The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-25
/: WASHINGTON, TUESDAY MORNING, JANUARY 25. 1853


sion 10 respond to the very handsome compliment paid
the other day by the honorable senator from South Caro-
ina Mr. Burial 10 the Committee on Revolutionary
Claims 10 the Slate which have the honor TO represent
in mari ON this floor and TO Sir, regards the com
mtee alluded TO- may be permitted TO say that, whatever
difference may exist IN their views on some points, tbrie
is no one OF lis members who would willingly snnef
himself 10 perform what he might regard as an act OF IN
Justice towards any section interest OF his country As
respects myself sir, il gives me pleasure 10 meet WIN
The appreciation OF such men as The honoIaole sea.o
from South Carolina YET. sir can claim no great men
for what he pleased TO term The able manner IN which
represent my native State. Young IN The business OF
legislation, can make no Just pretension 70 poiouhu
craftsmanship, and endeavor to discharge my duiy ny
strict regard TO truth and justice, and 10 The honor well
fare and prosperity OF my whole country irrespective OF
sectional lines or local interests And, siI as the high
OF honor OF that gentleman Will lead nun 10 DO
thus will do-fx the seal OF reprobaiion on every al
tempt from whatever quarter may come, 10 sacnhce
the general interest 10 sectional feelings and the slfle
OF sectional parties.
AS anative son OF Rhode Island, permit to say, Mr.
President, in behalf OF that State feel andable pide
having given TO our country IN the great and glorious
struggle for her rational existence and national lndepend
ence, man, patriot, hero-powerul on me neId OF
battle and second only 10 the lllus,rious and immortal
Washington Sir, Rhode Island is grateful TO the gallant
States OF South Carolina and Georgia Tor the favor which
they extended 10 the Industrious Greene Tor the bounty
they showered upon him, and for the high estimate they
placed on his gaan,ry and his worth Sir, II gave me
great pleasure, will give 10 my constituents, to hear
The high tribute Of respect 10 the memory OF that departed
hero paid il by my honorable irend-a tribute not the
less valuable because well deserved Sir word Tor my
State and have done.
Mr. President though in our national struggle for free
dom and independence, Rhode Island even yet small,
was poor and feeble, no one OF The "Od Thirteen was
more patriotic nor true and faithful to the glorious
cause According TO her means, no one did more TO pro-
that cause, did II more cheerfuily Sir Ieg-
ment of Rhode Islanders followed the fortunes OF
Greene and fought at his side The ashes OF num-
bers of that little but gallant band are scattered on
the fields OF the Carolnas where they glorousy Tell bat
Ting with their counrys foes; and in my own native
county, the birthplace OF GFeene,l can point 10 me la
that the mortal remains OF many Others OF that same
gallant band, who, having survived Inc revolutionary
struggle returned to live and 10 die IN The home OF ther
childhood From that ume when our country look up
arms to vindica,e her rights, to the present mo-
ment no State has been true than mine to the ma
ona interests disturbed by sectional lealousles
AT times she may have been misled by false views OF
national and State policy-for what people is perfect
vet may venture say through all changes and under
all circumstances and however great may have been her
of judgment, she has been true to what she con-
sieed at the time the national interest," true 10 the
sluton, he laws, true TO the Union, and true
and loyal TO the government SIR, am proud 10 say, II
there be State in this Union, WHICH, more than another
Identifies all the great interests OF the country as un
all tending TO poln-the national prosperity and great
ness if there be one State that knows politically no
North, no South, no East aud no West" that Stale is
Rhode Island. Sir, she IS small IN territory, small In
population she is but a speck the map OF the Union
when compared with many other States but she has a
soul as expansive that OF the largest OF hem and
piFatons as high
The bill was then reported TO the Senate amended,
and the question was upon concurrlng with the com.
mittee Of the whole in their amendments
Mr. HALE. ! do not wish 10 oppose this bill, but |
think the principle here mbodied in the amendment, of
allowing interest from the commencement OF the seq
sion in which the claim is presented, is an evil one. II
we adopt the principle in this case, we must adopt In
every case that comes before us. The sum is very
trfing one, know, but must object to the principle
therefore ask to have the question taken upon the
amendments separately.
Mr. WALKER called for the reading OF the amend
ment.
Mr. BUTLER | will state what the amendments are,
and the reasons for them. The committee OF the Sem
ate in preparing this BILL assuming that interest due
10 this gentleman from 1852, put the very lowest estl-
mate upon his property thus lostihatis in looking 10
what was the real value of his property at the time il
taken, they took The lowest estimate, intending 10
0lif have given up the question OF interest," they think
they have right to put the value OF his properly at the
ordinary standard al The time Now, the standard value
of the larger portion Of his propery-his slaves-as
placed upon 1t by the statutes of South Carolina and
Georgia, is ESQ per capita The committee OF the House
OF Representatives took that estimates aud we have
given up the matter OF interest, propose take the
estimate here, which will make the value OF the
property he lost $1,000 and odd dollars instead Of
S30,ll7 with interest from the time that the demand was
made upon this government do not know that interest
ought to be allowed before The governmentSva aware
there any obligation upon il; but from The time
that the claim disclosed to the government it seems
10 meo be but common justice that interest should be al
lowed do not ask Tor interest before the demand was
made; have allowed that much have yielded that
point. | merely ask interest from the 4th of March,
1851 that being the time when the demand was made
and when the government became that there
obligation uron H.
do not wish to enforce any principle; do not
wish TO have any Gaphn business herefor that is the
great bugbea OF the present day My opinion in regard
TO the Galphin claim is this that primarily Georgia ough
have paid the claim and II she bad done in the first
instance then, perhaps interest would have been
by the parties, but Georgia would have had rig hl to
have asked the United States 10 pay her for the clam
she bad perfec, right to call upon the general govern
men to make good to her all advances made BY her aid
the country And therefore, from the time the claim
presented interest ought perhaps TO be allowed
thak that principle, al all events will apply this case
but beyond that do not think that interest is allowable
The question being then taken upon the first amend
men of the committee of the wholetbe striking ou, the
OF s30,il7, and inserting the OF S37 lg7- was
agreed TO.
The question then REQUIRED upon the second amend
men-o strike out the words 18th day OF November,
1884," and inserting "4th day OF March, 1851"
Mr.. HALE. All | have to say in regard 10 this
amendment is, that II you allow interest this case
you must allow 1t in every
The reading OF the amendment having been called
for, 1t read accordingly
Mr.. HALE. l suppose that under the rules of the
Senate, II would not be in order except by unanimous
consent, 10 ask for division oil this question, and
have the vote taken first upon striking out and then
upon Inserting Now If the honorable senator from
South Carolina MR. DEsAussuREl will allow to have
vote first upon striking out the allowance of interest
from November, 1882, would be much obliged TO him.
am favor OF striking out all the interest, but
in favor OF inserting anything II the honorable
will consent TO that arrangement, think IL will eype-
dite The business of the Senate.