Washington sentinel., 1854-01-06

pidlitin. we want 10 De the ueISnudul SOnclllncs.
lie approved Of the conduct OF Captain lngra-
ham thoroughly. The resolution avoids reason
for this approval. There is the judgment. Every
member of this court has seen the reason for the
Judgment He did not care if the reason was not
good, so that the Judgment was good. II did not
matter particularly whether koszta was a citizen
or not. He presumed that nobody thinks him a
citizen, but he was entitled 10 American prolec-
ton. He was Illegally seized in violation of the
laws OF nations and imprisoned in violation OF
law and he did care whether koszta was an
American citizen or not. He (Mr b. drew dis
tinction where are bound to extend protection
agd where we may do il.
MIR. ORR said that the resolution had undergone
the scrutiny of one of the abest committees of
the House, composed ofboth democrats and wings,
and the resolution had reported in language which
could not be misunderstood.
by H. the government was committed TO no prn-
ciple 10 which he was not willing to subscribe.
He would say, in reply 10 the gentleman from
Virginia, (Mr MIILsoN0 that the House was now
prepared TO vote the resolution. Ii simply re-
turned the thanks of Congress TO Captain Ingra-
ham for gallant act, and it was not necessary TO
vote for II on any other principle than the great
principle OF humanity. II was due to Captain
lngraham, who has infused new life and vigor
into our navy and caused our flag to be respected
He did more 10 this end than our army did during
the Mexican war. He was astonished that any
objection should be urged when Congress does
not commit itself to anything in the letter of the
Secretary OF State. He concurred in most of the
positions of that letter, and thought the resolution
ought TO be passed. Captain Ingraham did not de-
liberate as long as the House already had in dis
cusslng this resolution.
Mr,RICHARDSON saidthe only point involved
was, that Congress simply returns thanks TO Capt
lngraham for his gallant conduct. He presumed
That there was not one man in the country with
an American heart, who does not admire the man
ner in which Captain lngraham conducted the
matter in foreign country in the face of the foe
and with but single vessel. Our own country
has been at fault if il has not attained the position
10 which il is entitled among the nations Of the
earth. He rejoced that Captain lngraham had
behaved galantly, and that the Secretary of
State had placed the justification OF the act on
American authority.
Mr.. HILLYER said he approved of the phrase
oogy OF the resolution, but he was not prepared
TO assent to the reasons advanced by the gentle
man from Virginia, (Mr BAYLYD and the gentle
man from South Carolina (Mr. ORR They adj
vocated il on the ground that the government
thereby is comnAted to no particular policy, and
they seemed to advocate II on the ground that
Captain lngraham acted on the great principle Of
benevolence and charity in rescuing individual
from the oppression of foreign power. This
did not command his appreciation. He wished
TO thank Captain lngraham not because he had
exercised charitable feelings for distressed in
dividual, but because he asserted great Ameri-
can principle: that whenever foreigner has filed
his declaration Of intention to become an Ameri-
can citizen he thereby becomes entitled TO our
protection; and all the energies of our mighty
republic should be exerted TO rescue him from
the oppressor. II was for these reasons he de-
serves the thanks of Congress.
Mr.. CHANDLER, being member of the COM
mittee to which the resolution was referred rose
10 express his approval ofwhat had fallen from the
chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs,
with the single exception of that part relating to
himself But since the gentleman had imputed TO
him the sins of ancient politics. he thought he stood
on the right footing when as member of that old
party, he rose to defend the act of officer of the
first child OF that party-the American navy. He
agreed that Congress was not called on to enquire
whether it was the duty of an American captain to
defend the right ofinchoate citizenship, but were
called on TO say, we approve the conduct of the
man who, in the name of his country. and under
the flag OF his country asserts and defends the
cause OF humanity We stand here he remarked,
to reward Captain Ingraham, not TO consult his
feelings. The measure is one of selfrespect and
he reminded gentlemen of the Latin proverb, that
he gives twice who gives early.
Mr.. HOUSTON moved the previous question;
but the House refused to second it-yeas SO,
nays so.
Mr.. PHILLIPS said he should vote for the res
olution, because il was the best he could get. The
House was called on to adopt compromise, as he
understood the resolution was drawn 10 exclude
every question of principle, and TO make il a mere
question of personal thanks for galantry displayed
by naval officer. But the House were now acting
upon the subject in response 70 the great move
ments of the American heart 1t was not matter
which originated here. They were but rejecting
public opinion. Ii was not a mere question of
humanity in rescuing prisoner from bondage.
Ho regretted that the resolution was not passed
IN its original form, and that the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, in spirit of compromise, had re-
duced 1t 70 the comparatively contemplate ques-
ton OF personal thanks for act Of gallanry.
The committee had stricken from the resolution
everything on which The conduct Of Captain In
graham could be justified before the American
people.
This resolution was unworthy OF the House.
unless Capt. Ingraham was justified by The Amer
can principle of citizenship.
Mr.. BARRY offered an amendment. to insert
after the words Martin Koszla the following: 'the
fugitive from Hungary, who fled 10 the United
States, and had filed his declaration, in the proper
court TO become an American citizen, and was al
the time OF his seizure on Turkish territory" He
agreed with the views just expressed by the gen.
tleman from Alabama. He wished to place the
defence Of Capt. lngraham on the ground of in
choate citizenship.
MIR. SMITH, of Alabama, opposed the resolu-
tion He said, in the course of his remarks. that,
however, elaborately and ingenously the letter of
the Secretary of State, on the Koszta affair, was
drawn, II contained more falacies than any public
document for the last twenty-five years. He re-
membered the wildness in the country about
Kossouth, and here was with Koszta a parallel
but did not wish 10 commit the government to an
act Of questionable proprieiy.
Mr.. STANTON, of. Tennessee, advocated the
passage of the resolution. After paying com
pliment 10 Captain lngraham's gallantry, he said
he 0he captan) was under the necessity of deter
mining great question of international law, re-
lying on the justice and propriety of his deeds and
on the people of the United States TO sustain him
in performing duty which few other officers, un-
der similar circumstances would have been will
ing to perform
Mr. SMITH, of Virginia, desired further time
for deliberation; and in the course of his remarks
he said the Committee on Foreign Affairs had
skulked their duties in order 10 avoid a commit |
ment. He proceeded to show that the Secretary |
of State did not Justify Captain Ingraham on the
ground that koszta was, in whole or in part, an |
American citizen. He said that he should vote |
for no resolution unless Captain Ingraham's con-
duct was placed on principle TO W hch he wished |
TO be committed.
Mr.. SMITH, Of New York, approved of the re- |
solution from the bottom of his heart, and ex |
pressed the hope il might pass unanimously He |
liked II, especially and exclusively, because il |
avoided the questions of nationality and citizen |
ship, and because il justified the act of Captain |
ot,a,, On, ,kr.l n 4