Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-12-18

sehteu 10, We nave arrived al the point that there
is no man In the North whom the South will trust
and no man in the South whom the North will
trust II this is The spirit Of the body the sooner
inc country knowsi the better. In order 10 give
time for consideration, he moved the House ad-
Journ but The question was disagreed to-
Mr.. HICKMAN'S resolution was then laid on
the table.
The house proceeded 10 vote for Speaker
oixtleth and sixty-hrst trials, Banks received 1906
RICHARDSON "a, FULLER 40, six scattering
lne House al an early hour, adjourned,
senate-Monday, December II, 1868.
PETITIONS PRESENTED AND REFERRED
Mr.. SEWARD presented document relating
10 The claim OF William Maxwell Wood, Surgeon
IN The Navy for additional remune ration for SER
vices as bearer OF dispatches al the breaking out
OF the war with Mexico; which was referred to
the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr. ). also presented The petitions of Oscar
Bulius and Samuel Lockwood, of the United
states Navy, complaining OF the proceedings of
The Naval Board convened under the act of Febru-
airy 20 1900; which were referred to the same
committee.
Mr.. S. also presented numerous petitions of the
heirs OF officers of the New York and Massachu-
sets line OF the revolutionary army PRAYING TO be
allowed the half pay which their ancestors were
emitted; which We're referred 10 the Committee
on Revolutionary Claims
Mr.. MASON presented the petition Of Osmond
Peters, lieutenant in the United States revenue
marine service, praying that the bounty land law
OF March 8, 1893, may be so amended as 10 EN-.
brace him and all others who served in any war
Of the United States which was referred 10 tbe
Committee on Commerce.
Mr. IOUCEY presented the memorial of
Charles Steams, praying indemnt, for damages
sustained IN consequence of certain illegal prose-
cutions by the United States; which was referred
10 the Committee on the Judiciary
Mr.. WELLER presented the following Joint
Resolutions from the Legislature of California,
which were appropriately referred:
JOINT resolution relative 10 the establishment,
and construction OF post roads across the plains
&C. r'
JOINT resolution praying that bell buoy NAV
be placed al the entrance 10 the harbor ef San
Francisco.
joint resolution in relation TO the Board Of
Land Commissioners.
Joint resolution for the construction Of mill
tary road from Sacramento valley 10 Crescent
city in that State.
Joint resolution relative 10 the payment OF pen.
sions in California
Joint resolution for the construction of break
wafer In the harbor of Crescent CITY,
Joint resolution for light houses al Trinidad
and Crescent civ
JOINT resolution praying the establishments OF
mail routes IN certain localities
JOINT resolution relative 10 The establishment of
an additional land district in California
Mr. w. also presented the petition of seventeen
officers OF the United States army stationed al
Fort Fillmore and. Albuquerque, PRAYING that the
ration commutation In the army may be increased
~ cents; which was referred to the Committee
on Military Affairs.
McDougal praying compensation for assisting 10
take the census OF California; which was referred
10 the Committee on Claims
Mr.. FOOT presented the memorial Of Captain
1onn n. uraham' OF Brooklyn, New York post
captain IN the Navy of the United States who sets
forth that on the 9th Of Nov 1912, he was
wounded by the enemy on the Canadian shore,
opposite Black river, in consequence of which
ne shortly afterwards suffered the amputation of
one OF his legs. After recapituating his varions
services and suferngs since that date, in behalf
OF has country, he states that he now finds him
sell placed In what he considers degraded posi-
ton by the action ofthe Naval Board constituted
under an act OF The last Congress. In presenting
Tue petition, mi +. remarked that it was not his
purpose TO pass structures upon the action of
the Naval Board; still further was il from
MS intention TO lmpugn the motives of their
action, or 10 caa In question the purity Of their
purposes But however pure and honorable
might have been the motives and purnoses
by which that Board were controlled in Their
action, II was not 10 be denied or disguised.
nor had II escaped public observation that in some
instances, at least they had sadly misiudped:
grevlous mistakes had been committed and as a
necessary consequence, serious wrong and injury
had been inflicted upon many meritorious officers.
The case OF Captain Graham was ndisputablv a
case oil that kind. Upon what evidence the Board
had acted-upon what rules they had proceeded. or
by what principles they were governed in assigning
this officer position upon the inferior list OF re-
tired officers, he did not know The country did
not know Without hearing without notice,
and without any reason being assigned for il I
after period of 45 years in his countrys service
in which he was always ready at her call, and
bearing upon his person the honorable insignia of
his bravery and his suferings in her behalf he |
now found himself placed not upon the primary |
list OF retired officers which ought to be made IL
II be not now so regarded. a post of honor: but |
upon The secondary or inferior list, which is I'M |
derstood by everybody, and recognised by the |
country as post of degradation From this de- |
cison OF the Naval Board, he appeals to Con
gress, and invokes the most rigid scrutiny of his
professional and private life. Mr. F. further |
stated that his own knowledge authorized him 10 |
say That Captain Gray professional life had |
been that Of brave, gallant, and chivalrous
offcerj while his private life had been that OF an |
intelligent upright Christian ctizen whose honor |
was without reproacb, and the purity of whose /
character was above suspicious. The physical
under which he labored in onseouence |
Of the loss of limb in battle although il might /
disable him from service al sea, instead Of con
signing him TO degradation, in any other country
and in any other age, would have secured to him
the expression of national gratitude in the be-
stowment OF rewards and titles OF honor and dis
linction. This country had been IN the habit,
also, OF bestowing medals and brevets, as testi.
monials OF national gratitude to those who had
signalized themselves in battle bur these pfin
ciples seemed 10 have been reversed, uninten.
lionslly, though il might have been by the de-
cisions OF the Naval Board; and the victims OF
heir erroneous judgment, whether few or many
were certainly entitled TO a hearing and redress
What measure OF relief Congress should extend
70 the claimants, or in what manner il should be
given, It was not bis province 10 Indicate; but
ne regarded u as proper subject for the consi.
Iteration Of the Committee on Naval Affairs: and
On his motion the memorial was referred to that
committee.
NOTICES OF BILLS.
Messrs. WADE, SUMNER and SEBASTIAN,
rave notice Of their intention introduce bills for
he CONTINUATION Of public works in the States OF
Ohio, Massachusetts, and Arkansas.
Mr.. JAMES gave notice of his intention 10 in
reduce bill for the modification OF the patent
avs, and 10 increase the compensation OF the
of Patents.
Mr., HARLAN gave notice Of his intention to
introduce bill in relation TO the five per cent in
he net proceeds of the sales Of the public lands
In the State OF Iowa.
Mr. SEWARD gave notice OF his intention 10
introduce bill for the construction Of a custom.
house at ogdensburg, New York