The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-07

4 Mr., Brownel was mol commissioned nor warranted
ofcer. He "petty officer" who is made and unmAde
oy the commander Of the ship for the time being and holds
his place by his consent alone Hence II cannot be said
thar Mr. Browne resigned his commission al the end OF
the war, because he had neither warrant nor commits
sion 70 resign and in view Of this state Of things Il was
that asked the from Texas he knew the fact that
Mr. Brownei had seen hours service since his
commission or appointment in the navy. .#
Mr. TOOMBS. There is where the senator Is mistaken.
He did not limit the remark 70 the present commission
remarked closely what the senator said, and know il
must have left the impression every one who heard
him. that tins officer had been TO at all lie did
not state the fact which he does that be was in the
service during the last war and received stated be
fore the thanks Of Congress for his part in the battle
Lake Erie. .@
Mr. MALLORY. Ileave the point 1t win be seen ey-
denty that the senator from Georgia and msunder
stand each other rather he does to regard the
term sea service as do. During the Of 1872 Mr.
Brownell served well and faithfully There Is abundant
evidence TO show that he contributed far he could in
the humble capacity ofacting masters mate 10 the victories
in which he participated the lakes have doubt that
everything which Is said ia bis favor as brave man. B
entirely correct and think that any who goes out
voluntarily TO meet the enemies OF his country deserves her
gratitude and her fostering hand 1t is not my purpose
in the slightest degree 10 detract from the merit OF Mr.
Browne but to put the truth OF history the board and
myself right on this particular case which has been 50
much dwelt upon
The records department show that be has
sea service since he has occupied place in the navy
admit that he served Lake Erie during the with
Great Britain as a masters mate
/ Mr. TOOMBS. The complaint which made was, that
the senator did not that fact the former occasion
Dir. MALLORY. Why, sir, the board had TO act Mr..
Browne as an officer in the navy He not warranted
until lS40 nor commissioned officer in the navy until
ls44 The board did not go back ascertain what
service he might have performed in private capacity
tr or fory years ago was their du'y eoinvesugate
mans service nowhere but on board man-of-war
He has years and months and three days
shore duty and has been unemployed for years three
months and ten days-making total offoureen years
ten months and thirteen days in the navy since he
appointed master am thus accurate because am anx-
ous TO avoid any possible OF the services OF
any mertorous officer do not question, but, on the
contrary fully admit the services OF Mr. Brownell on Lake
Erie.
By The joint resolution Of january 1914 the thanks Of
Congress presented Perry, and through him TO
every under him. for his victory Different rewards
distributed 10 different classes of officers and TO mid
shpmen and sailing masters swords were given and Mr.
Brownell received a# a.a@ aM ven ra.
Upon the close of the Mr. Brownell left the service
of the United States 1t also said BY the senator that
Mr. Browne who sought TO be placed in the navy IN 1870
offered post captancy in the navy. will ask bin
whether understood him that point correctly; and
whether be did not say that when Mr. Browne was COM
missoned lieutenant in the navy be might have obtained
the appoin tmeat of post captain
Mr.. TO0MBS. That remark was in print at the time,
and referred the senator the evidence Of it. 1t was
not in my last speech but in former remarks
Mr.. MALLORY. The statement is, think, erroneous
Mr. Brownell obtained place as acting master IN l540
and warranted in ls4l He then sought by politi-
cal influence stupendous in its character commission
Lieutenant have his application before me, signed by
members from New York and other States earnestly
petoung that be might receive commission even the
Lowest the list The then Secretary oil the navy re-
fused sanction and the President to grant it, Then
Mr. Silas Wright who in very long letter three or
four pages of oscap earnestly asked the President to re-
view the whole ground, and place Mr. Brownei on the
lowest list Of ieatenan where he would interfere with
anybody The President then took the case and asked
the Secretary Of the Navy in official letter 10 do II he
could in any way and il was done. This was the origin
of his commission. ....#. .a.- #..s - ..-
have also the papers before me upon which Mr.. Brow
nell procured his pension; he having stepped upon the
hook of battle lantern, which wounded his foot and
caused him fall the deC by which still! more Sc
rious injury incurred all OF which he fully establish
and from his oath, supported by the certificates
Of several physicians he incapable Of performing duty
at sea when he thus commissioned in the navy as
lieutenant Ny friend from Rhode Island Mr. ALLFsl
mistaken when he told US that Mr. Brown had al
ways held himself ready to do duty for bold In my
hand bis replies the orders Of the department on hs
only two occasions which be ordered to in
both Of which be declines the duty from inability to per-
form it .. #.
Mr. TOoNBs As the senator seems about to pass from
Mr. Brownes wish 10 state ia reference 70 the point
which at issuein reference TO the eaPiansy
that have among my papers letter from the HON John
Dix written since this controversy grew up lie heard
the fact from Mr. Sas Wright who spoke confidently Of
the matter. have not the letter Of Mr. Dix with me
now but IL the senator wishes TO see Il can hle with
his speech.
Mr. MALLORY. heard that such letter in exist
ence and therefore struck with astonishment ud
ing the documents which file in The department in
regard his appointment have before petition for
his appointment signed BY many names OF members Of
Characterization Tillinghast Floyd Briggs Ferris,
McKeou Roosevelt and great many Others. There
also letters from General Towson Nessrs Pendleon Ken
nedy and others and long and eloquent letter from Sas
Wright 10 President Tyler in which he says:
al must you with long letter As sure you
win feel disposed do In this al that OF duty
permit you do but must that the feelings which
that essentially contributed 70 honor and
that the comon Ia H. cannot appear 70 me tke
feeling which promises eclipse the honor BY hose whose
eommsnder able to say, we have met the enemy, and
/ they are ours
And in the petition preferred in his behalf by twenty
two members Of Congress and Others, they say:
owe trust that we .ha not be understood infringing
on rule Of the navy. q objected By restoring Mr..
rowuc injustice would be done passed midshipmen
be found in the fact that by bis present
mission ssiling-mss,er he now outranks them nr.
Browne does wish 70 outrsnk any o the hcutensnts
| the list" There ought not 70 be doubt
bat the small favor which he seeks Be with the greatest
propricty extended 70 him.
But these appeals failed Secretary Upshur and
on 4h OF February is42 President Tyler addressed
him upon the subject and the following s an eHrae, from
| his letter: .."..-
sisted By v0uin favor q Mr. Browneilit would b.
standing son and only TO be brought into precedence
in sk. IN al its circumstances. We VIII however,
/ talk the matter when meet
Now sir here we hare the The petition, numer-
ously signed and the letter Of Sas Wright asked for
eutenants commission "sna that The lowest on tbe st
the Secrearys action aud that Of the Presidents had ref
ereuce ouly 10 thS Nor il there word upon the depart
mental records show that post captancy was ever
dreamed Of for him. -
Mr. TOONBS am aware Of that bat there IL nothing
IN inconsistent with my statement The whole facts s
pear 10 Mr. Brownelrs memorial He refused csptsincy
lie wanted this commisson these gentlemen state The
Secretary Of the Navy the time being opposed 10 IT, The
President rendered Il to him take 1t that the qses
tiou is AZ TO Mr Dx's veracity this p0iat He is