The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-29
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
SENATE.
WEDNESDAY, April %.


COL. FREEMosr AaREsTED---cAL,Fo RNiA CLAIMS.
Mr.. GWIN said he wished to throw himself
upon the indulgence ofthe Senate for the purpose
of calling up the bill to create beard Of commits
sIoners for the examination and payment of
claims against the United States growing out of
the conquest of California, and he would state his
reasons.
lie had received letter this morning from Col.
j. e. Fremont, dated London, April 10, stating
that on the evening of the 9Th Instant he was ar
rested ny party of rude officers, upon the suit
OF parties wholly unknown to him, and that he
was placed in confinement for the space of TWEEN
ty-four hoprs; that he subsequently ascertained
that heswas arrested for liabilities arising under
military operations in California, amounting to
$4,000; and he had reason to believe that this
suit w9yld be followed by others OF a like nature,
involving him in expensive litigations and en-
dangerihg his personal liber.y The proceeding
was considered by Americans and others in Lou
don, as gross outrage upon Col. Fremont and
u disgrace to our government.
: Mr. G. said bill passed the Senate three wears
ago, establishing board of commissioners and
providing for the payment of these claims. Ii
went to the House where it not finally acted
upon He brought the subject to the attention
OF Congress again at an early period Of the pres
eent session, and bill had been reported. He
hoped the Senate would take it up and act upon
il Immediately, in order to relieve Col. Fremont
from his unpleasant situation and save the coun-
try from Disgrace
Mr.. BoRLAND was opposed to taking up the
bill. He did not think il would relieve Colonel
Fremont from his difficulty.
After further remark and some DELAY. the bill
was taken up.
Mr.. GWlN proposed substitute for the bill
reported by the committee. upon which debate
arising, the subject was postponed
NON INTERVENTION.
On motion of Mr.. BRODHEAD. the Senate
resumed the consideration of the Joint resolution
re;afirming the doctrine of non-intervention.
Mr.. COOPER, who was entitled to the floor,
addressed the Senate. He approved Of the origi-
nal resolution of the Senator from Rhode Island,
but at the same time thought it would be better
policy to let the whole subject lie on the table
lie was decidedly opposed to the amendment
which had been offered by the Senator's from
Michigan and New York. He replied, at some
length, to the remarks of the Senator from Ten
nessee Mr.. JoNEsl, dwelling in particular upon
the following propositions, which he deduced
from his speech: First-that republicanism is at
present, and permanently, PROSTATE and discarded
in Europe, without the hope of restoration: sec
ondly-that 1t is likely that the existing state of
things on the continent of Europe will most likely
result In combination of despotic governments
against this country, and eventually there would
be war waged by the governments Of the old
world against the institutions of the new
While he admitted that there was much force
in these propositions. still he was more bopefuI
for the future. Although republican principles
were for the present imperative, he believed the
day was not far distant when they would again
be felt. In regard to the second proposition, he
had little apprehension Of war, If we were prudent
and followed up the policy of Washington and
the fathers Of the republic. Such league of
despots, he commended, would find an army of re-
publicans in their rear when they went to strike
down liberty in its last stronghold. The immense
national debt of the despotic powers of Europe
would also always prove effective restraint upon
any such movement.
In conclusion, he argued against making pro-
test, believing 1t would amount to just so much
brutu,n fitinien, unless we were determined TO fol-
low up its violation vi ct arnis.
Mr.. WADE took the floor, when the subject
was postponed until Thursday, the 9th of Nav
next.
The Senate then adjourned