The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-03

well enteriane, anu shall be glad to have the matte
explained, so as 10 relieve me OF Them. was endeavor
ing TO explain the for my vote yesterday. wsf
this bill to assume form, that vote for it, pos
sibe.
And then. on motion, the Senate adjourned
WEDNESDAY, MAY j, 1850
Il [IS coNTINuATIoS.l
4 EXPEDITION THE ARcTIc.--sIR JOHN FRANKLIN.
4 Mr. MILLER. / prefer that the government should
have the entire conro OF this eneTprse but, sir, dc
not think that be accomplished all events il
not within the time required 10 produce the good results
which 10 be hoped from this expedition. II is well
known 10 all the uncertain fate OF Sir John Frank
lin and his companions has attracted the attention and
called forth the sympathies Of the civilized world This
government sir, has not been indifferent 10 the call An
application, appeal, made TO this government of
ordinary characters which cheerully entertained
by the President, and which he anxious should be
complied with But is known to the country and 10 the
Senate that although the President had every disposition
10 send ont an expedition in search OF Sir John franklin
il was found upon inquiry that we had ships fitted for
the occasion, and that the Executive had authority 10
procure them Tor expedition of this kind, and suitable
for this sort OF navigation. The Executive therefore
obliged for want OF authority to build the ships to orego
further action on this noble enterprise until Congress
should meet and authorize the expedition.
In the mean time, Mr.. Grinneli, one OF the most
spectacle and worthy merchants OF the city OF New York
understanding the difficulty that the government had
hitting out the expedition, has gone to work, and with his
own means has butwo small vessels especially prepared
for the expedition and he most generously tenders
them to the government, not 10 be under his CONTROL
but the control OF the government and TO be made part of
the navy OF the United States The honorable senator from
Alabama Mr. KIEGl is mistaken with regard to the terms
and elect oil this resolution This resolution places these
two ships under the control of the government as much
so il they built expressly for the navy OF the
United STATES Their direction, their fitting out, their
officers and men, all 10 be under the control OF the
Executive Their officers TO be the officers OF our
navyiher seamen the seamen OF navy-so that the
expedition will be as thoroughly under the control OF this
government as il the ships belonged to Now, sir
should have objections myself amend this resou-
lion TO authorize the purchase OF these two all
vessels al once and make them part OF naval estab
shment; but when recollect the magnanimous feeling
which urged this nobehearted merchant prepare these
ships know that that feeling would forbid him TO
make merchandise OF that which he has devoted to hui
manity He offers them for this great cause they
his property prepared for this enterprise and he offers
them TO us 10 be used by the government this great
undertaking We must either accept them for the pur-
pose 10 which he has dedcaied them reject them alto
gether. III We refuse these ships, will defeat the
whole enterprise, and lose all opportunity OF participation
IN work OF humanity which now commands the atten-
tion OF the world.
II we refer this resolution back to the committee and
they report bull authorizing government TO build ships
10 carry on the expedition on ts account, could
be attended with very great delay and in my opinion de-
feat the object have view. In OF this kind
time is everything II mus, be done speedily If done al
Sr John franklin and his companions may have ere this
pershed but our hope is that they are still living in some
narrow sea- imprisoned by walls Of ice, where succor
may yet reach them But, sir, whether our hopes are
allacioas not the public feengthe feeling OF hu-
manitys, that the fate Of Sir John Frankn should, il
possible, be asceTtaned, and possible. The
public mind will never be satisfied till an expedition from
tins country OF from some other country, shall have as
ceained that fate. Therefore trust thar this resolution
as will be acted upon al once, and that II will receive
unanimous vote OF the Senate
MIR. FO0TE During the last spring, many OF our cti
zens gladdened by the declaration, the part OF
the executive branch OF the government, that proper
sympathy fs for the distinguished navigator whose
tate the subject OF 50 much anxious apprehension,
and for his suffering family and friends and when the
Executive, through formal letter OF the Secretary oil
State which most OF us read with delight and admiration
al the ne declared his determination TO do all that his
constitutional power would allow him TO do TO accom-
pish the great object for the attainment OF which this
resolution pressed upon u.s. do believe that there
spirited man IN America who dad not
The sympathetic sentiments contained IN that let
ter and who would not have been willing 10 justify the
Executive IN the of policy therein marked out
at least far justification could be afforded without
violating proper sense OF constitutional popnety CIR,
regret TO say thai the magnificent promises held out have
been executed. but have most unfortunately failed OF
their accomplishment All those generous ancipaions
broashoa, the civilized world, were doomed to fatal
aud most dlscredtabe disappointment The government
OF the United States suddenly found lis energies all
shnyeed and wa.ied away is strength olmnishea 70
of this generous scheme OF sympathy, so boldly planned
and 80 poDpossly announced. The government OF
this great nation could not find ships in navy
suited the great purpose, the attainment Of which
seemed so desirable 10 the Executive and his cabinet ad
yisers. will not undertake TO gainsay this avowa Of
inability on the part OF the nation which has been for
maliy aySuched; il would be ungracious in do
bat beg leave say that deemed unfortunate al the
time; and think all viii admit now that II unfor-
iunae that the Executive and his cabinet council did not
look iile more closely into the matter, practical
men, before they undertook enlist IN project how
ever generously we'd, the accomplishment of which
they would not be able 10 effect. Tney should have
explored all the dcules Of the scheme before they
ventured 10 commit themselves and the nation in the
presence Of the civilized world II is certainly not
little deplorable that they did not ascertain that
they could DO something in spirit and manner that
became this august republic, before they undertook 10
arouse a general anticipation, which, after ALL has been
80 signalg defeated Before they challenged The whole
civilized world to behold and admire the magnanmous
scheme Of reet in which they had SOLVED enlist for
the OF the distinguished Sir John Franklin cruelty
imprisoned. as my friend from New Jersey has said,
amidst huge mountains Of ice, they ought TO have been
well assured that they themselves would not be
Of ability or dread OF popular condemnation | wish,
sir, thai they had looked with somewhat keener scru-
ny nio this matter in its inception this affair.
as presented, does look little hike case OF solemn
hlng with great and interesting undertaking II does
seem, and will be considered BY many that the President
and his cabinet advisers have least committed them
selves quite hastily without due consideration las
may SUPPOSE but as do not expressly charge disgrace
fully) snSin manner somewhat unsaiesnanke such,
least the appearance of the affair present and in
accordance with tins view OF The mater, know that
many oi our citizens of high standing have expressed
themselves both orally and in writing Others, again. have
thought and asserted that the execution OF this scheme
was declined IRON dread OF responsibility 10 the people
Of the United Safes, who might, perchance after all,
condemn, instead OF approving Certain s. that il
carPed al by certain newspaper ediiors certain s that
the President and his CABINET were ccnsured. a. then
thought rather lde ungenerously certain il Is that