The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-30

The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate q
communication from the Secretary of War; made in fur
ther compliance with resolution of the Senate of the Sd
August last in relation To a map of the valley of Mexico
BY Leulenants Smith and Hardcastle; which ordereI
10 be printed
MEMORIALS AND PETITIONS.
The VICE PRESIDENT presented the memorial OF
Hoaio Hubbell and John Henry Sheburne, asking the
AID oil government IN establishing telegraphc commu-
ncaon across the Atlantic ocean; which was read and
referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Mr. Blu TIER presented the proceedings adopted by the
Charleston (South Carolina) Chamber of Commerce. ex-
pressve OF their qualification at the progress made in the
which referred to the Committee on Commerce
Mr.. CLARKE presented the petition Of citizens Of
Rhode Island in favor of reduction OF the rates of post
age and abolishlng the ranking privilege; which was
oriesed to lie on the table. sae
Mr.. CAMERON presented petition of the inhabitants
Of the State OF signed by one thousand and
sixty PERSONS male and female, asking the passage of
law Tor the Immediate abolition of slavery and the slave
trade in the District of Columbia.
The motion to receive ordered to lie on the table
Mr.. {. also presented petition from Charles Hollo-
well and go others, asking the adoption of some meas
ures for eectng such change in the constitution and
laws will abolish slavery throughout the Union in
consistent with the rights of every section thereof
The motion to receive was ordered to lie the table
Mr. BRADBURY presented the petition of citizens of
Name asking that the rates OF postage may be reduced
aud the ranking privilege abolished.
The petition laid on the table, the gro und that
there bill relating 10 the subject already before
the Senate.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
Mr., RUSK, from the Committee on Revolutionary
Claims, TO whom referred House bill for the re-
lief OF the heirs and legal representatives of Joshua Ed
dy reported the same with an amendment
On motion by Mr.. RUSK, the Senate as in committee
Of the whole, proceeded to the consideration of SAID
BILL which was read
MIR. R. SAID Mr. President one word of expIana-
ton. Mr. Eddy Is proven conclusiyely TO have been
captain during the revolutionary war. After serving
some time in that war he became deranged, and was
sent home furlough By resolution of ITS, he was
entitled to bounty lands, and twelve months extra pay
lie not aware that he entitled to his extra pay,
AMI the twelve months OF extra pay he received.
This Is for the purpose of paying his heirs flor he died
some time s!nce the extra pay to which he entitled
by the act of Congress-
The amendment reported from the committee having
been agreed to, the bill reported the Senate The
amendment was concurred in. and the bill ordered to
third readings when
Mr., PHELPS said I have had so much to do With
this KIND OF claims that would like TO make inquiry
would Hsk what evidence there was before the com
mliee to satisfy them of the business OF this caim'
alr RUSk. The evidence Is this: There is upon the
records proof whatever that this Individual ever receives
hstweve months extra pay He became deranged while
in The army, and went home. Two OF his sons make
aav to the fact Shortly after the resolveo Congress
giving the extra pay, gentleman by the name of Merry
called and purchased the bounty land He stated some.
thing about extra pay or compensation, and impress.
son was made on the mind of the old man and upon
them that he entitled to extra pay, for which he
made application, and was informed that he not
titled 10 It. petition was filed at the time. The law gave
hun twelve months pay, which he has not yet received
Mr. PHELPS. Mr.. President, this is small matter;
but seems to me- sir, tn it involves principle which
was discussed here not long since, of relying uon the
absence OF evidence in the public archives with respect TO
thls payment 1t Is now sir, something like seventy
years since that payment should have been made and
all know that in the OF that PERIOD the Treasury
Department has been burnt twice. and the War Depart
ment and hence the documentary evidence of these
payments mus, be supposed TO be very imperfect. In
short, sir, think there reliance upon the usual
uhcate of the Auditor that it does not appear that that
payment has been made. While | had the honor
OF serving on that committee, sir, we had repeated
applications Tor pay upon the statement that 1t did
not appear that the claimants had been paid. The
committee did not think safe to establish preceden,
OF that kind and therefore uniformly cfu sed make the
allowances upon the mere want OF evidence in the public
archives. There great variety of of that de
scripuon This rule has always been Observed far as
know: has been observed number OF years; and
know that IN has the Senate reversed the de-
rISons OF the committee. Indeed all these claims were
debarred by the statute of Limitation early as 1877 In
l'9 or l79S an attempt made to open the statute
as TO allow such claims to be paid; but it refused
Congress then determined that they would not enlarge
me time tor the presentation OF these revolutionary
Claims. Sir, feel particular interest in this bu
tear 1t IS bal precedent for to set to allow these
claims to be sent in at late day. relying upon
want Of evidence on the part Of the government.
Mr.. RUSk. In the absence of proof in the department
the committee have found no evidence that this paymen
has been nadenone whatever So far from that, there
Is evidence in the records of the Treasury Department thai
there is balance of $3.50 due to this man SO little re-
nance dld the committee place upon that evidence, tha
ney directed II to be stricken out; which done
ihe evidence upon which they rely ia, that, in the
hFst place, ne was insane He went home insane
and remained with his family They have distinct rec
election that MIR. Merry purchased from him the bounty
ahls 10 which he was entitled by the same resolve oil
Congress which gave him twelve months extra pay bu,
ne qua not receive anything else There is other evidence
lhat ne dl not receive The extra pay TO which ne
eh'ed In 1918 application made for his extra pay
ana his petition was filed Now, this evidence is salts
factory 10 my mind. The man is nsane-goes tC
MS family and they swear to the facts; and the wit
nesses are certified TO be highly respectable They
account Tor his receiving part OF what allowed
ana not receiving the other. They show afterwards that
III PIP he made application for Communication pay Il
mch ne was not entitled, and show clearly that he
,teeNea ms Twelve months extra pay. 1t seems TO me
wa. II makes very strong case.
va motion by MIR NILES, the further consideration oil
ue pil was postponed I'LL Thursday next
MI hlCHtSON, from the Committee on Indian AT
P 10 whom was referred the petition of Marguerelta
on me same; which ordered To be printed
Nir BRIGHT, from the COMMITTEES on Revolutionary
Nuns 10 whom Were referred the petitions of John b
nue. samuel d. Davis and Mary Connolly, asked Il
eHScuatsed from the further consideration of the same
u Iia 'hey be referred TO the Committee Pc nsons
which agreed TO- N
ar. DAVIS of Mississippi, from the Committee OF
Saly Affairs, to whom referred the letter of tn
Ned'y OF war IN relation 10 the maps OF the valley o
hco from the surveys of Leuts Smith and Hardcastle
I typographical! engineers, reported the following
10 be printed:
so'pd That the Secretary OF the Senate be authorizes
Tor thoga phug ard printing 10000 copies, 10
@ use OF the Senate, of the map Of valley of Mexc
Sa by Leuts Smith and Iardca stlc of the Unite
aa biographical engineers, reduced from the orgina
AZ lug 70 the lhstructions to be furnished
wi. DAVIS asked the immediate consideration of III
v'gPlu.on put objection being made it was laid owe
under the rule
MT d also, from the same committee, 10 whom wa
IN the loa