Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-08-31

gested 70 MIN mat more properly belonged the Com.
mttee Foregn Affairs, Commences. And thu. ended tbs
connexion Of the Library Committee, believe with hs
matter.
Before concluding say, although reluctant to do 40
that must vote against the publication of the work II
seems 10 that there is great disposition throughout the
country to depend too much upon the Government when
should rely upon themselves and upon that individual
energy and enterprise for which Government patronage can
properly be substitute. This is confined any
class We in the general avidy with which seek
for employment under Government turning from the pur-
suits of private industry, If they disgusting unpro
able and inadequate and honor and emolument to be
found where in the public service. The patronage
Of the Government 10 often sought in the publication
of books that if the practice be not checked Congress likely
be converted into great publishing establishment that
authors and editors may avoid the risks of trade.
do object to the printing by order Of Congress of any
public document of any report made Congress the Exc
any officer agent for the purposes whether
in the exploration Of territory, the procurement,
of information important to legislation. But when work,
which, however valuable, has been written compiled with
such authority, especially If does not bear directly
clear that Congress should neither publish
buy, except few copies for their library.
think has become necessary for us-not to so into par
tcuarsto check this thing, and do not know any better
time than the present to commence feel compelled, there
fore, against this application, without however,
ing dspaage Mr. Pames personal character under
value his manuscript
Mr.. BENTON. The name Of Mr.. Fremont has been
brought into this debate with knowledge that he is my
connexon Certainly persons have right to his
in debate if they please, provided they conform to what is
true But Mr. Fremonts namei s brought into this debate
for the purpose Of usDg the purchase of books from Mr.
Palmer have objection at all to any estimate which
may be put on MI. Fremont be It low it may, any
estimate Of Mr. Palmer be it high it may. But have
to deny that there is any parallel between the two
have to state, historical truth, that Mr. Fremont
lieutenant OF the Typographical engineers and under orders,
written ORDERS proceeded to the West and made certain
Il
with the rules of the SERVICE and made written report the
department to which be attached He did that and that
is all he had to do with those books With what Congress
did afterwards he had nothing to do, for he went off immed
aey, under fresh ORDERS to make fresh explorations So
careful he to keep his from being connected with
the business that you may search the different resolutions
which were passed by Congress the subject and there
will not be found of them in which single copy Of his
given to him. And every copy Of his works that
he ever received gift from friends to him-he gift Of
myself and gift from the Secretary of the Senate, who
ceved his proportion, and, knowing that Mr. Fremont had
none, gave him his own Congress never bought from Mr.
Fremont and paid the mionth part Of farhng for
any thing which he did, did be ask it did he
tread the pueus Of the Capitol get member Of Con-
gress to do any thing of the kind and he would have
sidered himself dagraced and nsuted any member Of Con-
gess had proposed pay him for that book He pur
sued member Of Congress to hs house, his boarding
house SEEM and would have scorned have
been seen, hanging about the Capitol for such purpose Nor
s did ne ever take out copyright for any thing he did
under the auspices Of the Government When he work
ing under the orders Of the Government he considered the
products Of his labor to belong the Government He
ed in those products to the Office to which he belonged,
where ne was bound to make his reports and after that he
had nothing further do with them. Now, sir is he be
quoted example for purchasing these books from Mr.
Palmer, from those who haunt the pueus OF the CAPITOL
and follow members their boarding houses and to the halls
of legsaton besegng them to buy their bookshousands
of copies of hem and pay thousands of dollars for them
he in hat
Sir it is Justification of historical truth upon the records of
the Government to present Mr. Fremont here in any such
Justification of the truth to present him lin
any such manner-and he shall be presented, when
present in this chamber without the Justification receiving
the burning brand which is due to it.
Mr. FOOTE. IT, sir had been guilty Of that with which
have been charged, should be unworthy Of seat this
floor spoke very courteousy of COL Fremont and, sir,
have done The alluson to him by me
merely Incidental the Senate will recoect was speak
ing in reference to the Senator from Texas and kindly charg
ing him with Inconsistency in his course, and, by
way evidence stated him that he had voted for appro
priaons of various kinds. certain map (Dsturaeps,
believe it was) and the publication Of Col Fremons work
being the most prominent instances with which was acquant
ed which the honorable Senator from Texas had voted for the
publication Of books cited them when called upon
ton in which my friend from Texas had thus voted
stated in addition that thought my friend had in vong
acted with his usual Judgment yet that the simple fact
that he stood committed the principle involved in the
luton under consideration Ispoke the whole Senate will
pear Witness IN no offensive spirit nor DID institute the least
comparison between Col. Fremont and Mr.. Palmer. And
yet, though such has been my conduct, language of
highly dsrespecu character has been used in response
language which, for certain obvious reasons, shall not
think of replying to, and which could not further notice
without an entire want Of self-respect.
While am up, will say, by way Of illustration of the
Of certain gentlemen here that this Senate has been
called upon sHd doubt there will be further applications
of the character appropriate $780, Cor experiments
in eIecro-magnesm believe voted for the first PROPOSE
ton, and certainly favored the appropriation because
thought calculated to advance the of science and to
facilitate the development Of important principles which other
wise might perhaps remain undeveope for indefinite period
But must that do understand how honorable gentle
men, who urged upon attention this 900 appropria
ton in urtherance Of eecromagnesm, feel themselves
justified in pressing warmly the objections which have
heard upon the present occasion expressed the resolution
under consideration.
Mr.. RUSK. desire to say but few words much
prefer voting to talking generally.
Mr. BUTLER. II this subject is likely to be discussed
much longer, must have it postponed till to-mor
row, in order that may have Executive session.
The PRESIDENT. The Senator from Texas is entitled
to the floor.
Mr. BUTLER. was about to suggest to him that there
amount of Executive business that demands aen
ton, and that perhaps had better postpone the further
consideration Of the subject that it be postponed till
Tomorrow
Mr. BRADBURY. hope the Senate will dispose Of this
question to-day. We have been long time engaged here
with more pressing matters, and thus far have been pre-
vented from ransacng ordinary business by discussion
Mr. BUTLER. withdraw the motion to postpone, for
find it will take time to discuss the question Of post
than dispose of the resolution before the Senate
Mr.. RUSK. As have been referred to in or two In
stances by Senator'S wish simply that the docu
men,s for which have heretofore voted official docu
menss such as thought proper be laid before the