The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-08

America and their Territories that the President OF
land ard naval force OF the United States carry the
nto effect aud to issue pryate armed vessels Of the
ere leprsal in no shall think proper,
deg s seal q che uni.ed States sgans, ,ss vessels goods,
Britain and Ireland, and the subjects thereof
i Approved, June 49, ISL"
Of my honorable friend cannot deny that this
law passed bu, apprehend II takes from his argu-
nient the only ground which II rests That ground
vas the immortality and impoliey Of employing these per-
sons Now show that the parties oask for the con-
nuanee OF these pensions not persons asking TO be
employed, but persons who employed, and 10 whom
commissions were issued. under the act declaring
with Great Britain; who were authorized TO 60 upon the
high under the broad seal of the United States, Tor
the purpose OF making captures; and therefore, now
have nothing to DO either win The policy or morality OF
predecessors, and the question is, having been
employed, whether they not entitled 10 receive the
/ same pay as others who fought the common enemy
Mr.. President what is the result of that employment
understand that the effect oi the employment private
armed vessels under this authority was this: Two per
cent Of The captured by the privateers set
apart for The purpose OF paying pensions to the widows
Of those who might be killed in battle and for the support
of those who might be wounded There was. besides
this, paid into The treasury, Gas am informed upon the
statement Of gentleman known personally TO the hon.
orable senator from Massachusetts. [Mr. EVERETT and
IN regard to whose character and the OF the
statement that senator will vouch the OF 80 900 zoo
derived BY the gallant conduct OF these men, the
yors OF whom come here and AK for this pance
You have received and not appropriated 10 any particular
purpose, but for the general emoument OF the govern
men', from the portion OF the prizes which went under
the general law 10 the government of the United States.
the Of $3ooo.oOo. That amount has gone into your
treasury and you have used for The common purposes of
the country.
further tina, Of this Two per cent the or.
ginal amount placed the treasury $2l3513, and
that IN 1890, some six years after the there remained
In the treasury unexhausted $97,l34 OF the two per
centum.
My distinguished colleague MR. PEARcEl has stated
TO the Senate, upon the authority to which he has refer
red that the fund has been exhausted How has been
exhausted Bear in mind that this government only
received the two per cenun but also received $30oo00o
Tor ilspropor'on Of the prize money! and il has appro.
and charging the payments 10 the principal of the fund,
when the government has perhaps loaned the money,
poses in the States which understand was the fact But
if that is not all know that since the the
eminent has had occasion TO use, and has used all the
money in the treasury Then, say the government has
used this fund.- and should at least have given these PEN
sioners credit tor the interest upon the snm used Now,
undertake TO say that an interest account be stated by
which give these pensioners of 1914 credit for $2l3,-
5l3, or beginning with 1920 for $l97,l34, and il you
charge them with all the pensions which have been paid
since 1920, and give them credit for the interest the
principal Of the fund.- you will find that the government
is largely indebted them. Then, ask, in equity and
justice, whether they ought not 10 be paid.
do not desire 10 discuss, though think If
now about TO enter upon it would be very well
worthy oil discussion, whether it would be polite and
humane on our part TO employ this of defence in the
service of the country That might be question then,
but II is not question tor discussion here and now.
Under the act declaring war with Great Britain in
to them commissions OF the government. Those
missions were issued and the individuals were engaged
divided, as were the prizes f"ay Ih.f prizes we're
hces and seamen who took the prizes Inc one had,
and the the other. the government Tecelv
log So 900, 900 from them
Mr.. BAYARD. do not consider the question as sm
ply abstract enc admit that the government, du-
ring the last with great Britain, authorized prlva
teefs No doubts that Commissions were issued TO
prvaeersmen and said expressly that TO The extent OF
The agreement oil the government with these private
nlu MD Ixpas Inp IN he
sanctioned then what consider to be contrary TO the
laws OF humanity il has repeatedly tried 10 get
rid OF by its treaties with other nations Tohe eS
tent of our engagements am willing go; but am not
willing to go particle beyond that, to sanction what
ia called the gallant conduct o. those men who were en-
gagged IN privaeerng Sir, admit that there were lnd-
vdua exceptions OF salanlTy OIL the part oil our pnva
teers and probably those who were the most gallant
were he ones who poured ets nqley into the treasury
Bat am unable 10 appreciate he sa'lanlry OF man
who, IN The command OF prlvaeer shuns the enemys
frigae soop-oi-war. which their general rule, and
win plunder merchant yessel--the private property OF
the individual citizens OF foreign enemy, where there
chance OF resistance, and no possibility OF danger
have faith the feeling ar the spirit IN general
ad nit there excephons-oi those who embark on
board privateers. think the line where that differs
from plundefng on The ocean Isl that the one is
legal system OF piracy and he other Illegal and The
marty liable to be hung pirate, in case he IS taken
cannot draw any other distinction between them The
motive gain in both cases-nere private plumber. The
object of the privateer always to avoid contest with
an equal force or any force unless he obtain plum
der, and will the risk OF hazard in obtaining IT. IL
they plumber private merchantmen without any re-
sisiance, that is always Their object .
The system demoIalziDg To The men themselves; ~
demon aizng The commander OF the vessel Is de-
morazing to the owner OF the vessel protest against
such system though il formerly adopted,
many other things in the laws and practices OF nations,
which have since been abandoned | admit that il was
adopted in 1919, and perfectly willing to carry out
the obligations which the government has assumed out
my remarks show that did not mean 10 go be-
You'd that. "
Now, what were the obligations which The govern
men assumed towards them in 1sl2l They were, that
certain fund.- which these persons themselves created,
should be held by the government and distributed LOT the
purpose of paying them pensions. Did Congress put them
on a loouna with the pavyl No, cir; the provision as
10 the navy was that they should be paid out OF the
that they should be pad OF particular fund.- and out
of no other fund.- That is the extent OF engagements,
and that fund, too to be created by themselves II
you will show me, not on loose calculations here, but
by obtaining the requisite information from the depart
men that the government has still that fund IN ITS pos
session. has misused IT, am willing TO replace H. and
pay the pensions out OF the treasury 30 lar az that misuse
goes but am not willing now, with my views OF the
system OF prvaeering to go enc ioa beyond the strict
of the TO these privateersmen at
the time was declared.
Mr. HUNTER. hope we shall have vote upon
this amendment There several others yet to be of
fered by the Committee Finance. The question has
been discussed pro and con, and hope shall have
vote upon this amendment
Mr. HAMLlN. l hope we may have vote; but
still, as this amendment has upon with go much
SURPRISE hope the chairman of the committee will not
press vote while there is anything to be said IN
favor of retaining The clause in the bill as II came from
the House