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

known power OF the constitution. II results newt
ably from the constitution. We have voted in former
times for the purchase OF the papers OF Mr. Madison and
Mr. Jefferson, Illustrative OF the history of the country
shall vote Tor the purchase OF these pictures upon the
ground With respect to the suggestion that these
papers will be published in the form OF books and de-
posted in the national library, beg leave to inquire
what constitutional power we have TO purchase and de-
posIie books in the national library which does not
equally apply 10 the purchase OF pictures II 1t he
question of the location OF these pictures feel
authorized say that national necessity will furnish the
necessary for their display, and shall thus get
rid OF the constitutional embarrassment. Really sir,
there is question OF Importance than that involved
in this proposition; and II is this Will refuse TO pre-
these memorials OF people who are about passing
away Is II possible that government invested with
the power which belongs to this national government
standing does in the face OF the world. is saying
that ii cannot preserve the memorials OF its own ma
tona existence without violation OF the constitution
which has established IT.
Mr.. BORLAND A single word in explanation. The
remarks growing out of my statements might lead 10
misrepresentation as to the position OF the ofcer
have alluded TO. That gentleman had no conneNion
with the presentation OF his with reference TO this
subject In a conversation with friend the olher day.
was informed that there an officer of the army,
very accomplished officer, now distinguished as an ARTIST
who has devoted great amount OF labor and expense IN
preparing great number of paintings OF Indians, and
who is willing, if provision be obtained, TO devote
himself few months not as the case may be- 10 pre-
pairing gallery OF these paintings even more extended Than
Mr. Catn's and believe OF greater merit works oil art
In the OF this discussion, might be supposed
that his name has been mentioned by or with his own
solicitation authority. therefore make this eyplaaa
tion order TO relieve HIM from any misunderstanding
in regard to himself eonneXion with The subject OF my
remark. So lar it is calculated to have any bearing
upon the question before the Senate | will say that II
steps whatever taken TO secure gallery OF
pictures Illustrative OF the history, the manners, ana
customs OF the aborlgnes OF this country thnk TINS
is much better mode OF doing 1t than the one proposed
in the amendments for il is the least expensive mode,
and believe the collection will be found to be more
meritorous For this reason shall vote against
the proposition and my vote, If have one, IN
n q
to obtain the object required.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD do not rise 10 enter into this
debate Ii had disposition TO do So what had to
say could aot be uttered without wearyng the patience
of this Senate. Allow me TO remark, however, that !
against all these purchases Of dead mems papers, and
appropriations of this kind But have time to reason
upon that My purpose IN rising was to notice
remark OF gentleman the way, who does great
injustice TO gallant officer of the army understand,
from the remarks of the gentleman from South Caro-
lima, that he intended nputaton against an individual
commander in the army To whom Osceola surrendered,
by informing that he betrayed into captivity in
violation of all the laws which ought to regulate CIV
zed life and particularly commander IN the army.
Ii my information regard 10 that transaction be correct,
Osceoa and the great portion OF the t1be TO which he
belonged out upon parole, aud violated their parole
al the time they fell into the hands OF our army Their
lives justly forfeited and tue commander hau the
right hang Osceoa up by the neck Ii this be true,
there is foundation for the impu'allon upon te com
mander.
Mr. BUTLER | meant imputatlon upon the com
mander, so far as my remarks intended to apply.
But if any human being did, by his counienance or man
ner, indicate The which he felt IN his SOUL 1t was
that old speaking OF the manner IN which he was
captured DO not say whether 1t be true or not; but
when he said that he would have Eat to be-aSen
in that way, could have resisted the influence OF
his countenance and manner.
Mr. DAVIS of Mississippi rose but gave way to
Mr.. ATHERrON | hope, sir that say nothing I'M
proper dssesprc,fuI when appeal TO the Senate TO
come end oil Offering and discussing amendments to
this bill believe, sir, we have some responsibility rest
ing upon regards the appropriation bills; and can
not how possibly pass this bill, unless we
tha HrxI
we have 20 consider. We have only passed already
the Indian bill, with amendments, which may come back
from the House, and which will take some time to
pass We have now besides the present bill, the naval
appropriation bill, the Post Office appropriation bill and
the navigation bill 1t seems to me that we have work
enough lief, for this session and ask the Senate whether
expect the House TO act without any time, upon
all the amendments we have proposed. therefore beg
and hope that will proceed
| Mr.. DAVIS of Mississippi. My remarks would not
have taken longer than the speech OF the gentleman from
New Hampshire, If he had allowed me TO proceed II re-
minds somewhat of sheriff quoting the crowd by
making noise great 10 drown that OF the dis'urbers
The gentleman from South Carolina made two points IN
his short adlessonc against the artist, and the other
against the soldier Both unjust. There is an ex-
IRENE of well extreme OF virtue, which we
apt to magnify into heroisn TINS drunken half breed
who assassinaed the from whom he had derived
benefits for term OF years. is masned INTO nero s
heoism exalted at the expense OF TINS soldier, INTO
whose hands he fell Sir, there something due to our
hstoyenoueh to curb poetic license in the history
of blood thirsty drunken halfbreed, who bad about as
little of the wild AN as half our settlers the frontiers
Mr. WESICOTT On his seat lie was a traitor to
his people.
| Mr. DAVIS. The paintings in the collection of this
artist, Mr.. Can, very different from those repre-
sensations of the Indians which accustomed
to see The artist has gone out upon the frontier and
painted the Indian his wild state, he to be found
along the northern rivers and the vast pdlrles OF
the West Seldom has If been the lot OF any painter 10
be more his efforts than this artist The pictures
very different indeed from those upon which the govern
ment has expended large amount oil money ~ procuring
the kenesses of Indian chiefs who to Washington
Those portraits neither color, dress nor trappngs
worthy to represent the Indian mis- wild state. These
correctly describes In looking at them one is reminded
of the fable of the lion and the artist The hon was
called up By the artist 10 look at picture OF man stand
ing with his foot upon the neck of PROSTATE lion The
said the lion, Do you no. admire the picture
Very much indeed, considering that man made 1t; but
| foot upon the neck OF the man. 80 | think, when
wild Indians here and the miserable
collection OF the portraits OF Indians who have been
metamorphosed by assuming the hats and coats OF white
men, they will not recognise their own type IN them
The is true with these paintings OF Callln They
taken the woods where the artist was OF my
compaksons expedition of great hardship Many
of his pictures represent of little historical IN
erest Years had passed by when went into his gallery.
There vvidy portrayed the ikenesses OF Indians
whom recognised as having seen IN the wilde fness
recognised in which had been humble actor
scenes which have their historical value. ] will say
Mr., CatlIn is the first artist, whose paintings
have SEEN who caught the peculiar coong of the flesh
| of the wild Indian.
| SO far as regards the purchase Of a collection
ords of the past history OF the Indian tribes, know
nothing equal to these paintings. My objection to the
proposition not for the of precedent but lies far
beyond that. We have presidents enough, We have