The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-29
CITY OF wAsHINGToN SATURDAY. MORNING, APRIL %, ls5

fest in Its capacity government appreciation Of t,
conductY No, sir Hit be any argument ut all it is
stronger one in favor of the proposition The people them
selves nave spontaneously set example To what We
should do Should we hesitate as government to ac-
knowledge the proey Of the conduct which the people
have approscdf say that there any validity in the
argument at all renders incumbent upon the
government to make the reward shall have no hesta-
ton in voting for the resolution. G] @
Mr. SLlDELL viii vary my motion l move to
amend the substitute OF the senator from California by
sertng,
That the President be authorized appropriate sum not
exceeding $40 OO0 31 5-7-- it-"',
Mr. GWN The second section believe authorizes the
President OF the United States TO give medals the differ
ent parties and TO pay for them out Of any money in the
treasury not otherwise appropriated The senator can
tain his object BY adding proyso that this shall
Mr., sLIDELL ! offer the amendment to the amendment
in the following form sH
And that such amount Of money, exceeding $4,000
The treasury not Otherwise appropriated. ~ ~
Mr.. GWIN. am willing to accept that ri
Mr.. SEWARD hope the amendment will not be agreed
TO- After have the expressions manifestations
gratitude which have been given by the citizens OF the
United States to these merorious men, it does
that il would be much satisfactory the people
should award nothing at ALL than that we should differ
upon the and cut IL down from 100000 $20OO0
edgment from the country or they not They
titled to reward from the government they
not There is no one here elsewhere who will maintain
that higher act Of her0ism civil life has occurred
Such act, then deserves acknowl-
edgment The very nature Of the transaction itself is an
evidence of its merit and all civilized nations regard
vices Of this kind magnanmous heroic and worthy
reward II is principle Of maritime law that he who shall
venture his life his property sea- in tcmpcsts
and storms to protect the property Of another much
to protect the life OF one or OF many is entitled what
under other circumstances would be called an
reward The law divides BY way Of salvage, the whole
value Of the property saved between the original owner
A n " IN aypdit from destr
If the government of the United States is to make
special acknowledgment as 1t agreed all sides il
shall is to be fixed with reference to our position
and character not less than with reference to the
and heroism Of the transaction itself In regard the
first need not say to senators that have to sustain
character which perhaps too proud In claiming
not inferior TO any other commercial political power
earth Then the consideration is the greatness and
herosm of the transaction itself compared with Others
OF similar nature and on this subject am that
there is unanimous agreement that the history of naval
and maritime Affairs presents transaction in which
devoted pcrseverng seldcnying hardsps were under
gone from motives of mere benevolence and humanity
than in this Then with reference to effect Of this
similar deeds Of heros If the amount to be restricted
itmust be wholly through fear that evil will come
from this legislation as precedent Now, is any
afraid by approprating 100000 TO sgnaze the public
appreciation Of conduct such that which elics this
ward that shall encourage bold heroic dis
interested conduct in cases Of peril and shpwreck the
part OF American seamen OF semcn throughout the
civilized world! Certainly not There is danger Of
that & 81 a Dass
repeat sir if we are by special act Of this kind TO
show appreciation Of such conduct should be
nlensurate with the greatness Of the transaction itself
that If such proposition had been made when
the Intelligence Of the disaster and the partial salvage
reached the Capitol there is who would have been
for cutting down the appropriation then to $4,000 We
have no claim OF property now to settle We owe prar
cay, no debts We have large surplus in treasury.
We are rich We strong and government which
has for its surplus funds except to buy its
perfectly safe bonds at an advance Of fifteen cents ON
dbl IN ms
red by others at the peril of the property and lives Of those
who confer them it ought not to make mockery OF
the virtue Of gratitude at all Let u.s. then sustain our
character and encourage seamcn and those
OF all nations emulate the achievements of the saviors
Of those who were perishing the wreck Of the San
Mr. GwIN asked for the yeas and nays on his amend
meit and they ordered and being taken result
ed--ycas l8, nays 21-as follows:
. p.y;sa Dodge
Rusk, Sebastian, slidel, Toombs, and wiiams--i8
NAYs-Mes.rs; Allen badger, Bell, Bright Brown,
Mallory Petit, Seward Shields Stuart sumner, Thomp.
son Of Kentucky, Wade, and Wright-2l. . Isf.t.
SO the amendment was rejected. .ft lf. ~
Mr.. BRIGHT subsequently explained that it his in
tenon TO vote first for the smallest and then for
at all and hence that his vote should have been recorded
Mr. GWIN move to strike out a$looOoor and insert
1880 and on that amendment ask for the yeas and
nays 1t ~ t
suted-yeas 81, nays l6--as follows:
YEAsMessrs. Atchison, Bright Butler Clay, Dawson,
Evans Fitzpatrick, Qeye Gwin, Hunter Jones of Tennes
see Norris Pearcc, Petit, Pratt Rusk, Scbastian Sldc
Thompson Of Kentucky, Toomba, and Williams-91.
NAYS-Messrs. Allen, BADGER Bell, Brown, Cooper,
Everett Fish, Foot Hamlin, Mallory, Seward, Shields
Stuart, Sumner, Wade, and Wright-f6. ,.s. ~.
so the amendment WAS agreed TO. ~E ee7
The joint resolution then reported to the Senate
amended, and the amendment concurred in On the
question Of ordering the resolution be engrossed for
third reading, Mr. TOOMBS called for the years and nays
which ordered; and being taken rcsultedyeas 81
nays l6-as follows:
YEAS-Messrs. Allen, Badger, Bell, Chase, Cooper,
Everett Fish, Foot Geysr H.mlin Jones Of Tennessee,
Mallory Pearcc, Rusk Seward, ShieSds Stuart Sumner,
Thompson cf Kentucky, Wade, and wriGht-2l.
kAY6Messrs. Atchison, Bright, Brown, Butler, Clay,
Dawson Evans, Fitxparck Huatsr Norris Pcttt Pratt
Sebastian, Sidell, Toombs, and Williams--ls.
The resolution then read third time and passed.
a TO CONTINUED aHt
FRIDAY, APRIL 2s, 1854 g
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATION.
rs - IN