The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-01-05

Scott was guilty of offending against honor. his
Government, and it's character. He said he did
not oppose the resolution from personal considers
tons.
Mr.. LANE, Of Oregon, asked the gentleman to
yield the floor.
MIR. POLK said he was no resurrectionist. He
was a "fnaEty man." and was in favor of a final.
ity OF the funeral ceremonies of the Cd of Novem-
Der, 1852.
MIR. LANE then addressed the committee a.v
ing that the acquisition of Cuba is foregone con-
cluson; it's fate s settled; there was no power to
change it. and therefore he thought it was unne.
cessary for the House to discuss the subject. Cuba
is destined to be ours. While he said this, he
hoped that our Government will never do wrong by
violating treaty stipulations, but maintain high
and honorable course towards all the nations of
the world. The incoming administration, he
knew, will ask for nothing but what is right, and
will submit to nothing wrong. He held that the
authorities of Cuba have heavy sin to answer for,
and it never will be wiped out until Cuba shall be
made free, and relieved from the tyrannical gov
hearts there beating for liberty. They deserve
freedom, and will be free. He had no fear OF a
sectional question to disturb our peace and harmo.
ny Our area of territory is not spread wide
enough. You may just say the time is not far dis
tant when not only Cuba, but all the Mexican
States, will come into the Union, and enjoy the
same rights which we do.
As to the lieutenant general; he was not in favor
VI Tue IcsoIutOn. he l0veQ General Scott, and
served under him, and that gentleman was emit.
tied to the well-earned reputation which he ENJOYS;
but he was opposed to the measure because, among
other reasons it proposed to bestow an empty title
incompatible with the republican principle.
Mr. BROOKS, of New York, said he did not pro.
pose to enter into discussion of the resolution pro
posing to confer the title of lieutenant general
Nothing seemed to be more unkind, unjust, and
unpatriotic than that the Wings of the House
should be assailed in connexion with this subject,
| when the proposition came from the Democratic
side. Though the Wings have no doubt that the
title is deserved and should be voted for yet the
honor or dishonor, and the responsibility of the
/ introduction of the resolution, rest on the Demo
| Gratis, not on the Wings.
But his object in rising was to correct some of
the remarks of the gentleman from Tennessee.
ton on three charges, disgracefu to the country,
| namely: first, the matter Of the Lopez prisoners;
secondly, the Crescent City and Thrasher affairs;
and thirdly, the publication Of official correspond
ence in relation to the purchase of Cuba.
The Lopez prisoners were guilty of violating the
| laws OF our own country in sailing from New Or
| leans without taking clearance. In the next
place, they violated the neutrality law of 1918;
and IN the third place. they violated the most holy
and respected laws of nations by invading coun-
try with which we have treaty of peace and com
| MERGE
Mr.. POLK acknowledged that they violated all
these laws, but ne said the magnitude of the guilt
did not justify the Government in not extending
Its protection. If we observe treaty stipulations
we should require Spain to do it.
Mr.. BROOKS then referred to the seventh ar.
| ticle of the treaty of 1895, and showed that the
prisoners had exactly the same kind of trial which
Spanish subjects would have had in Cuba; and that
Spanish subjects, tried by the United States would
have had exactly the same kind of trial as that
to which Americans are subject under our laws.
lie referred, In the course of his remarks, to the
arrest of Arbuthnot and Ambrister by General
Jackson and their trial by no other than the drum
head court martial, and their execution in de
fance of the power of Great Britain.
As to the Crescent City affair, he bad no doubt
that when the correspondence shall be received it
would be found that our Government has main.
tanned to the fullest extent our claims as nation
against the authorities of Spain. With regard to
publishing the Cuban correspondence, he said it
was the right of the people to know every thing
that transpired on the part ofthe Government;
and he expressed his amazement that any admin.
lstratlon should dare, without the consent of Con-
gress, to promise hundred millions of dollars for
the title to Cuba. This fact should not have Eeen
concealed For sixty or ninety days this very cor
respondence lay on the Speakers table, and he
mad no doubt that the President of the United
States, when he transmitted it, in compliance with
call Of the House, thought that it would be treat
ed with respect; or, at least, be referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs; but, on the con.
trary 1t was taken from the table amid the closing
scenes OF the session, and thrust, without exami
nation, into the official printing house of Congress
The gentleman, in conclusion, briefly defended
the course of the Administration in relation to our
foreign affairs.
Mr.. CHANDLER, of Pennsylvania, replied to
Mr. Polk in defence of General Scott, contending
1t was not contrary to the spirit of our institutions
to confer the title of lieutenant general. Under
democratic administration it was proposed to
make lieutenant general out of a civilian who
never saw battle, or set squadron in the field
any more than spipster, and place him over the
major general of the American army, the man who
has led generals and taught Presidents how VIC
tories might be achieved Whether the resolution
sball be passed or not, General Scott will never
cease TO be less than great man and the head of
the military men Of the age. If gentlemen have
inherited dislike for General Scott, let them seek
an opportunity elsewhere to show it. Let them
meet him IN soderly style; do not let them fortify
by throwing the dirt inside of the ditch, so unbe
coming and unmilitary. After further remarks
Mr.. CARTIER addressed the committee in op
position to the proposition to confer the title of
lieutenant general, and said, if he was going to
vote Tor it, he would first perfect it by prefacing
the title with the word .slord."
The time to which the debate was limited now
expired. when +aEl
Mr.. PRIEST ON remarked that it was his inten.
ton IN to sub, submit his views upon the subject
The Military Academy bill was laid aside to be
reported to the House, and the committee Their
took up the Deficiency bill
MIR. GORMAN spoke earnestly in favor of the
passage OF the lieutenant general resolution, con-
tending Tor this as matter of justice to distin.
guished chieftan, apart from party considerations;
and in conclusion appealed to his friends to sup
port the measure; reminding them that, in the
language OF the President elect, "the hour of vic.
tory is the hour Of magnanirnity."
MIR. FLORENCE obtained the floor when the
committee rose. ta---s''
The House passed the bill making appropria
tons for the support of the West Point Military
Academy. 3D..
And then adjourned
PETITIONS, ETC. .....g
By Mr.. MOORE, of Louisiana: The petition of
Daniel Newton and hundred and forty one
other settlers the public land known as the
sBastrop Grant, in louisiana praying for relief
Also the petition of Isaac Hudleston and fifty
seven other citizens along the route for post road
from the mouth of Red river to Huntsville. in
Texas. ... .-.
By Mr.. DUNCAN: The petition of Edmund
Bartlett for indemnity for losses by French spolia-
tions prior to 1901. Referred to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs
By Mr.. IVES: The petition of Smith Bartlett
and two hundred and twenty four other citizens of
Cape Vincent and vicinity, for breakwaters in the
harbor of Cape Vincent, New York.
Mr.. SlBLEY gave notice of his intention to in
troduce bill granting to the States of louisiana
Arkansas, Missouri, and Iowa, and to the Terri
tory of Minnesota, the right of way and portion
of the public lands to aid in the construction of
railroad from New Orleans to the northern boun
dairy of said Territory, with branch to the Falls
of st. Anthony.
Also of a bill making an appropriation for the
re of in r;u