The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-10

upon this question desire to get away as soon as
can, but must discharge the public business and
hope, for these reasons the resolution will lie upon the
table for the present.
The motion was agreed to-
SALARIES OF reRRIroRnL OFFICERS
The Senate then proceeded the consideration of the
bill Is l75) regulating the salaries of officers OF the Ter
toes OF the United States, and TO repeal the provso in
the act entitled "An act making appropriations for the civil
and diplomatic expenses OF the government for the wear
ending the 3Oth of June, 1852, and for other purposes"
approved March Q, 1851 which had been returned rom
| the House with amendments
The amendments Of the House having been read,
| Mr. UNDERWOOD said | presume il will be best
TO refer that bill TO the Committee the Judiciary and
make that motion, that they may examine the subject
| and report upon the amendments.
Mr.. CLEMENS hope that reference will not be
made. The amendments made by the House OF Repre-
sentatyes such will be satisfactory everywhere
The change is just and right in itself, and requires
investigations and the committee are satisfied with it,
hope that The amendment will be cOncurred in.
Mr.. GEYER said that there no material alteration
10 the substance OF the BILL but il was simply change in
Mr. UNDERWOOD withdrew his motion to refer the
bill to the Committee on the Judiciary.
| Mr.. CLEMENS moved that the amendments OF the
House be concurred in; which was agreed to-
WAR STEAMER FOR HARBoR DEFENCE.
Mr.. ATCEISON moved that the Senate proceed to the
consideration of executive business.
Mr.. GWlN. trust that the senator will consent to
waive The motion for the present The first business in
order upon the calendar is the resolution in relation 10
constr ucting war steamer for harbor Defence npon
which the senator from New Jersey Mr. STocKroN has
already addressed the Senate, and which think could
be gone through in short time.
Mr.. ATCHiSON. If there is to be no debate, shall
Mr.. GWlN. / have nothing to say. II has already
been debated by the from New Jersey, and pre-
sumo there will be no debate.
Mr.. ATCHlSON. Well, sir, | will make no objec-
Mr. GWIN move TO postpone all The special orders,
for the purpose OF taking up the first general order
which have named.
The motion was agreed 10,
The Senate accordingly proceeded in committee OF
the WHOLE 10 the consideration oil the joint resolution Is
26) authorizing the completion OF war steamer for har
Mr. UNDERWOOD asked for The reading of the
former act OF Congress
Mr. UNDERWOOD. should like TO ask whether
the contract has been made for if il has. am satisfied.
Mr.. STOCKTON. d can hardly expect the Senate to
listen 10 speech upon this subject again; but. at the
request OF my friend from Kentucky, will state that
under that act of Congress a entered into
with MIR Stevens for the construction of that vessel He
proceeded 10 fulfil his part OF the contract and consd
cradle portion Of the money has been expended, which
he received from the treasury But in urherahce OF
his contract, he has expended $4,000 $40 900
which he has advanced TO The government. The Sece-
ary OF the Navy, (Mr. Peston) however became some
what dissatisfied with Mr.. Stevens, because, as un-
derstand IT. Mr., Stevens would not submit his plans TO
them, and he complained also of delay As to the delay,
he ought TO have approved rather than dsappoved OF
because il was occasoaed By the great anxiety OF br
and during this time of delay which has been com
planned Of Mr. Stevens employed in making expen.
siye experiments, for which he paid HIMSELF 10 ascertain
whether the principles upon which be intended 10 proceed
beyond all kind of doubt practical is, therefore,
in the belief that Mr.. Stevens has fulfilled his part OF
the with great fidelity, and the belief that he has
not been treated with the degree oil respect with which
OF his respectabiy and character should have been
treated which have induced me to take some interest in
the matter
Besides sir believe It's the most important proposition
that has been presented 10 Congress for This
matter OF detenees was understood by the immortal Jeer
son, perhaps better than by almost any other Ii is
time that the people OF the United States should be brought
10 consideration OF the subject OF the proper deences OF
this country Everybody who knows anything OF our
people must feel perfectly satisfied that they will
incur the expense that will be necessary 10 send fleets
abroad Tor the purpose OF contendng with the fleets OF
other nations II is therefore very important, while II is
not possible for us TO geta navy equal 10 those OF oegn
nations and is indispensable that should take
OF our defences at home This was the view that MIR
Jefferson took and The much-derided system of his
called the "gun.boat system" was the very same system
oil defending the country, provided he could have had
such an instrument MIR Stevens to carry out the poll
cy The principle correct but be had not th proper
means oil carrying II out.
Now, my desire is 10 have this vessel built and my
judgment is that when this vessel is bnit, there will be
similar vessel built for each OF our important harbors DO
expect them, said the other day, TO supersede
trely permanent Notifications but they will be important
auxlaues, indispensable auxaries, because they can
be moved about While they have all the impregnsbiy
OF stone and mortar or6calions they have the advan.
age OF the locomoion OF ship. III we have OF these
vessels IN eacn OF our principal harbOrs hen we may
undertake 10 express sentiments in regard TO the laws
Of nations, and need not what other nations think OF
IT. The country at this time is not 10 state OF defence Al
war should happen, II my opinion that 10 twenty days
every city upon sescoas would be a heap OF smo.
king ruins and my conviction s sir that this vessel will
deead the harbor OF New York from any force that can be
sent against IT, and that will probably be able pass the
forts II II succeeds, II seems 10 that may then
put coasts such state oil defence that defy
all The naons OF the earth Therefore, ask the passage
of this bill now, FIRST becaue consider il indispensable
defence
there has been of Congress passed for The
purpose, which passed by the unanimous vote OF the
Senate, including that OF the lamented Calhoun; and,
thirdly, because the contractor has performed his duty
with fidelity and ability, and has not in my judgment,
been treated with the respect and consideration he de-
served from former administration, and from the country
generally
Mr.. HAMLlN. regret that the senator from New
Jersey has called up this bill at this time IL Is matter
TO which my attention was called some days SINCE and
have examined the matter somewhat; and had laid upon
my desk report made by the Secretary OF the Navy in
relation TO the matter, but II has been mlsaid. /
have not the information before me, but IL occurs TO
me that at the time OF investigating there very
serious objection TO this will concur with the
senator from New Jersey with great pleasure, 10 adopting
any system OF national defence that shall be effective and
economical II | am not mistaken in my recollection
and il am, presume the senator from New Jersey will
correct me--tbs Mr. Stevens originally made the propo
ston TO the government TO construct this vessel for har
Dor defence; but after having been called upon by the
department. be has to this hour, furnished TO
them any plan description OF the vessel which he
poses TO construct This is amount OF money, hen
which be placed at his disposal, 10 be used he
shall see At, without our knowing in what way or for
hat kind OF a ship il is TO be expended. Now, sir, IL
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