The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-24

Husrsal the other day. cay that if be sgatuity the
United States is not In condition TO make grsuty 10
that amosnt IL does look to me very much In the terms
of,he bill - I. now stands; IKE me declaration OF
much money, but ask you to compound with for five
cents the dollar or Tor ten twenty cents the dol
lar. am unwilling to place the United States in that
position and to ssy TO those persons who claim
creditors OF the United States, We acknowledge the JUS
tce Of the debt but we unable to pay YOU and will
therefore compound with you. and pay ten cents the
MI, HALE have not troubled the Senate upon this
matter and would not but for this proposition know
but one Of these claimants in the world. He is ma
tive OF the congressional district in which live and Is,
believe. over 70 years Of age In early liesome so
years ago neary-every dollar which he had was sac
rhced BY these spolations, He has not assigned his
claims, but has lived in the hope that the justice Of his
country would at some day other reach him, lie is
willing now to take just what the government will give
he knows there is no suit at law or In equity m whch
he obtain his claim Ii he is willing 10 take his pro-
portion OF $3,O0000O, think IT is poor argument 70
deny him that, because he does not come forward a. TINS
day. and insist upon more We're 10 .ne MaHla o
who 10 not now in his seat, think could quote some
thing which once read in Virgil about the Trojan
as nanmity OF this appeal considerably because think
that the appeal 10 be made 10 the honorable
ator from Arkansas at this moment and he 10 be
asksd--Admittnx and providing that the amendment you
proposed would be adopted would you then vote for the
bilIi-he would either that he would not, or
else that was an impairment question. which he was not
bound 70 answer. One OF those two things would GER
tainly b. the result would suggest my friend from
Arkansss, II he is troubled in the matter, this does not
preclude ~ from paying more by and by and on IN
vestgasn should turn out that there is due, and
the conscience Of the from Arkansas should be
troubled in their behalf, he would always be at liberty
presume, to to increase the amount But presume
that 10 not the intention of the friends OF the measure
They look upon act OF tardy Justice-very ardy
justcs-and do hope the few who are now living will
mot b denied the p.ancs they ask because they have
not, in the penury and old age to which they have
waited asked for great deal more. For these reasons
Ishall vote against the amendment,
:, Mr BORtAND. In reply to the senator from New
HAmpshire, will say that | offer this amendment in no
spiritof ma&naaimity. ! claim nothing of the sort
Quar- upon plain proposition. which seems to me is
founded in justice stated yesterday. and state again.
do not believe the United States dollar ought
70 pay one dollar OF this money. But say that those
who claim that we do owe il cannot according TO my
enss q right refuse to Pay the whole amount that may
pose OF bringing the Senate to test vote upon the sub
M and 10 declare. in passing this act, if il should pass
whether or not il is an act Of justice or gratuy think
due 10 the Senate and the country and the claimants
that that declaration should be made in plain and straight
tcrwaM terms Let the country know whether we owe
paying IL do as ows of CONTEND md
that we not justified in giving gratuy OF five mil
lions OF OF any other amount. state plainly that my
senator from New Hampshire 10 suppose TO be my
OBJECT II is 10 bring the friends OF the bill to the test,
and to ascertain whether they do really believe this be
Sn and TIL him. ought 10 BE- aaws u''n'0n 10
The senator said what had suspected all along to be
the Intention but would not say it yesterday because
81 Ss nd s as
friends OF the bill today who has stated the object that
thess five millions will be mere entering wedge to make
principle y the BIZ With the intention M hereafter to come
in and ask for more have suspected that all along
but would not charge il until the senator himself,
friend OF the bill. has now avowed it, am glad he has
done 80 want the object to be seen. not only here, but
BY the country. This is not intended a declaration OF
the amount DUE but as entering wedge get Con-
gress to agree the claim, with the intention afterwards
to call upon them pay the whole thus acknow
Z BIZ BRADBURY. The remarks Of the honorable
visw Of the subject. which is not confined, as have
reason to believe TO that senator assumes that this
government il bound to pay anything, would be bound
equity q pay the iull amount OF the claims against
France. That Is not correct position. Our govern
ent having undertaken the prosecution of these claims.
had the right, according TO national law, settle them
On such terms she judged to be just and proper and
claims against herself, she is only bound pay to the
claimants the value OF the consideration received or the
value OF those claims sgains, France the time OF the
release. The government, the agent OF the claim
An1, undertook the prosecution OF these claims and
having done this, she settled them by oHsetng them
against claims which the French had against her. which
were indefinite their character Now. this leaves the
question as to the amount OF consideration indefinite
and unsettled.
The honorable senator from Arkansas also contends
- WAS contended by senator yesterday, that the
passage oil this bill is TO be an entering wedge to lead
70 further CLAIMS upon the government. The bill
itael- call the sttenon of senators to the tacipro
vides against any such result The bill declares that
% the herein provided shall be in full discharge of
all claims Tor compensation for the class OF cases pro-
vIded Tor IN the act and that the presentation OF any
claim or memorial for ad publication upon the subec,
should be taken to be release and discharge OF the
United States from making further compensation for that
claim" SO that there is nothing in the argument that
there are to be further CLAIMS The petitioners are con
tent to fake this sum here provided for. They are
content with the adjudication of the government thar
such sum is the amount which they could have col
lscted. and the full value OF the consideration received
bill before the Senate
Mr.. HALE. ! only want TO put myself rght--no
ar, don't want 10 put myself right for am right now
want TO put the senator from Arkansas right; for he
me IN supposing me TO have said that the
trends OF the bill would hereafter move for larger sum
expressly discaimed it, said tina, the petitioners had
T$ntfo take this IN full But did suggest that il the
!en9ef conscience OF the senator from Arkansas after
Ieftnef lnvestgaton. should trouble him as 10 the
amount PAID, II ne wanted 10 do ample Justice il
would be always in his power make the motion Bu,
~ one Of the humbest friends OF the bill / utterly ds
claim such motion upon theH part believing that the
will be satisfied with this To adopt a quota
Lon made years ago. which struck The time az
bain4 beautiful think they will be not only satisfied
but more than satised-they will be grathed with the
pittance this bill gives them.
Mr.. FOOTE. cannot vote for this amendment. Mr. /
because conceive that the question involved
IN this bill ia OF great compexity and difficulty II
- lust such question should take for the basis OF
nnR~k I> Al. l..