The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-04

aud child who nterfsed with his rghlibl authority 10
executing The duties OF his station He was sent 10 es
absh government upon an island ia The ocean, aud ne
did H. We have only 10 point 10 the acis OF Commodore
Porter in order 10 show that there was no dsIsieton
from duty upon his partnothing incompatible with his
character as man oil honor and correct seaman-and
10 prove that his acts while IN authority We're sustained
by the highest authority in the country In that paricu
lar he did no wrong. asrrF
Now, sir il is said that when he ordered 10 take
possession OF the leland be took oil the whole
OF H. Well sir. maintain that under that order be had
right 10 take possession OF much as was suncent
to establish hayward and depot Now, that he look
Commodore Porter himself was Judge OF how much was
necessary Tor his purpose and whether his Judgment De
right or wrong will not affect the argument, he had
right TO take possession OF the whole island he thought
was necessary and from the fact that he did take pos
session of the whole, have right TO infer that he
supposed the whole was necessary. And we are asked
why bis judgment called in question for series
Of years Why, sir it is historical fact that Commo-
dore Porter not for years within jurisdicon-be
absent from the United States for years together du
ring the greater period OF his life Consiantnops
Mr.. BAYARD. II The honorable senator from Florida
will allow will ask him il he point to any report
which Commodore Porter ever made to the Navy Depart
meni announcing them that he had taken possession
OF this island or anything like tor that he established
martial law there.
navy yard and depot there i necessarily follows that ne
established martial law. The idea OF having navy
yard and depot and not having martial law within II, Is
something which never yet have heard OF. The same
code that he enforced the decks of his ships he carried
ashore
Mr.. BAYARD, Does the senator mean to say thai
when officer reports the establishment OF navy yard
and depot island four and half miles long, and
containing hundred acres, that implies taxing
possession OF the whole island establishing martial law
beyond the part necessary for the depot and depving the
inhabitants OF the exercise OF their rights of property!
/ Mr. MALLORY Ii is geographical fact, well known
TO all who are familiar with the locality, that there II
only point at one end OF the island at which there arr
any inhabitants all-only end-and this was al
that was taken possession Of The other part was un
necessary for the purpose required On the other assump
ton he might take possession OF all the valuable SOIL an6
drive the inhabitants TO that which was worthless
Commodore Porter does not say in precise terms what h
did because his orders to take possession OF thu
/ island. The orders were these
sYnn will establish Thopsons island, usually Gale,
Key West depot, and land the ordnance and marines
protect the AID provisions. II, however, you sha
ind any important objection this place, and more suit
able ami be found you at liberty
select Il depot"
/ The island had previously been taken possession o
under positive orders TO Commodore Perry. Now, Com
modore Porter says
/ "The fixing establishment al Thompsons island 10
rendezvous and supplies, my instruction required, ha
had the happy effect in attaining the object In view
merely rose to repudate the idea that in passing thi
bill shall fix any stain upon the character OF Commo
dore Porter-that all his acts military officer and
seaman, in controlling private property and pfeventn
the inhabitants from exercising their proprietary nteres
in the soil done in his character as an officer oil In
government, and under their legitimate authority.
I The question being then taken on the indefinite posi-
ponement OF The bill it was agreed to-