The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-04-03
Thursday, March 27, 1856.
SENATE

Mr.. Fitzpatrick called up for consideration
The report made by him yesterday from the
Committee on Printing, on resolution, intro
daced by Mr.. Weller, for the printing of 5000
additional copies of the report of the Commit
tee on Military Affairs, on the resolution for the
Presentation ola sword to Colonel Benjamin 8.
Roberts.
Mr.. F. had obtained an estimate of the cost,
winch would be found trihing. The cost for
loOO copies would be S45.77, and an addition
81 y, sum ol Sl9.7' for each 1000 after the first.
>l2iSj.
Mr.. Rask called the attention of the chair
mar Of the Committee on Military Affairs to
'ne iAct that the diagram of the battle was not
4ppea1ed to the report, which he considered
A7Ce'sary TO d proper understanding of the
subject.
Mr. Weller was aware of the fact, but the
committee was afraid that it would be increas
'lt 'he expense to too great an extent. 1t was
,1i4iiiiy true that the report would be much
Uager understood with the diagram alluded to
aHa the Senator from Texas desired to have
appended, Mr.. w. would interpose no objec
M tesseAden differed with his colleague on
Nc Committee on Printing, as to the propriety
printing extra copies of the report, not deem
ny matter of such great public interest as
safrant departure from course that was
audersood hereafter would be pursued. 1t is
IIe iAe sum involved was but trifing in amount
n' ue question was, should they print docu
I'm, SIMPLY because the amount was small
"ucn they would refuse to print if it wers
are! lie thought that an understanding was
a'eIed INTO, that they were not to print extra
au'uoers OF documents, unless Of great public
.p'ieS'' That this document was of interest
many officers, he admitted, and might also
70 IN a historical point of view; but whether
N Oh such Importance as to warrant de
sc So from the understanding, was for the
JaA'e 10 say. Individually, he cared nothing
~ II but II they were going to begin a re
p,..i, 'ney might as well commence at once
"a y. Tie document had already been print
4, lT the use of the Senate.
,. a. musk thought they had better wait, and
NJ al larger fish. AS the matter was In
o',ed IN doubt, he thought the documen,
:1' TO be printed, and with it the diagram
S'shai all could understand it.
NJ. fitzpatrick observed that it was true
80 ne usual number of the document haG
n '@ay been printed, but the subject was on,
Il, s'eat interest to officers of the army ant
,L.l,. friends. 1T treated of one of the mos
can -iing incidents of the war with Mexico, ant
60, Gu not iall to be of interest to the whole
,,;sn.ftyi and certainly the amount required t.
tn II could not very seriously embarrass tn,
r;.eIfsury. 1t would settle disputed fact, ant
NJ We the truth of history.
DIT 1T weller conceived it an act of Justice Il
osiHha'e the report, as the officers of tn,
Sa! were all more or less interested in tn,
h. = winch had been satisfactorily determine.
s6o %s report. He thought sufficient humble
tb"1 oe printed for the use of the officers an,
ga ~. lass spoke of disputed facts about bal
CON-. "a al wars, from the Revolution down, an,
r5,ugcea the subject better fitted for the PEI
NJ historian than the Senate.
81 -; Ad&ms stated the reason for the vote
IsS Iu give, which was understood to be that b
an prescribed for himself rule not to vote 70
pubr Soiument not imperionsly called for as
i a. question was then taken on agreeing {
= J. report and it was decided in the negatiy,
As-Aessrs. Brown, Dodge, Evans, Fit