The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-05

have long SINCE however given up any notion that
sat here and help guardn. But 10 Tins case snail
vote for this BILL exclusively upon the ground that have
confidence IN The integrity and discretion OF Colonel Ere
monl
MIR SHIELDS. | will stale 10 my honorable friend
from South Carolina, Mr. BurLER,l that this bill does
not contemplate any general action OF the Kind to
which he has referred This case is very simple one.
Colonel Fremont, while in command OF the army in Cali
fonia drew drafts upon the United States treasury 10 The
OF S0300 Tor supplies Tor the subsistence OF that
army Those drafts could be paid by the Secretary OF
Slate tor want OF any appropriation Tor that purpose, and
10 the OF time they passed into the hands OF these
gentlemen al whose instance this suit was brought IN
London. Judgment has been rendered against Colonel
Fremont upon this suit And for what Because this
government did not honor the drafts that drawn
upon il by him in his position al that time Now, The OBJ
Iect OF this bill is to discharge that Judgment The costs Of
the defence And perhaps had beter-and will do so
al the suggestion OF my friend from Michigan, lMr.
CAssl-nser The words reasonable expenses 10 be de-
teTmined by the Secretary OF the Treasury.
Mr.. BUTLER That is right 49,
Mr.. BADGER. think my friend from Illinois Mr..
SHIELps will better accomplish his object by moving to
strike the words and expenses where they first oc-
eur after the word COSTS" and then insert after the
words recovered or may be recovered the words and
such further expenses the Secretary OF the Treasury may
deem reasonable in the defence"
/ Mr.. GWiN. That will make the bill right
! Mr.. SHIELDS. will modify my amendment IN ac-
cordance with that suggestion.
The question being then taken upon the amendment,
| Mr. FELCH have no objection 10 the bill as |
understand it. But wish T. make single inquiry Of
the honorable senator from Illinois, MIR. SHIELD1 in
order to see how far this principle 10 be carried.
wish TO inquire OF him. If by passing this bill we IN any
respect sanction all the claims mentioned in the report OF
the board of commissioners, and which came before us
the other day. and before the Committee Mil
itary Affairs understand that report to treat OF claims
to very large amount, many OF them Of character
which will require much investigation. Now, am not
willing, by any Legislation here in advance, TO give any
sanction TO these claims, until we can examine them
more at large. wish now to inquire whether by pass
ing this bill we sanction all these claims and preclude
any further investiga CATION OF them?
| Mr. SHIELDS By no means. This board reported
in favor of this claim and adversely to nearly all the
other claims This claim should have been paid long
ago by the government and il liz the fault OF this govern
nent that Colonel Fremont has been sued.
! Mr.. FELCH. That is all wanted to find out | am
now satisfied
The bill as amended then reported TO the Senate
the amendments Of the committee of the whole concurred
in, and the bill amended ordered 10 be engrossed FOL
| It's third reading
BY unanimous consent, the bill then read the thirt
time and passed.
| fro MS fnAT I