The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-24


Mt INGERsoLL said that he did not object when the
gentleman arose to present his petition but ne should How
object 10 his proceeding further az present
Mr. BAYLY Of Virginia, hoped II would be understood
that he should have an opportunity OF replying 10 the
marks II The gentleman from Georgia
The petition was referred TO the Committee on Naval
Affairs
PACIFIC RAILROAD.
The House then resumed the consideration Of the bin
granting the right way and making donation OF the
public lands aid in the construction Of railroad om
the Mississippi valley to the Pacific ocean.
The question upon the motion TO lay upon the table
the motion reconsider the vote by which the biI was
recommiued 10 the select committee.
The question being then taken on the motion 70 lay me
motion 10 reconsider the table by yeas and nays II was
agreed to--yeas 90, nays o.
So the bill goes to the select committee
SAMUEL A. BzLDEE 60.
The House then resumed the consideration Of the bill
for the relief Samuel A. Belden Go which after being
discussed BY Messrs HUNT and STANTON OF tennessee
was passed by informally.
FRENCH sPoLIAuoSs.
On motion Of Mr. BAYLY Of Virginia, the House then
resolved itself into the Committee OF the Whole on the
state Of he Uon Mr.. SEYMOUR in the chair and pro-
ceeded che consideration of the bill providing for the as
certanlnent and satisfaction OF claims OF American citizens
spoatons committed by the French prior TO the 5s
Mr. HOUSTON moved that the committee proceed to the
consideration Of the civil and diplomatic appropriation
bill; which agreed to-
Mr. BAYLY. Of Virginia said that be did not propose
as the present session short TO deain the commit
in detailing length the items and provisions Of this
bill lie presumed that the people of the United States
understood question better than they do this question
Of French spoaons IL had been reported upon for half
century and almost always avorably Ii bad frequently
passed each OF the two houses Of Congress There he
said slight inaccuracy in the bill reported by himself
from the Committee Foreign Affairs The bill, however,
was well guarded its provisions The committee, in
consideration the large surplus Of money in the
United States treasury inserted provision making
direct appropriation of five million of dollars for the
payment Of these claims. He proposed 10 submit the
oil the Senate substitute for the bill OF his com
ntee which also provided for direct appropriation aud
IN addition il provided for solicitor upon the part Of the
appear before the board that justice
is done The question raised by the bill familiar to
every one it having been thoroughly discussed by the first
ntelects Of the countryby Marshall Giles Livingston,
Webster-he would not say the gentleman from Missouri
mr. BESros because he did not wish to class him with
the dead.
Mr. ElBBARD inquired whether, by paying these five
millions of dollars did acknowledge the justice of
the claim and thereby commit ourselves the payment of
forty fifty and perhaps a hundred millions2
Mr.. BAYLY, of Virginia, replied that the claimants
satisfied with the payment OF i've millions II they
not he would go with the gentleman in protecting
the government against any future claims.
Mr. HlBBARD did not doubt the gentiernan's willing
protect the government against future claims but
he believed that by the passage of the bill the
would become obligated TO quidate aftercaims 10
enormous amount
Mr. CUTTING said according the best estimates and
the best information given upon the subject the total
OF all the claims from ten to twelve millions OF
dollars with interest from 1901 10 the present time
Mr.. ORR opposed the bill with good deal of earnest
The amount of the claims with interest some
fifty sixty millions of dollars.
Mr. PECKHAM inquired if it was not the usual prac-
tce OF the gentleman to against the payment of in
lerest
Mr. ORR replied that il was and he believed it be
rule but he yet had been called upon
interest upon claims OF this character.
After further discussion by Messrs. ORR CLlNG
NAN RIDDLE, FLORENCE, CHANDLER, and kEITT
upon the previous action Of Congress in relation to the
used % defeat all former bills of this character
and the liability which the government assumes BY the
passage OF the pending BILL
The committee and reported progress.
Mr.. BAYLY of Virginia, submitted resolution close
the debate upon the French poiaon bill in two hours a
ter the House again goes into committee.
Mr.. ORR moved to lay the resolution on the table
Without taking the question, on motion,
The House then adjourned.