The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-09


REPAIR OF THE LIBRARY ROOM.
Nlr HUNTER moved that the Senate proceed
the consideration Of the bill for the repair Of the
Cong essonal Library room. lately destroyed by
fire and the motion was agreed to.
MIR. ii. subuiitted plan Of the library a. in
tended 10 be when reitted Ii was supposed that
il would be ready for use by ths middle Of May.
IL was be of the same dimensions az before;
the whole extent OF the room. The bill appro-
priated S72,5O0 for the purpose. The bill waa
then ordered TO be engrossed for third reading.
CLAIMS UPON MEXICO.
Mr. BRODHEAD submitted u resolution re-
qucs,ing the Secretary OF State to inform the Sen
ate whether all the claims which had been submit
ted 10 The late Board Of Commissioners on Claims
against Mexico had been finally adjudIcated by
the said Board and whether the amount specified
III the treaty to be applied for that purpose was
adequate To the sum found to be due the claim
ants by the Board.
klr. B. explained that there several Pc
titons before the Committee Claims comp lain
ing Of the action of the Board, and this iniorma-
ton was desired by the committee Theresoluton
WAS Ihen passed.
SALINE LANDS IOWA
On motion of MIR. DODGE, of Iowa the Senate
or, cecded to the considerable of the bill to relin
qush to the State Of Iowa the lands heretofore
ser ed for salt springs in that State. And the
same was considered and ordered TO third read
ing.
CONTRACTS AND CONTRACTORS FoR cARRYINo TIE
MAIL BETWEEN NEW YORK Asp CALIFORNIA.
Mr.. CLEMENS submitted the following resolu-
ton, which was laid over
Rtsolr.d, That the Secretary of the Navy and Post
master General be requested to furnish Congress
with copies Of the contracts originally made, and
present xisng for the transportation OF The mails
between New York and Gallo MIA by steamships
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and al! the in
formation they possess in regard thereto; what
amount has been paid, and to whom; what amount
paid, and to whom, for the transit Of the
Iails across the Isthmus Of Pa mama, in connexion
with said steamship service; the gross amount OF
money that has been paid under each service;
when such contracts commencsd IN what Gums,
and at what periods Of time paid. and 10 whom
each payment has been made; whether at such
periods expressed under the terms OF said con-
tracts. otherwss; the amount of service rem
dered, and by what vessels; how often they ar
rive and depart; what time has been. and Is now,
occupied in the carriage of the mails between said
ports; whether all the vessels stipulated under said
contracts to be built have been built, what
portion of them; whether if two three of the five
ships contracted to be built under said contracts
were not built, but other vessels engaged in in
dependent lines united with the vessels Of the Gov
eminent contractors thus forming one ins-each
OF the partners, however, owning their own ves
sells, and III that particular answering the terms OF
the contract to build said i've shpe; whether other
facilities Exist for performing the same similar
service, and If other propositions have been made,
and upon what terms, TO perform said service, and
within what periods OF time
sYhPATHY FOR THE ExfLEs.
The Senate then proceeded To the CONFEDERATION
Of the resolution expressive Of the sympathy OF the
Con ress Of the United States for Smith O'Brien
and his associates, exilss in Van Dieman's Land.
Mr. SHIELDS said that he had submitted his
amendment 10 the resolution after consultation
with the Senator from Michigan, Mr. CAss,) and
IN it's prepa ration he had profted by the advice OF
the Senator from South Carolina. (Mr. BUTLER)
BY the resolution ss proposed TO be amended,
this application would be made IN manner con-
sistrnt with the dignity Of this Government, and
10 which exception could be taken by the
British government.
o'RrSn. Mica CHER and O'Donoghue were con
victcd Of treason, and were sentenced to be hung,
drawn, and quartered; but by special act OF Par
lament their sentence was changed into exile in
4 penal colony. Mitchell, Martin, and O'Doherty
were convicted Of sedition; their offence was made
seaitou by special law. Martin and O'Doherty
were sentenced to ten years each, Mitchell 20 four
teen years in the same colony They are all now
AT Van Deman's Land. This sentence, If not cruel
Was most degrading, and doubtless these gentle
men would rlrefsr death to its bumilistions. II
THE resolution were adopted-and he could hardly
doubt Of tie being etectual IN obtaining their re-
lease-then the act OF this Government will be a
most benChcent one. II VIII iull upon these men
like the greatest deed Of mercy. Should u, how
ever, be unsuccesslul it will at least cheer thsm IN
their sorrow, and renew within them the expiring
smbsrs Of hope
Should they lie liberated, the friends Of these
men, nor they themselves, will not look for any
public reception or entertainment like those shown
70 the Hung arian. ko.suth. All that will be asked
that they may u lIcy CnOu.e tOLlt among U.s.
aud like all other cItz.n, conform to the requisites
Of the Constitution and the institutions Of this
country
There were in this country not only millions Of
native. born IrishInen bot there were aso millions
of persons born here but in whose veins coursed
lTish blood. These could not DO Indifferent 20
the fate Ofthese gentlemen in exile. Nor could the
Americans be indifferent TO their fate. Great
Britain and the United States might now well be
considered as Of one family. They arc connected
BY the same blood, the saIne literature same Ian
guage, same traditions, customs, and, in great
measure, the same laws All these considerations
tend 70 make these mon consider America their
second home, II not indeed the ultimate home OF
millions Of their cOuntrymsn.
IA this resolution there was contained nothing
that could be considered offensive 20 the British
government England herself could have nothing
further 20 gain or accomplish by keeping thcse
indvi suals in Van Dieman's Land. All Efforts aud
hopes for Irslhnd's nationality and independence
are ~ IN end-crusbed forever she has no further
nope Of that; for her there 10 future, II there IL
i Is a dark one. England is great and powerful
nation and. while she can have no iears Of further
attempts in Ireland, .he can nave further desire
Or object to accomplish la keeping these last
few Ji Ircland's defenders IN prison.
40 this time in this day, political offences are not
Looked upon regarded As iuiarnous; they arc no
longer considered offences calling for those Wig
o,ous and severe penalties heretofore imposed upon
tloge who committed them.
He thought, too. that this was = favorable time
70 make tbs application ~ tue British governments
friendly relations we're now existing between the
tvo governments, and no better opportunity could
occur Of strengthening those ties Of friendship
dian this Of hbcrating thee unfortunate men. ia
" hose behalf deep an iuterest IL felt ty such
great portion 81 our population
England, too, must feel disposed toward. teuus
of amity end kindness 20 the people Of the United
states She must and does feel and know that
the nation destined 10 be the great mistress 81
the future. Owing 10 her enormous debt, che can
mo longer Withstand the powerful interests which
have grown up against her on the continent Of
EItope, ard the day 10 now approac hing when she
i look the people ct The United States iOr that
support which no Oth.r power can extend 20 her
Ths next oOnyusiOn 10 Europe viii place before
her The alternative ni throwing Of her debt entire.
~. ~ o. icing crushed by despOfism. Clcat Bri
tain had incurred her enormous debt in wars hu1
-truggies 10 build up and maintain, on the cont.
nent u Europe, powers, and dynastes, and depot
isns. when nov, Instead o. lending her succOr
sul aid would be the ret 10 turn their backs upon
Der.
Pcrhaps the best argument that could be made
ia airport u tins resolution was, that Il was pro.
py5lng ~ Do nothing more than what England
herself has already done She interceded in be
half Of the Hon gaTian c1ies. We uOy. intcrccdc
with England ~ she Gid fJr the Hungariaus, iu
b,hsf 81 British subjects
M >. alluded 10 the iuterocssion by England