The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-29
THE UNION.

Congress for the relief Of this individual On each occa
sion has been referred to accounting officers for the
cerainment OF the amount due 10 him. With each
award he was dissatisfied and has come back 10 Con.
gress for further action Three times has Congress Weld
ed to his solicitations and under these three different
100000 lam Of opinion he has received enough and.
knowing something OF the circumstances and location OF
the business out OF which his loss arose, while fully
concedng 10 him greath worth and integrity, believing
that he suffered much loss and il was the duty OF gov
eminent TO compensate, yet believe that adequate com
pensatlon has been made should be willing 10 have
this 60 before committee 10 have referred 10
the board proposed 70 be appointed for the examna-
ton OF CLAIMS bills for which have passed this house,
and, as understand have fair prospect OF passing the
other because, under the rules prescribed for their regu
ls,ion. there will be opportunity for the United States
district attorney, or the officers representing this gov
eminent 10 make up an issue 70 try the facts, and try
them IN the locality IN which these losses occur
red Then should have no fear OF justice being done.
and that the United States government will be properly
heard. object to the passage OF this resolution. be-
cause implies that In the opinion OF Congress, some
Mr.. MASON Mr. President, this matter was brought
10 my notice the Committee Of Claims during the last
Congress and was then that obtained knowl-
edge OF It, although am free 10 admit that did not
make such investigation as to give full! knowledge
Of the case What did learn satisfied me that there
gross outrage practsed upon this Mr. Sibbad by the off,
OF the United States in what they considered the
discharge OF their duties The facts as follows:
This gentleman, merchant Of the city of Philadelphia,
u
Florida with view Of getting shp-timber for market
He purchaseda large tract Of land
Mr.. YuLEE, lin his seat) He got i by inheritance.
MIR. MASON. Well, he got possession OF 1t, either by
purchase or some other way-how, / do not know The
senator from Florida says that he received il by in
heritaace. So much the stronger for him. He built
business Of cutting timber While the midst Of all this.
the officers OF the government came down upon him,
broke up his whole work, drove off his men. shut up
his saw-ms, stopped his boats, and arrested him. The
government a
it, His only alternative was to 20 into court and
tabsh his title to the land He did So and comes
to Congress, and asks indemnity for his loss What
OF money has been paid him. do not know. Some gen
lemen say $22 000 and other gentlemen say 55 900.
DO not know this however. that the Committee on the
Judiciary recommend to the Senate that accounting officers
should be instructed to examine into the think,
when the facts appear he will be found to have suffered
loss and ought at least to be heard and heard in the
manner proposed
Now, everybody who knows anything OF the organiza
ton OF this many know far better than
do-knows that there is mode OF adjusting these
claims in justice to both sides And although there is
doubt that frauds to great extent are pracsed upon
the government, there is just little doubt that honest
claimants are denied what is due to them. | am not
prepared to say that this is one OF these have
no knowledge of il, more than from cuIsoy examna-
ton, when It was before the Committee OF Claims But
know that is the duty Of the government not 10 shut
defrauded for those who have claims against the gov
eminent have right to be heard II we do not repose
upon the action OF our committees in our deliberations
81 am told such is the fact or hear that such is the
facteher giving Impressions adverse to the claimant
on the one hand or in favor Of him on the other.
profess TO know the character OF the claim, and nothing
To what extent il goes, do not know but think
il right that he should be heard.
Mr.. BRIGHT As general rule, am willing to be
guided in reference to OF this kind by the connsels
OF the senator from Alabama, who is generally very
cuIae. In this am unwilling to 90 far as he
proposes to CO. understand that he is willing TO refer
this claim to proper accounting officers to be readudcaed
As far am in possession OF the facts connected with
this claim, my judgment leads to decide against it,
and to oppose all further legislation upon it, After al
owance had been made TO this individual OF some thirty
odd thousand dollars. proposition passed Congress re-
ferng his claim to the proper accounting officer, the Sc
cond Comptroller OF the Treasury The Comptroller. af
ter aborng in this and understanding thoroughly,
decided that there really nothing due TO Mr. Sbbad
The Secretary OF the Treasury however having OF course
revising power, made an order whereby twenty two
thousand dollars directed 10 be paid 10 him. Now If
have further legislation upon this subject and he
to claim OF further allowances, propose, before
act, that shall have the report OF the Second Comp
troer. | think that he made a report in which he
showed concusvely that this individual entitled to
nothing and il is admitted here that he has already
ceved fifty odd thousand dollars do not undertake
10 say that he had originally claim, and good one
nor do say that hry.odd thousand dollars were too
much But, il am correct, the payment which
by the single hat Of the Secretary OF the Treasury, Of
thousand dollars ought 10 have been paid
to him. am unwilling 10 refer this question either 10
board any officers or by law to give opportunity
Of making afurtber allowance in this case do not
believe that the case has merit or justice in II.
Mr. CLAY move 10 lay the resolution upon the la
bic.
Mr. BUTLER hope the senator will withdraw for
moment so that make n single word OF reply 10
what said by the from Indiana In regard to
the Secretary OF the Treasury
Mr.. CLAY. Certainly. il the senator will renew the
motion.
Mr. BUTLER | will. The senator from Indiana
TO suppose that the Comptroller had made ad-
report altogether. and that il the fat OF the
Secretary of the Treasury by which IL allowed
not The Secretary OF the Treasury did revise this
report, and allowed twenty-five thousand dollars but
part OF IL allowed in the report The mode in which
10 be paid changed but is 10 be inferred
that the twenty thousand dollars given In
quence Of the Secretarys decision alone not at all
now move TO lay the resolution upon the table.
The question being taken upon the notion was agreed
to-
ALIroRSn-TERRrToRIAL NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
The Senate then, as in committee OF the WHOLE re.
sumed the consideration OF the bill for The admission OF
California as State into the Union, 10 establish terri
toral governments for Utah and New Mexico, and
making proposals 10 Texas for the settlement OF her
northern and western boundares-the question pending
being upon the following amendment, submitted by Mr.
SouLE on Monday last:
Strike the first second and third sections Of the BILL
and insert the followingi
BE snacsd bv the Senate and Hoss Of Representation
offhs Uafed States Of dsufca Coagvss asstDbed That
California shall have passed In convention
ordinances providing
any interfere with the primary disposal by the
United States Of the public domain within her limits
That she viii not interpose her authority and
obstruct or impede any control which the United states
may deem advisable exercise ,uch districts In the
mining regions either discovered be discovered
ae) may be included In any lawful grant made
70 pryae individuals, 70 corporations prior TO the