The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-02-07
CITY OF WASHINGTON WEDNESDAY MORNING FEBRUARY l. 1856

ascerGinment and satisfaction OF claims OF American citi
Gems for spolatons committed by the French prior to 3lst
July, 1901
hr WELLS addressed the Senate al some length lie
considered this subject OF immense Importance not only
to individuals but 70 the whole country Involved not
only pecnnary interests but the integrity and honor Of the
country Tor II this sum of money due il has been with
held orhfy years and those who have so long and
successfully resisted lis payment have been guilty nus-
nee lie had given the subject such examination his op-
porunities permitted and the result OF that examination
was conviction that this bill ought not 10 pass ii nro-
posed 70 appropriate hive millions Of dollars but Il al
most universally conceded that the claims would amount
to much more than that sum- they had been estimated
as high as thirty or forty millions Now If these claims
are Just why SHRINK nom their full payment II their
justice is recognised Why hesitate appropriate the full
amount due He hoped the thing would be met fairly
the claims were honest pay the whole and If hon
est resist the whole He then proceeded to inquire into
the circumstances under which these claims arose and en-
deayored to show that between France the United
States did exist al that time He asked why thar
report in favor of paying these claims before
the year 1927 when more than quarter of century had
elapsed since the occurrences had taken place.
Mr. CLAYTON replied that the government kept the
evidence concealed in odd barrels and the garnet
OF the State Department; and IL brought
light until that time when IL called for by resolu-
ton adopted by the Senate
Mr.. WELLS said that the who pressed these claims
not kept concealed the garnet of the State Depart
ment; and if they thought they had any just claims
against the government why did they bring them for
ward and camor for their years before and
them slumber until generation Of had passed away
II they had demanded investigation the evidence
would have been forthcoming He proceeded to examine
the argument that the reports of committees Of Congress
had always been in favor of the payment of these claims
This he accounted for by the fact that il parliament
airy custom to refer to those who known
be in favor of it, If the standing committees were in i
of the measure ii referred them if not IL
referred to select committee who known be
avoaby disposed towards and hence the reports
nshed evidence whatever in favor OF the justice of the
claims
Mr. HUNTER thought there ought 10 be some clause in
far thp NJ ba nf
the board of commissioners and submitted amendment
intended to accomplish that object
CLAYTON, BAYARD, and SEWARD on the ground that
unless the bill should pass the Senate just from
the House Of Representatives, it must be defeated.
The question being TAKEN the amendment agreed
to-yeas 81 nays 24-as follows:
YEAS-Messrs Bright, Brodhead, Brown, Butler, Cass,
Chase, Clay Dodge of Wisconsin Dodge OF Iowa, Evans,
seSaan de Teueey Weller snd
NAYS--Messrs. Allen, Badger, Bayard, Bell, Benjamin,
oa cs a GYs Gi
Seward, Sumner, Thompson of Kentucky Thomson
jersey Wade and Wright-A
Mr.. DOUGLAS, when his name was called, stated that
he would have voted in favor of the amendment but that
he had paired off with Mr. FEssEsDEN who would have
ted against it.
Mr. MASON moved to strike out that provision of the
bill which proposes to give interest to ansierees which
was not agreed to--yeas Fl, nays 26--as follows
YEASMessrs. Adams, Bright, Brodhead, Brown Butler
Cass Chase, Clay Dodge Of Wisconsin, Dodge Of Iowa
Evans Fitzpatrick Hunter, Jones of Iowa. Mason, Reid
Sebastian, Slidel, Stuart, Toucey, and Wels--2I.
NAYs- ,ss Allen, Badger Bayard Bell BENJAMIN
Houston James, Jones of Tennessee Morton, Pearce Petit
a m Ta Shields 1%ne Ind Ct Kentucky
Mr. ADAMS submitted further amendment to the BILL
which also rejected.
The bill was read third time and passed-yeas 49, nays
l7--as follows:
Clayton, Dawson, Evans, Foot Geyer, Gillette Hamln
Houston, James, Jones Of Tennessee, Mallory, Morton,
Of Kentucky Thomson of New jersey Wade, Weller, and
Wright-2s.
Brown Butler Cass, Chase, Clay Dodge of Wisconsin,
Dodge Of Iowa. Fitzpatrick Hunter Jones of Iowa. Mason
Reid, Sidell, and Wells-l7
Mr. RUSK when his name was called stated that he had
BUSINESS
Mr. GWIN moved that the Senate proceed the eonsd-
Grafton of the Pacifc-railroad bill.
Mr.. SLIDELL Mr. CHASE, and Others desired to call
up the bills providing appropriations for certain works OF
internal improvement
After some debate the question being taken the motion
not agreed to--yeas II, nays 20.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
On motion by Mr. SLIDELL the Senate then proceeded
to the consideration OF the bill to distractions TO
navigation in the mouths Of the Mississippi river at the
Southwest Pass and the Pass rOutre which amend
ed and after some discussion, il was passedyeas 49,
nays GAS follows:
YEAs-Messrs. Adams, Allen, Badger, Bayard, Bell, Ben
jamn Brodhead, Brown Cass, Chase Clayton, Dawson,
Dodge of Wisconsin, Dodge OF Iowa. Douglas Fessenden,
Foot, Geyer Gillette, Gwin, Hamn, Houston, Jones OF
Iowa. Jones Of Tennessee Mallory, Morton, Petit Pratt
Reid, Seward Shields Slidell Stuart Sumner, Thompson
of Kentucky, Wade Weller, Wells, and Wright--39.
NAYS-Messrs Clay, Evans, Fitzpatrick, Hunter, and
Mason--5.
Mr. GEYER asked and obtained leave to introduce
bill to provide for continuing the improvements OF the Mis-
souri, river and for the improvement Of the Mississippi
river
Mr. GWIN asked and obtained leave to introduce bill
to complete the works the mouth of the river San Diego
in the State Of California
Mr. BAYARD asked and obtained leave to introduce
bill making appropriation for the Improvement of the
Delaware breakwater.
The above bills severally read twice and made spe
cial orders for tomorrow.
Mr. BELL then gave notice that he should tomorrow,
ask leave introduce bill TO continue the improvement
of the navigation of the Tennessee river
Mr. SEWARD gave notice Of his intention to introduce
bill for the continuation Of the improvement of the har-
Dor of Bridgeport Connecticut and another for removing
the rocks at Hell Gate, New York
The Senate then proceeded TO the consideration of the
bin for the improvement Of the navigation OF the Patapsco
river render the port of Baltimore accessible TO the
war steamers of the United States After debate,
without disposing of the BILL
The Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATyE s
The House met at IL O'Clock, m.