The daily union., 1852-02-10

make this motion, Mr. President thai he senate NAV
proceed 10 the consideration OF executive business
the motion was agreed to.
The Senate then proceeded TO the consideration of exec
uhve business; and after time spent therein ,he
doors We're reopened, and the Senate adjourned
HOUSE OF REPREsENrATTvEs.
After the reading of the journal
WILLIAM MILLER.
Mr.. MlLLSON (risng to privileged question) moved
to reconsider the vote referring TO the Committee ON
Revolutionary Pensions the Senate bill for the relief OF
William Miller.
On motion OF Mr. M. this bill was referred 10 the
Committee on Invalid Pensions.
BENJAMIN f. GREEN
Mr. GREY (rsing 10 privileged question: read n
clause in The speech of Mr. BAyLY. OF Virginia, on the
bill 10 provide the for paying the last nstament of
the Mexican indemnify, and went on to review il in
order TO exonerae Mr. Benjamin f. Green from the un-
founded charges against that individual which, he ar
gued, had been made by the honorable member from Vr
gina In the course of his remarks, Mr. G. to the
Clerks desk paper from Mr. Benjamin 4 Green, to be
read for the information of the House; when
Mr. HOUSTON raised point order that the tenor of
m NJ y epsJks was Mo- HG' p personal explanation
order, 10 permit the gentleman from Kentucky TO pro-
Mr. HOUSTON acceeding TO this request,
Objection made by others
Mr. MASON moved the suspension OF the rules for
that purpose which was agreed to-ayes 81 noes 4e.
Mr.. GREY rose 10 proceed with his remarks.
Mr. BAYLY said that if there should be necessity for
him 10 reply 10 the remarks OF Mr. G., he should not do
80 until he could see them in print
And then, after much confusion and conversation be-
tween the SPEAKER and Messrs. SWEETSER and
GORMAN,
Mr.. GREY resumed the floor and continued his speech
concerning Mr. Benjamin Green's agency in the trans
action by which receipts were given by the agent of this
government for money never actually paid to the
United States by the Mexican authorities.
MR.. BURT.
Mr. ORR rose to ask the House to excuse his colleague
[Mr. BuRTl from further service on the Committee on
Military Affairs
Mr.. O remarked that his colleague now confined
at home couch of sickness which rendered it proba
bic that he would be wholly unable to attend to the du
ties OF the chalrmanship OF that compiltee during the
balance OF this session.
charged from further service the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs.
OCEAN MAlL-srEAMER CONTRACTS, ETC
Mr. PEASLEE asked leave to introduce resolution
OF inquiry, as follows:
Resoiued, That the Secretary ofhs Navy be directed
communicate the House the facts in relation the
spectve contracts with the Navy Department for building
ma-steamshps for The transportation OF the United States
York and New Orleans Havana and Chsgres, and between
Panama and San Francisco. and some point Oregon the
Of said lines of steamers by the governments whether
all the vessels stipulated under said be built
amount of receipts postages collected either
said lines OF steamers deposited in the treasury the credit
OF the appropriations for the annual the
service rendered under their contracts which has been
To 10 o of cona,s,. %
and whether said steamships any other steamships
poYed in the transportation OF our foreign mails in all
respects suitable for immediate conversion into steamers
for war purposes capable OF carrying the orbat
ey appropriate TO the class specified in the contracts and
il not suitable for such immediate conversion whether
they could be altered to make them efficient
10 be made, and what expense, to make them war
steamers of the fret class also copesof the
Mr GORMAN obiectng,
Mr.. PEASLEE moved the suspension OF the rules for
the introduction of his resolution rules suspended-ayes
IS, noes 81 So the resolution being before the House,
Mr.. JONES moved to amend i SO 10 direct rather
than request the Secretary OF the Navy furnish the in
formation called for in The said resolution.
Mr. STEPHENS, OF Georgia, said That these calls
upon the departments for information were attended with
considerable labor and he desired the gentleman from
New Hampshire to State the reasons OF this CALL and why
he desired it,
Mr.. PEASLEE replied that by permission of the House
he would be very happy 10 answer the inquiry Of the
gentleman from Georgia, and state OF the reasons
which influenced him in introducing the resolution now
before the House.
He was aware, he remarked, as the gentleman from
Georgia had suggested that the passage OF the resolution
would occasion some labor to the Navy Department, but
he thought the importance and magnitude oil the object
to be obtained would amply compensate for any labor IL
might occasion. All the purpose he had in view 10
obtain light and information upon subject on which we
should soon be called upon TO egsate and which would
Affect this country in its results, and the treasury TO the
amount Of millions upon millions of dollars. II ever
there was subject, he said, upon which we should
leglsate with and caution is in relation 10 these
foreign steamships Our action will be referred TO here
after as precedent and il behooves us TO see what
klnu oil peceuent we Inc cost oil tne
mail steamer service is he believed, Si
300 900, and the lines TO which this money is paid
larger part OF IT, have already at this session applied for
additional AID from the government ond increased pay TO
a considerable amount
BY present contracts, without any increased
pay, the establishment of any new lines, the govern
ment is bound to pay the present contractors II they per-
form the service according TO contracts and II they are
all binding upon the government about ten millions more
during the eight years they have to run before
their termination.
There were applications for new lines the last Con-
gress strongly urged proposing the employment oil thr-
teen additional seamesin the mail service between this
and foreign countries and requiring advances in the first
instance by the government towards the building OF these
steamers about six aud a half millions OF dollars, and
involving an annual additional cost expenditure Of
nearly two millions OF dollars.
The total cost the government for the service pro-
posed TO be rendered by the lines strenuousy urged
the last Congress, provided contracts had been made
for the years and al the per vessel proposed
would amount 10 the sum OF about forty millions OF dol
lars and have no doubt new lines involving at least
equal amount OF expenditure, and probably far greater
from the applications already made will be strenuousy
urged at this session.
One Of the principal grounds upon which these large
appropriations have been asked for and obtained and
upon which new lines urged upon is, that these
steamers to be constructed after the most snDsan
al and approved models OF steamers, capable OF
immediate conversion at small expense into war steam
OF the first class and that IN order we mign always
have hand certain and available means OF defence
in case OF war or any sudden emergency, economy and
pecunary saving the government usthed these heavy
expenditures especially when taken IN connexon with
the other benefits resulting from the service.
On the other hand, Mr.. SLeaker, II IL said by some
that these steamers, at least large portion OF them,
Il of made of