The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-08-31
The suver4a,enden. Of THE Census.

From the reply Of the SECRETARY OF THE
INTERIOR 10 the resolution of the Senate in re-
ference to the census expenditures, we anne1
such paragraphs as explain the circumstances
OF Mr.. KEKNEDy's visit to Europe; with the
remark that this letter was in possession of
the Senate at the time Of Mr.. BoRLAND's re-
cent attack on Mr.. KENNEDY. We do not
here mean the personal assault Of Mr.. Bon
LAND upon Mr.. KENNEDY on the floor of the
Senate, but his observations in debate:
elm reply to the 18th branch Of the resolution of
the 9th instant, which directs me to state to the
Senate the appropriation out Of which the expenses
of the visit of the Superintendent of the Census to
Europe were paid and the authority of law for
their payment, have the honor to state that, on
the rst of May, 1851 after the returns of the mar
shals had been received at the Census Office, and
when the superintendent was about commencing
the work of classification, he addressed letter to
the Secretary Of State, copy Of which accomPa-
mics this report suggesting that the British census
had just been taken, and that the Registrar General
was about to commence the classification OF the
returns of the population and statistics of England
and that other countries were also about to take
their censuses In view of these facts, he Expressed
desire to make a personal examination OF the
manner in which the commissioners of those coun-
tries proposed to arrange their tables, and to con-
suit with them as to the propriety of establishing
an uniform system which would enable the reader
at glance to judge of the relative progress OF each
nation. The Secretary Of State referred this COM
muuication to the President, who in turn referred
il to the Census Board, which consisted Of the Sec
rotary of State, the Attorney General. and the
Postmaster General. These gentlemen having
Ar aAA loft
under date of 7th May, 1851, in which they ex-
pressed their approval of the views of Mr. Kennedy.
and their belief that, under the provisions of the
18th section of the act of Congress, approved 23d
May, $780, l had the power to make the neces-
sary appropriation for carrying them into effect.
They also united in recommending that Mr. Ken
nedy be appointed to carry out the views ex-
pressed, and that while 90 engaged his necessary
expenses be paid out of the appropriation made for
taking the seventh census and other purposes.
copy of their letter accompanies this report.
SIN compliance with their recommendation, on
the 18th of May, 1851. appointed Mr.. Kennedy
special agent to go to Europe for the objects spec-
fed in his communication. copy of his COM
mission and of the instructions which were given
to him, also accompany this report.
"It will be perceived that he was directed to
keep an accurate account of the expenses he might
actually and necessarily incur, which were To DO
allowed to him, but he was to receive other or
further compensation than he would have received
if he had remained at Washington 1t was not ex-
pected that Mr.. Kennedy would be able to furnish
exact vouchers for all his expenditures, for from
their nature, it was known that it would be i'm
practicable to do For the satisfaction of the
Comptroller, however, Mr. Kennedy placed in his
possession, as have been informed, such papers
as he had procured, exhibiting the justice of his
| charges. These papers were not presented as
vouchers in the technical sense of the term, but
merely az collateral evidence. sd. u. .o-..
"In many instances Mr.. Kennedy was travel
| ling in company with other persons, and the bills
made out for their joint expenditures; and in
order to arrive at the true amount of his charges
against the Government it is necessary to ascertain
| his proportionablc part of them In no case, how
ever, was any thing claimed by Mr.. Kennedy ex-
cept for his individual personal expenses, which
are stated to have been, for the entire trip,
| $l,469 rs.
"H is proper to remark, in conclusion, that the
leading facts above detailed were presented to
Congress at the commencement of its present ses-
| sion in my annual report, which accompanied the
message of the President" '. ..' .'
l