The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-09
In THE SENATE OF THE U. STATES.
SPECIAL SESSION
DEFERRED DEBATE.
TUESDAY, APRIL S, 1853.

consider the following resolution.
Rsoiosd That John X. Bartlett, commissioner and
A. b Gay late United States surveyor of the Mexican
boundary be authorized furnish a report and plans the
Senate OF the explorations made by them and by others
neoted with the commission under them the topography
geography and natural history of the regions adjacent 10 the
line with such information collected relative TO the
Indian tribes through Texas California aad New Mexico
and that the work be executed of the
Department of the INTERIOR style and form correspond
ing with the publication of The History Condition, and
Prospects of the Indian Tribes" of H. r. Sehoocrah, now
h course publication and Owens Report the Geology
of Lake Superior Provided That the shall not exceed
two volumes thousand copies be published for the
of the Senate at as early period as paseaoe and the
the publication thereof and to deay the expenses out Of the
contingent fund
Mr. HUNTER. hope this resolution will not be con-
sdered to-day Ii important matter, and hope we
will not go the consideration of at this time. There
is no pressing necessity for its consideration This ID
proposition print still another very expensive book and
do know how far may be in conflict with the provs
the deficiency bill passed at the last session. regard
to books for distribution. should like 10 look that pro-
vision hope this resolution will be laid over for the pres
ent and viii promise look that provision by
Nj. HOUSTON do not expect this will be other
than expensive book, for II ID important
Unless the information important will not be expensive
These gentlemen scientific gentlemen, They have had
| long time in which to make their observations. They
have had ample opportunity digest the information thus
acquired and put in the best FORM think the charac
this information about important any that has
before the Senate There other of obtain
ing give TO the American people who
esed in it, And If some expense should result from this
nubca,ion do no, think that sho aid bs held as valid
and weighty objection do hope the resolution will
be adopted There other way Of obtaining it, would
called for this publication, unless had deemed the
information thus mboded had been of Importance And
this is the only way know Of to get IT, II there is and
gentlemen satisfied that it better way, will immed-
ae4 accede to anything Of the kind they propose But
plan suggested by which get this infor
such form TO render advantageous shall
certainly upon the adoption of resolution upon the
ground that this information needul important and ne
thprefn nnfio yuiln ba
poned.
Mr. BORLAND. would suggest that the better PLAN
if this report be received at all and the general PLAN
believe all persons who have been engaged upon
ations make the report the department. and then il
the department. upon examining that report deem it of su
public interest and value its publication
be either house of Congress with recommends
for its publication, and the mode Of its publication
That is the usual mode, and think the bes. in such
cases this.
Now, il we look the expense to which this proposed
publication will probably i've rise judging from past
that contingent fund Of the Senate will be than
one-quarer large enough to pay for it. The work called
/" Schoolcras Indian History and Remains"
$50 900 The three volumes already published
but hte less than 100000 Dr. OWENS Geolog-
ica Report has something than $50 0G0 That
however, cheapest book that Congress has pub
Dr. Owen HIMSELF and under the general supervision Of the
land Office He has, however, been permi,,ed supervise
himself and TO great astonishment he has reduced the
of the work less 81 volume. This he
compshed by pursuing that nobody else has pur
sued He has gone himself, in person, examine the
craving TO procure engravDgs and woodcuts the
best and economical terms upon which they could be
Obtained As Schoocrafts work, suppose that could
not less than s25 per volume. Then again look
at the publication of the report of Lieutenant Wilkes ex-
porina expedition which has been progress
twelve years, and will the same thing do not
this my honorable friend from Mars land
Mr. PrARcE 70. the purpose of assang that all
make the reference simply for the purpose of showing
experience has been in the publication of this
class of books and show what expense may
any future publication These books have been furnished
the form Of reports and then has been qusaion
discretion with the departments and with Congress- both n
regard TO the publication itself and The mode doing
Il That think, would be the best pursue th
case.
pass this order for publishing this york THU
time. The labors of this Mexican boundary commission
have not yet been closed and very large portion of tina
boundary still remains be surveyed and reported upon
and in all probability very large addition will be made
the stock Of information already obansd think would be
every point Of view postpone this publication
the whole survey been made Then when we have the
result of the united abors of TIE commission and all the
ports together, and the work here before completed
will have the question n regard 10 publishing the whole
and be able perhaps act with more undersandng Of the
subject than will be likely do therefore trust
that his resolution will now be adopted.
Mr.. BRIGHT Before l vote for a resolution authoriz-
ing the publication OF this book should like know of the
senator from California, Mr.. WELLKR former commits
soner upon this Mexican boundary whether he has not
contemplation the publication Of similar work. Laugh
teri should not be willing 10y any of mine upon this
question oresal any light he may be able throw upon
connected with this boundary should be glad TO haar
from him before we decide upon this question.
Mr. MASON. agree entirely with the homo rabe sena or
from Arkansas Mr. BoRLASp IN the suggestion that he
made that if continue the plan adopted OF
publishing Of this description, should least
some knowledge in advance of what publish.
Now these gentemen-ihc commissioner and surveyor
officers who responsible the Department the In
terror and their duty upon their make a re-
port that Department Of all the official subjected
charge. BY law they charged with the duty
simply to line boundary. But perceive that by
their instructions they instructed further and incident
ally far they could do so to make observations upon
the natural products Of tho country the soil, &c Now,
how gentlemen to discharge their
incidental duties is matter upon which should be sorry
any opinion in place here unless could have their
| work before me.
Now said by the honorable senator from Mex
ico[ laughter the honorable senator from Maryland
MIR PEARos meant is no wonder made the mistake
this whole matter relates in degree Mexrco-As
that honorable has said this work still
And the action that has been taken by the Senate regard
the late commissioner of character, think very little
calculated recommend him the confidence Of this body
in relation the work he has done. We obliged 10
withhold the appropriation for tho continuation Of this boun-
dary because the judgment of the Csnas the commits
Ind departed from his proper Duty that fixing
boundary line. And am informed from official sources
since that commission broken down. has returned
home that Colonel Emory The surveyor who was there
conducting the practical survey, never had the pleasure Of
pc rsonsl with the late during the
whole time he held office surveyer-s period Of more
than twelve months He conducting this survey while
ebe commissioner wns-God knows where-erporing the
ineror Of Mexico, perhaps and collecting materials for
book.
Now want information upon all these matters before
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