The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-01-18

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belongs 10 the Committee Naval Ahails consider
Mr.. MASON obtained the floor, but yielded TO
Mr.. SHIELDS Win the honorable senator permit
me 10 say one word have not The slightest objection
TO permitting the resolution proposed by the honorable
senator from Maryland to 40 10 the Committee on Naval
Affairs bat the resolution which was about TO offer is
entirely different in It's character because II IS one
which the whole groupdit is asking for an-
henc information In relation 10 the whole sublec-mat-
Now sir intended, in Offering that resolution 10 alb
from any commentio abstain from single obser.
vaton, either of thanks otherwise until we had inor
nation before hrst. 10 the nature OF the disaster
second TO the the government was able TO
furnish for understand they not able to furnish
relief very promptly for want OF sufficient vessels OF the
proper kind third 10 The relief afforded by private in
dividuas; fourth, 10 the number who lost by
that disaster; and lastly, The survivors, their
dion aud the character OF the relief to be extended 10
them. want this information, without reference TO any
committee, for il has reference to any commee ii
only information for the body. And. sir, ask il OF the
proper department, which is now engaged in colecing
that Information, having sent 10 New York tor officers.
who 10 be here day two and can give this In
formation. That is the object which had in view, and
have desire at all to interfere with the honorable
a,ors committee. But, Mr. President. do not wish TO
commence beslowing thanks, TO base any action oil
this body newspaper reports merely; and do not
think that the honorable senator firm Maryland ought to
rise up here and single on. one individual although
agree with the honorable that ii newspaper
reports be and this gallant Engshman at the risk
OF his life and the safety OF his vessel lay by the
side Of the San Francisco for days, in order
our men, then he is entitled 10 The thanks OF this nation
Bu, sir let ascertain that fact automatically and
proceed to act, as we often do. without having par
tcle Of official correct, authentic niorma.loa How
afford relief. without this information We shall not
have to long for the authentic niormatloA which
desire for understand these officers expected
rive here to-day night who give all the parc
uars in relation TO the subject That is only objec-
ton do not care about interfering with the PROPOSE
ton OF the honorable Let subject go the
Naval Committee; they will have plenty to do, bu. |
have no doubt but that they will do it, aud do we'll
Mr.. MASON. Mr. President, regard the resolution
proposed by the honorable senator from Maryland
trey distinct from the resolution offered by the honora-
BILE senator from Illinois. As understand il, it is 10
provide proper testimonial upon the part OF Con.
gress in acknowledgment OF the galantry and humanity
which led The officers and OF these three vessels
the of the Survivors on ihs Ill fated ship. The
object of the honorable senator from Illinois, the other
hand-and very proper object II Isis 10 inquire into and
| ascertain the facts and what obligations may de-
vove upon the government, under the circumstances
Now, sir, respond entirely and fully TO what has fallen
from the honorable senator from Maryland. This is an
extraordinary occasion, and it therefore demands unusual
action upon the part OF Congress. We have moi yet
full and official accounts OF the matter il Ia true; but
have facts which dispute, showing that the Of
cers of these three vessels although themselves dsa-
bled by the same Storm lmpered their lives and
the vessels committed TO them in order to make this
and these men did only by the most dgent perse
for days and nights want 10 say this, aso
il strikes very forciby that the resolution OF the hon
orabe senator should be referred to the Committee
Military Ahars-not from any choce between The two
committees at ALI but because IT is the appropriate duty
of tha, committee 10 make this acknowledgment. This
/ chartered
filed with troops OF the United Slaes belonging 10 that
department the loss has accrued to that braach OF the
military service, and the acknowledgment il seems me-
ought to come appropriately IRON them The Secretary
of War; under whose guidance this vessel chartered
and these troops were prepared 10 be sent abroad think
would feel aud deeply feel the duty OF that department
TO be responsible for that matter. The resolution Of the
honorable from Mary proposes only TO make
proper testimonial for the gallantry OF the officers
and crews OF these vessels; and with his permission,
woud like 10 change the reference and refer the subec
| IN IEa
Committee on Naval Affairs, as more appropriately be
longing 10 the former committee.
wish to say further, Mir President in reference 10
what has fallen from the honorable senator from Cali
ornia that it will devoye upon this government and il
ough devove upon this government TO make full
muneraton Tor the losses that have been sustained BY
the officers and troops who were board of the steamer
San Francisco, and TO provide, so far may be rgh
and proper, ior the families OF those VINO lost in
that disaster but we must do II with and judgment
1 so TO avoid It's being made improper precedent
hereafter am willing te go as far as any gentleman
can 60 IN making this provision, and therefore hope
that The honorable senator from Illinois will withdraw
his resolution for the present, and allow the original
resolution OF the honorable senator from Mary
TO the appropriate committee aud will say again that
do moi to make any distinction between the two
committees, except that the subject appropriately
belongs 10 one than TO the other OF them,
4 Mr. GWIN have no pride about This subject ant
desire except 10 do justice 10 those parties Tor whose
benefit the resolution is intended but will state 10 the
senator IRON Virginia that he Is mistaken in regard tc
the charlerng OF the San Francisco. The War Depart
provsons but the vessel open to other passengers
and received other passengers and had other passenger
on board The great loss has fallen, II IL true, on the
officers from that regiment because majority oil III,
passengers belonged TO II. The vessel, repeat,
chartered by the War Department, II oren TO ohe
passengers other vessels were but inasmuch as thu
pertains to the ocean and the subject has been brougb
before The Committee Naval Affairs this morning By
other members by myself-l thought it ap
proprae reference, should have said nothing 90 The
resolution OF the senator from Maryland But this il
one of the smallest portions OF the duty imposed on Con
grtss in conseq of this dsaset-ihe making
pneniary return the officers and OF those ships
who sallsn,ly rescued our ohcers- is matter imma
ierial TO where II shall 90.
II Mr. SHIELDS. Ii is wholly so TO me ; and hope
The senator from Virginia will permit the resolution io
remain as IT stands. agree with my honorable friend
from Virginia, that this matter properly belongs 10 the
military department but 1t matters very little to which
| committee 1t goes. will therefore Withdraw my amend
meni, and permit vote TO be taken upon the resolution
OF the senator IRON Maryland, and submit mine after.
4 wards independent proposition.
/ Mr MASON | understand that the senator from
Mary land has modified hs resolution TO make the
reference to the Committee on Military Affairs
| Mr. SHIELDS hope not
Mr. MASON. l hope, with all respect TO the chair
man oil thai committee, ,nat il will he done.
Mr.. PEARCE ltis, OF course, subject Indifferent to
me whether The resolution goes TO the Committee on
Military Affairs or The Committee Naval Affairs,
baI,sYe that should have aoquesced IN the saggeston
of the senator from Virginia bat find that the senator
iron Illinois, who is chairman OF the Committee Mil
ary Affairs, does not wish II to go to his committee and
for that reason decline To alter the reference.
Mr.. Blu ILER desire 10 make sInele suggestion.
unde-tapd the senator from Illinois, the chairman
OF the Committee on Military AH,rs, that he has had a
communication On this subject with The War Depart