The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-07-16


The Senate having under consideration the bill for the
relief of David Myerle-- I.-
Mr. THOMSON, of New Jersey, said - f
regret exceedingly Nh President that this bill has re-
ceived much opposition. had hoped that II would
have commended itself TO the kind and favorable consider
alton Of every senator examined the papers this
as far my time would permit and believe the reports
made former occasions to Congress- which have been
adopted and incorporated into the report had the honor
to submit to be mainly fnot altogether correct in their
statements Of facts and their reasonings from them Cir
cHmstances OF very urgent nature lately required my
presence in New Jersey and feeling that great delay had
already taken place in regard TO the consideration OF this
BILL requested my friend the chairman of the Committee
on Naval Affairs to call the bill up the first proper
casioD during my absence as my return WAS, IN point
of time, very uncertain. This done by my honorable
friend and the bill passed in this body during my
absence But what my surprise find it had been
rensated and was to become anew subject OF discussion
and controversy But sir trust its claims upon this body
will not be impaired by this circumstance but on the coll
ry, strengthened by their further consideration From
that it has nothing to fear.
The claim of Mr. Myerle do not propose TO advocate on
the ground OF contract the improper rejection OF the
hemp under that contract by the board of inspection at
Boston, of which there be doubt All this has been
heretofore done by others
But Mr. President, if the claim be not strictly legal
claim it is one in my Judgment which appeals strongly TO
the justice and generosity OF Congress What it, sir? 1t
is for highly important service of national character
rendered by Mycr which has made the United States for
independent of the world for supply of article in
dspensabe for her shipping twas undertaken by Myerlc
at the urgent request and solicitation OF high officer Of
the government who held to him. as inducement for
engaging in hazardous enterprise, the expectation
pledge OF indemnity from loss in ofiaure and OF gem
remuneration in of The great value Of
this service and its importance in national point of yiew
have been freely acknowledged by successive Secretaries of
the Navy, and by Committees Naval Affairs in both
branches of Congress- from 1916 to the present day
And now sir the question is, shall refuse to relieve
from the old who has accomplished all this and
who is now toering on the brink OF the grave by re-
fusa to redeem the promises made and ulfment OF the
expectations held out by officer OF your government
1t has been said, Mr. President in objection to this claim
that the gratuity should be given, not to Mere but 10
certain merchants Kenfacky who advanced the to
enable Myerle to carry this undertaking. and had
MARY claims against him. But Mr. President is it not
worthy the dignity of this body constitute itself into
for the trial of issue between Mont s. Mullen and
Myerle? We sir have nothing TO do with the private
transactions of these people; but sir if we had incline
to think, from letter of Mont Mullen, which is to be
found in the papers your table, that the balance by
their own showing, would be very small one- about
slooo) But if Mont Mailer, and Crom,ven have claim
against Nr the courts open to then and the act of
grace and justice which | trust you will perform for N.Y.
erie win enable him to qudate all claims against him, if
any such exist the part of Mont Mullen any other
persons.
prejudice exists know against this claim, and in
deed against every claim which is brought before Congress
But Mr. President this is not right This is the only body
which render justice to individuals when it is denied
them by the officials of government from want of authority
on their part for other You close the doors of
your of justice against unfortunate creditor Of the
government and when he the only tribunal earth
which afford him relief he is for the most part regard
ed public plundcrer and his claims just unjust
treated with indifference Sighted and sometimes it may
be, cruelty rejected.
Mr. President my experience in this body as you wel
know has been very brief This is the first legislative body
in which hayeevcr had the honor of seat am there
fore very ddent in expressing my sentiments in regard
to such matters But sir from the little experience have
had incline to the belief that instead Of the notion which
prevails generally out of doors in regard to the facility Of
claims being passed through Congress being true, believe
the very reverse to be the
Many claims upon government which held by those
who have examined them to be just have been before Con-
gress for quarter of century, and about as set
tement they when first presented 1t has be-
come sort of cant sang with about as little meaning as
most OF such terms generally convey But between this
particular and those ordinarily presented for the con-
sderaon of Congress- there is very important and
striking difference to which invite the attention of
ators.
1t will be borne in mind that Mr. Myere stood towards
the government in the twofold relation of agent and
tractor and it is to his character and claims as an agent
that shall principally conne myself in the remarks which
propose to make this OCCASION To prove this con-
nexion ask to read the following extract from letter
written by the Hon n Pauldng, dated Hyde Park, Feb
ruary %, lS49:
had been for time very desrous to procure sup
ply of American waterrotted hemp for the navy in order
for this indispensable article especially of war
when you first called at the department, business
suggested the matter to you You % thought the thing prsc
tcabe but stated many objections and declined the under
hh hanth; ~" ~ @ " eoa'a9e"u ~ as oselGaino your
me- and have always believed tha one your leading
wish to confer benefit country You succeeded and
was ruined.
Again:
"a change of administration had occurred, and left the
department before could redeem The engagement had entered
into @ih you and which, said before, induced you
to enter this aboous and hazardous under
y attained through energy and sacri
and the country is thoroughly supplied with water
it has been by the sacrifice of your property
by repeated disappointmens in seeking little
pensc for abors losses and modification Having for