The daily union., 1856-04-03
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH F HON. MIR. sLIDELL
OF LoUIsIANA


OF LOUISIANA,
On the Naval Retiring Board delivered in the Senate
March 81 1856
The Senate proceeded to consider the following resolu.
tions submitted by Mr. ERsoN the 29th of February
Rs'ovsd That committee Of senators be appointed
and that said be- and are hereby authorized and
instructed to summon before the members Of the late
brought before the committee and examine them upon oath
a. TO the facts and evidence grounds and
ocer recommended to be put upon the retired list drop
ped from the services and that said be further in
structed to inquire and obtain other facts which, their
opinion bear upon the aforesaid and report the
And b further rssossd That said committee be author
Of United States In relation OF said retired
and dropped oes with the view of correcting any error
said retiring board BY the reappointment or by
The Prssdsnt Of such oasrs mar have been uauss
improperly retired or dropped.
Mr.. SLIDELL Mr.. President trust that the Senate
will adopt the resolutions which have been offered by
my friend from Georgia Their adoption would be, in
substance If not In terms, repudiation OF standing
committee within whose jurisdiction this matter properly
falls and 10 whom the examination of the question has
been confded by resolution Of the Senate itself.
An argument has been adduced by the senator from
Georgia in favor Of deprving the Committee Naval
Affairs of the examination of the cases voved in the
MORALS presented TO the Senate for which,
think may very fairly be retored the himself
He contends that the Committee on Naval Affairs have
ready prejudged this question deny that such is the
fact in relation to particular They approve of the
general of the board but admit the report
which they have made that there exceptions which
perhaps call for the nerposton of the Executive acting
with the ad vice and of the Senate In what temper
does the senator from Georgia approach this case? While
asking for imparaty and forbearance and proper and
calm consideration of this very grave question by select
committee Of the Senate he himself think has given to-
day the best evidence that he is proper
duct that investigation; and yet, if understand para-
mentary usage by the fact of his having
resolution of this Sort courtesy would entite him to be
placed at the head of that committee God the
naval board if they placed before such tribunal
they promised in the person of the senator from Geor
gia and those who think with him
wish to illustrate the sngulary loose in which
lie has brought forward his charges and nsnuations
against the members of this board have it in power
do conclusiyely in single instance; and aude to
with degree of decacy of the very close
connexion which exists between of the members of
that board and myself When the senator from Georgia
made a declaration in relation to Commodore Perry, |
asked him on what authority he did so. think be said
the verbal authority of Lieutenant Gibson-a gentle.
man with whom have not the pleasure of being ac-
quainted.
Mr. IvERSON. l am not sure who it was-either Lieut.
Bartlett Lieut.. Gibson. do not know which One of
them quotes the language OF Commodore letter. and
says he has seen it.
Mr.. sLlDELL Mr.. President have it in my power to
settle the point without raising question of veraeity be-
tween Lieut. Bartlett and Commodore Perry, which, for
the cake Of Com Perry any other gentleman Of respect
able standing either in out of the navy should he
willing to moot hold in my hand letter dated WASH
Herald assert that the which accompanies that
letter emsnated from Lieutenant Bartlett The article in
the Herald says:
according to promise, now send you in advance the
cheney board which, will take occasion say
the letter. and will be read few days the Senate Of the
United States
That promise has been performed to-day Not the
tor.
"The suppressed, but will then be made
known and will carry with them wherever they
known. Read and ponder well, immortal council Of If
teen!"
This is the extract:
q" have spoken to you of conversation held in New
York since my return from the coast Of Afrca'-
This designates Lieut. Bartlett completely because he
the Of Africa when acted upon by the
board and has since returned.
-" With Commodore -"
That blank FILL under the authority Of the senator
from Georgia, with the name of Perry.
Mr. VERSION Allow me to interrupt tho senator.
will read for the gen emans information that portion o
Lieut. Baruetts letter to which refer. 1t will he
bered that only spoke ncdenay Of other remarks made
by Commodore Perry but quoted his language in his
letter TO Mr. Parker. Mr. Bartlett says this
al have also seen a letter, In Commodore Perrys band
writing, TO Mr. Parker, son OF Commodore Parker iato
lieutenant, which Commodore Perry compliments Parker
and then adds: II hope the day will ht
nonstrou injustice which has been done to you and
will be corrected y
Mr.. SLIDELL That is precisely the letter was about
10 addressed
Commodore Perry to Lieutenant Parker, of Commo-
dore Parker d the navy 1t so chances that
Parker having read this article in the Herald feeling
grossly indignant the which had been made OF hi.
name at the false statement made by Mr. Barc and the
total perverson Of the letter OF Commodore Perry ON the
very day after the appearance OF this article in tie Herald
the chairman Of the Committee Naval Affair:
Mr.. MALLORY this note which will send to The Secreta
rts desk 10 be read
The Secretary read 1t "a follows:
$50 srRUcr srRsEr, PmLAoELPHIA,
Tuesday night, Feb IL, 1856.
DEAn sra transmit herewith a communication signed
"E which appears In the New York Herald OF this date
pt that am the "Mr. p" alluded but as Por
ter and Perry Doth Of comodore) retired by
late naval board, not certain that am and
cannot reply to IL through the press.
should my presumption correct, however, wher
Es article with the hanks filled up Ia read In the Sen
ate desire that in justice Commodore Perry YOU will
make known the contents Of his episte me- which
close
Hon. ). R. HALLosv,
United States Senator.
Mr.. SLIDELL Here is the original letter of Commodore
Perry enclosed in that and If does not convict Mr.
Bartlett OF palpable fasehood shall abandon that part
the case at least:
NEW YoRK, November 10, 1856.
Ny pEAa sR have received your communication Of tb,
18th instant and though ahizng deeply with yo,
and others who have been nurousy affected by the acr
Of the late navy board feel myself reply a
have IN all similar applications that implied obi gator
Of confidence deters from giving the information
for.
Trusting there will soon be some suitable way provided b,
which oil Interested may obtain all the information and
PLANTATION they desire,
am, sir, your obedisnt servant,
NJ c. PERRY.
Lieutenant FoxHALL A. PARKER, United States NAVY,
$50 Spruce street, Philadelphia.
Mr. sLlDELL ask to have the last paragraph of tina
n again read