The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-13
IN CONGRESS- OF THE U. STATES.
THURSDAY. DECEMBER il. 1850.



THURSDAY. DECEMBER ia, 1850.
SENATE.
Mr. BRADBURY presented the credentials OF the Hon.
HANNIBAL HAMLs elected senator by the legislature OF
the Sale OF Maine for the term OF six years commencing
the 4th day Of March. 1851 switch were read 13
MEMORIALS PETITIONS. ETC.
Mr.. DICKINSON presented the memorial Of Nancy
Whiting, widow Of officer in the army during the last
war with Great Britain, praying pension; which was
referred TO the Committee on Pensions
Also, memorial OF citizens Of New York, praying
indemnity for French spola'ions prior to 1900; which
Mr.. WINTHROP presented the memorial Of Martha
Gray OF Boston, Massachusetts. widow Of officer in
the naval service during the war Of the revolution pray
ing pension; which was referred 10 the Committee on
In presenting this memorial. Mr. w. said.
have in my hand a memorial OF Mrs Martha
Gray, OF Boston, the widow OF Captain Robert Gray,
the discoverer Of the Columbia river Captain Robert
part Of the revolutionary war. Being afterwards
employed in the merchant service, he made voyage be-
the years 1887 and $780, in the soop Washington
and was the first to carry The flag o. our Union 2. The
triumph round the world. In subsequent voyage in
the year 1884, be discovered and entered the Columbia
river and gave to il the name Of the ship which be then
The memorial is accompanied by some very interesting
papers Here is the original sea letter, signed by George
Washington and attesIed by Thomas ?efersoa under
is similar paper bearing the seal Of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, and the signature OF John Hancock,
it's then governor Here is the clearance certificate from
the Boston custom house, signed by Benjamin Lincoln,
then collector OF the port, but whose name is more IA
mar 10 history in its connection with more than one Of
our great revolutionary battle fields, both at the North
and at the South II M and striking coincidence
that many OF the foremost OF republic should
have been thus associated in authentcatng the national
character Of The vessel and the voyage which 70
Here too, are the original instructions OF Joseph Bar
re the owner Of the Columbia and one Of the
inent merchants Of that day, showing the objects with
which the voyage was undertaken, and the liberal and
patriotic spirit in which il was 10 be prosecuted.
The voyage was merely mercantile in its design; but il
terminated as is well known, securing to this country
the first and best element in its title 10 vast territory
the Pacific In the protacted controversy between Great
Britain and the United States, which so happily
brought to close few years since, point
successfully relied on by American negotaors than
the discovery OF the Columbia river by Captain Gray
not too much to say that that discovery gave US Ore
gon.
Captain Gray did not live 10 see his country reap the
fruits Of his adventure and enterprise much less to taste
any of them himself. He died in 1906, leaving widow
and four children, and very little property.
been married. have since supported themselves mainly by
their own exertons and economy-the widow having
enjoyed the benefit Of pension for her hus
bands revolutionary services owing part the date oil
her marriage. and in part to some technical defect in the
evidence She calls upon Congress to cheer her old
age BY making such grant 10 herself and daughters as
~
may be proper that great and unanimous government
should regard the circumstances OF the widow and chill
den Of citizen whose nautical skill and bold enterprise
have been instrumental in rendering distinguished
benefit to his country"
similar petition in behalf Of this venerable lady was
presented 10 the other house of Congress few years
since. II referred to the Committee Revolution
airy Pensions. who reported in favor of giving Mrs Gray
an immediate pension OF five hundred dollars per
during the remainder of her life and recommended fur
iher that whenever the disputed question OF boundary
should be settled when surveys should have been made,
and territorial government organized township OF
land in Oregon should be granted To her and her chill
has never ia any way recognised the
OF Captain Gray IL seems to me that grant oil land IN
the Territory 10 which Captain Grays discovery fur
nshed the very corner stone OF the American title
would be emneny appropriate tribute to his memory,
and that would approve itself to the general OF
Congress and the country With this view present the
memorial and move that be referred to the Committee
on Public Lands.
Mr. HAMLIN presented the memorial OF James Dun
ming, praying interest on account OF the delay In paying
him amount due under contract with an ocer OF the
government which was referred TO the Committee OF
Mr. MORTON presented the memorial Of John A.
RoRer praying compensation for bis services as examiner
OF the land Offices il the States of Alabama and Misss
sippi which was referred TO the Committee OF Claims
NOTICES OF BILLS.
Mr.. WHlTC0MB gave notice that be should to- NOR.
row. early day thereafter, ask leave 10 intro
dnce bill providing for the surrender OF certain bonds
OF the State OF Indiana, held by the United States
Mr. JONES gave notice that he should tomorrow, or
on some subsequent day, ask leave 10 introduce bill 10
appoin, day Tor the annual meeting Of Congress.
MI. DODGE, OF Wisconsin, gave notice OF his nten'
ton 10 introduce bill granting to the State OF Wscon-
sin two townships of land to improve the navigation al
the mouth OF the Black river, on the Mississippi.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
Mr. BORLAND, from the Committee on Printing, TO
whom was referred the motion TO print the report OF the
Secretary OF War, communicating the proceedings oil a
court martial in the OF William Hanniver, reported
in favor Of printing the report.
Mr.. DAVIS, OF Mississippi will not repeat what
stated 10 the Senate yesterday. hope the motion 70
by the Committee Military Affairs therefore
that the report TO print be laid upon the table
The question being taken, upon division resulted
ayes is, noes limo quorum voting.
Mr.. HALE would be much obliged 10 the senator
from Mississippi II he would withdraw his motion for
single moment, 10 permit me TO make an explanation
| viii not occupy five minutes.
Mr.. DAVIS Certainly, sir,
Mr. HALE This report, Mr.. President, Is the report
OF the Secretary OF War upon the proceedings oil
court martial holden at Portsmouth, New Hampshire
for the trial OF man by the name o. Hanniver,
when the sentence was pronounced 10 which referred
yesterday. This is simply the report Of the trial. and
nothing else is accompanied with nothing but the Of
fetal dongs OF the court II is the record, and nothing
but the record. Ii is very brief, and think will not
take ten pages As relates TO an important mat
ter which took place in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in
my own vicinity, hope the Senate will take the pains
inform themselves upon it BY printing before the re-
port is made. know that the report will come, and
presume IL will be accompanied by the record but want
the record TO speak for itself hope, therefore, that
shall not wait until the enlightened humanity Of the
Committee on Military Affairs shall bring in their re-
port in condemnation OF the proceedings but that the
record may come before as il stands, TO commend
m hat 4 n