The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-06
THE UNION.

plains hA some connection with myself Was very
sorry whm heard Of and still more 50 when saw
the persoi for il struck that II he should attempt %
attack ma could crush him in moment. Laughter
really believe the poor fellow had any design TO
about The ,iar shall therefore Be- extremely happy 10
vote for anger sum than $40, TO compensate MIN
for the Injuries which he is supposed to have re-
Mr. MAyGUM. have offered a resolution upon this
subject, which met with very favorable consldera-
ton on tie part OF the committee move now that
the be fixed at $780, and leave the individual % his
subsequent claims against individual senators OF the
United Staes
think Dir, il can be maintained upon principles Of
strict law. The man was arrested upon mere rumor,
without any proper whatsoever and thrown into
prison, and kept there for fifteen sixteen days The
individual is entitled to compensation upon principles
Of the srces Justice He is here in great distress, and
think II an appeal not only TO our sense OF justice
and to broad considerations Of equity but to our rational
sympathes! hops, that the senator from New York
MT DIckIssosl will accept as modification OF his res
: Mr. r.. DICKINSON Certainly. sir
Mr. COOPER. Mr.. President, rise 10 express my
concurrence in the views OF the honorable senator from
North Carolina. This man was imprisoned at the in
stance, believe, OF some member OF the Senate. The
sum proposed is very small one and not at all much
he would have had awarded to him, i he could have
diton, that this individual, although poor man. has
some prde feeling that his character has suffered
from the fact Of his Imprisonment and he is anxious that
Justice should be done him and his character He thinks
that resolution OF this kind would wipe of the imaginary
stain thai he believes has been affixed 10 his character BY
this Imprisonment do hope, therefore, that the resolu-
Mr. DODGE, Of Iowa. Mr.. President. the resolution
OF the honorable senator from North Carolina was re-
ferred to the Committee on Contingent Expenses OF
which | am member; and that committee reported
against it, II is due to ourselves 10 say that two OF
went TO this gentleman and conyersed with him. and
sought to arrive at some reasonable sum which would
sustained at the hands OF the Senate and ven
tured to consult him as to the amount which ne would
regard sufficient compensation for the injuries done
him. He stated that he would not consider anything
short Of thousand dollars paid down. and acknow
edgment OF $4,000 due to him. as sufficient compen.
sation nor would he accept anything else Laughter
thought that we might pay him the highest allowance
paid to the officers Of the Senate for the time Of his inn
prsonment, and his board for the balance OF the time
thai o. mas 1ssa mere n s ne
moment. He was so extravagant in his demands that
there was no getting along with him at ALL and we there
fore CONCLUDED 70 report against hm sogsns think
Improperly He is very harmless man, quiet but
afflicted with some mental alienation.
Mr.. DICKINSON having reduced his resolution to
writing, it was here read as follows:
Rssoysd That the Secretary Of the Senate be directed 70
pay Robertson out Of the contingent fund Of the Sen
his petition 10 the Senate
Mr.. FOOTE. Mr.. President, rise simply because
have unfortunate connection with this subject do
not rise to 90 into circumstantal detail OF this matter
for The facts are well known to the Senate. But
the fact is that this man would never have been i'm
prsoned except for me- He would have been i'm.
prsoned but for his unfortunate declaration to in
gard to one Of the members Of this body These declare.
tons made known that member, not for the purpose
OF having this individual imprisoned, but because felt II
my duty e guard him against any possible danger
OF the peace who caused the apprehension oil this
individual that he had uttered no threats Of personal
violence to me- nor did believe that he had eyer yer
my desire was, that the poor fellow, whose mind
was certainly in state Of alienation, should be
held n custody until MS friends in Philadelpha could
mistake was made. do not know do not know II. in
the evidence given before this justice of the peace there
any representation made that he had to menaced
the life Of This member II any such information was
given, il was mistake, gross mistake. declare here
that that unfortunate individual did menace the dis
sranrs 90 deuSed that e + NV a AZ - ns
that member his guard for he had taken his head
that he was an agent OF Divine Providence to prevent the
elevation OF certain man to high places and did not
the influence OF this idea Well. sir, this man was i'm.
prsoned, and TO some extent by the agency OF min
steral officers acting no doubt under misconcepion
Having suffered severely am prepared to have liberal
allowance made to him for his injuries not because he
entitled by strict justice, but in spirit OF compassion
and magnanimiy that would well be worthy Of this
Mr.. HALE. Mr.. President, am perfectly willing
that this should be given 10 this individual but
do not wish il to be put upon the ground that the Senate
there was formal complaint made 10 magistrate in
this District and hearing was had and upon that hear
ing judicial decree entered, under the operation of
the laws Of this District. without the agency OF the Sem
ate, in any way, directly indirectly and the individual
was imprisoned. object. protest. therefore. against its
going TO the country that the Senate had any agency in
this matter at ALL So far as am individually concerned,
made up my mind, when the Senate undertook TO en-
force its dignity against person in New York for pub
fishing the Mexican treaty. that no earthly consideration
could ever induce me to take any part in any such step
again.
i should like to know, before the resolution passes,
upon what grounds II is put understand that the
tor from New York puts i upon the ground Of compen
saton for grievances. Now, have not read that me-
mortal but II II sets out that he imprisoned by order
OF the Senate, by the agency OF the Senate, think il
would be unjust 10 the Senate that should 90 TO the
lars for any injury We had nothing TO do with it, and
/ do not wish 10 put il upon that ground.
The VICE PRESIDENT here arose and said, as his
name had been connected with the matter under consd
eration he would beg leave TO state that he was in the
Vice Presidents whtn the Segeant-at-Arms came
have design Mr. Clay, and he feared he intended
to commit personal violence, and asked what he
should do told him by all 10 take such steps
stiuuid seoerv No onaf against injury. Knew futn-
ing OF his imprisonment in Jail until afterwards in
Mr.. MANGUM wished 10 repeat that the conduct OF
the Sergeant at Arms in this matter had been precisely
correct lie had taken the before magistrate and
out of abundant caution he had been imprisoned being
supposed to be insane man. He believed the Senate
ought make the allowance and believed that all the Off
Mr.. UNDERWOOD, lin his sea,.) Let ii be put upon
Mr.. MANGUM. would put it upon the ground Of
M. DICKINSON said tina, he would not give money