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


too are in danger Of being discountenaced
and ridculed But i may be, and certainly consider
present views OF the administration II so, must repeat
that il is most clear that the administration does not oc
cupy the ground now which i did twelve months ago
talked long in order to establish proposition so evil
IDENTIFY true as almost 10 be beyond contradiction
Mn PEARCE. beg leave to state derived my
knowledge OF the purposes and wishes OF the Executive
of the United States from the Presidents Communication
10 the Senate and from no other source Il is not the
duty OF member OF the Senate OF the United States to
make application to the Executive in regard 10 his
Ii is the duty OF the Executive TO communicate his views
to Congress- if he thinks il due to the welfare OF the
country and to the honor Of the government that such
views should be carried into effect Neither sir, do
recognise any allegiance to party which pledges me 10
adopt implicitly and without inquiry, such views the
President may privately entertain or even publicly ex
press. This is not a party matter. Mr. President II
there any party allegiance requiring obedience to
Executive will thsis not subject to which could be
invoked This is an appeal to humanity, II Is one
which goes directly much TO the heart and feelings OF
the senator from Mississippi as to those OF any other
senator in this body
Now sir. the fact is that the President sent to Con-
gress at the OF the present year the mes
sage TO which reference has been made containing the
views which he entertained and suggested 10 Congress
the proprey OF an appropriation, il was thought expe
dent for the purpose OF proceeding in search OF the
officers and crew OF the lost expeditions and here Is an
appeal made directly not TO any member but to all the
Senate and as much to the senator from Mississippi as
Mr. FOOTE. The senator has misunderstood me, il
he thinks averred that this party measure, or
that had party character did not pretend to say any
such thing Preferred TO Executive recommendations, and
the consequences Of dsregardng them The President
omnended the nonaction policy IN regard TO the terri
toal governments and will ask the senator II men,
who are known as distinguished wing leaders, and who
do not in accordance with that policy OF non-action
not daily denounced and violently too, in more than
newspaper understood to express the views OF the
Mr.. PEARCE. I do not, Mr. President. see the con-
nexion OF the two subjects 10 which the senator audes.
But, be that may, have precisely the same feeling
in regard to that to this do not acknowledge any
right the part OF the Executive TO dictate measures OF
any sort but do recognise his right and duty TO present
to CONGRESS hs views upon great public measures as
carrying out those views, as tar as there is consttu
tiona power to do so.
have only one more remark to make The senator
certainly did, although he may not have intended it. rep
resent this matter as subject OF appeal TO the wings,
and therefore that was 10 be considered pure party
on have sy COULD ~ WBs h s
referred to the House, il referred 10 the Committee
Naval Affairs. Now, sir, everybody knows that the
s ga a ps minority and believe ss
the minority in every committee in this body-certanly
in the Committee on Naval Affairs, to which this matter
must necessarily be referred u IS referred at al SO the
responsibility for non-acticn rests not upon the wings
I Mr.. FooTE VIII the senator permit me for mo-
MIR PEARCE A single sentence, and have done.
Mr. FOOTE / do not wish to be understood repre-
senng this as party measure for have not intended
Indeed, know that many Of The best democrats both
houses-men whom highly respect are In favor OF II.
All intended TO say was, that If the senator did not act
in accordance with the Presidents recommendation, or If
he acted in opposition to it. he would be deserving OF
other individuals who have been censured
That does prove that either they or ne are deserving
most grossly and unasty eensared and denounced
Mr. DOUGLAS suggested the propnety OF taking up
the unfinished business
Mr. YULEE. Ipresume il will be desirable 10 dis
pose OF this matter today, and shall deain The Senate
but few moments upon it, wish to say that regret
the necessity under which placed. BY the remarks OF
the honorable senator from Maryland TO ntepose IN de-
fence OF the naval committee OF the Senate and OF the
Senate ITSELF respect its action upon this matter for
Of relieving them from very dir'ef eh'rGH
Mr.: PEARcE. hope the senator viii allow me to
explain yielded the floor TO the senator from Misss-
spp not having completed my remarks desire 10 say
that meant TO cast no reproach upon the Committee on
Naval Affairs whatever ! could not know why they
ad not reported and was BY no means disposed to ques
Mr. YULEE. take ii for granted that the senator
meant no mpuation but deem il due 10 the committee
and to the Senate to say that immediately upon The refer
had interview with the Secretary OF the Navy, and,
by direction OF the Committee Naval Affairs, after
bs u Saua MN h"i be
have II read, in order that the charge may lie where il
properly belongs:
WASHINGTON, February 10, 1850.
Sin am instructed by the Committee Of the Senate on
Naval Affairs call your attention TO the enclosed copy OF
message from the President OF the United States and
inquire whether your department is possessed of amy
information respecting the fate OF the expedition command
ed by Sir John Ffankn whether the department has
In proposed saarch; and So particulars and es
tma,ed cost Of the plan desired and particularly
whether from the Information accessible the depart
men IL Is deemed probable that expedition despatched
in search OF the missing party would be Of any avail The
committee beg leave TO Inquire also from you. being
information likely have been sough; by the Executive
bcfJre the subject submitted congress- and which
Il Is supposed would be preserved in your department,
from the several divisions of the expedition
Of search fitted in 1913, from either of them and
whether other expedition, having the obiect ia
view, has been lately despatched by the British govern
mentf
Mr. YULEE continued To that letter no reply has been
received Shortly after its transmission 10 the Navy De-
parimen the Secretary taken sick, and confined
10 his house for week two. II s possible that this
may be the reason why the communication has been
overlooked, and reply yet received by the committee
upon which action could be based
Now, while am up, wish 10 make an observation
or two upon the matter before the Senate. | must con.
Tess that this resolution commends itself my favor and
comes before us think this magnanimous and gen.
erOus act Of Mr. Gnnnel deserves. the senator from
Kentucky has remarked the ENCOURAGEMENT and approba
ton OF this body. think II is act which illustrates
and dgnihes the character OF the American merchant
and the American citizen, and which will reflect honor
upon the nation to which he belongs. | attracted,
therefore, TO the support OF this resolution by the very
IN opposition 10 il.
There considerations which would strongly incline
me against any expenditure towards expedition of the
kind proposed la the FIRST place, think the expedition