The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-27

Congress which had preceded.
There one instance where the laborers VINO
commenced at the eleventh hour received full pay,
but he did think this rule would apply to mem
bers of Congress. IL new members were entitled 10
receive an equal share of books with the members
of former Congresses, he saw no reason why they
should not receive back pay and mileage also ret
there were large appropriations made ina, new
members might be furnished with the same DOCKS
which had been distributed TO those who had been
before him He would venture TO say that this doc
umentary history of the Revolution was not worth
a straw TO any member OF Congress as means OF
enabling him 10 discharge his duties.
In the of Instances cited OF abuses OF this
purchasing of books, Mr.. Is. referred To the pur-
chase of Greenhows History OF the Negotiations OF
Mr. Gallatin, &c, with respect 10 Oregon. lie had
objected TO that purchase lie then knew but little
of the book, but he knew something OF the man,
and he thought il would be but shallow compila-
ton. The original documents could be had, and
he thought that members should apply to the ioun-
tain head, and trust TO no compilation.
He then opposed the purchase Of the book be-
cause he thong ht the Senate should have nothing
to do with the publication Of horn books. And
from this abuse OF purchasing horn books ana re-
lying upon horn books for information, the nation
had been brought to the verge OF a war. This very
book of Greenhow's had nearly plunged the coun-
try into war; and that because OF the most inn
porant part of the whole OF the negotiations OF Mr.
| Galiatin were left out by Greenhow
Mr.. b., at great length, explained the history OF
Mr.. Galatin's negotiations with the British minis
tiers, and his reliance upon the line laid down by
! or at least Mr.. Gallatin's statement, had been
| omitted by Mr. Greenhow, on the ground that If
inserted it would swell the book to an announcement
size, although statement OF the British ministers
was inserted.
Mr. b. contended that this reason for suppressng
| Mr. Galatians letter was not correct, and account
ed for il thus: that rcenhow had taken the ground
that the line of the treaty OF Utrecht had never been
| agreed upon, and to prove it published this book,
leaving out every thing which would go to prove
the contrary.
He had stated these things at the time to the Sen
ate but he had not the copy OF Mr.. Gallahn S
paper before him them and for doing he daily
| blackguarded in the columns of the paper calling
tselfth the Democratic organ in this city; sometimes
| bac guarded over Greenhow' 3 own signature, and
| sometimes in the editorials. He then examined
the grounds in relation TO the line OF boundary
| for Oregon-that maintained by the advocates Of
| $40 40 and that of the advocates OF 1872 and was
| showing the fasity of the former claim, as main
tainci by Greenhow, and of the foundation on
which it rested, when
Mr. PHELPS rose to a point of order. Was it in
order this resolution to discuss the subject of
$40 i0, treaties, and other subjects relating TO the
boundary of Oregon?
The CHAIR said that the Senator was not in
order in taking such wide range in debate.
Mr.. BENTON said that he discussing the
| abuse which resulted from the purchase of worth
| less books. lie showing how the Senate had
been deluded; how the country had been brought TO
the eve Of war because of the purchase of false
| books. He interrupted one in debate, and he
| took notice of no interruption; and the Senator
| from Vermont need not suppose that his Interrupt
! ton would be noticed.
! Mr. PHELPS said that lie had fslt it to be his
! duty TO the Senate and to @the country to bring
| the debate to the subject before the Senate. And
| he would on all occasions interfere for that pur-
pose He would like to know what the Emperor
Paul had TO do wSh the subject before the Senate.
| The CHAIR said the Senator from Vermont was
not in order.
MIR. BENTON resumed his remarks, intending
that the comments he had been making on Green.
how's book were strictly in order, they tended
TO expose the great abuse and danger there was in
| purchasing and relying on such books.
He then alluded TO the proposition at this session
| to purchase some thousands Of j. Ross Browne $
debates in the California Convention. There was
a reason given for purchasing that book, because
of the pending of the California bill in the Senate
| lie would have been glad 10 have purchased some
copies of it, for the purpose of placing il in the
] library for the OF members, but opposed the
! purchase of thousands of copies. lie had resisted
IL, but succeeded only far to reduce the price
a half dollar on each copy.
He then referred to the resolution before the SEN
| ate IL was that ".Nr. Palmer have leave TO with
draw" The committee thought then that il onl y
| necessary TO cay Mr. Palmer. No christian name
was given, Just as if there were other Palmer
| in the world lie not the Palmer who al
ways present at the feasts Of the nobility Of some
! two centuries back, where he was always a well
come guest, because OF his being traveller and
one who told good stories. Not being that pal
| rner" he must be the one who has been in such
=
who has been as regular in his attendance upon
this body the most Of the Senate, and who, II he
would put in his claim for the eight dollars day,
| would be well entitled 10 IT, on the score Of at
tendance as the greater part Of the members. HE
constant attendance here for the last four years has
been such, that Il wac unnecessary for the commit
tee to speak Of him by any other name than Mr..
| palmer" he (Mr. b knew him perfectly with
out adding aaron II"
| Mr. BENTON then took up the resolution almost
| word for word, and commented upon It. He OK
planned how he supposed this manuscript Of Mr.. Pal
] mcr's became a document IL was the work OF
| Mr. Palmer-thc work Of his own, the web is that
Of the spider. IL was secreted and finally deposited
in the Department Of State. Ii was called for by
resolution, addressed 70 the Secretary Of State,
communicated TO the Senate, aud thus became a
document" Other portions Of the resolution were
commented upon in the same way. lie contendcd
that there no bill before the Senate upon which
this book could give information; no Senator had
desired il for the purpose Of deriving information 10
enable him 10 act upon any measure before the
body. lie could account for its being before the
body at all in no other way than that Mr.. Palmer
had brought il there himself lie did not see how
the work could benefit any member Of Congress.
lie referred 90 the other mode Of publishing
books, which was by ordering them 20 be paid for
out Of the contingent fund, thus avoiding tho ne
ces,ty Of having such appropriations going before
tho House. He explained the object and intention
Of having a contingent fund, 20 be 10 furnish such
articles Of necessity which could not bc ioresccn In
specific appropriation. IL was never intended 10
]
/ lie examined the words in the resolution that the
books we're to be furnished for the Of the Sen
ate. n this were the object, copy 10 each Sona-
tor was sufficient, half dozen placed ia the
brary for their use would be sufficient lie con
tended that the whole thing was for the benefit Of
Mr.. Palmer. The resolution said that tic work
vas 20 be one Of "fvc hundred pages" lie had
long since found out how indefinite a page was.
lie illustrated the vaguoness Of "a page" by 70.
stng the snccdOe told Of a left by her hus-
band In charge Of a dry. goods store cut West.
a man came ia and proposed 10 purchase pound
Of shot. The woman had heard that n pint
pound, aud told the man, that II he bad objection
she would measure him pint. The man Of course
had no objection, and said be would buy out her
whole stock At the same rate. lie had been, when
he first here frequently solicited 10 subscribe
/ for forthcoming works lie had done 40. lie once
heard Mr. MACoN say, when 20 solicited, that he
| would not subscribe for a book before II was pub
lishcd, no one bought lie tobacco before IL was
inspected lie had adopted tho same plan ever
since. Previous 10 this, however, he had been 30
| lcitod TO subscribe for forthcoming work 10 be
published in volumes lie did 40. II was published
w nine volumes, with wide psrtings, large type,
| &c. Out ofcuriosity he counted the matter in an
English octave at his house, aud he found that in
the single English octave there was upwards Of
IN