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

same rasions they receive elsewhere So. in fact the
expedition will be without cost TO the government and,
Al the same time, IN every respect advantageous.
But sir more than this is not al all unlikely that
this expedition may reach beyond the barrier OF ice into
an open which may enlarge the field OF profitable
enterprise for whaling interests II Is quite probable
from the manner in which the expedition is gotten up
the vessels being better suited to those than usual
and the officers who selected being young energetic
and having fame 10 acquire and being wltha as am
told, very competent-tha the expedition will result IN
benefit to the commercial interests of the country.
There is another reason why we may with proPLlety
accede 10 the request made by Mr. Grnne, UT rather
bya large and respectable number OF citizens OF New
York. who have petioned the Senate upon the subject
Il is this: understand il 10 be material 10 the OF
the expedition going into these and expecting 10 be
absent three years, and exposed TO exceeding harshps
that the strict discipline OF the navy and the power OF the
government should go with il 10 bold the seamen 10 the
service in which they engaged II is believed not
to be practicable for men bound only by the ordinary
ties oil commercial service 10 be he'd TO service in all The
perls and hardshPs they must encounter IN the frozen
seas, for period OF three years Now sir, this
sdeation which. OF ITSELF ought be persuasive to the
Senate accord to this expedition the aid which is pro-
that discipline is maintained through a long voyage
Of great hardship but il is because OF the peculiar sys-
tenn under which the American whaling business is con-
ducted every man on board being interested In share OF
the profits and OF course interested also in maintaining
discipline in unfolding the prosecution OF the enterprise
With these considerations, without OBTAINING the Senate
further. will simply say, that shall vote for the resou
Mr.. DAVIS, Of Mississippi Mr.. President, before the
vote is taken. wish briefly 70 state the views which de-
eide my course While agree with all that has been
said in admiration OF the enterprise and genius Of the lost
captain OF the British navy and sympah'ze with all the
feeling which has found expression as connected with
this matter, there is consideration with me that is
beyond all this So far merchant vessels may enter
into this search they have already sufficient nducement,
the prospect OF the reward which Is offered have more
hope fran the enterprise OF Yankee whaers than from
national expedition But i Is not Of the probability Of
the government Of the United States shall enter into
search for the lost OF Great Britain Now, while
have explorers upon land and sea OF our own whose
fate involved in uncertainty and who, though not
well known 10 the world at large. have in their own cir
Gle eyes that watch and weep for them sincerely and
anxousy do others for the more distinguished and
who, having the highest claims upon government,
are los-perhaps captves among the savage and yet
main unsolght forl hope that the efforts OF the govern
ment the means Of the treasury, will first be expended
for them The sun OF our government should shine
equally upon all IFS citizens, but constutionally il
shines only upon them--it has no rays to lend
to those WIG owe no allegiance to our flag surely
sphere Of its illumination. The British government has
done muchmuch has been done and is doing by private
happily. be could be discovered by an Amencan mer.
chant vessel within the limit OF the recommendation OF
the Executive if he could be discovered by navy
in the proper discharge Of their duties, would be graft
flying 10 our national prde deeply gratifying to hui
name feeling But expedition fitted out for this pur
pose alone appears to me TO be beyond the duties OF the
constitutional object 70. the appropriation OF money Hav
ing all sympathy of feeling with the widow, and adma
tion for the noble seaman must nevertheless consider
such very improper exercise OF the functions
OF this government think it is improper to appropriate
money for such purpose; and can only be convinced
OF error in this opinion BY being shown that this gov
eminent is not corporation formed by the States Tor
specific objects and with limited powers, but IS a
great eleemosynary institution. with range as wide as
the claims OF humanity unbounded by either sea or land
Until this great change in my creed occurs expect to
hold that there is power OF this government, no duty
OF this government that can be brought to bear upon the
subject now before US, and therefore to withhold my
support from all such propositions object not to the
fact that these ships owned by private individuals
though if this expedition is considered proper duty OF
d Nsya 10 adce q them
wa should h,iid wes-ais saited for this purpose IL il
known national obiecsift IS an extraordinary exercise
OF power, not drawn from the consiitution-then we
should have nothing 10 do with il, in one case or the
other,
These are my opinions Mr. President, and these will
control my vote. will not enter into extended view
OF the subject, or attempt to show the remote conse-
quences oil this wide departure from strict construction
me anxiety known to be felt 10 terminate the debate for
bids il.
Mr.. DAYTON. | wish 10 say word or two in ref
erence TO this matter in reply the honorable senator
regret very much that in reference 10 subject in the
merit oil which we all concur, many collateral sub
lecs should have been brought in the Senaie-n refer
ence TO the conduct OF the administration in reference
10 The dignity OF the government and now, understand
H. IN reference to the constitutional power though the lat
ter cannot certainly be called collateral issue in this case
Sir, is hardly worth while, me, in this ex
tended spirit oil debate, 10 bring in question OF the con-
duct OF the government in reference 10 resolution OF the
kind which IS now before the Senate the con-
duct OF the Executveas 10 whether he has has not
fulfilled his pledges Let the Executive stand fall by
what is passed have nothing TO say upon that subject
But i has been said that playing second private
individual is dminuton OF dignity il is not proper
for great government like this stand in such posi-
ton rs want OF exhibition OF proper magnanim
~. Now, il strikes me directly the reverse. Let me
appeal 10 gentlemen and ask them in what position the
government will stand IL taking this view OF the ques-
uon defeat any action by the agency OF private enter
prise We here lind individual OF high toned feeling
who is willing 10 embark his enterprise
OF this kind, and has brought il almost 10 head The
government steps IN and says No, me- are not
going Into this matter with you; stand back, and
TO be determined hereafter you shall do nothing with
this thing because you might have credit by IL
Now, with great respect for the judgment and feel
ings OF others, II that il would be an exhi-
bnion OF a much higher degree OF magnanimiiy on
the part OF the government 10 say 10 this man, who with
spirit Of noble feeling that becomes man, has done
this You have moved IN this matter and embarked your
means, and we viii give you the honor and glory OF
Il, and aid you in carrying out the enterprise That
strikes me as being proper exhibition OF magnanniy
the part OF The government And ask again, with all i
due respect, II standing upon this OF etiquette
between the government and an individual, say will
have nothing TO do with and thereby deprive The ndvid
ua OF the power OF carrying this noble resolve into effect
IN wna position will tue government stand! Why, we
know perfectly well that this government would not have
heard OF this matter bur from the fact that this individual
found that he would be prostaej in his purpose and OH
ect that his could fulfil his Intentions he
ILL., H. 49, H.. L.