The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-12-27
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

pearing5
On motion Of MIR. MANGUM,
The Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
rBoUNTy LAND LAW.
The following gentlemen were announced as
constituting the select committee TO which was re-
ferred the bill explanatory of the bounty land law
Of September IS, 1850, viz:
MIR DuNHAM, of Indiana MIR. STEPHENS, of
Georgia; Mr. HARRIs. of Tennessee; Mr.. Tuck, OF
New Hampshire, and MIR. BIssELL, OF Illinois
r,r pKsrRpcrIox OF THE LIsRARy OF coNGREss ny
FIRE.
The SPEAKER, by unanimous consent, laid be-
fore the House the following communication from
the Librarian of the Library Of Congress, namely :
LIBRARY or CoNoREss, December 25 1851
II ismy painful duty to communicate TO Con-
sress the destruction of the books paintings, sta
tuary medals, and other property IN the princi-
pal saloon Of their Library, yesterday morning, by
hre which originated in the room IN manner 10
me altogether unaccountaoie, as no hres nave oeeh
used in Il for long time, and no candles, lamps,
or other lights have been used in II during the
whole time that it has been under my charge.
have not been able to ascertain the precise num-
Der Of the books which were destroyed, but believe
that il may be estimated at about thirty five thou
sand 1t is very gratifying TO have 1t in my power
to add that abouttwenty thousand volumes OF books
which were in the law room, and In two rooms ad
Joining the Library, are sae.
Many of these books belonged to the library of the
late President jefferson, and were purchased by
Congress in the year 1915. They constitute the
several chapters In the catalogue OF the Library
agreeably to MIR. Jefferson's classification, under
the following heads: Ancient History, American
History, Ecclesiastical History, Chemistry, Mine
Talogy, and Conchology; Moral Philosophy, Laws
of Nature and Nations; the five chapters composing
The law department of the Library; Religion, Poll
tics (ineluding the Science of Legislation, Politi-
cal Economy, Commerce, Banking Statistics, &c.;)
part of the chapter on Architecture, and the en-
tire chapters on Music; Dialogue, and Epistoary;
r Theory
Criticism.
sincerely hope that the searching investigation
Congress will give to the distressing event. which
every lover of science and literature will deeply de-
plore will lead 10 detection Of the causes that pro-
duoed it, and to the adoption OF means that will pre-
vent in all future time, recurrence OF the cad
calamity.
With the most respectful regard, have the hon
or 10 be your obedient servant.
JOHN s. MEEHAN, Librarian.
To the Hon. LINN BoyD, Speaker of the United
States House of Representatives.
MIR. STANTON, Of Kentucky, by unanimous
consent reported resolution with regard 10 the
late fire. authorizing an inquiry into its origin, and
which lie as follows
Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Public
Buildings and Grounds be Instructed to inquire in
10 the origin of the fire by which the National Ii
brary was consumed on the Oath instant; whether
the same occurred from the negligence of any Of
fcer of Government, or person in the empoymentof
either or both Houses OF Congress- or from the de-
fective construction of the furnaces flues or
the act Of an ineendiary. And also, the extent OF
injury to the building, the best mode OF recon
structing the ibrary.room so as to afford perfect
security in the future against like disaster, and
report the facts to the House. The said committee
shall have power to send for and examine, oath,
such persons as may have information touching
the premises.
Mr. SWEETSER moved to amend the resou-
ton, TO refer the subject TO the Library Com
mittee, but the motion was disagreed to; and the
resolution was then passed.
MIR. FOWLER suggested an amendment OF
phraseology The resolution authorized the sum-
moiiiDg OF ''such persons as may have informa-
ton" How this to be determined unless by
examination.
Objection was made to his amendment.
Mr.. STANTON of Kentucky, said that the words
National Library occurred in tho resolution,
when it really Called the Library OF Con
gross" He therefore suggested alteration
cordingly, which unanimously acquiesced in.
Mr.. STANTON, of Tennessee, remarked that
of the objects of the resolution was to inquire
into the best plan ofmaing the library room, when
il ehall be repaired. FIRE proof, so that il might
not, in future be subject to similar disaster He
merely wished to suggest whether the range of
investigate should not be extended, and whether
the entire Capitol should not be made fire. proof
II was known to every one that the late fire not
only destroyed the library, but endangered every
other part Of the building. The structures over
both the House and Senate of wood, and were
liable to be consumed at any time. as the library
was on "wednesday morning. He proposed there
fore, that, by unanimous consent, the resolution
be go modified TO inquire into the best mode and
means Of making the whole of the Cepitol fire.
proof
But 20 this objection was made.
sEIzUkE OF THE ARoc THE HAYTIEN Au-
THoRITIEs.
On motion of Mr.. FULLER, it was
ResolUed That the President Of the United States
be requested to communicate to this House, if not
incompatible with the public interest, any infor
nation in the possession OF the Government rela.
tive to the seizure of the brig Aroc, of Easport,
Maine, owned by u. A. Paine, and commanded by
Captain A. G. Spates, and the detention and inn
imprisonment of said master in the year IS. d.
1850 by the Haytien authorities at the port of Jere
ME; and also what measures, If any, that may
have been taken to procure indemnity to the owner
of said brig for her detention and for the imprson-
ment Of the master.
THE EXPENSES ATTENDING THE FIRE AT THE CAPT
ToL
Mr.. STANTON, of Kentucky, said that large
amount of expenses had been incurred in the ex-
tinguishment of the fire, and appropriation Of
money was necessary TO meet them and put the
property as well as committee rooms in a condi-
ton be protected from the action Of the weather
He therefore reported bill making an appro
priation to meet the expenses incurred in conse-
quence of the late fire at the Capitol, and sent to
the Clerk the following letter from the Commits
aioncrs of Public Buildings, which was read
OFFICE or COMMISSIONER or PUBIC BUILDINGS,
WAsHIseToN, December %, 1851.
SIR The late destruction of the hall Of the United
Slates Library by fire has left mass Of burning
books and papers, which | am now having
moved. am also constructing temporary roof
covered with tiny over the exposed arches which
cover the rooms Immediately east OF the library,
which hope 10 finish this week
TO enable me to pay the cost of these works, and
alec OF buckets, axes, &c, purchased during the
IRE, and the wages Of men employed TO guard tho
pFeniscs and prevent the further extension Of the
tirc other parts Of the Capitol, very respect
folly pray your committee for an appropriation OF
five thousand dollars, which hope will be suff-
cient for these purposes
am, with great respect. your obcdient servant,
WILLIAM Easily
Commissioner OF Public Buildings.
Hon. RICHhRp II STANToH,
Chairman of the Committee on Public Buildings
and Grounds.
Mr.. SWEETsER objected TO further proceedings
with regard TO the bill
The SPEAKER commenced calling the States
for petitions, when
Mr.. CLiNGMAN off red resoluton--which
was objected to--that much Of the standing
rules aa provides for the calling Of States for
petitions and resolutions be repealed.
Mr. COBB moved that the call Of States for
petitions be dispensed with; but the motion did
not prevail.
Mr. RICHARDSON moved that when the House