The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-04-23
IN CONGRESS OF THE u. STATES
Thirty-Fourth ,Congress-First Session.
TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1856.
SENATE.
EXECUTIVE ooMsuSIoATIo

lunoia and ordered TO be printed
MEMORIALS PETITIONS, ETC.
Mr. HAMLIN presented the petition of John Mitchell
and the petition Of William Allen of Maine praying arrears
of pension which referred to the Committee on Pen
sions .s-.s.
Mr. H. also presented a petition of citizens of Bangor
Maine praying an appropriation for the construction OF
bridges the fats of the Kenduskeag river
and the customhouse and post Office in that city which
referred to the Committee on Commerce
Mr. SEWARD presented letition of citizens of Pots
dam, ST. Lawrence county, New York, demonstrating
against the extension of Woodworths patent for PLAN
ing machine; which referred to the Committee
Patents and the Patent Office.
Mr. S also presented the petition Of Lewis W. Ludlow
of Auburn New York. praying relief from contract for
carrying the mail which referred to the Committee
on the Post Office and Post Roads.
Mr. TRuMBULL presented additional documents to ao
company the memorial of Mckinley Ward; which were
ferred to the Committee on Public Lands.
BILL INTRODUCED.
Mr.. HAMLIN asked and obtained leave to introduce
bill for the relief of William Allen of Maine which
read twice and referred TO the Committee Pensions
COURT IN CALIFORNIA.
On motion by Mr. TO0MBS the Senate proceeded to the
consideration of the bill alter and amend entitled
can establish circuit court Of the United States in
and for the State Of California approved March 1855
which slightly amended, and read third time and
passed.
NAVAL BOARD.
AT one o'clock the special order called up-being
the subject Of the naval retiring board, which Mr.
HoUsToN had the floor
Mr. H. said that owing to hoarseness he would prefer
postpone his remarks until tomorrow; and addi-
onal for making this request he would remark
that the senator from Delaware Mr.. CLAYTos was not
able to attend to-day but might probably be in his seat
At all events he proposed to tax the courtesy
Of the Senate 10 allow him to 90 on tomorrow.
The further consideration of the subject then post
poned until tomorrow at one o'clock.
BOUNTY LANDS.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the bill from
the House of Representatives to amend the act in addition
To certain acts granting bounty lands to certain officers and
soldiers who have been engaged in the military service of
the United States approved March 1885, which had been
reported by the Committee on Public Lands with amend
ments in the form OF a substitute for the bill.
The pending question the amendment of Mr..
lvERsoS, which provides that in all paro evidence
may be admitted where record evidence exists under
such rules and regulations the prescribe
Mr.. PUGH although he opposed to the admission of
parol evidence general thing willing to allow
such evidence could be shown that from the nature
Of the record evidence could be produced In order
10 meet all these welfounded he had prepared
amendment which be proposed offer when IL should he
in order to come in at the end of the third section of the
bill
Mr. FOOT suggested that the sense OF the Senate should
he first taken this amendment and that the from
Georgia should withdraw bis amendment, and renew il
after the vote taken the proposition Of the
from Ohio.
Mr.. IyERS0N in accordance with this suggestion with
drew his amendment
Mr.. PUGH then moved 10 amend the bill by adding to
the third section the following:
{" And prorided, a.o That parol testimony shall be re-
csVed under the like rules and regulations in the OF
those volunteers and militia were actually engaged
in battle the destruction Of the brig Regent the
New Jersey under the orders the executive othe said
and the cases Of those who actually engaged battle
taken prisoners when expedition from the blocksdng
the Of hose volunteers and militia who called
into service by either OF the States Of Abams Georgia.
other ndans and the Of those who voun
teored without having been called into service by the aubo
ties Of the United States of any State but
into companies and engaged in battle with the enemy
and TO prove the term Of service Of all persons who
board the ships Of the enemy and such other
imprisonment shall be considered equivalent service under
the act to which this is an amendment"
Mr. CASS said that at first he voted against the sdms-
sion Of paro evidence at ALL thinking II would open the
door great abuses aud incident had occurred soon
after showing the libe nature OF such testimony When
the convention Of old soldiers met In this city, Mr. c.
accosted by old gentleman who remarked that he had
not him since he him at the battle OF Tppecanoe
and who proceeded with considerable minutencss de-
scribe under what circumstances he had then him
Mr. O. said that he bad doubt but that the old gentleman
fully persuaded that what 5e stated entirely true
hut in order TO show the bility Of human recollection
after the apse OF time only necessary 10 state that
he Mr C present the battle OF Tppecanoe
Bot seemed to be conceded that unless paro evidence
was admitted in some cases those who have performed the
most merorous services would be excluded from ali
tcpaton In the benefits Of this bill lie disked the idea
Of making particular exceptions parol evidence was to
We received in case should be in all and therefore
be should vote for the amendment Of the senator from
Georgia.
The debate continued by Messrs HAMLIN, PUGH.
Mr. BROWN thought that great injustice would be done
unless parol testimony admitted Sometimes names
msspeed and sometimes they were not 10 be found
the rolls at all lie cited case which had come 10 his
knowledge Of who had volunteered and was enlist,
ID In the service but owing 20 his peculiar derrty as
teamse he detailed upon that service for the army
and continued to for several months yet bis name
10 be found upon TIE records anywhere and he
could get any bounty lands Still there was ample
evidence that he served he alleges lie hoped the amend
Of The senator from Georgia would be adopted 90
that such that to which he bad referred might
provided for.
Mr.. BAYARD expressed his intention 70 vote against
both the amendments
Mr.. lYERSON replied 10 the argument that the adms
sion Of parol evidence would lead to frauds by stating
that pensions were allowed parol evidence; all ih'
claims the government for which bills passed Ia
rther house Of Congress established parol evil
denoe and could be assigned why there should
be more frauds in this than in Others.
Mr.. CRITTENDEN thought the better course would b
TO recommt the bill that II might be modified and III
various provisions harmonized In accordance with the
press will Of the Senate
Mr. BUTLER showed that under the operation of pare
testimony Ia the allowance Of pensions they had been
given in some tories who fought against thi,
COUNTRY while those who acted brsvey and bonorably
the defence Of their country sometimes refused
Mr. STUART hoped the bill would not be recomnit,ed
but that the Senate would dispose OF the subject to-day
way or The other
Mr. TOOMBS spoke in advocacy OF the amendment o
lis colleague Mr.. ivERsos eontendng that the oahs