The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-29
THIkTY-SECOND CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION
WEDNESDAY,, April rs, 1852
SENATE.
FIRST SESSION.

Board OF Commissioners, praying that the came
may be satisfied. Referred to the Select Committee
that subject
MIR. BRADBURY introduced bill providing for
holding the United States district court OF the Dis
trct OF Columbia, in OF the sickness or other
disability Of the Judge thereof.
CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF CONQUEST OF cALlFoRNIA-
ARREsT OF COL. }. c. FREMONT In LONDON.
Mr. q WIN said: | ask the indulgence of the
Senate, this morning, to permit ne to make mo-
ton to take up Senate bill number eight, which pro
vdes Tor the settlement Of claims which originated
in the military operations in California during the
years 1916 and lS4T.
MIR President, | will briefly state the reasons
which induce ME to make this motion at this time
BY the mail this morning received a letter from
Colonel John C. Fremont, late member OF this
body, dated London, April -, 1882 in which he
states that on the evening of the S,h instant as he
stepping into carriage with his family to visit
friend, he was arrested by q party OF four Bow
street officers who were OF low order rude and in
solent that they were accompanied by n solicitors
clerk Ufthe same character. No time was allowed
him 10 collect Information or have intercourse with
his iiends; he was simply informed that he was ar
rested on the suit of unknown parties for the
OF $4,000; that he subsequently ascertaincd that
he was arrested on liabilities connected with his
military operations IN California during the years
lei6 and lSi7 that he was confined under lock
and key for twenty four hours, and subjected to
the most exorbitant extortions. He also Gays that
he Will be compelled to maintain an expensive law
SUIT employ solicitors and able counsel, to go
through all the anxiety, delays, and individual
expenses of the law, or pay s 80 900. He further
Gays he has reason to believe that this suit will be
followed by many others for large amounts beyond
his ability to give security-thus permanently en-.
dangering his personal liberty.
have reason TO believe that this whole proceed
ing was unusual, and such could not have hap
pened to an Englishman of character, and that it
Is considered by American citizens esident in Lon
don, conversant with the circumstances, not only
an outrage TO Colonel Fremont but dsrespectiul
to our Government
am requested by Colonel Fremont TO bring the
subject TO the notice of Congress, and in doing SO,
make this appeal to the Senate to take up the bill
have indicated and act upon it, The subject of
these claims was thoroughly examined by the Sen
ate three years ago, and bill reported by the Sena
tor from Michigan, (Mr. CAss,) then chairman
OF the Committee on Military Affairs, was passed,
providing for the creation of Board of Commits
sloners TO examine these claims and appropriaung
S1oo,oo0 for their payment In the House this
Senate bill was referred TO the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs, which reported substitute providing
for board and appropriatipg half million OF
dollars; but il not acted on, owing TO Difficult
ties about our territorial acquisitions which OBJ
structed most of the legislation at the close OF that
session.
The motion was then agreed to, and the bill
taken up.
MIR. GWlN moved an amendment, providing for
the examination Of the claims by a board OF army
officers, be designated by the Secretary of War,
whose duty it would be to report upon the claims 10
Congress for its future action.
Mr.. SHIELDS opposed the amendment, and
pointed on, many defects in it, he desired TO have
the whole subject referred to the Committee
Military Affairs
After some remarks by Mr.. GWIN, the bill was,
on motion Of MIR. SHIELDS, recommtted to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
NON IsTKRvESTIoN.
On motion of Mr.. BRODHEAD, the prior orders
were all postponed, and the Senate proceeded 70
the consideration Of the joint resolutions of Mr..
CLARKE, reattirming the policy of non-nterven-
ton.
Mr. COOPER then addressed the Senate upon
the subject until near I ocloc k. He said he was
not in favor OF the amendment proposed by the
Senator from New York, (hlr SKwARp,) nor the
substitute offered by the Senator from Michigan,
(Mr. CAss II any resolution at ell was passed
he would prefer that IT should be one stating merely
the intention of Congress TO abide by the policy
recommended by Washington and observed by all
his SUCCESSORS. At the same time, he saw nothing
In he Joint resolutions OF the Senator from Rhode
Island Mr. CLARKE) which did not meet his hearty
approval. He then proceeded 10 examine the posi-.
tons assumed by the Senator from Tennessee Mr..
BrLI) In bis speech on this subject. He under
siood that Senator stating that at this time it
evident from the events which have recently
taken place in Europe, that republica nism was
prostrsted, discarded, and forsaken, not only Tor
the present but permanently, and without any
hope Of renovation resurrection; and that abso-
Lutte despo,ism was secure and firmly established
throughout the continent Of Europe He also
derstood that Senator to hold that the present ri-
Europe would lead, probably, 10 a union Of them
for the purpose Of waglng war against the United
States. These two positions he proposed TO
anime
He wac Of the opinion that all hope Of change
and reform in the administration Of governments
abroad was not gone. He inclined 10 the belief
that the next reforms will be commenced by and
proceed from those who hold the power Of govern.
ment.
Be gave a sketch Of tho history Of the political
events hioh occurred, and the conduct and sc-
tons OF the government OF France, from the acces
sion OF Louis Philippe down TO the suppression Of
the banqueis, in February, lsiS witch imInc.
diately preceded his overthrow. lie drew from
these ovcnts authority for the argument that
which produced the revolution Of that year. lie
slso stated the political events which occurred IN
Sicily and throughout all Italy Immediately pre-
ccding the death Of Pope Gregory XVI, and fol-
loving the election Of Plus IA He referred par.
ticularly TO the proceedings Of Charles Albert, Of
Sardinis, and 10 the final suppression Of all the re-
publican movements. From these he deduccd that
liberty was not dead, but slocpetb, IN Italy.
Hs traced the republican government IN France,
from lie establishment 20 the overthrow Of the con.
stitutiOn by Louis Napoleon. He attributed the
fall Of that Constitutional government 10 the CON
bination against IL Of the communists, socialists
&C who would be dissstsfcd with any govern
nent Of Law and order. and the worshippcrs Of the
name Of Napoleon, together with the friends Of the
old monarchy, II under Louis Philippe.
Thee elements combined, and the constitutional
government was overthrovn.
In this movement, ns well ne in the one which
dethroned LOUIS Philippe the great middle classes
took no part. These same people also acquicsced
in the late conduct Of Louis Napoleon, He did not
consider, that because IL appeared that the people
OF France, In the proportion Of TO one, bad
scquiesced in the decree Of Napoleon, II followed
as necessary conclusion that republicanism does
not exist among them. Republicans prefer order
and security Of Law 20 anarchy.
There were thosc in France who we're opposed 10
republicanism; and there was also the great mob.
or rsbble, IN Paris, Who were opposed 10 any and
all government Yet there was, he believed.
strsag s.eoad fgr believing that republic inisrn
not extinct IN the hearts OF the great body OF
the people OF Paris lie referred 20 several place.
where republicans had been elected 20 the National
Legislature since the NV order 81 afTtrs
He knew that power, Nhcn abaJlute was blind
and obstinate; bot the events 81 the lew years IA,
bad been such that nothing Ices than the most
complete stupidity could fai 10 be adfDonishcd ~
them.
From all theso facts, he concluded that there
still esisted IN Europe large and deeply rooted
sentiment Of republiCsnism; and cleo, that there
were there large number II repUblcans who will
be found ready 10 assert ti1t sentiment At TIC
proper time.
He then referred 10 the other point Of Mr. BsLL
as 10 the probable combination by the. despotir
powers q Europe against the United States "a.
did not gree With the Senator In this matter n.
prht rCfll he Oh a.. a..