The daily Butte record., 1858-06-21

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committee at the time they acted upon it,
that this site had to be purcb ased, and that
the demand was for the sum stated; and
think il would be ascertained (the Commit
tee en- Military Affairs Of course will exam
ineit) that the chairman so stated at the
time. As to the use Of the property, it is
indispensable. There is no point in the
United States at this juncture that is so alb
solutely necessary to be in the possession Of
the Government as the point indicated ; be-
cause our system Of fortifcations never can
be complete until we can get that point. 1t
IS Immediately on the opposite side Of the
Golden Gate, the entrance to the harbor of
San Francisco opposite which is one of the
finest fortihcations in the world, that we are
now just completing. and it is indispensable
| to the defense of the harbor to have fortif.
cations on this point. | am willing to adopt
any course that Congress may indicate to
get it at the least possible rate; but | do
not think that the mere consideration of
what the amount may be ought to induce US
TO suspend Tor series ofyears the fortifca-
tions Of that harbor.
| Mr.. Broderick. My colleague sir, is better
Informed in regard to this matter than
am. had no knowledge of it until it was
weeks since by gentleman from California,
who wrote to Inc iu regard to it. | reiterate
that the property--the whole ranch Of TWEEN.
ty-three thousand acres--would not sell TO-.
morrow for seven thousand dollars. think
my colleague is msiniormed in regard to
the quantity of land.
Mr.. Gwin--The papers say that there
, are twenty-tbree hundred acres.
| Mr. Br0derick. Will the Secretary read
that part Of the papers again. Is it hun
dreds or thousands?
| Mr. .--llundreds.
Mr. Brolerick.--I was informed that it
was twcn;y-three thousand but if it is
twenty three hundred it is much worse than
| supposed.
The Vice Presidential ia stated in these
papers that the amount Of land is not ascer-
tanned, and can only be ascertainel by sur
vey.
Mr.. Broderick We'll sir, was informed
by n gentleman whom | sent from the Sen.
0te Chamber to ascel tain the fact, SOME
three weeks SINCE that the quantity wa.
twepty-three thousand acres. lie was thC
Clerk Of the Committee on Military Affairs
Mr. Ca'lan. ! asked him if he was sure
and he said yes but | believe he went
arain, and when he came back he repeated
that the quantity was twenty three thou
sand acres. Now, sir, ills i an enormou,
traud. do not think it his parallel il
the history Of legislation by Congress.
am willing that the property should be taker
by Government, but am not willing
The Vice Presilent.-Will the Senator
pause for moment' The Secretary viii
read that plrt of tho letter Of the Dstrc
Attorney which states the quantity Of til,
lanl,
The Secretary read as follows:
81 do not know ths number of acres con
tanned in it. That can be ascertaine,
only by survey"
Mr. Broderick i hope. sir, this suhjec
will 90 to the Committee, because il is very
important matter, 1t appropriations ar,
made for the purpose of bulliug fortfca
tons in California, | hope that the money
will not be squandercd and given to set o
spectators, ! hope the money will be use
10 build fort, if one is required there. Bu
sir, to pay $500 900 for twenty three hun
drel or twenty-three thousand acres of bar
rem land shall never receive my sanction
think it an outrage; and if there is any
power in Congress to prevent it, | hope il
will be exerted.