The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-12-20
I'm COMPRESS or THE u. STATES.
Thirs-Fourth Congress First session.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1855
SENATE.
MEMORIALS, pErIrloNs, RTo.

the be referred to the Committee Pensions which
agreed TO.
Mr.. RuSK presented the petition Of James Harrington,
laborer on the Smithsonian grounds praying to be al
lowed the sae compensation as allowed TO the
aborers the other public grounds by resolution OF the
Senate OF March O. 1885, which referred to the Com
mittee OF Claims
Mr.. FISH presented The memorial Of Captain John B.
Montgomery OF the United States navy praying TO be re-
leased from his liability for unpaid balance OF public
money nrued TO him for recruiting purposes and lost
by the failure of The bank in which it deposited
which was referred the Committee Naval Affairs.
Mr.. WADEpresented additional documents in support
OF the claim ~ John Brown to an increase oil pensoni
which, with bis petition the flies OF the Senate were re-
ierred % the Committee on Pensions.
Mr. fUlEE presented the memorial OF John DICK, pray
ing that patent may be Issued TO him for the land settled
by him under permit granted by the register OF the land
office ST Augustine, Florida; which referred to the
Committee on Public Lands.
Mr. Y also asked leave to withdraw from the files OF the
Senate the memorial and papers of Rev. John Tucker and
that the be referred to the COMMITTEES on Military Al
fairs; which was agreed TO.
Mr.. SUMNER asked leave TO withdraw from the files OF
the Senate the memorial and papers OF Richard Coke M
order that they be presented TO the Court OF Ca
which was agreed To.
Leave was also granted to withdraw the petitions and
papers Of John Spencer aud Reuben Wood.
FRENCH sPoLIATIoss.
Mr. CLAYTON presented a large number of memorials,
all praying indemnity for spoliaons committed by the
French prior lS00 He said that he should not move
any reference of these memorials but would suffer them to
lie the table for the present. and only wished to avail
himself of this opportunity TO make single remark THESE
claimants desired that their claims should not be considered
having abandoned They arest presented they
have been for the last fifty years Butte remark
which he particularly desired to make was this The
message the President at the last session came in so
late that opportunity afforded for full discussion
of it, 1t one which he exceedingly anxious 10
discuss and in reference TO which he would say now that
the single idea upon which the whole message was pred
icated of fact The whole mes
proceeded upon the ground that the claims which
petitioners ask he paid paid under the treaty
Of Louisiana Of 1903 The whole question reduced to
n tinr pT Tftrf 4
paid under the treaty of S03 there ought to be end OF
them IT. the other hand it not true, and If that
the only ground upon which the President proceeded
and upon which the veto message founded 1T was clear
that the claims ought be paid. When the veto message
came in at the last session. he was conscious OF the fact
that there existed in the Department Of State testimony
which would completely refue the idea of the President
that these claims had been paid under the treaty of 1903
There be found lists Of the Of all the Claim
ants who paid under that treaty. and there were the
names of all who claimed indemnity. The two lists had
since been published and ii appears that not single
of those who ask for indemnity from this government
Of these spolatons is included in the number
Of those WHO paid under the treaty OF 1909 lie
merely roe TO pake this remark and at some fntnre DAY
he should call these petitions for the purpose OF consid
cring the subject fully.
The memorials were laid on the table.
THE NAVAL BOARD Il
Mr. CRITTENDEN presented the memorial Of Uriah P.
Levy late captain in the navy of the United States
planning of the Illegal action in hs OF the late board
of naval officers whereby he has been stricken from tho
rolls and praying Congress to pass law annung TO
him. the report and finding of said board and restoring
him 10 his former place in the navy Also praying the Sem
in the time suspend their action on the noni
nation (should be mado) Of any person to fill the
place held by him. Mr. G. commended this memorial to
the careful consideration of the Committee Naval At
fairs and it referred to that committee.
Mr.. BRODHEAD presented the memorial of Peter Wa
ger late master the United States navy, complaining
Of the action the naval board constituted under the act of
February 2s 1885 which was referred to the Committee
on Naval Affairs.
Mr. jones' Of Tennessee submitted the following reso-
and aske immediate
Resored That the Secretary of the Navy be directed to
furnish the Senate with copy Of the proceedings OF the
passed 2sh day of February 1856 entitled act to
promote the efficiency of the navy embracing such charges
have been preferred against the several officers OF the
who have been dismissed from the public service placed
on the reserved list.
Mr. BRODHEAD remarked that the chairman of the
Committee on Naval Aairs Mr.. MALLORY absent it
might be well to let the resolution lie few days.
Mr.. JONES had wish to press it. He had objcc-
ton to letting lie over and lie would call up at the
proper time. Wrs
Mr. CLAYTON desired to submit one remark It ap-
peared to him that the examination to which the resol
ton lead well that required by the memorials
relating the subject which had been heretofore
presented ought take place during the executive sessions
Of the Senate 1t must be obvious If gentlemen would
feet for moment that such an investigation must deeply
those who have been the subjects of the action of
the naval board and he would recommend the proeiety
Of having the whole subject first considered in executive
session. lie would not make any remark which couh b
any possibility the feengs of any officer who had
been under consideration by that board IL the ssenae
think proper 10 sustain the action of the board he de-
sired that it might be done in such way to he least
offensive To those who have been dropped from the list
But IL all the information which in the possession of
the department should be presented to the Senate in open
session contemplated by the resolution just submit
ted by bis friend from Tennessee he thought great injury
might be done many persons whose conduct had been
under consideration by the board.
Mr. BUTLER concurred entirely with the senator from
Delaware He should what he had to say the
subject for executive session. for he opposed making
subject of public discussion. He had committed to h
charge of three gentlemen from the State of South
Carolina bat he should not bring them before the Senate
in open session.
Mr. JONES was unable to arrive Mt the conclusions
with the who had just spoken. The resolution
before the Senate for discussions and he would not
now debate L. but be would call il up the earliest
venen oppor,uny after the arrival of the chairman of
the COMMITTEES on Naval Affairs and he expected then to
demonstrate that the Senate could not in justice to the
many gentlemen interested do otherwise than give them
hearing lie desired that what was said on the snbec
should be said openly. u.
Mr. BELL and Mr. MASON thought it would be better
to wait for the Presidents annual message before taking
any action in the matter that might contain sug
gesiions in regard to the subject
Mr. JONES did any prospect of getting the
very soon.
The resolution was laid over.
RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
Mr. FOOT submitted tho following resolution; which
was considered by unanimous consent and agreed to-:
Resolved That the Committee Pensions be directed to
the expedency Of extending the benefits of the
existing pension laws to the surviving officers and soldiers
Of of 1872 and to the widows and minor children OF
those who deceased -