The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-05-30

by The committee
MI. HALE. It's adoption by the committee does not
The PRESIDENT. Having been adopted by the COM
mitiee, i must now be acted on
mittee. and not by The Senate II amendment re-
ported by the committee to the Senate.
The PRESIDENT, II must be acted upon now, either
favorably unfavoraby. the Senate shall decide
Mr., SEWARD A law passed Congress- directing the
President OF the United States TO the opinions OF
the Attorneys General. which long in confusion.
and disorder in the Attorney Generals office, be col
eced The President appointed Benjamin. F. Hail. esq,
and counsellor at-law, who friend Of his own,
and who was competent to perform this service. he
was an author and lawyer OF standing high and repu
sSls y eoih capacities esGsclay as legal writer in
designated for his compensation He entered
upon the discharge Of ths duty Last year the appopr
aon bill passed, and he presented his account for
General recommended that the OF two thousand dol
lars-.not for compensation, but as sum which would
certainly be less than the amountand the residue
reserved until the work should be completed. Mr. Hall
went on after receiving the two thousand dollars and he
was obliged 70 copy many, not ALL Of those opinions
tie hired clerk, and the result is the volumes which
have been presented here AT this session OF Congress
he presented his claim and the Attorney General
mended by letter, in order that might be brought
into the deficiency bill Mr. Hall presented the follow
The U. s. A. to Benjamin F. Hail. Dr.
To services rendered to the United States
compiling the opinions Of the Attorneys General Three
hundred and sixty five days, at the rate Of So
To expenditure necessarily incurred for CLERK
hire during that period 800
1920
ject. Of March 8, 1851 2ooo
Balance due II I,2aO
upon the subject very properly from the department TO
whom this subject had been referred, and this fur
nished by the following letter from the Solicitor Of the
Treasury
SorIcIroRs OFFICE.
Washington, April 6. 1852
SIR; am requested by friend OF Mr. Hall, whose bill
neys General Is before your COMMITTEES, write TO you
The manner In which Mr.. Hall performed nj. duties
under my observation, and il gives pleasure to
say he with great assdnity 10 the sask
the opinions in shape suited to their importance Mr.
has performed the work we'll and merits only
and all who have occasion work
Me- is lawyer and Ihave doubt could have earned
in the which he devoted the platon tha
he has charged Il seems to me that his bill is quite
Very respectfully. your obedient servant,
Hon. r M. I. HuSrsR, ""
Chairman Comrniriee on Finance. u. s. s.
The fact is thus stated and il il well known by me,
and | know that Mr. Halls profession would have
brought in amount larger than that which he received
Attorneys General The Attorney General referred The
matter TO Mr. Reid, his clerk or deputy who was more
familiar with the subject and here is the opinion OF MIR
Reid, which was adopted in the Office OK the Attorney
General:
WAsmssroN March 10. 1852.
SRi have examined the account of Mr. Hall. which
you handed to yesterday, aud certify that he
gagged for the time mentioned IL compiling the opinions
OF the Attorneys General and superinending their publ
cation. and that from the great and labor he has be
slowed the work, the Temuneralion claimed Ia in my
opinion very reasonable and proper The work must be
ecuuve department of the government In the discharge Of
their dntss.
would particularly call your attention 70 the synopss
he has prexed each opinion II first indicates the
eral principle decided; secondly, the mode of carry ling Il
pie particular Take, for example. the opinion
to what necessary to be done 10 carry into effect the
the treaty of 1912 with Great Britain relating
the exrradion OF fugitives from justice sos
The synopsis r states the testimony to be
duccd authorize surrender the mode Of procedure
and lastly the decision in the case presented To prepare
also thought and thorough understanding OF the points de-
cided In the opinion.
that these have been well done ofcourse
but professional man. accustomed digest in his mind
work. or competent il through the press.
therefore consider MIR Halls charge just and moderate
have the honor 70 be your obedent servant,
Hon. J. CRrrrESDKS,
Attorney General United States
Mr.. President, these papers were submitted 10 the Com
itiee on Finance and that committee adopted the amend
allowing $500 for the clerk hire, and balance OF
500 to Mr. Hall for his services II Is seem then, that
Dlr. tiail was 10
OF the services performed by the clerk The nature OF
the work required the services OF lawyer These
vices have been performed with the skill the ability and
the learning OF a lawyer They have been well perform
ed The law officers who interested IN the matter
certify that they have been performed with that ability
There remains but single point which was raised by
the honorable senator from Massachusetts, lMr DAvIsl
who | think, is laborng under mistake, and which
objection trust he will withdraw after shall have ex
planned. IL appears from these volumes that no index
prepared. Those who know Benjamin L. Hall will
know without being told that there must be some reason
for such apparent neglect When this amendment
had been adopted by the committee that reported TO the
Senate and been adopted by the Senate the honorable
senator from Rhode Island. Mr. CLsRKE,] who is now
absent called my attention 10 this subject, and asked
upon what grounds the claim be supported, and
came before the Senate. ! therefore wrote TO Mr.
Hail. who had been in attendance here for
siderable time in dschsrgng his duties, and told him
| apprehended that objections were likely to be
made his accounts. Mr. Hall wrote me iul and
elaborate letters and without having any information
from 10 enable him arrive at the true nature OF the
objections he answered all possible objections that he
length Of time in which he engaged was no more
than sufficient for the performance OF the duties ntrusied
him and he then showed, in reference TO the want
of an index that the law, the resolution unler which
his services were performed devolved upon the Clerk OF
the House OF Representatives the publication OF these
books that he (Mr Hal last year, as well knew, ap
piled 10 The proper committee OF the House OF Represent
himself and that the committee did not report such
bill, at least that such bill did not pass This SET
vice was performed by the Cerk-tbe opinions having
been collected By Mr.. Hall They were taken by The
Clerk and printed by him without the knowledge OF Mr.
Hail. and before he had time 10 arrive here to prepare an