The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-09
CONGRESSIONAL.
DEFERRED DEBATE.
In sssArx--Wsdnesdsy, February %, lS49.


hing appropriations for the civil and diplomatic expenses
the for the year ending June 3oth 1880
the question pending being on the amendments reported
from the committee Of the whole.
Mr.. ATHERTON asked separate vote upon the
amendment, ing appropriation in pursuance OF the
treaty with Mexico.
the purchase OF the Washington and Monroe papers
MIR DIN asked separate vote upon the amendment
Submitted by the senator IRON Wisconsin extending the
constitution aud laws of the United States Calor
Mr. FELCH asked a separate vote upon an amendment,
which was not heard by the reporter
The question being then taken upon concurrng in the
remainder OF the amendments, was decided in the al
hmaiiye.
atng $4,000. under the treaty Of peace with Mexico
Mr.. ATHERTON stated that the appropriation had al
ready been made in separate bill, which had passed
both houses OF Congress
The amendment was then concurred in.
The question recurring next upon the amendment ap
proprating 100000 for the purchase of the Washington
papers, and like for the purchase OF the Monroe
MIR BERRIEN called for division of the question.
The question being accordingly taken first upon the first
part OF the amendment relating to the Washington pa
pers, by yeas and nays decided in the Affirmative
yeas ~, nays %, AS follows
YEAs-Mesws. Badger. Baldwin, Bell, Be'ren Bo.snd
Clarke, Corwin Davis of Massachusetts, Davis of Misss
ppi, Dayton, Douglas. Downs Fooie. Greene. Houston
Hunter Johnson OF Maryland. Johnson of louisiana Jones
Uphsm and Waies-s
NAYs-Mes.rs Alien, A,chison A,her,on Benton Brad
bury, Bright Batter, Calhoun, Dickinson, Dix Dodge of
Iowa, feIeh. Fitzgerald, Fitzpatrick. Hnnn, Johnson Of
ney. Underwood, Walker. and Yoee-25.
The question being then stated upon the second branch
OF the amendment
Mir. DICKINSON said have uniformly voted against
the purchasing of papers OF this description; but
why the papers OF this lustrious should be
separated IN this amendment from the others The SEN
has declared determination purchase the papers
oil Gen. Washington. and will now depart from my
practice and vote for the purchase OF the papers OF
H. Ill hal ,us.J a.,
purchase OF resdues The Senate had
the papers OF Gen Washington and he should vote for
the purchase 18th, 81 ihs papers OF Mr. Monroe II
appropriations al this kind, but If the first part of the
amendmen, is TO prevail, think the second ought also to
prevail for believe the papers of President Monroe will
from information which has been impaired TO mel
speak only the authority of such nformatonthat
great act OF injustice has been done to the heirs OF Mr.
Monroe nasmuch as the other papers that have been
dered TO be printed, and are printed IN connection with
the correspondence Of those distinguished men, Mr. Jet
ferson and Mr. Madison very nearly deprived the heirs
OF Mr.. Monroe Of the benefit of his whole correspond
ence Under this impression, shall vote for retaining
this part Of the amendment although should have voted
| against the whole.
MI WESTCOTT shall vote for the last part of this
amendment and if that fails shall vote against the whole
resolution. II this last amendment, is adopted. shall
vote for the whole resolution. Sir, have purchased
already the valuable portion of the papers belong
ing 10 Gen. Washington and am opposed To these pur
chases OF resdues consider that these papers OF Mr.
than those OF any other President have had with the
exception of Mr.. Jefferson. Mr. Monroe celebrated
for the puncuay OF his correspondence and the papers
are very volumnious and highly interesting had an
opportunity OF inspecting many oil them during the last
summer and derived great pleasure from their erusa
! Mr.. ALLEN. rise merely to say that II 1t be the
purpose of this government to enter upon system OF
civil PENSIONS let it be done in word; let the act be
called act authorizing civil pensions have opposed
all these propositions because believed them substan
tally be, when undsguised the introduction OF civil
pensions
Mr. FOoTE With reference to the remarks of my
friend from Ohio, MR. ALLEN feel bound to say that
do not recognise his assertion having any application
TO the question before The question is are these
papers worthy Of purchase And for all the reasons
Of this subject, satisfied they worthy of pur
chase and that it is exceedingly desirable that we should
have them. AT the same time, am willing to announce
it my determination, and think 1t is the general
determination of members here, not TO follow up the
precedent established, except so far relates to
early revolutionary statesmen and fathers. There Is
decided line Of demarcaon in this matter as to whose
papers should purchasea line which should not be
en!renched upon, and ! am sure will not be by me
| of any gentleman know that great many OF the
papers Of former statesmen are very valuable, as
calculating, in degree. the political history OF our
country; but have acted upon the principle that Con
fore, as much as may be disposed after the vote just
taken to vote in favor Of this branch of the amendment
that they will not have vote. after this vote is taken,
upon the whole matter. They have pronounced upon
the one branch and the next VOTE the second branch
concludes the whole matter; we will not be called
on to vote hereafter upon it, would say here that
consider that the value OF the papers OF Mr. Monroe IS
greater than the residue proposed to be obtained of
General Washingon's papers, which consists, under
stand, of diaries and private letters. again. am
perfectly satisfied that there is great deal OF valuable
information contained in these papers OF Mr.. Monroe
information relating to measures OF the NEST important
character in which he personally participated. Still |
for the purchase of papers from individuals
The question being then taken by Yeas and nays the
result was-yeas IS, nays 20, as follows:
! YEAS-Messrs Badger, Baldwin, Berrien, Boand, But
ler Clarke, Corwin, Dayton, Dickinson, Downs Fzgcr
aid, Foote Greene, Houslon, Haner Johnson OF Msand,
Johnson of Louisiana, Jones, Mangum Mason. Milef,
pearce, ltnsk, Spsuance Sturgeon, Upham Wales. and
Westcott-25
NAYS-Nessrs. Allen Atchson, Aher,on. Benton, Brad.
Fech Fitzpatrick, Hamn, johnson OF Georgia, Metoslc.
Niles, Sebastian Turney, Underwood, Walker, aud va.
jlee-20
| So the amendment was concurred in
The question recurring upon concurrng in the amend
ment submitted by Mr. WALKER relating TO government
for California
Mr. DIX said: regret to be under the necessity of
asking the indulgence of the Senate this late period Of
the session bat feel my duty to make remark
upon the amendment offered by the from W,seon.
sin, mr. WALKER) and the general subject which IL
relates. regret, Also to be under the necessity OF ds-
MA in the form under which is presented to usin
amendment to appropriation bill Independent of this
objection have considered IT, from the beginning
of too great importance TO be disposed OF this Inci
dental manner. The proposition OF the Senator from
Tennessee, (Mr. BELL,)also in the form OF amend
upon the ground that it and on, Of place
1t received, in the end, but four votes consider ihis
amendment equally irrelevant and misplaced.
| The amendment of the senator from Tennessee prn.