
ance The officers displayed great gallantry. The in
formation the officers obtained was OF great service 10
General Scott when he invested Vera Cruz for the Off
GERS who escaped enabled to furnish it to him.
Mr. Rogers and those who were with him were vol
unteers in that night expedition, agd be'ieye with,
out orders from their commander Lieutenant Semmes,
who commanded the brig Somers The officers who
did escape the Mexicans met with as hard fate
as if they had been captured with Mr.. Rogers. | re.
member the name of one, DR.. John II. Wright, most
valuable and mertorious officer. | do not now call to
mind, certainly the name of the other officer but
this know short time after the Somers was capslzed
in the habor of Vera Cruz and one OF these very o
GERS, if mistake not drowned, with thirty five or forty
of the crew; and all the officers lost everything they had
on board the brig They left dependent on the hui
manly of tAeir brother officers of the navy am happy
to say the officers of the British, French. and Spanish
shps-of in the harbor acted with great AND honorable
liberaIity But as have stated my object in making
these remarks to do Justice, hitherto omitted, TO Sur
geon Wright and the other shipmaes of Mr. Rogers, IN
the affair 1t is not just solely because he was captured
that he should have all the credit and know him. and
therefore am satisfied he would not desire nvldous
compliment He would be the last man not to accord TO
his brother officers full justice.
am inclined TO think this bill in its present shape,
fixing stated and precise sum- and singing out the
of Mr. Rogers, wrong in principle. will reward all
our officers for extraordinary voluntary services, display
but is nvilous, and 1t is unjust to others to select one
fcer and reward him only. No brevets given to
naval officers, Now, sir, why should the officers who
escaped when MIR Rogers was captured, and who lost
some of hem) all they had in the world in the Somers
when she capsized not be paid the losses they en-
counterfeit not satisfied with the propriey of liking
a certain amount in the bill W ny not allow the Navy
Department to ascertain and settle for his Just and
sonable expenses beyond his pay, am constrained to
vote against the bill in its present shape, though am
willing pay all the officers for their sacrifices incurred
in arduous and extra duties. We should, however do
equal justice to all, and not select particular cases. how
ever mertorious and reward them only 1t is partial,
and il is unjust to others,
Mr.. RUSK proposed further amendment by inserting,
after the word dollars out of any money not otherwise
appropriated" He had but word to say in reply to the
senator from Florida This money actually expended
hot M, Tho n