The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-02-07

the statement be true they defend themselves legally
entitled 10 relief il true, they will obtain il for
so the verdict is rendered that they do
this money 10 the government that which has been re-
tanned on account OF The supposed Indebtedness OF the
parties will be paid oil course II not, shall have
difficulty in passing bill at another time and it is not
best now 10 pass 1t.
| Mr.. RUSK will move TO postpone this matter until
tomorrow. II is but little amount-pay for very short
time, suppose. hope II will be postponed until
have Time 10 look into il.
| Mr. SHIELDS. wish to say one word in reply to
the senator from Texas. Mr.. RusK would be as un-
willing TO do injustice 10 these men, or to any old SOL
subject very carefully in the committee and our report
was unanimous. regret 10 be compelled 10 oppose this
bill but sense OF justice as regards these men and the
government. and regards the facts OF the compes
me 10 move 10 postpone this bill indefinitely. do not
now care what course is taken.
The question first recurred upon the motion postpone
TIL morrow; and, being put 1t was not agreed to-
The question was then taken upon the motion 10 post
pone indefinitely, and agreed TO-
THOMAS
| Mr.. SEWARD. During my absence from this body
the private calendar and laid aside until my return
beg leave now to call up My object is to call it up
for the purpose OF restoring i to its place upon the caen-
it, is necessary that should ask the Senate 10 take it
up If there be any objection made to its consideration
at the present tlme will merely ask to have 1t taken up
for the purpose OF putting il upon the calendar.
Mr.. HAMLIN. | think, in justice to the senator
from New York, Mr. SEwARD,l that if the bill is taken
w, Il
will recoect that upon the Friday before the last this
bill was reached in its order upon the calendar.
The PRESIDENT The senator from New York
Mr. SEwARD does not ask its consideration now, but
merely to have the bill taken up and put upon the calen
dar.
The question being then taken. the bill was taken up
and ordered TO be placed upon the private calendar.
MRS. T.. A. M'NEIL
The PRESIDENT announced that the next order was
Senate bill No 33-being "A bill for the relief of Mrs. f.
A. Mcneil, widow OF the late Gen. John Mcneil"
Mr.. FELCH. The senator from New Hampshire Mr.
NoRRIsl takes interest in this BILL but is not now in
his seat, being absent account OF sickness. there
fore move that this bill be passed over informally.
The question being then taken the bill was accordingly
passed over informally.
JOHN ERWIN
ceeded to consider Senate bill No 37-beng "a bill to
confirm the claim of John Erwin certain tract of land
bAWSsoN will 's state @sS ha sa the senator from
Kentucky Mr. UNDERwooDl desires TO speak upon this
BILL and he is not in his seat at present. i was upon his
motion that i, was laid over upon last Friday.
Mr. BADGER. hope it will not be laid over another
Friday
Mr. DOWNS certainly dislike TO go on with this
bill in the absence of the senator from Kentucky, [r
UNDERwooDl He was here moment since, and pre-
sumo he is about the building somewhere. | should not
object TO have postponed for few moments, until the
Mr.. HALE and an Mr.. BADGER Let it go on.
Mr.. DOWNS. do not like to leopard the bill again
It has already been discussed thoroughly would be
glad if the senator would be sent for, if he is here
The PRESIDENT lit be the pleasure of the Senate,
this bill be passed informally, and be taken up
when the senator from Kentucky GMr. USDERwooDl
Mr.. PRATT. There is no motion TO that effect
Mr.. DAVIS. | am under the impression that many
bills Of this description have been already passed Is II
Mr. DOWNS Bills very much like it
Mr. DAVIS am not aware that IT is dlsiinguishabe
from the other cases II the senator from Louisiana
Mr., DOWNS !, very analogous to bills that passed
thaI and
consequence OF that difference has been excluded at the
land office from the class OF provided for at the last
session. Il does not come technically under that rule,
MI. DAWSON called for the reading Of the report.
MIR. FELCH. think it most advisable under the cir.
cumsances OF the case that this bill should lie until
the senator from Kentucky Mr.. USDERwoopl comes in.
My impression is that, instead of giving the land
according TO the terms of this BILL pre-empton right
the question on account Of the fact that the senator from
Kentucky Mr. USDERwooD had taken IN charge, and
therefore think would be letter TO have II laid over
until he comes in II the senator from Louisiana Mr.
DowNsl does not object, will make that notion
| Mr.. BADGER | hope not
| Mr. DOWNS. 1 do not know that have any objection
that course, il is taken up again in the course OF the
MIR BADGER. wish 10 say to my friend from
Louisiana Mr. Dowssl that il he chooses TO let this bill
lie over have nothing TO say. But it does not hap.
pen pass in consequence OF its lying then wish
him 10 know at whose door the blame will lie.
Mr.. DOWNS. II that's TO be the effect, cannot con-
| The report was then read
Nr. FELCH The general law referred to in this
port in relation 10 the Bastrop claim provides for two
classes OF cases, OF which OF those persons who
claim under Basrop his assgnees, holding under
Spanish grant, and for that class OF there is pro-
vded, think section of and-sx hundred and forty
acres-wiihout compensation That intended TO relieve
class OF citizens who in good faith purchased under
claim which is now decided to be invalid. The other
class OF is OF those persons who hold under right OF
possession, and they permitted by virtue OF their pos
session TO have exemption right to hundred and
sixty OF land, including their improvements. III
understand this matter correctly from the reading OF the
report this Erwin does not claim any title through or from
Basrop. He has merely occupancy, and comes within
the category mentioned in the last section OF the act
giving pre-empons IL am correct in my view OF this
me-hen, if no legislation is had upon this matter, he
will be entitled TO his preempton right 10 hundred
and sixty OF land, including his improvements
II this bill passes IT will put him upon the mere foot
ing OF those who have bought and paid for their lands
AS have stated before my impression is that this IS
a case where pre-empton right ought to be granted
He would then receive his l60 acres OF land This bill
the next place relieves him from paying any compcnsa
ton for it. IL seems to that il would be right to give
him his pre-empon right, but not anything further But
see the senator from Kentucky MIR. UNDERWOOD IN
his place. and he will explain this matter more fully,
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. believe the senator IRON Mich
gan [Mr FELcH has stated everything have to state
upon this subject From the examination which have
made, find, i this bill passes this gentleman will get
land for nothing TO the amount OF 6f0 acres, wben
coning TO past legislation, he would be entitled to
but 100 | can see no reason why we should en-
large his right under present laws The ground upon
which it placed the other day this: man by
the OF Ballnger lived upon the grant where this