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

loan Of the service Of the vessels without making com
pensaiion. Now, SIR, should not have had The least
objection, and indeed il would have been agreeable
TO me, II the government could have made an arrange
ment 10 have paid compensation. But bold II 10 be
quite unnecessary in the present case because the char
acier OF The person who tenders these vessels ana the
circumstances and manner OF the whole transaction,
show that II Is not speculation. No compensation is
wanted. II would only be ceremony on the part OF the
government 10 oer it. and ceremony the part OF the
merchant e decline T. am, therefore. willing 10
march directly 10 the object and 10 assume that these
ceremonies have been duly performed that the govern
meni has offered 10 pay. and the nobesprted merchant
declined to receive. n,
Now. them is there anything derogatory from the dig
nifty and Independence OF this nation in employing the
vessels Certainly not. since that employment is indis
Pensabe Htwere not Indispensable do not think thai
the dignity Of the republic would be impaired; think
on the contrary that would be enhanced and elevated
tis transaction worthy Of the nations spectacle de-
serving the contemplation and respect OF mankindio
thai NOT only does the nation prosecute, but that has
citizens able and willing TO contribute, voluntarily and
cause OF science and OF humanity II is indeed new
and distinct for national pride that individual
citizen not merchant prince, as be would be called IN
some other countries but republican merchant, comes
forward In this way and the government and
operates with it. II illustrates the magnanmiiy oil the
nation and Of the citizen Sir there is nothing objection
able IN this feature OF the transaction II results from
the character OF the government which is essentially
popular that there ale perpetual debates on the question
y and science consistent with the constitutional or
ganzaton OF the government although they admitted
TO be eminenty compatible with the dignity character.
and intelligence oil the nation AL enterprises,
less, carried into execution il they carried into
execution al all not by the direct action OF The govern
msn but BY the lending Of its favor counenance and
aid to individuals, TO orporafon and TO States Thus
s that we construct railroads and canals and found col
leges and universities
Noris this mode Of prosecuting enterprises of great
pth and moment peculiar to this government There
navigator who went forth from port in Spain.
some three or four hundred years ago. enterprise
quite as doubtful and quite perlous this Alter
trying unsuccessfuy several Siaes he was forced to be
content with the sancon and little more than the
ton and patronage of the Court Of Madrid The scan,y
treasures devoted to that undertaking the private
contributions OF Queen and her SUBJECTS and the
sells were fitted out and manned at the expease of
chants and citizens, which gave new world TO the
kingdom OF CASTLE and Leon. Sa
Entertaining these views now, whatever my opinion
might have been under other circumstances, shall vote
against recommita, and in favor of the bill the suresi
way OF preventing its defeat and OF attaining the sublime
and bene6cent object which it coniempates sss
Mr.. MILLER. ! am so impressed, Mr. President.
with the importance OF time regards the disposal ~
this question, that hesitate TO occupy the attention
OF the Senate for few moments and only do for the
pressed by the senator from Mississippi / know his
generous nature; but do think that this occacion
he has permitted bis feelings of hostility to the admins
traon TO supersede his generous feelings towards
humanity. Sir, will not this occasion undertake to
review the conduct OF the administration but the honor
able senator knows very well, that with all the power
the administration may have, and all the means in their
power TO accomplish this object they act without
the authority OF Congress- and il the honorable senator,
or any other member. thought thu: matter shoad
Congress 10 act first. and 10 cothe the Executive with
power to build these ships But, that has passed and
The question Is, whether We shall adopt this resouton
pose OF accomplishing this great object, wnrlnv9
shall throw back this resolution, drag lis slow course
through Congress- in the form oil another bill TO make
appropriation for the purpose OF building vessels For
what objec' To secure senator says. United
States the soehonor and glory o peiioa Sill
this expedition got up merely Tor the honor and glory
either TO the Uaed States 10 individual viii have
nothing whatever TO do with il SIR, there deeper and
higher sentiment that has induced the action OF Congress
this subject II is engage in agreat work OF humanity 10
do thai which only being done BY the government
OF England, but by private individuals, who are hiiing
out expeditions at their own expense, and sending them
10 the northern for the purpose oil discovering the
fate OF this great man, who has pered his life in the
cause of science and OF commerce.
Mr.. President. have been informed that private ex-
pedhon s now being hiied out IN England under The
direction Of the great admiral, or may call him the king
OF The polar Sir James Ross, who gong againto
devote himself and his lie to thus perous expedition.
Sir. although have not had heretofore much confidence
in the OF this expedition yet when consider the
reputation Of Sir James Ross, and the fact that he is bet
and understanding that be the belief that Sir oha
Franklin and has companions yet alive, and may be
rescued-l say. finding such man as Sir James Ross
engaged in expedition OF this kind, am not without
hope that efforts may, under Providence, be crowned
with But the honorable senator says that moth
ing is likely be derived from this expedition but honor
and glory and that thai i be divided between the gov
eminent OF the United States and private individual
Sir, there nothing be derived from The performance
said that in this instance both the government and lhe M
dvidual alluded 10 are engaged 10 the same work Well,
sir what objection there be TO that connexon Does
the honorable senator from Mississippi envy the ndivd
ua his share OF the honor and goys Does he desire 10
monopoze il all to the United Saiesl hope he has
no. such feeling a. that
But Mr President. the honorable senator made OF
an expression which think he will withdraw. he in
timaied, il understood him rightly, suspicion that
this matter OF speculation on the part OF Mr.
Grnnell.
Mr. FOOTE said had heard such a thing suggested
but do not make any such charge myself.
Mr. MILLER | have heard this urged objec-
ton heretofore bat satisfied thai IL the senator iron
Mississippi knew the character and the history Of ths
gentlemen he would not repeat that be bad heard
such insInuaton. Sir although this s liberal dona.
ton from individual the sum need not alarm gentle.
men about after claims These ships but small ships;
and il Is necessary that they should be small ~ order
that they may be elective One oil them understand,
f50 tons and the other 20 tons They have cost be-
lieve about $4,000 Now, when we find this merchant
devoiing his property, not for the purpose OF oudng
ships convey merchandise 10 the markets OF me wod
when find him retiring from the ordinary course of
commercial pursuit which all the world = engaged
devong portion OF his fortune 10 the building of
ships which can be used for other purpose but in this
voyage Of humanity he imagined that any thooght
OF speculation bis part could have influenced his con-
duct No, SIR On the contrary is high and worthy
motive; and think ought TO receive the appreciation
of this and all other intelligent Christian naiions,
merchant who, while the commercial world
passing the globe BY and land in quest OF profit and
Of gold s dedicaiing himself 10 this great object and de-
voting part OF his fortune the o humanity, and
offering 10 government, not bounty, bat because
he 0ovcrnmeuf- with all ia uea ma nj power