Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-03-05

presume the case alluded to is that of young Collins
shortly after took charge Of this Office Mr. Collins, Of
Of the clerks died. leaving, under
stood helpless widow and Ii occurred to me that
The young man, although boy, might be useful
but that 1t was necessary just to place him
equal footing with the old and experienced clerks in
gard compensation. Isuggested therefore, in com
rnunication which addressed to you at the time that
young Collins should be appointed at the of $500 per
annum and that the residue of $500 should be added to
the salary of Dr. Kane of the best clerks the Office
and whose compensation was only ST. 900. understood
on inquiry that such arrangements had been frequently
made in the various Departments, and in the particular
referred to it dictated solely by considerations
of humanity and justice You had no other agency the
matter than to give sanction to the arrangement and it
never occurred hatt involved any violation of law
If there be any blame in the transaction should at least
take nv full share of it, it upon my representa-
tons that you sanctioned it.
will add moreover, that 1t was distinctly understood
at the time that the family perfectly satisfied with
the appointment the terms proposed 1t made at
the earnest solicitation of both mother and son.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
]. E. HEATH,
Commissioner Of Pensions.
Hon. ALEX H. II STUART, Secretary Of the Interior.
WASHINGTON, FEBRUARY o. 1853.
DEAR SIN: Agreeably to your request have to state
that when was chief clerk of the Pension Office, Mr.
Collins very worthy man and good clerk, sickened and
died was much attached to him. andfet deeply for the
family. He left widow and son, ayouth, with proba-
bly, two children In order TO afford means
of support the family proposed the Secretary of
the Interior appoint young Collins to the vacant place
800 per annum and transfer The remaining $500
to other clerks This / understood not only met the
views of the family but Indeed
regarded it act of kindness on the part Of the Sc
ereta5y would SITE that have
4O' 0''s very fspSssa act pure charity
F. s. EVANS.
Hon. A. H H STUART, Secretary Interior
THE following letter was on Saturday sent to Mr..
Letcher to be added to the above but reached him
late, and is therefore inserted here:1
WASHINGTON FEBRUARY g. 1853.
SIR: In reply to your inquiry in regard the quaf-
cations of young Mr. Collins clerk when he was APP
pointed in the Pension Office have to state that was
then chief clerk, and although all my sympathies were
then and still enlisted IN his behalf yet truth compels
me to say that he unqualified to perform clerical
duties that after trial he employed in making
yeopes for bounty land papers, and continued until
left the office in the autumn OF 1851 Ihave furthermore
to state that the letter which you read me- addressed
to the Hon. Mr. Letcher is substantially correct accord
ing to my recollection
Very respectfully,
Hon. A. H. II. STUART, Secretary of the Interior
The papers having been read
Mr.. SIANLf withdrew his question of privilege, being
satisfied that the House had been put in possession Of
their contents which he believed but of justice
to Mr.. Secretary Stuart.
The simple fact that the papers we're read was then or
dered to be entered on the journal!
Mr. WILLIAMS understood to say that at the time
young Collins received his appointment he but fifteen
years old, but at the time Mr. GENTRY made his appca
on that the youth should receive his full compensation
was sixteen years of age AMI dischargng the full
tutes OF his desk he learned from clerk in the same
othce in which Collins held situation.
NAVY APPROPRIATION BILL.
The House went into Committee of the Whole on the
state of the Unon Mr. KING Of New York. in the chair
md resumed the consideration Of the bill making appro
'ratons for the naval service for the year ending the 30h
# June, 1854.
The CHAIRMAN stated the question to be on the
amendment of Mr. Brooks providing that part of the
um appropriated for repair of vessels shall be expended
Q repair old ships when a may be built for the
anne sum.
And the question being taken the amendment was re-
ected. IS
Mr.. STANTON of Tennessee moved to insert in the
' proviso directing the Secretary of the Navy
ept the proposition Of the United Steamship
Company to furnish of their mail steamships built
lnder their contract with the Government upon the fol-
lowing terms The said company SHALL their own risk
and expense and under the direction Of the Secretary of
the Navy, make all the alterations and improvements ne
cessay to prepare said ship for her and place
such armament upon board and subject said ship such
test as the Secretary of the Navy shall direct deter
mine her adaptation to naval purposes and if such test
shall prove satisfactory to said Secretary the Government
shall take the ship at its appraised valuation be ascer
tanned by appraisers chosen by the Secretary of the
Navy one by the company and in of disagreement
The CHAIRMAN ruled the amendment out of order
Mr.. STANTON appealed from this decision, when
The CHAIR was sustaned: Ayes 80, noes not counted
Mr. BROOKS moved to insert in the BILL :" and that the
rgates Sabine and Santee the stocks be launch
ID and equipped for service"
He said that these two frigates had been upon the
stocks for many years. and in danger of suffering
from the dry rot Their launching and equipment had
been recommended and again by the Navy De-
partmcnt that Department not feeling at liberty, under
It's construction Of the laws to launch these vessels
less Congress should authorize them to do by express
provision Of law. Such the folly of the laws the De-
partment under the necessity Of tearing down vessels
ana rebuilding them for the purpose Of preserving the
navy, and II seemed to him that unless the House was
stark mad they would longer carry this system of
legislation toward the navy, the consequence Of which
was that was ut ery impossible improve the models
OF our vessels for in rebuilding vessel which had been
torn down the Department obliged to follow the old
models andIhus obliged to be behind the age.
Mr. HOUSTON opposed the amendment, stating that
this increase Of the usually appropriated for repairs
&c was made with the express understanding that por
ton Of It was to be applied the completion and launch
ing Of the Sabine and Santee
The amendment of Mr.. Books was then rejected.
On motion Of Mr. STEPHENS, Of Georgia. appro-
paton Of 1000 was made for meteorological obserya
TONS to be conducted under the direction Of the Secret
ry Of the Navy
Many other amendments were offered, a majority Of
which were ruled out Of order
During the proceedings General PIERCE the President
elect entered the Hail. and attracted much attention.
The committee having gone through all the items of the
bill, rose and reported IL to the House
The amendments made in committee were then all
agreed TO- under the operation of the prevoas question
And the bill was read the third time and passed
Mr.. FAY, by consent, in pursuance of notice intro
iuced bill to authorize the seecmen of the town Of
Chelsea, Massachusetts,, to lay out and make way on
the lands Of the United States in said town which o