The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-19
In THE SENATE OF THE U. STATES.
SPECIAL SION.
THURSDAY, MARCH IT, 1858.
IN CONFIRMATION
COAL FOR THE JAPAN EXPEDITION.

Mr. BUTLER | ask unanimous consent 10 make an
explanation connected with some remarks OF me senator
from pennsylvania MIR COOPER the other day, reflect
ing on constituent of mne who is one OF the officers
OF this government
Unanimous consent was given. -.
Mr. BUTLER. The senator from Pennsylvania. MT
COOPER the other day in introducing certain resolutions
which hold in my hand, made The following remark
He meant 10 cast no reproach the late Secretary Of
The Navy his predecessor .hey We're POW nsa %,
nevertheless these contracts have been made by the
bureaus possibly without iheir knowedse he desired 70
This inioms'on and he hoped the resolution would
new be passed.
The resolution is as follows;
Received That the Secretary OF the Navy be, and he
Is hereby required COMMUNICATE TO the SENATE the con
ira Ct ,ered utu with Msssrs Rowland " AsPinwa for
supplying The Japan squadron with coat the price per o
the amour lions and insurance, respectively To-
geihe with the OF exchange which the government
VIII be required 70 pay Tor soch Of 'he 'oa as may oe p
That NE Secretary be also re4aed inform the Senate
Rowland " Aspinwa to supply the above-named squad.
with coal by delivering the same n such places =
m gh be designated in the Chinese the prices per ton
at which ese parties proposed deliver IT, stating par
cusry the rates al which anthracite, American oianmln.
English btumnous respectively offered )
and whether after offers had been made con,fac'
at hishe. prices was not entered INTO WIN Nesss io"
.Tna the Secretary further required 10 inform the
Senate whsther previous to the me OF contracting o ad
regularly authorized agents employed ior me express
purpose OF purchasing and Inspecting all coal Necessary ,o
agents received by way ofcom pensaon for their services
Messrs Howland & A.pinwali appointed agents
purchase and inspect the whole or greater part OF toe
coal necessary Tor the supply Of the Japan squadron
whether The commissions allowed Them d,nbe the
OF those allowed and paid 10 the regular purchasing
anu Inspecting agents. whether the said commissions
the gross price OF coa-namey on the price
with freight exchange, and insurance added FRAT he be
required also 10 inform what quantity OF coal it
is estimated viii required for the supply of the said
squad annually. ana what kind principally WIN be
used what of demunage has been pad, and for
Oh coal, Tor WHat eHKtn OF time, anu
also, what rate of demunase is 10 be paid here
alter" ......
Wiltshire remark exempts the Secretaries of the Navy
from censure and blame leaves but lnteencelhat
may be applicable only to the head OF the Naval Blu
reau nay friend and constituent Commodore Shubrck,
than whom one IN the puDc service couu De less
liable to such a censure.
In fact there was no contract entered into by the Navy
Department. either by the Secretary himself or the head
OF the bureau, with Rowland Il Aspnwal Tor coal In
the proper accepaiion OF the term contract The Navy
Department by express law and in change OF an old reg
uaton is authorized 10 purchase coal for the use OF the
navy. The mode OF making such purchases Is et 10 the
judy OF the Secretary, under his Official responsible
y. In carrying out the provisions OF th s law the late
Secretary OF the Navy Mr Graham appointed Rowland
Aspinwall agents supply The japan squadron with
coal To enable them to do so WIN certainty and pre-
cision that 10 quantity and place, they are subject
the requston and orders OF the head OF the bureau.
For their agents. thus appointed, they receive
stipulated commlssloa previously agreed upon between
themselves and the Secretary OF the Navy. The only
function 10 be performed by the head OF The bureau Is
strictly mnlsegiathat II, 10 make requisuon on the
agents. and TO pay their bills when duly presented and au
henticated.
Commodore Shubrck, the head Of the bureau, con-
ning himself strictly tie sphere OF his official agency,
has done nothing less than carry out the sipu-
lated arrangements OF the Secretary OF the Navy. dc
could have no ndueement 10 do anything else and ]
will Tor IL, sir lla il anything had depended on
his discretion 1t would have been performed with good
judgment and honorable purpose have no doubt that the
honorable senator IRON Pe1nsy had no intention oil
saying anything wound the feelings touch The honor
OF my honorable friend and constituent
Mr.. COOPER. One word, Mr.. President, IN reply TO
the honoTabe senator from South Carolina. Inc sena-
tor certainly did than justice IN saying that
he supposed reflection made by me Intentionally
did not intend in The remarks which made, 10 inti-
that Commodore Shubrck had acted dishonesty, or
perhaps improperly | believe | said al the time
that these contracts made BY the bureau OF consuc
ton and repairs AMI il mad effected for moment,
should have known thai Commodore Shubrlck was The
head OF that bureau But, sir, there suggestion IN
that letter. which think would better have been left
Mr. BUTLER. lin his seat II was not letter ; it
was nay own memorandum.
Mr. COOPER He states that there has been no con-
tract entered into 1t is there has
tract male with these persons furnish coal but they
are appointed agents, and Office their duty 10 furnish
coal and thus they become Ia law, contractors. Let
say further that instead OF receiving a mission OF
i've per cent, which the regularly authorized agents OF
the government are entitled 10 receive these receive
ten per cent 10 addition 10 that, will be by
the return which has been made by the present Sacte-
tary OF the Navy TO the resolution which submitted,
they have been allowed ten and halt per by way
OF exchange and instead oil purchasing lheir coal out OF
the best that was offered to lhem-ths which had been
proved by tests made BY the chle and officers
OF the navy, and also by officers command Of steamers
TO be greatly preferable TO English ooal-they have
bought English coal at higher prices. do no,
reflect upon any gentleman, as said when submitted
the resolution wish TO do injustice 10 no either
high or low sbut when see government funds squsn.
derej, and American Interests neglected in order that
certain parties may be beushrd must call attention
TO The matter do refer TO the head OF the bureau
by any means. think, from what | hsye heard, and
from what have seen that 1t through the agency
OF other persons that this done but that Is the
OF ihngs, and the community al large and The const-
uency whom ! represent upon this floor. will Judge
whether what said about IL right or not.
Mr.. BUTLER All that wish TO say in reioinder il,
that Commodore Shubrick had limited administrative
should la upon him With regard to this exchange of lOt
per cent agreed upon by the Secretary of the Navy that
was stipulation which suppose entered into by
these individuals with the head OF the Navy Dep artnent
Inc gentleman seems to intimate that there some
influence BY which this was produced but do think
II shood be attributed TO Commodore Shubrck, for that
gentleman has intention OF either perpetrang wrong
upon the government OF OF doing anything prsulcsl 10
American interests
Mr. PEAkCE. Mr.. President, as The remark Of the
honorable senator from Pennsy Mr. COOPER
alter The explanation of the honorable senator from
South Catolna, Mr. BurLEs,l may to throw
censnre upon the lsie Secretary of the Navy, Mr.. Ora
ham, teel nInoumbent upon me TO state, that had
conversation with Mr.. Graham during the las, summer
IN relation TO this contract for supply OF coal for III. =
expedition, and although do not profess to ecollect
accurately all that said to by that gentleman,
think can give with sufficient ACCURACY a few of his
state nents, which will to relieve him from any
prosch which may be disposed cast upon MN
understood that Commodore Perry here to the