Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-25
House Of Representatives.


House of Representatives.
The SPEAKER announced the first business
in order to be the resolution Of Mr.. BAYLY, sub
mtted yesterday, 10 close the debate on the French
Spolaticn bill in two hours after the House shall
again go into Committee of the Whole OH the
state ofthe Union upon that subject.
Mr.. ORR moved amendment, to close the
debate tomorrow, at three o'clock; and the reso-
luton, as thus amended, was agreed 10.
Mr.. CLARK introduced several bills for the i'm
provement of certain harbors in Michigan; which
were referred 10 the Committee on Commerce.
The House resolved itself into the Committee
of the Whole on the state of the Union, and re-
sumed the consideration Of the French Spolation
bill.
Mr.. SEYMOUR was called to preside over the
committee
Mr. LETCHER was entitled 10 the floor, but
surrendered it
Mr. BENTON who rose to oppose some figures
ofarithmelic and figures of rhetoric which had been
hourished this subject for the last thirty years
The remark had frequently been made that our
commerce, during the French revolution,
threatened on the ocean, and, consequently that
the losses which citizens suffered were
great, that the United States must come in 10 aid
them. He took issue against this assertion. II
was the richest period of our country's commerce,
and, true representation Of its condition, he
alluded TO caricature representing large, beau
tful white COW, John Bull holding il by the horns
and Brother Jonathan milking it, with both hands,
into a tub.
II was contended that the United States Gov
eminent is bound 10 pay the claims because il was
released from guarantee TO protect France in her
West India possessions. This guarantee was
precisely sxty-one years old Did France ever
ask the United States to comply with that guar
antee2 They who maintain this, are bound TO
produce the proof He was able TO prove the
negative and read, in this connection, passage
from the life OF James Madison, written by John
Quincy Adams. France never once made an
appeal TO us for the performance Of the guarantee
Ia the course of his remarks he said that those
claims had been settled BY the faithful efforts Of
our government 10 get them acknowledged by
France; they were settled by the battle Of Ma
rengo, which put end TO the guarantee, which
restored TO France the West India possessions
which Great Britain had captured. Not until the
order of claim agents and solicitors took this sub
iect in hand, had those claims acquired the
strength which they now possess. He regarded
il as a compliment he valued more than any other
which had ever been paid 10 him, that no man
who wished 10 plumber the country ever brought
a letter Of introduction TO him.
II was due to our National Legislature, ind
vidually and collectively, TO read those agents
lesson, and let them know that they are not TO
govern by their opportunities and appliances. II
was time 10 make decision, by which those foul
birds that flap their wings over the Capitol, that
nfcst its doors, and TO be found everywhere,
10 throw suspicion on our national Legislators,
which is not only injurious 10 Them but to repub-
lican government He said, in conclusion, while
he believed there was great plundering in the
monarchies Of Europe, more money had been
unduly taken from the pockets Of our people by
the voters Of Congress-
Mr.. DISNEY said that, for long time he was
prejudced against the French Spoaton claims;
and not until he was induced to sit down and
carefully and deliberately investigate the case,
were those preiudices dissipated; and he
compelled as the result OF the examination, TO the
conviction that these. claims are founded in JUS
lice and national honor; and every consideration
of Justice, public and private, demands al the
hands Of this Government the payment OF the
claims Of those parties.
He replied TO. Mr.. BENTON, and referred to sew
eral treaties with France, TO show that the guar
antee referred TO was not vaueless, and that our
Government was legally responsible for the pay
ment Of those claims.
Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN did not propose to dis
cuss the question pending He said that the gen.
tleman from Ohio Mr.. DisrEyl had answered all
that has been or can be said in opposition TO those
claims and had showed the business Of their pay
ment.
| He then proceeded to speak against the propo-
| sition, heretofore introduced by Mr.. CI.rNGMAN,
for our Government 10 tender the mediation ofthe
United States TO the powers now engaged in the
| European war. He wanted the Government TO
con6ne itself 10 its legitimate sphere Of action and
| letthe people, also, at home alone. Hands off '
1 was his doctrine.
| He replied 10 Mr.. CIlNoMAN saying this is not
| a question 10 be viewed in the light of dollars and
cents, and 10 be settled in Wall street The dcs-
pots Of Europe are involving themselves, and not
us, in disasters. He protested, il we have the
power, against this prostitution of it, Rather let
4 the crowns fall, and the heads that wear them.
/ Would the great masses, on the restoration OF
peace, cease TO suffer Would il inspire them
| with one ray of hope? No; il would thrust them
back with the condition where the silence Of des-
potism is the synonym Of peace.
i Mr.. CLINGMAN asked, how the calling out Of
large number Of people, to be killed, and the inn
position Of additional taxes, could benefit the mas
4 ses7
Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN replied, the remainder
/ of, his speech would be In direct answer TO the
4 question He referred to the oppressed condition
| Of Poland, Ireland, Hungary, and Rome, and said
we should stand aloof, and lei, the war work out
its own legitimate ends. Let the European mon
| archs alone stand back; give them scope and
margin enough TO work ont their dab olical game
Let despotsm exhaust ITSELF and then therslwil
be hope FOR tho world, moi till thea.
| In the course OF his remarks, he said il was higi
time we should have an American Interpretation
OF the law OF nations.
Mr.. GOODRICH asked and obtained permsso,
TO print his remarks on the subject OF the revenue
in connection with the proposition 10 amend tn
tariff, on which The Democratic caucus, he per
ceved, had recently acted He dNl not care 4
trouble the committee with delivery Of hi
spccch.
wav for a motion that the COMMITTEES rise whic
4 The Senate bill to establish board for the ad
i indication OF claims against the United States wa
referred 10 the Committee on the Judiciary.