The daily union., 1852-08-04
SENATE.

u. Il.
TO reconsider the vote referring the memorial OF James
Hamilton and Others TO a select committee be now
tax en- up.
The motion agreed TO, and the memorial was taken
up tor consideration. +
Mr. TOUCEY then said Mr. President, at the request
OF q senator, a member Of the Committee on Fnahce,
have submitted moon 10 reconsider that reference.
moved to refer il 10 select committee the ground
that II was an isolated proposition. ! that
there were petitions praying that Congress would assume
the debts OF Texas, and perhaps Two of different
character. referred 10 the Committee Finance but this
is proposition merely that Congress shall modify the
ovso the Texas boundary act SO that those creditors
in the Stale OF Texas, who wiling to receive their
dues and discharge tlem might have opportunity 10
do SO without be,ng dependent upon one or any number
Of other creditors who might be unwilling to do SO It
struck me that this was proposition by Itself which it
would be very proper to be referred to select committees
but, at the request Of senator. have submitted motion
for a IecOnsideraon.
Mr.. BUTLER Alr President, understand the dis.
,nct proposition now is 10 refer this petition 10 select
commitlee. ts@ 5te.
Mr. BU iLER We'll, sir. shall vote for that propo-
sop. But proper that should say here that have
learned, from sources that be relied upon that the
Committee on Finance, or some members of that CON-
ntee have supposed that General Hamilton, in making
this appIicaon, either intended some disespect TO the
committee, as a committee, or has violated what they
regarded parliamentary decorum. assure every
member OF that committee that General Hamilton had
the most distant idea OF violating anything like paria
mentary courtesy, or OF showing any personal dsrespec
TO any of the members OF this committee Owning, as
he does about two millions OF dollars, or whose con-
suents claim about that sum, believe General Ham-
ton, the he has taken. has consulted entirely
the dictates OF duty and believe il has been his object
TO reach under the dictates OF his duty, the justice Of the
case, far as his constituents concerned And sir,
| do not see why the Committee on Finance should
claim a matter of right the Jurisdiction over this SUBJ
jec,. Ii General Hamilton supposed for moment tha,
they were to decide against hm by foregone coaclu
sion, he would not consult his duty to his constituents if
he 10 seek 10 refer the memorial committee
tina, would give him a hearing | do not know how
that is however, but rise merely TO the commit
tee that it was not his purpose in any way TO violate any
OF the OF this body to show any dsrespec
tle Committee on Finance. But he was bound, under
the highest obligations OF duty, 10 place this memorial in
situation in which be could have justice accorded his
We've.
But am not going to debate that question. The
creditors Of Texas the poor favor Of receiving hef
money and being dismissed. They ask that they shall
not be controlled by those who say ''You shall
ceive your money and shall not be dismissed" IT they
TO be placed IN that situation il is high time that
General Hamilton should seek another committee. Aud
he stands in that altitude before the community endeav-
orDg have justice done to his constituents according
10 the judgment OF Texas, and according their own
views, accepting the money provided for them in the
treasury; and presume a select committee would be as
impartial the FIRST committee. But thus is altogether
question that IS presented in this memorial Of Gen
Hamilton. The matters that have been before the Com
mliiee Finance do not touch the question before
now He say in the spirit OF the lnerrosatoy put
by one OF old, Does your law condemn any man be-
fore il hears hmw lie wishes to have committee TO
hear him. That, it seems TO me- is modest request
To my view-i say II in the utmost farmers and in
genuousness think 1t is very desirable that this matter
should be disposed OF. political question,
money question, but according TO those rules which
regulate court OF jnsiice.
As long az this ten millions of dollars assumed a
political aspect, you know what my opinions upon
II and my relations in regard to IT. do not hesitate TO
say that II the iulcfum upon which the lever
OF that compromise rested Nor do hesitate 10 say that
/ opposed 1t because was efficient OF bring.
ing about that compromise which will be violated as
soon rs there - temptation strong enough 10 do H.
But that not question involved IN this matter. look
into this matter entirely with view TO right and justice,
and desire to the money appropriated for the bene
III OF The creditors OF Texas, and nothing else General
Hamilton has asked this, and think It IS reasonable to
grant IT, do not understand wha the views OF the Com
miilee Finance but il any member of it has any
objection to select committee, the ground that the
Committee Finance has any proper right and ursdic
on this matter should be glad TO hear him state
Mr. BRIGHT. | desire to conec, the senator from
South Carolina Mr. BuTIrRl in particular, and hat
is 10 reference 10 the question that has been submitted TO
The Commtlee Finance. There memorials before
that committee directing their attention TO the qnes.
ton presented by the memorial OF General Hamilton
Various petitions have been presented during The ses
SION, all OF which were referred 10 the Committee on
Finance one of the regular committees OF this body.
That committee have been engaged Tor the last
three or four months, more less, in examining
these memorials. and they have decided, by a reg
nar vote upon the direct question presented by the
late memorial Of Gen HamIon--tha, is 10 the pro-
prey oil repeating he provso which retains the hve mil
lions due 10 Texas in The treasury OF The United States
they OF opinion that the prayer OF the petitioner
rtt not 10 be granted. ibe DonOfaofe from
Maryland (Ar PEARcgl directed 10 prepare report
in accordance with ,ha, decision, and to report bill de-
clarng what the committee were in favor Of. And now
submit 10 the Senate whether It is right and proper TO
take The business from the regular standing COMMITTEES OF
this body after they have agreed upon report, before
that report is presented, and to refet the subject to
lect committee. Alter the senator from Maryland MIR
PEARcKl shall have made his report. will then be .mi-
nenty proper for the Senate, ii they disagree the
port, vote il down. and offer the substitute proposed
by the gentleman who petitions here. But I'LL that
il doas, think it will be supplementary 10 do
will mol be doing justice to that Committee who have
had that matter in charge, and have for months been
labong upon IT, And II be IN order, Mr. President,
would move to refer the memorial TO the Committee on
Finance where all the other papers relating TO The same
debt
Mr. BUTLER. May ask for The reading OF this
memorial
Mr. BADGER. II has been printed
Mr. BUTLER ] call for the reading OF IT. ! have
asked for very few privileges here, andi hope,n Jus
uce 10 the petitioner, hls memorial will be read
The Secretary accodingy proceeded TO read the memo
rial but after having read portion oi u,
Alr. BADGER moved to dispense with the further
reading OF IL.
Mr. DESAUsSURE hope not. The reading has
been commenced under the order Of the Senate. My
colleague. who moved the reading of H. do not now see
IN he Chamber trust II will be continued suppose
ne mas read himself. and does not desire to hear VI
axain he object oil having IL read, on bls part was
'hat ue SENATE might decide unders,andlngIy upon the
gaesuon now before themwhethe il shal! be referred
the memorial has been printed and has been the desks
OF senators and II has been read by All OF the senator's,
then perhaps II - unnecessary that should be read
again, But, SIR, incline o bel,eve Thai such