The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-01
CONGRESSIONAL.
SATURDAY,. SEPTEMBER IS, 1850.

EXPLANATION.

EXPLANATION.
Mr. WINTHROP. beg the indulgence OF the Senate
or single moment, while make explanation OF a
onr y hat personal charaeter,
/, will be remembered hy the Senate that during an
exciting debate which occurred here Unexpectedly
g,pk or two since, introduced letter from Boston
,htpuasteT regard 10 he imprisonment OF free
coopd ,eamen in the southern porls, That letter was
made tie subject OF very severe animadversoD, and
lie author oi II Was slismatilrd persoG wholly
Y,hy ai crtdlt Ii was declared that his statements
,,e entirely IN conf Ct with he laws OF Louisiana and
with the fact th, exit in all the southern ports
and he was left under npnauous OF a most injurious
character.
Now il is part OF nS purpose 10 revive any excite.
men This subject at the present moment 10 disturb
he harmony Of The Senate with any matters of coarc
yersy in these closing bours OF the sessions but having
BEEN the unwilling cause OF bringing into question the
character Of worthy Massachusetts sea-captai0, !
cannot that the session should come 10 end
without saying few words to relieve him from the
proaches wtirh have been east upon him
Mr. HUNTER. hope thereis TO be no debate on
Mr., WINTHROP. ! will promise The senator from
Virginia, il he will permit me 10 proceed without inter
mpIon that will not, under any circumstances, enter
INTO debate and that ! will not exceed two minutes by
the clock,
desle only to say here and now in the simples, and
heiest terms, that have received from some OF the
most respectable merchants and shipowneIs OF Boston
the strongest testimonials of Captain Raniesrs inte-
gence and integrity, representing him second 10 no
in his profession IN capacity or honesty and speak
ng OF him entitled TO every degree OF consideration
and cOhHueHce. nave received disO, ITUlH tc same
sources many statements gois to confirm the accuracy
Of The general facts which forth IN bis letter,
and proving clearly that while there is room for the
idea tba, his language may have something OF that ex
Mgtraon which we might expectlo fud III the oil hand,
Inpuls statement OF much accustomed TO writ
letters or the public eye il yet The letter OF an honest
man. who knew what he talking about, and who
Designed 10 tell nothing but what stIicy true
As the senator from louisiana Mr.. SouLEl has
kindly proposed 10 make explanation the subject
me Louisiana law, | will not anticipate him on that
point propose, however, without troubling the Sen.
further al this me 10 append hereafter TO these brief
Itmaks the evidence which have received on this sub
tct, including the deposition on oath Of Captain Ranett
bimse
feel bound 10 say publicly 10 the senator fran South
Caoilna, Mr. BUTLER.] to whom have already shown
ihis deposition, that il proves that he correct in
linking that question oil solpfge entered into the Far
ncuar which described in the letter. but that il
proves also that the was ajudcated by the Chamber
Of Commerce of Charleston, South Carolina, who bore
testimony the good conduct OF Captain Ranett The
OCCASION
But will not trespass further the indulgence OF the
Senate except 10 repeat thai, with the simple view OF
vnJlcatng the character o honest Boston shipmas-
sr Of Iespectabe toBneAiomsWho has been the
merchant strvce Tor thirty years, dischaglng bis duy
without fear and without reproach and whose character
ior humanity aesied by The fact that within two years
past be has saved twenty three persons from sinking
ship which had been previously passed by another
sell intend 10 place upon the record which
lains the lmputalons which have been upon him
the statements which have been furnished me in regard
TO the law and the facts IN question.