The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-04

special commissioner designated by OF Congress 10
| Afr BERRIEN | have no doubt that the views taken
by the senator from North Carolina relative the merits
OF this claim perfectly correct; and will, without
hesitation, go for awarding just compensation for the
services performed by Judge Cranch. il ii tha be
tended beyond the limits Of the present time. But cir.
this ID proposition to append TO the civil and diplomatic
appropriation bill private claim; and upon that question
the Senate has decided day, when the claim OF the State
of Georgia before them that because i was claim
Just and metorious must be rejected Nov appeal
10 senators-and especially appeal 70 the sensiot
from Vermont who most strongly urged The endorsement
of the principle Of rejecting all private claims from beng
appended to this bo act consistently No one DOUBT
ed that the claim of Georgia perfectly just but
private claim and was for that rejected. AK
senators if they are disposed TO rstraee lesx 49, -
have heretofore rejected the just claim 0t the State, one
OF whose representatives am
The amendment was rejected-ayes II. noes 49,
| Mr.. DAY TON submitted the following amendment
For the purchase OF George Cabins collection Of paint
ngs curosies usative of the manners and customs
Of the North American Indians. $500 Provided The
Com mittee the Library make contract (Which 10
hereby auhorzed for the purchase thereof At price not
exceeding $4,000, payable in ten annual instam.nts
Mr.. ID. said trust | will not alarm the Senate by
the magnitude of the amount when | state the object
1t for the purchase of Catins celebrated gallery OF
paintings and curlosles we nave been IN me constant
curemen of works OF art illustrative OF the history OF
public characters of this country and seems to me that
in all time past there has never been more worthy OBJ
iect than that which is presented OF the value OF
this gallery is unnecessary for me to speak Its general
character Is known the Senate It has been spoken of
in terms OF highest commentator by all persons who have
examined at home and abroad II s appreciated abroad
perhaps still more highly if possible, than at home; Mr..
Catn is American the subject is American. he has
given US here, not only portraits, but illustrations OF tue
habits manners customs, and supesttons of some fifty
tribes of American Indians. Some Of these tribes have
already passed from the face OF the earth Before many
years many of the rest will be gone. Mr. Cain has ex-
pended ia this great work about $4,000 of his property
and all the best years of his life. He is poor The
gallery is abroad He has been offered the price here
named, but with the feeling OF an American citizen who
has devoted his life to this object he desires that this
gallery of paintings and curiostes illustrative OF the
aborgnes of his country shall have place in that
country and that the intelligent American citizen. or cit-
after these records OF that has passed away may
not be under the necessity OF going to Europe and visit
ing the galleries there for the purpose of finding them
have disposition, Mr. President to consume time in
reference TO this matter To all those present who are
favorable TO appropriations for objects of this kind. it
ss M that il
the next thing would be that would be obliged to
some large building for their exhibition 1t appears
that this is not exactly the appropriate business OF
this to purchase paintings and enrqs ,h;s
to ss up 81 were ERE ne we nave
Sir. this is not the only artist who has devoted his
life to the pursuits of his profession This is not the
who also deserving and they have much right to
claim atons to aid and benefit them as this man.
Suppose artist paints series OF historical paintings,
illustrating various events OF importance in the history OF
couny could he not come forward with az much
ground as this man, and claim that Congress should pur
chase them because he American and has devoted
his life to the pursuits in which he engaged trust.
sir, that this amendment will not pass.
MIR. WEBSTER. Mr.. President, certainly, sir, moth
ing is more true than that the gentleman mentioned in
this amendment has no claim upon the Congress- OF the
United States to purchase this extraordinary collection.
The question s whether does not become us, whether
it is useful thing, that there should be owned and
possessed in the United States this collection OF pictures,
principally Of the aboriginal tribes' whether is nota
not say bounty but policy These tribes sir that have
preceded to whose land have succeeded and who
have written memorials of their laws. their habits:
and their all passing away to the world OF
forgetfuness. Their likeness, manners, and customs
are portrayed with more accuracy JUSTICE and truth,
by Catn than in all the other drawings and represen-
tations the face OF the earth: Somebody in this
country ought to possess this collection. That is my
opinion. And do not know who there 49, nor where
there is to be found any society any individual who
which with much proprety possess himself or
81 ai me DO hnH a al the
this country of Catn's gallery of pictures is an inn
portant public act think it properly belongs to those
ACCOMMODATIONS of historical matters respecting our prede-
this continent, which it is very proper Tor the
government of the United States to maintain AZ |
track the continuation of mankind in the present age,
and call recollection back to them. And here they
are. better exhibited in my Judgment better set forth and
mankind than in all other collections in the world
shall for the appropriation with great pleasure not
that Catn has any claim, hui That II Is upon Tue WnOe
thing desirable that there should be possessed and
cured in this country valuable collection.
Il Mr.. BERRIEN concur most cordially in the senh-
ment expressed by the senator from Massachusetts
feel that in relation to this people we shall have an &C.
count to settle with them that come alter US IN the
exercise OF somewhat questionable right OF secur.
ing some faithful momentoes and representations OF
this race of men which is rapidly disappearing from
the face of the earth. The inquiry will be-what
have you donei Have you preserved mo memorial!
Have you extingushel them all ]. for one, desire
to preserve the memorial of them, and the amendment
which is now before affords an opportunity to
do So do not advocate il a claim OF Mr.. Catlin:
seize upon it privilege which we are permitted to
enjoy OF preserving memorials OF the abonglnes OF tho
country which we nhabit. trust that the amentment
will prevail.
Mr. HUNTER MIR. President, am very far from
undertaking the value of Mr. Catn's collection. be-
lieve it is work OF great value. But sir. doubt very
much the policy and expedency OF the government EN-
barking in any scheme like this regret that this amend
.nent should have been offered. do not where we
shall end The honorable senator from Massach usstts
preserve these collections except be the government oil
The United Staes' But, let the appropriation be once
madeet admit that 10 our duty and pollcy "a
appropriate money to the arts and promote SCI
ence and do not see where we shall end.
|, Besides sir, will Say thatt behooves gentlemen who
are more intimately connected with the incoming adm,n
stration than am-gentlemen who will be resPonsioe
for it-as shall not beo husband their resources lol
assure them they will not be able to make these unm
el expenditures upon every object which may DC p'o
posed Sir should regret to that coecuon 10y ~
this country But il it cannot be preserved exce ~
committing this government to such an expehuuef