The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-03-26
uKlrrp STATES srEAMrR EDITH.

The consideration 0 the following resolution submitted
by hun;
,,faish the Senate eady practicable with copy Of
lie proceedings Of Tue naval court OF inquiry In relation
he Ios of United states steamer Edith, in l6l9
oetsr with copies OF Tho correspondence which formed
ho ground Of tho order gwen 70 constitute said court and
~ III the papers referred to the record of proceedings
sIso copies all reports charges made the department
against any member composing said court in reference
hnnanct while attached to the Pacific squadron copies OF
e spondence between the department and Commo-
dore Thomas Catesby Jones. relating The said
Faith copios of the cores spoudence with Richard W.
Meade ale lieutenant in the United States navy. during
the year 5 copy OF the charges and specifications pre-
G,gd by Lieut. Tuns A. Craven against Commodore
Joe 1919 and 1885, with the reasons OF the department
o no; scJng thereon and copies Of the spondence
hetwpen the department. and the commanders of the Pacific
soaaian aud all other officers OF the navy. in relation to
tie erection Of steam circular saw m in California, and
The expenditures thereon.
Mr. moved to amend the resolution by adding there
10 the io.owing
Also Commodore Jones's response to Lient. Crayens
charges reply Letter from the Secretary Of the Navy
Commodore Jones 10 the Secretary OF tile Navy dated
respectively Decenber7 1850, and January 81 1851 to-
+ A. Craven aud the documents which said
letters the Secretary OF the Navy for the trial Of which
eased By the Secretary Of the Navy, Also any
pondence between the Secretary Of the Navy the Com
o"p.of war "a Fal1oah, and Lieut. r. W Meade. between
the 5h day Of March and the l day OF July 1919, in
aon the appointment and transportation of said K. w
Meade and other officers and engineers from Boston the
Pacfc for the United States propeller Edith
Mr.. HUNTER. | am not disposed to vote for this
resolution, ripping up proceedings which have been the
subject of cours-martia do not any for such
information, or that any particular good could arise from
making such call; and II seems 10 Inc that it may
he seeds OF dissenslon IN the navy itself think the
navy has already suffered from the effects OF similar calls
Too frequently made, think we exposing unneces-
sady, and sometimes indscreetly, The archives Of the
government These matters have been made matters OF
Investigation and, as understand it, some OF them have
been adjusted BY conrs marital Why open these ques-
tons again
A, A.; a. |.
adoption OF the resolution. II is precisely such resou
on adopted here at the last session OF Congress-
in the of the court martial OF Commodore Jones'
We did not do il for the purpose OF giving the trial
hearing before the Senate. but because particular nfof
nation contained in the documents, and the indi-
vdual wanted the benefit OF IT, so in this case; and
will say further that this is application which have
never known 10 be refused In the Senate since have
been member oil the body.
Mr. SEWARD. A resolution originally offered
calling Tor the papers IN the case OF Commodore Jones'
who complained that injustice had been done 10 himfor
The purpose of giving him that position which il is al
ways necessary and proper for an officer OF the navy to
hodtha he should be exempted from all upabily in the
matter This party, conceiving himself injured by that
Information, desired the introduction of this resolution
Commodore Jones. believing that be would be affected by
M call for that information, called upon me, and. his
instance, the matter delayed until the present time
TBeamendments which have presented are approved.
as understand. by him. aud were prepared at his in
hty that the inormaton being called for and obtained
will create ditfcu,y for understand that the resou
favor of all the parties interested II is proposed TO
esuscate examination already concluded and have
instituted this inquiry with any feelings OF unkndness
or paraly in relation 10 either OF the parties Interested
Mr HUNTER. will ask one question, sir. | will
ask il this resolution does not propose to call out orders
and letters OF complaint OF Commodore Jones, upon which
the Secretary OF the Navy himself refused to institute
charge al the tine Commodore Jones was ried by court
martial The effect OF to me TO produce obvious
injustice II would have been better TO institute the in
gury-if IL was 10 be made at slin the court martial
Ssch call would be likely TO call forth renewal Of all
those dissensons. We have right TO call for this in
formation, and TO publish II TO the world but have
also the right IT believe such things have been ushed
too far and are injurious to individuals to refuse to make
these calls unless obvious necessity exists for ihem
see no necessity for H. and shall oppose IT, not for the
purpose OF shielding Commodore Jones-for do not be-
eve he is TO be injured by itbui oppose il because
believe that such calls injurious 10 the discipline OF
the navy | think we have already carried these calls
TOO lar But will not detain the Senate longer In rela
ton 10 it.
Mr. GWIN Al the last session OF Congress the col
league OF the senator from Virginia. Mr.. Mason AT the
instance OF Commodore Jones, made a call for certain
papers, which were furnished to the Senate, and which
were ordered 10 be printed In OF those papers there
asialement made by Commodore Jones TO the Secretary
Of the Navy, which is printed and has gone upon our
records, calling Lieutenant Meade OF the navy worth
less officer" THIS the first time that Lieutenant
Meade had heard such term OF reproach attached
10 him, when he saw that printed document. When he
saw he had resigned his commission in the navy, and
had no opportunity Of calling for inquiry for IL was
dlshonorable and ignoble term to apply TO him He
nad nv leUtuy Ielt out 10 call fOT certain papers
flied the department. and which he had cause TO CON-
PLAIN that the Secretary OF the Navy had refused ins
iute inquiry upon. Now, sir. think that there have
been great many papers published which should not have
been, stated by the senator from Virginia But here
gentleman, no longer connected with the navy who has
Oeen charged by commodore OF the navy with being
worthless ohcer, who cannot have that charge nvesti
gated. That is the reason he comes before The Senate
and asks that the papers to relieve him of this charge
snail also be sent for and published do not intend
iar as am concerned the slightest upon Com
zones think he has been barshly treated That is my
opinion with regard TO his case But really think.
uet 'ne circumstances OF this case should AT least
sn lof me papers We publish them not, we
please do not say that they ought to be published, but
'ns, lhey ought TO be called for
pH. hONIER II the senator from California, who
Ia undoubtedly examined the matter much than
says ust II " necessary, in order TO vndlcate Lieut.
eale Character that should call for these papers,
.uat aileTs the case Bat ask if this resolution does
n9I I call Tor information which does not concern Lieut.
pleade, and The only design OF which be to throw
ascfedt upon Com Jones A II does not embrace mat
es not only not calculated 10 clear Lieut. Meade but in
Mheh Lieut. Meade had no concern Ii such il the
vase ought the Senate TO make itself party in any such
IuaHe' In relation 10 that think IT would moi be pru
uen N l0t The Senate to attempt 10 interfere.
mf MALLORY. We have clearly right Mr. Presi-
vent 10 call for this information The only question is
ne expedeucy OF making the call and the question OF
tpeaency IS that II may possibly involve charges against
SSomnodore Jones which have been presented to the
oeeFeay OF the Navy and which he has refused TO act
won The other objection is, that il may affect the dis
Pne OF The navy Now sir, with the little knowledge
nave OF that subject, free 10 say that the discipline
y me navy cannot be further injured II il beyond all
poWer OF injury. Indeed doubt whether such term
I properly be applied 10 the navy for doubt whether
us navy Is possessed of any discipline whatever Com
psaes was a. public officer. | know nothing Of the