Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-01-21
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1854.
IN SENATE

Bameiiately after the Journal of Thursday was rea
Nr- REARCE, Of Maryland, asked leave to submit ii
SeAinwIng resolution:
<ptood, That the Committee on Naval Affairs be instr.c
@ ca report upon the expediency of making suitable acknoy
1nslEsns and presenting testimonials the commando
xd Grews OF the British ship Three Bells, the America
6zrTvs hby and the ship Antarctic for the humsuity
aatry displayed in the of the surviving officer
p~Rogsrs, and crew Of the steamship San Francisco.
Mr. PEARCE said: Mr.. President, beg leaveto say
vurE few words upon the subject of the resolution Th
r0s catastrophe Of the steamship San Francisco
unHzu the perls Those who board of her
81 Inlnlnen and prolonged amidst such variety and in
ccCsass of suffering; they were so connected with tn
Gov,gnnent, and their rescue achieved by efforts
sIch God generous, and persevering humanity that tn
ossisu seems to me to demand Acknowledgements tn
psrt al the Government which are seldom made. Th
WcEzf steamship was in the employment OF the Govern
nxn The persons rescued were for the most part ou
1wn oistcers and troops.
For nearly or quite two weeks their suferings and perls
prolonged while the shattered ship exposed to
rg fury of the under the most appalling crcum-
tncs and with the prospect of destruction every hour
Har rescue was effected sir by who could be moved
salfY by the nobest impulses and who thus mpel!cd
raaives encountered extraordinary risks ard dangers
TkE snip Three Bells, though not first in the rescue
tnHg appropriately be named first, because she
isa ship Though this ship was leaking and short Of
rapras her noble hearted commander and his lay
~ shattered wreck sraning every for the
al their felowmen and all the accounts testify that
pSug could exceed the tenderness and kindness with
yef thOse who rescued were treated board of
tAGx sxp. S.. II.
Tbe larque Kilby was American, and was the first in
s rsscue She, too, had been storm tossed and dsa
et ll part yet for two days her gallant commander
szE crew lay by the wreck of the San Francisco and
only parted from il by the irresistible force Of
r For two days more they cruised about amidst
anzy in search her. and even that vessel is
Sanasrer amidst the perils of that stormy element;
Ehaux happily many of those who rescued by her
cn srserred to another ship and have arrived safely
srnsne aaeir countrymen and friends ...t a.s II
nff fl vunT CHI Apfo
IfE Is es ually honorable .....
Qraar Governments sir, recognise and reward such
ervTaes as these Very lately Captain Nye, of the mail
alagsiy Pacific his mate and boats crew. thanked
snd raxirded by the British Government, in most Ii
a1E aud grateful spirit, for similar OF British
iar 1t becomes US, sir to follow, with at least equal
sspa this examples and as our Executive does not pos
~ the necessary means and authority, Congress should
sG9giy them This win be both just and wise,
WIrisg great merit and encouraging others to similar
ZasIassry hereafter.
Extraordinary heroism and humanity will always
cvs tie just applause of But the public authority
sasuG garnsh enduring evidence of the public appro
hxsu and such memorials of it may be honorable to
sHa GrTs,nment and cherished by the brave men who
!azss richly earned them. '..,. ~. 4.
The committee will Of course obtain authentic and Off
anal before they report for the final action of
Ss1grsas. ..... ...> -..u. .>
Ehlse said nothing, sir of the officers and of the
InSt ship All accounts agree as to the unblenching
cuura the active SKILL and patient perseverance of her
Ez vch give honor to the character of the American
What shall be due to him. his officers and crew,
nd The destitute troops board his ship will doubtless
nn prrperiy determined hereafter The acknowledgment
ne To the rescuers to be GRACEFUL should be as prompt
nc RGssible.
Mr. SHIELDS If the Senator will permit me, win
that have just from the War Department and
Ea bad conference with the head of that Department
rsiation to this matter have also prepared reso
aGn Of inquiry for the purpose of ascertaining some
ug authentic in relation to every thing connected with
uns matter, SO that we may know not only on whom to
axtou thanks, but where to afford relief This mat
sr which properly belongs to the War Department The
Who were lost soldiers and the vessel was char
srwi ny the War Department, and the vessels sent in
srsaah Of II were sent by that Department. All the
reuIi information will be obtained from that Depart
MxnE In consultation with the Secretary of War,
l that within two three days he expects to have
sf ax5 authentic information the whole subject With
Of the honorable Senator from Maryland there
nr wish to offer resolution in lieu of his, calling for
IHErn alton. do not wish to enter into any comment
TIE matter because the information is not yet authen
DIX and We cannot yet act wisely, perhaps justly to-
sts the parties engaged in the Of this vessel
swsnAs those who accused of negectng to render
ccaenE aid, without having the whole authentic nforma
Ssnn before the body. @" @@. :... ....
The PRESIDENT. The proposition of the Senator
HpE Illinois is to strike out all after the word resoved
xaE insert: o..
u1es all authentic information which he may possess in
o the wreck OF the San Francisco and the losses
property occaSoned this disaster, means
zu by the Department and others for the of the
f and passengers the number and situation of the
and the and Of the relief required by their
szinmlt1ns condition. 49,"
Mr.. pEARCE Mr.. President the considerations which
s Senator from Illinois has stated to the Senate had
sxrRuted from submitting resolution for the direct
rfzsn Of the Senate. made this resolution of inquiry
i'm character, that from its terms the committee
Ia 5e enabled to make just such inquiries the Sena
e proposes the Secretary of War shall be asked make
la not therefore that it is very important however
Fnite willing, if the Senate is anxious to substitute
isr the other that it may do SO.
Mr. GwIN. hope the resolution will pass as ofereC
uY te Senator from Maryland The subject that he pro
rasea 20 refer the Naval Committee has reference
she slantry displayed by the commanders and
r vessels that relieved the persons board the Sal
gS-zzcsco The Committee Naval Affairs had this sub
srG ener consideration this morning. and has nstructe
cnre az its members introduce resolution from tn
amtee covering the subject in the under conside
cfsaH Presuming that that portion Of the subject woul
Eerexin the action Of the committee, glad to Sc
the Senator from Maryland entertans the opinion
m has taken the initiative in this matter TO instruct tn
afmrxittee to act.
There several acts of legislation which, il
ms required at the hands of Congress in connexo
wFt this great disaster, of which should be
erE by the Committee Military Affairs, others by tn
fNsnmittee on Commerce, and what should be done
ppcceaon Of the conduct Of those board Of the
sES who relieved the sufferers board the San Francis
shy the Naval Committee, There ought to be pension
rnnfed the heirs and legal representatives OF thos
y8 lost that vessel who in the service
sSs United States There ought to be additional pa
sa&ad to the officers non-commssioned officers and
dssrx who have been saved from the wreck.
r. Esye been informed by officer Of the army tn,
svv drew six months pay in advance to give themselv
su1 ont6t; all Of which is lost well their priva
szrzzze. The Government ought to provide for the
,ssSprs by liberal extra pay to meet the actual 10
L. tlnoa a1 L hone