The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-02
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
WEDNESDAY, May J., 1859
SENATE.
PArEsT OFFICE REPORT.

PATENT OFFICE REPORT.
The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate
Part H. of the report ofthe Commissioner OF
being that portion devoted 10 agricultural matters
Referred TO the Committee ON Patents; and a mo-
ton To print b 900 extra copies was referred To the
Committee on Printing
THE CREDENTIALS OF HON. JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Mr. FOOTE said that the credentials of his coll
lea que as a Senator which he presented yesterday,
evidently contained an error. The error was, that
he was appointed Senator for six years from the
4th March, 1851, and the credentials said from the
4th of March, 1852. He asked that the credentials
be allowed to be Withdrawn, to be sent back for
correction to Mississippi, and all notice of them on
the journal be suppressed. No objection being
urged, the request was granted.
RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. WALKER submitted the following resolu-
ton for consideration, which lies over under the
rules:
Resolped, That the Secretary of State be required
10 inform the Senate what measures he has taken
upon the memorial of Ladslas Wankowits, great
grand nephew of General Thaddeus kosclusco, and
Gaspard Tochman, attorney OF the helrs OF Ueheral
Kosciusco, complaining against Alexander dc DO
disco Minister from Russia accredited to this Gov
eminent.
Mr., BORLAND submitted the following resolu-
ton, which considered by unanimous consent
and agreed to- .
Rssoiped. That the Secretary of War be directed
to communicate to the Senate the report OF Captain
Marcy of the United States Army, OF his expedi-
GLIDING his return trip, in command OF detach-
ment of United States troops, during the year lS49
Private petitions were presented by Messrs
PEARcE, PRArr, and DODGE of Iowa.
Mr. YULEE asked and obtained leave to intro
iuce bill to provide additional rules of settlement
in the adjustment Of accounts for supplies furnished
&c volunteers in the service of the United States
INCREASE OF THE ARMY.
Mr. DAVIS of Mississippi, moved, and the Senate
proceeded 10 the consideration Of the 'bill TO in
~. IL ard 10 nf he 10
age enlistments'' and the bill was considered and
passed
Mr.. MILLER moved and the Senate proceeded
TO the consideration OF the JOINT rom he
House of Representatives authorizing the President
If the United States accept and attach to the navy
two vessels offered by Henry Grinnell, esq, OF New
York TO be sent to the Arctic Seas In search OF Sir
John Franklin and his companions
MrCLAY said that he desired to say but a few
words in favor Of this resolution. The illustrious
navigator. TO discover whom this expedition was
intended, had undertaken tins perious expedition
not only for the good of his country and to in
crcase bis own fame, but for the benefit Of every
nation-for the benefit of the commercial world,
and every other class of civilized mankind. This
expedition was fitted out by most worthy and be,
pryolent gentleman, and the nation was called
upon TO contribute but small part to this work,
which met sympathy in every heart. He hoped
the bill would be passed
Mr. KING said that he felt as much desire to DO
John Franklin and his companions as any one; he
u,onld willingly vote means to aid in his discovery,
or anv thing which would do aught to relieve the
iIustrious who has been Perilled IL not lost IN
his efforts to explore the unknown seas, and to open
new roads TO commerce and TO science He would
do any thing consistently with his duty. But he
could not consent 10 mix up the Government with
private expeditions. he was unwilling that any
ppart az the navy or the seamen of the United
States should be placed under private control. He
would willingly vote any necessary sum to mt out
an expedition BY the Government, to be placed I'M
der the command OF our own naval ofhcers; II thsi
view would meet the approvalof Senator'S, he would
move TO re-commt the bill with instructions TO
amend it, so authorize an expedition to be Mt
ted out by the Government and TO be controlled by
the officers of the Government.
Mr. MILLER said that he agreed with the Sena-
tor from Alabama that an expedition by the Gov
eminent would be most advisable and proper. But
there was not time for this at present. The Gov
ernment had vessels suitable Tor this expedition;
and il would REQUIRE time to build them and pre-
pare them for the voyage. The Senator was mis-
taken in supposng that any portion oil the navy
would be placed under the control vi any private
individuals The Joint resolution provided that the
vessels should be placed under the command and
control of the officers of the navy OF the United
States There not time sufficient now TO build
vessels suitable 10 this expedition, and time was
every thing; every hour OF delay was unfortunate
and hazardous TO the scheme. Mr.. Grinncl had
prepared these vessels and they are suitable to the
voyage; and the question was whether the Govern
rnent would take them when she had none oil her
own and send out this expedition OF humanity and
benevolence
Mr.. FooTE said that he. felt compelled TO ex-
press his opposition 10 this joint resolution; and he
did it reluctantly. because he was in favor Of the
general object contemplated. The Senate would
remember the highly magnanimous letter Of the
President Of the United States, written last spring,
" Lady Franklin, which made every heart in the
country rejoice. That letter was most acceptable
10 the whole country-at that time most mag
nifcent scheme for naval expedition TO aid in the
discovery of Sir John Franklin and his com
panions. Every sympathetic heart In the country
responded 70 the magnanimous project oil the Ad.
ministration. The most extravagant promises OF
aid were held forth by the President but they have
been most signaly unfulhlled The Admnistra
ton have done nothing 10 carry out their promises,
SO delightful and gratifying TO the nation II has has
been found that the nation has become powerless
10 do any thing in the matter; that its energies
have become shrvelled and impotent. IL has been
found that the navy has no ships proper for the
expedition, and no power or MEANS II II had the
shipe, To send them out. IL was exceedingly un-
fortunate and indiscreet that the Administration
should have made the magnificent promises with
out first having looked a little deeper into the
matter Had they done this, the President
and his Cabinet would not have placed them
selves in the most unfortunate and exceeding
ly ridiculous position which they now occupied
in the eyes OF the civilized world, because OF
their extravagant promises and their failure to full
al them. Had they examined the subject before
making these magnificent promises OF Govern
ment expedition TO search for Sir John Franklin,
they would have avoided their present very unenvi.
able position in relation 20 the subject The action Of
the Administration had been exceedingly indis-
Greet. Was the Government Of the United States
90 low in point Of resources and power to be :
able provide ships suitable for such expedition
Or docs il want the means 10 fl one out IL the
Government In such a condition that Mr.. Grinnell
(avery worthy gentleman, and doubtless a wealthy
one) shall step ia and monopolizc all the glory and
honor OF the expedition Shall MIR. Grinnell, al
his own expense, fit out expedition, and the
Government then come in as a partner, He fur
nish the ships and the Government the officers nd
men; be get all the honor and the glory, and the
Government bear all the cosH
The Government would be party TO an act dis
credtable to the national character. He could con
sent to no such partnership. The citizen &c
have all the credit, and the Government bear all In,
losses and pay all damages. This was prohtabl,
partnership, truly.
Mr.. MILLER said this was provided against in
the resolution.
Mr.. FOOTE said that he knew il was; but such
provisions were useless The Government, in al
cases of this kind, to be at no expense, bu
finally had TO pay for every thing. The Govern
ment was called upon in this matter to play