The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-27
IN CONGRESs,iOF THE U. STATES.
TUESDAY. FEBRUARY 26. 1859.

kPEasoNAL ExpLANATIoN.

SENATE,
| The journal having been read
kPERsoNAL ExPLAHATIoN.
MIR. HALE rose and said: ask the indulgence OF the
Senate single moment in order 10 make an explanation
| hope never shall feel called upon to do so again
hold in my hand the National Inlegencer in which al
luson is made 20 my absence Yesterday, charging me
with skulking from the responsibility OF offering my
amendment see that the senator from Mississippi, Mr.
FooTE] not now in his seat, with his accustomed mag
nanmity, publishes note in the columns OF the Union
and lntegencer, In which he states that he did not
mean to charge me with any such hing deem u due
my constituents 10 state the reason for my absence II
s known ihata distinguished son Of New Hampshire at
This moment lies dead in this city, and upon devolved
the duty Of making some arrangement for the funeral
which takes place this afternoon was engaged yesler
GC 1s sSy and thai was the reason q my a6
Mr.. DAVIS, OF Mississippi desire TO make very
brief reply to the senator from New Hampshire on the
part Of my COLLEAGUE who y now absent from the Sen
him TO say that he intended such charge upon the
senator from New Hampshire. He did not intend 10 in
moral responsibility Of that or any olher question but,
the contrary. he had always found him entirely ready
TO take whatever moral responsibility belonged 10 his PEI
saar opinions 4 / was not y ans nature q my colleague
sent and certainly not his design TO do so towards the
senator from New Hampshire.
Mr. HALE, tin,erposlng1 i.emayked that had seen En-
had, with his accustomed magnanimity, dscaimed any
such charged in both the Union and lnielligencer.
d make Se coeepp was Il he
absence OF my colleague that should make this state
ment
1 would now say word upon different subject--in
relation the deceased person to whom the senator has
referred-Gen Mcneil He was once very gallant sol
der OF the army distinguished at Brdgewater and Chip
pewa, and was in one o those actions wounded for lite
and although long afterwards he rendered valuable
vices to his country that the seed of disease
sown in his body and he was suddenly brought TO his
end in this city. hope the senator from New Hamp
shire will make motion in the Senate, in order that
the respect OF this body may be shown to the deceased
officer by attending his funeral think his memory is
worthy Of all the respect which be shown TO gall
liant deceased soldier Towards him personally felt
strong tie He commanded the regiment to which was
first promoted when entered the army, and he left the
service with the respect of all who knew him. His
memory cherished in the army with all the respect
which belongs 10 high gallantry and high character
wherever found.
Mr. HALE I wish to state in reference to this sub
Iect, that Immediately upon the decease OF General
Mcneil, in consultation with his friends, meeting OF
the delegates from New Hampshire splled, and they
voted TO attend his funeral this afternoon. They devov
ed opon the duty of consulting the military and the
authorities of the city and army and have the pleasure
to state that General Jones called upon me last evening
and stated that the authorities both OF the city and army
entered with great heart into the movement and were
ready TO do everything which necessary to pay ap
proprae honors to distinguished officer General
Mcneil. have letter from General Jesup in which,
speaking OF the galantry Of this officer, he stated that
mann II M s s ss % d h % Sss d sd
formed his regiment with much cooness as an expert
enced ctesspayer would move his pieces on the board
Knowing that the Senate had agreed informally 10 go
into executive session To- day. did not feel at liberty 10
make motion adjourn, in orsr 10 attend his uneral
my authority but at the suggestion OF the sena-
tor from Mississippi will move that the Senate adjourn
O'clock for the purpose of attending the funeral at
the Irving House in this city. will also state TO the
Senate that the authorities OF the army and OF the city,
and the military, have made preparation and arrange
ments for attending his funeral al that hour.
The question being taken upon The motion, u was
agreed 10.
i've session the special order Tor Friday o this week
Mr.. ATCHlS0N trusted that the senator from Missis-
sppi would consent 10 postpone action upon the moton
until the honorable senator from North Carolina tSlr
BADcERl should be in his seat
Mr. DAVIS did not understand the object OF the sena
tor from Missouri but believed i contemplated an ad.
joumment from Thursday TO Monday; consequently
he could not agree TO the suggestion. ILaughier]
Mr. WHirCOMB was exceedingly anxious that there
should be short executive session to-day, and thought
they might have it, and yet adjourn IN time to attend the
funeral TO which reference had been made Unless The
order for the morning introduced, therefore, he would
90 into executive session immediately
MIR. MANGUM desired The senator TO withdraw me
motion ior moment; which was done; and he then
moved postpone the usual order, and proceed TO the
consideration OF executive business.
Mr.. MASON desired TO have the motion Withdrawn
for q momen in order TO present matter OF Importance
TO some of hJs constituents
The motion was Withdrawn.
Mr.. NJ then asked leave TO withdraw from the files
Mr.. ATCHlS0N suggesting IT was usual TO state the
reason for the withdrawal oil papers iron the fles,
MIR. MASON said he was requested 10 Withdraw these
papers BY colleague in the Other House, who, he was
sure, would not ask anythi & improper
No objection being made, the leave to withdraw The
papers granted.
Mr. MANGUM renewed his motion TO 20 into execu-
tive session.
Mr. HAMLlN wished the senator from North Carolina
would withdraw the motion Tor a single moment
Mr..MANGUM said II he withdrew il once, he would
have 10 Withdraw IL Tor every gentleman who asked H.
The executive business had been most unreasonably
postponed and unless ne insisted ON his motion, they
would perhaps be called upon TO take II at the heel OF
very long Sc ssion aud IL better that the executive
business should be attended 10 in time.
Mr. HAMLIN asked the indulgence OF the Senate Tor
single moment The senator from North Carolina would
recoect that the floor Tor TINS day was assigned 10 him.
lMr HAMIIN He wished TO assert no right not usual
10 be granted He asked courtesy OF the Senate other
than that the subccpon which he had the floor should
be postponed to other day. not to conflict with
other arrangements OF the Senate
Mr.. MANGUM. Certainly l Withdraw my motion Tor
that purpose.
Mr. HAMLIN then moved thai the Senate proceed 10
the consideration OF the reference of the Presidents mes
sage in relation California 10 the Committee on Tern
torres which agreed TO.
Mr. H. then moved that the further consideration OF
the subject be postponed until tomorrow; which was
agreed 70.
executive session which agreed TO.
The Senate accordingly proceeded 10 the consideration
az executive business and after some time spent therein
the doors were reopened, and the Senate adjourned
MONDAY. FEBRUARY IS. 1850.
HOUSE or sErnEsEsrATIvEs.