The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-19
IN CONGkESs OF THE 0. STATES.
BoUNTY LANDS.


moved BY Mr. YuLrE extending the benefits OF the bill
n seanen and marines
Mr. BADGER. Mr.. President. / think that facts in
te history OF this country will hardly sustain the hon.
orabe from mississippi GMr DAvIs in the prop
oson be lays down about the navy being the pet of the
country and the army being entirely overlooked. How
many Presidents OF the United States have ever been
made from the navys How many gentlemen who served
IN The navy have been advanced to positions in this or the
other branch OF Congress? What civil honors have been
distributed persons who held commissions and served
galaniy in the navy! Sir the navy has been honored
rewarded and estimated moi whit more than the army
The army has been distinguished in every way IN which
The grateful feelings oil American citizens could distin-
gush IT, II rs mistake TO suppose that there has been
any disposition in the people Of the United States to un-
Mr. DAVIS. OF Mississippi, 0n his seat.) How many
Presidents OF the United States have been made from the
MI. BADGER think there have been several, as
the history Of the country will show.
Mr. DAVIS, Tin his seat) Never, but one st4
Mr.. BADGER Mr.. President, did not speak Of
General Washington was made President in consequence
Of his having conducted this country so successfully
through the war Of the revolution think that General
Jackson elected in consequence of his military SER
vices think the same with regard to General HARRISON
and the with regard the late President OF the Uni
Ted States How many will be made lido not know
that question which belongs to the future history Of
the country. a e
But the honorable senator says that he admits no such
distinction, IN virtue OF which seaman may be consider
ably more valuable than AN ordinary land soldier. The
dsincon however, exists in fact let il be accounted
for as il may. This distinction is not made upon the
ground that the sailor is better than the land sol
der but for the obvious that where you will nd
qualified TO serve the country in its marine, you
will hnd dozen qualified 10 serve II upon land. The
sailor requires besides the ordinary strength, health,
and bodily properties the knowledge OF particu
lar profession, which oil makes him valua-
bic; by which mean that his services command more
elsewhere, and therefore the government has to pay
for him.
Now sir, with regard to prize-money; know of none
received by soldiers IN Mexico The senator says
they must have received Prize money unless they took
priZes think that is assumption oil the senator.
My recollection oil the law is-and il am mistaken
easily be correced-ihat prize money is only given for
the capture o. ships and Vessels gives no
toe the nature OF the case the navy at Vera Cruz
could have acquired no right TO prize money; and, in
10 know why they should be deprived Of the benefits Of
apovson that petends to give grautes Tor gallant
vices! do not ask that they should be put on higher
footing than those who belong 10 the army only ask
that they may be treated as EQUALS The amendment
have proposed and which has adopted by The chair
man OF the committee IN lieu of his own with the
sent OF the senator from Virginia intended to place
sailors and soldiers so far bounty is coneened upon
precisely the same footing. However sir, an not de-
sirous TO occapy the time OF the Senate.
Mr. fULEE Mr. President, the claims of the naval
branch OF the have been so ably defended by the
senator from North Carolina that il will be unnecessary
for me 10 say word IN respect TO their right to parci
pale IN the bounty which 10 be distributed But will
be proper Tor o the OF fact into
which think my friend from Mississippi, mr. DAVIS
The chairman OF the Military Committee, has fallen, and
which seem TO have raised objections in his mind 10 al.
lowing sailors participate the provisions of the bill
My friend is entirely mistaken his impression that the
sailors are better paid than the soldiers OF the army The
contrary is the fact The highest class of sailors receive
Twelve dollars month"; and the landsman receives nine
dollars month. That is all the sailors receive. The
soldiers receive amount nearly equal H. and, besides
that they receive perqusltes which place them far be-
You'd the sailors in the amount Of receipts during The year
The sailor has 10 pay for even jack knife which he
may require but the soldier receives bis clothing and other
wi n him Ia at al aufa
iuly upon an equality with the sailor. The senator
should recolect, too that the life OF the sailor is very
posed in time of to chanceb bullet, but the sailor
equally exposed TO that hazard IN time OF war; while the
me oi the sailor is OF peril from the hrst day OF his
eagsd Is 10 .ne aay o. nIs % always en-
hardship and danger His life is never secure when
be rs out OF port is life constant hardship and de-
pval0n-a life separation from friends and family, and
constant exposure 10 hardshps pers and storms that
surround him. Why, SIR the sailor ought TO receive
much higher compensation than he now does. IL Is
clam they have upon the bounty and goodwill oil the
Senate when il is found that with much greater service
much greater hardship and much greater peril through
out their service they actually and in fact receive not
more Than the soldier. when take into account the
Rfquses OF the latter.
should like TO know what distinction the Senate
make between the officer and soldier OF the regular army
and the officer and soldier OF the navy, in respect the
lem Of seryce9 You provide in this bill for all the
ohcers and all the soldiers OF the regular army who
served IN any war, without reference 70 the time they
NtNtu, WhtlDef one, TWO, SIX, OF Twelve mOHtus.
make them the iull allowance OF bounty without distinc
hon but you make discrimination in respect 10 yolun
lees Now, the officers and OF the navy OF the
Uned States enlist us the ocefs and soldiers OF the
regular amy do The officers oi the amy enlist Tor their
hietime and the officers Of the navy do the same The
soldiers oi the army enlist for certain term OF years,
and do the sailors. But you allow the former full
bounty for services in Mexico aEd elsewhere, without
reference TO the time their required the
held OF duty The two branches stand precisely upon the
same footing and IL is impossible, in Justice, 10 make
distinction on account Of prize-money, bu, he made
msappTebenson of the facts iot so far as Florida is
concerned the Indians had neither ships nor other mari
Time properly
Mr.. DAWSON, lin bis seat) They had canoes
Mr. YULEE They had canoes, TO be sure
Mr. DAVIS, OF Mississippi, Qn his seai) Did they
capture any canoes ILaughteIl
Mr.. YULEE They had canoes. and they were encoun.
tered and conquered canoes; but the canoes were of
very little value and i, is certain that their cators re-
eeyed prize money The naval forces serving upon
he coast Of Florida contributed largely to the subjuga
lion Of the Indians They loaded canoes with men, and
Penetrated the everglades where soldiers could no, reach
and broke up the hauns ohe Indians, and forced them
70 surrender II was, IN great measure, through tier
sxerhons that the hosties were early terminated
iher services were efficient and more valuable
'nan any others which rendered IN Florida; and
was essentially and emphacally land services fo they
ougn oaes on land, and they passed canoes over land
Hom one Pofuon OF the everglades 10 another. They
were fighting land enemy and their service was essen.
ialiy land service, and was mertoious and Efficient
as any service rendered by the amy who are provided
Tor IN this bill They stood their ground and Tough,
and redeemed the honor OF the country so tar as il was
saved BY any operations that took place 10 Florida
In respect to the Mexican service, my friend ia totally