The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-05
Mi. SHIELD. On 81. eat, From Illinois, i you

MIR. SHIELD. lin his ssat) From Illinois. il you
Mr KING My friend from Illinois is wise not 10 ar
que this question He acts with his usual discretion
because he understands that he can make no argument
In the present Sir, my friend from Maryland 10
righ-perfecty right This resolution proposes 10 open
very wide door. We have heretofore acted with great
stctness in these We had actually--until we
passed laws repeating duties upon literary productions,
whether presents Otherwise coming into The country
TO colleges and institutions OF learnlngevled duties
upon books, Telescopes nc that have been sent 10 tss
country from foreign countries.
But now, my friend from Texas is so taken away by
the idea that this gentleman is the inventor OF Tevolves,
that he does not to look at the matter and discover
that il is the establishment OF principle altogether,
and is opposite 10 The course heretofore pursued These
men OF worth, and men OF fortune by their IN
venons The invention of Mr. Morse is the greatest in
yenon Of the age Colts invention am not prepared 10
speak oil for the views of the honorable senator from
lexas VIII be more exayagan than any can conceive
Oh mentioned that was wrong 10 draw the dlsunc-
oa aa, thus resolution will make % no, s wish to
TO take II into consideration and determine whether il
IS right to establish precedent OF this kind. II they
think il proper to do they look what il leads
Our constitution forbids any officer OF the government
from receiving any present whatever They are ex
cluded and it, perchance, is forced upon them, under
such circumstances that they reluctant refuse they
send il TO the government after having received in the
first instance believe, sir. il has not been unusual,
for private individuals who have received presents
OF any considerable value, greater degree OF sctness
than was necessary to send those presents to the govern
ment not willing TO receive presents from foreign gov
ernaent | am satisfied, for myself that the Senate
should decide the matter as they think right
Mr. BRADBURY. The senator from Mississippi
Mr. DAvsl asserted that the position was ridiculous that
the duties ought to be RENTED in this Now, I'M
derstand the case to be simply this OF these ndi
yiduals has male invention, the most important per-
haps OF the age Our government has done nothing as
testimony OF its appreciation OF that invention. A
ton d The importance Of the discovery and instead Of
allowing him TO receive that present unembarrassed our
government attempts to put It's hand into the pocket OF
that scientific gentleman and TO extort from him duty
upon that present submit whether it would be eputa
Bile Tor government to do this' asserted that there
are many articles, literary works, &c.. admitted free from
duty; and why articles OF this kind should
not be admitted upon the same footing.
Mr.. MASON. To me it is matter OF considerable
moment attached TO our institutions, that we should be
careful what precedent set has been remarked by
the senator from Alabama that officers OF the govern.
men are forbidden by the constitution from receiving
presents from any prince or foreign powers order 10 pre-
done Because the officers OF the government in the
service OF their country and they should be freed from all
suspicion OF Coming under obligation to foreign power
ask not the citizens of the United States also the
service OF their country! They should freed from
pcon oil coming under the influence of any foreign power
whatever am aware, as the senator from Alabama has
stated that the practice under this government has been
where these high testimonials OF reward and approval
have been given to citizens of the United States BY for
egn powers, order 10 exempt themselves from all pos
sibe suspicion they have sent these rewards and these
presents the government to be deposited in the office
the Secretary OF State That is proper disposition Il
be made of Them The citizen who receives this signal
mark of the appreciation OF foreign power, ought t6
consider that the testimonial for his country well
for himse-raher Tor his country than for him. In the
present form, shall vote against this resolution but i
the honorable senator who introduced it will modify il
to insure that these presents will 60 into the Depart
me OF State and cease 10 be private property but be-
the property of ae nation will cheeruy vote fol
it. cannot vote for II II they are 10 remain private prop
Mr. HOUSTON ] am reluctant sir, to make any re-
mark upon the subject; but it does seem to that il
would be unreasonable not to restore the duties paid or
these presents. As understand il, they compli-
ments citizens OF The United States by foreign poten
tate acknowledging the beneficial effects oil their genius
not only to that government but 10 the governments Of
the world-as honorary Acknowledgements OF that fact
And when he has llberaty enough TO make presents TO
citizens of the United States for such reasons would
ask the gentleman whether we are really 80 hard run fol
means that we will have the stinginess (f may cal
D TO refuse this acknowledgment to the genius of these
individuals when so honored by foreign powers o.
will admit that these individuals, being residents in
this country, not only honoed themselves but thai
this is according something 10 the genius OF the country
and the nation to which they belong Ii is not exclusive
appropriated to the inventors but reflects honor the
country II is a compliment TO the whole nation well
10 these individuals who form part OF that nation
As for the precedent that is cited view all matters that
come before this body placed upon their peculiar
claims for consideration. would remit these duties,
act OF usce-as matter OF right and fairness; and
every that has been paid 10 this government by
individuals under similar circumstances, II such crcu
treasury of the United States receive money in such
this shall vote for the resolution, because il
would be wrong, upon the part OF this government TO
the dutes and ought TO shame for the potenae
TO reflect that this nation had not pride and character
enough TO accord this small favor TO the individuals whom
he had felt bound 10 compliment honor OF their genius
The question being then taken, the joint resolution
was ordered 10 be engrossed, and read third time.
Mr.. ATCHISON moved reconsideration Of the vote
on the engrossment for the purpose OF moving amend
ment making the resolution general in its terms and APP
pcable 10 all similar
Mr. RUSK hoped the motion would be Withdrawn.
and that II there any similar additional they
would be separately provided Tor.
MIR. ATCHISON Withdrew has motion
REaovaLs PROM orFIcE.
The Senate resumed the consideration OF the resolu-
lion submitted by Mr. BRADBURY early in the session,
calling Tor copies OF any and all charges which may have
been preferred against individuals removed from Office
since the 4h OF March, is49
1.-THE Senate debated this subject for the rest OF the day.
but we are compelled TO postpone report of il until
TO. morrow
MONDAY, JUNE ,. 1850.