The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-21
IN CONGRESS OF THE U. STATES

Temples MEMOIR or THE LANDING OF THE UNITED
STATES TROOPS AT CRUZ.
Mr. HAMLIN | submitted resolution on Fri
The PRESIDENT The senator from Tennessee Mr.
BELl simply withdrew his resolution for the purpose OF
allowing the resolution offered By the from Vir-
ginia Mr.. MAsonl be considered. and the motion,
therefore, is TO take up The resolution in relation TO
the memoir OF Mr. Temple concerning the landing OF the
troops al Vera Cruz.
MIR. BELL. hope that resolution will be passed. /
believe the objections to il are Withdrawn.
The resolution was taken up aud considered. II is
follows
furnish Senate with copy OF the memoir Of the land
ing OF the United States troops at Vera Cruz lsi7, by
ing the written order OF General Scott and Commodore
Coanor, on file in the Navy Department.
Mr.. WALKER / believe that is book that it was
proposed some time ago TO publish There was a good
deal OF discussion about at the lime. and there seemed
TO be considerable feeling upon the subject have al
most forgotten what light was thrown upon the subject
by that discussion and hence think had better have
il over again believe, however that il then pretty
generally conceded that this memoir was kind Of
pamphlet private book. gotten up by some individual
no doubt very competent to write memoir upon the sub
ject but that il deemed useless and unnecessary
general disinclina,ion publish it. Now, cannot see
why the publication OF 1t is ally more necessary
than it then. For one would not like to have the
thing passed in silence but would like to have the inor
nation thrown before again the way of discussion
in order that our memories may be refreshed upon The
subject
IL.
[Mr. WALKER] has made mistake about this matter
think these general orders have been published
Mr. WALKER. | did not say that il bad been pub
shed said it proposed 10 publish it, and there
was a general objection TO II.
Mr.. BELL The proposition is simply what is stated
in the resoutionto request the Secretary OF the Navy
10 supply the Senate with copy of this memoir with
these orders The substance OF the statements in behalf
of the resolution at that time was, that il understood
be merely PROFESSIONAL though matter OF public in
ierest, be sure extent Ii OF the most
splendid achievements OF the kind during the late war
Of the most Interesting that ever took place in the
history OF military affairs from the foundation OF the
government The public had never-except in very vol
uminous documents, which they would have 10 search
for detached parers-anything like connected narra
tive OF these transactions. Ii TO imbody and
present them briefly in report, that the public Curl
osy might be graiifed, that this memoir was writ
Ten. The main object was proessonal-regaTd
as such, for the benefit OF the army and navy--for
the professional instruction. TO extent. of the militia
ry and naval forces OF this country Such things very
rarely if have been refused believe and although
upon former occasion when the subject up ii
discussed pretty freely, do not know upon what eyi-
dence the senator from Wisconsin Mr.. WLKERl ounds
his statement that there was general disposition not
NEEDLE with the printing of The document Two three
gentlemen objected TO IT on the ground that il The
iue of these proceedings only which laid the foundation
for the publication Of book Well, in reply 10 that
stated that understood the memoir so brief that it
could scarcely be called book even if you took it in
that light and presented il TO the Senate 10 be published
understood the whole number of pages did not exceed
forty in manuscript and 1t would be unjust TO 10 call il
book in that know the honorable senator from
Maine thai occasion objected strongly this practice
publishing books oil any size In reply 10 that stated
that whenever the Senate chose 10 lay down rule that
they would hereafter publish nothing OF the kindno pa
tent Office reports except those connected with the patent
Aoice-no military and naval reports except those
neced strictly With the business OF the Senaieno book
upon any subject connected with commerce, with ag
Ficuliure, &c. except authorized by law-hen would
no, oder this resolution; and under such general under
standing, certainly should not have done IT,
And again, what is asked now is not to print this me-
moIr. Ii is merely that we should see the memoir contain
ing the general orders. AS L have slated before,
cannot find connected narrative OF these transactions
without wading through some fifteen hundred or two
thousand pages OF general reports OF the operations OF
our army during the Mexican war The question Of
printing subsequent one, and hope my friend from
Arkansas [Mr BoRLAspl will not now pounce upon this
resolution. beg his pardoa; he looks very earnest.
and was fearful he was going TO make his objections
IN advance.
Really sir II is small matter and since il has given
rise to any discussion regret that presented il all
Some gentlemen seem 10 suppose that II has some
political aspect beang-that IL is intended TO operate
IN favor Of General Scott, who commander oil the
land forces at yera Cruz; but does that Com.
tConnor thought OF all the time. 1 dsayow any
such design myself have not these orders. and
know not whether they rebound TO the credit OF the
commanding officer or not Whatever credit he is en-
ulsd upon that occasion he will get independent OF
this memoir, presume; and Com Connor may be found
TO be entitled 40 credit, too but these things did not
enter my mind. 1t was simply piece of history which
had in view-a condensed account Of the landing OF
the United States troops at Vera Cruz, which | had
heard alluded to by gentlemen who understood much
more than myself upon this suhJect-genilemen who
were themselves present. and who thought the achieve.
ment to be OF the most successful and sku opera
tons ever effected under similar circumstances Now,
hope the Senate will pass the resolution in order that
may the memorial and then when the question OF
printing comes up, we can decide whether II is worth
printing or not
Mr. BoRLAND. Mr. President, really did not in
tend 10 cay anything upon this subject for do attach
great deal oil Importance TO II but the senator from
Tennessee Mr BELLl seems to think that was so in
erssted in the snbIect, and looking at him 80 ear.
e@ty II about 10 attack the resolution must beg 10
he permitted TO say that he entirely mistaken in
an, pgctng thst look much interest in the subject
The tth u.s. i,lt interest 10 the very eloquent man.
ner in which the Denator was presenting the subject TO
The Sc uxe aud that was the OF my looking at the
senator 40 iniently
But the honorable .eDator has thought proper 10
alude 10 sle particularly in r'gsrd to this subject
Mr.. 81 Ill, 1t was mistake, assure the honorable
senator.
Mr. B0R LAND take occasion to say, that everything
upon this blec far the orders are concerned must
certainly have been published before this. and ~ on
record ssble every person who chooses 70 look a
1T and the only thin that can be said about tbs me-
moir is that ase written by young officer oil The
army, giving his vie WIS OF the subject do not know
anything about it, presume II is all the senator iron
Tennessee Mr. Be LII says i s-very beautifully, very
ably, very elegantly written; but apprehend there have
been hundred pc rhaps i've hundred other beautiful,
abe and elegant ire ases upon the same suclect know
the newspapers hav often contained articles oil great ne
erest upon the sub Ct and have said all about that The
senator from Tenn has said this morning. No
one, certainly, adm Tres that achievement more than
do but because gentleman who IL a little ambitious
figure in print chooses to write treatise upon that
subject, does i inn ,ose any obligation upon the Senate
II. -