Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-01-26

debated there two three days. wher, finally by vote
of those who opposed to the constitutional power
laid upon the table. | had kept my eye uEon il, and
when the debate ceased in the House of
and purchased the casket Those medals in my
library together with numerous autographs of General
ngton and can say that gentlemen from any part of the
country, who do the honor to visit me- if they are ac
quained with the fact that possess Them inquire first for
General Washngons autographs and General Washngtons
medals.
under consideration in Committee Of the Whole
Mr.. PEARCE suggest to the Senator from Kentucky
that the resolution is scarcely complete without clause for
appropriation proper provide the Joint Committee on
the Library with the Of paying for this manuscript
Mr. CLAY do not think there be any difficulty on
that subject be provided for when the appropriation
mr. PEARcE,) member of the Joint Library Committee
question Is it entirely 10 the province of the Joint
Committee to purchase such papers if they think proper
without resolution OF this kind the part of Congress
Mr. PEARCE. We thought not. The library fund we
believed be appropriated for the purchase Of books and
Of manuscripts valuable merely as relics.
Mr.. KING. was under the impression, and certainly
this is the first time any thing has occurred induce change
in the opinion which have always entertained that the Ii
bray Committee had the power purchase either printed or
manuscript works think know instances since have been
here where the Library Committee have purchased
script books.
Mr.. PEARCE. The Library Committee do no, think
that they authorized to purchase manuscripts which
valuable relics merely Certainly they may purchase
when the work could not be procured in print They think
they would misappy the appropriation for the increase of
the library by purchasing any rec whether manuscript
Of another kind The appropriation for the increase Of the
library would place very few volumes Shelves if
diverted from lis legitimate purpose to the purchase of nte
resting and valuable relics Even if the committee had the
authority they would prefer not to exercise without the in
| Mr.. CLAY. My friend from Alabama (Mr. KIsG) did
not, presume h,ar which made which was,
that addressed myself to the Library Committee before offer
ing this resolution, and certainly should have offered
if that committee had thought itself invested with the power
purchase this manuscript But they thought they had not
and therefore offered it here
Mr.. KING. would suggest alteration in the resou-
ton to the Senator from Kentucky is that the Commit
tee should be authorized, and not Objected to purchase
the manuscript provided it can be purchased fair terms
strike out the word directed" and to insert in lieu
/ thereof the word " authorized"
Mr. CLAY have sort of objection to strike out the
word directed but if the Senator from Alabama will at
tend the latter part Of the resolution expressly provides for
the contingency Of the manuscript being purchased what
in the opinion OF the committee shall be fair and reasonable
terms But have objection to the amendment.
The motion strike the word directed and 10 in
in lieu thereof the word authorized" agreed
The joint resolution amended was then reported the
Senate.
The VICE PRESIDENT announced the question to be
ordering the resolution be engrossed for third reading
Mr. DAVIS, Of Mississippi Mr. President, there
great many questions connected with this resolution Besides
there special order Of the Senate for clock this day.
and therefore, for the benefit of the chairman of the Judiciary
Committee, BuTLER who has caused the special order
to be made move pass to its consideration.
Mr. CLAY. do not think there be single objec-
ton to the resolution and hope will be allowed pass
The chairman Of the Judiciary Committee himself,
am sure wishes % pass There will be no more debate
The VICE PRESIDENT The question is on ordering
the resolution to be engrossed for q third readinr.
Mr. DAVIS, Of Mississippi If the vote is about to be
taken on this resolutions shall have to submit few remarks
made the motion pass by informally, order that the
special order delayed for half hour, might be
sdered.
The amendment which proposed by the Senator from
Alabama (M KISe) removes part Of the objections which
had 10 the resolution as 1t originally drawn is not
mandatory in its terms still it conveys authority, and
construed in connexon with such expression will probably
be given by the Senate, does after ALL amount nearly
mandates approaches very nearly instructions the
committee. IT becomes US at the present stage Of our pro-
ceedngs in reference to such matters ascertain where
to stop before take the first steps before following this
path to inquire whether it will lead Wehave purchased
the manuscripts of Washington every thing, to the
copy-book which he kept when boy. This is but
rected copy his Farewell Address, known have been
entirely the result of his mind and if what desire
is merely manuscripts Of Washington, have enough Of
them satisfy than moderate desire The value of
the Farewell Address is wofold first, for the opinions
contained in it. and next, the authority from which they
derived. i Of opinion that benefit result
to the country, or to the people generally from the
ing Of these sheets of manuscript No scarcely will
be allowed to read it. for it will have to be licked up
y where cannot be touched because if handled it would
be soon out It will, therefore, merely crafty that
feeling to which the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. CLAr)
has eloquenty alluded and which undoubtedly every
heart viii respond-hat feeling which endeas every thing
pertaining the beloved veneraed dead But we the
representatives Of the people, in making appropriations from
the Treasury, to he governed by feeling and draw money
out Of the public Treasury to crafty sentiment Ger
anly not We should regard such feelings but should
act practical men. We should become nearly posi-
BILE abstraction, the expression Of the gentleman
from kentucky. As far may be- dives ourselves of all
feeling in legislation
If we indulge the desire possess all objects assoc
dh Fafho hia all Ia
chase the walking he used the medals and other per-
sona articles identified with him by possession His residence,
the bateeds he illustrated the ofhis marches through
the old thirteen States which he shed unfadng glory, ALL
ALL closely associated with his memory Shall they be
purchased too and held the property Of the Government
But what is there sacred in the manuscripts Of this address
1t known have been the joint production of Washington
and one, least Of his Cabneno the emanation of his
mind alone feel such respect has been here expressed
for it. and cannot perceive how this manuscript is to effect
such happy results Any have printed copy, and
read it, who desires There is nothing to be gained by the
purchase of this manuscript any than there would be in
the purchase of walking stick which Washington used
must be padoned for want of veneraon for relics for
symbols of faith in the faithful nay, more, for saying that
devotion TO which extends to the nanmae objects
nected with them, is extreme unworthy Of people
We utarans and it keeping with that csaiac
ter to be led away by sentiment.
have objection that the resolution should 60 the
committee authority further to inquire whether it
would be well to purchase this manuscript The rough sketch
OF this address, connected with the work Others and show
ing what his own would be far valuable me
than this the form to which modified and extended,
and which is the every printed copy believe
have the first sketch Of the address, perhaps copy Of
in the form in which it printed, purchased among the
pIofher thoc