Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-02-10

ing -llalncu loyal cltlZc1E Oh 1LOuQOun county,
Virginia, in consideration Of their live stock
seized by the military authorities of the L. S.
in conformity with an order of Major General
Sheridan, dated Noyember2l 1854, and partly
slaughtered and used by the armies of the
United States and partly sold, and the pro-
cccds OF sale paid into the Treasury of the
| nltcd States the sum OF sci sol e. rs fol-
lows. to wit.
lcre follow the names.
MIR. Morrill,, Of Eermont. believe the cir
cumstanccs under which the claims Of the
parties interested in this bill are brought before
Congress are peculiar to themselves As
understand the case. it is bill for the relief Of
certain citizens Of IIolluoun county. Virginia.
who were QuakcrS. and therefore most assured
H. Union people have not investigated the
claim 1t is establishing an important princi-
pie but feel strongly inclined to support it,
The prnci pie is that we will pay for property
Of loyal citizens taken by the Army in the enc
my 5 country and that is all there is Off it.
Mr.. Williams do not wish to appear to
be otficious in this matter have not eyamn-
ed this bill but can see that Congress is adj
vancng step by step almost imperceptlbly.
Every case that is brought up has something
peculiar about it; the claimants are Quakers
or the claimant Is woman. or something OF
tldl hlill IL ulSllilS tlC
case from the mass of such cases so that step
which will eventually involve this Government
that were sustained by the southern States in
consequence Of this war. That is what Con-
grcSs is coming to it. is manifest. [ have resist
ed this proceeding rs far as could since l have
been here. | do not believe that it is possible
for Congress to make reparation for the wrongs
or injuries or, losses that were suffered By
this war to either the people Of the northern
States or the people Of the southern States ;
and, so far ofthc country is concerned. which
was in I state Of rebellion against the Govern
ment. and was 50 regarded. | do not believe
that the Congress of the United States can
with any safety assume the payment of these
claims. The Senator who has this bill in
charge has already announced that, so far as
he is concerned. he thinks there is no differ
cncc in principle between property that was
taken and property that was destroyed.
Nlr Howe Now. will my friend allow me
to ask him Il question right there?
Mr. Williams Yes, sir.
Mr. Howe That is undoubtedly the opn-
ion OF the Senator from West Virginia, and is
undoubtedly the opinion Of several others; but
will he not agree, that the Government can bet
ter afford to pay Tor property that they have
eaten up. or sold and got the money Tor, than
they can for property that they got no value at
all from. that WAS burned up and destroyed?
Can W. not better afford to pay for this prop
crty than for property in the prcdicament |
have Just mentioned?
Mr.. Williams 1t is possible that We can
better afford to pay for this property; but
here wcrr eleven States confe1cratcu tugeth
CT. with al organized government, waging
war upon the Union and ii became necessa-
ry for this Government to send armies into
those States for the purpose of supprcSslng
their rebellion. And | hold that while the
arlnie; were engaged in that work, if they
found it necessary to seize anything in the
country i;rr til" pIlrlmS,. OF Sllbsisting the
Army. the Government is not bound TO pay
Tor what they took in that way. In cases
where property was purchased there WAS Il
contract made and the Government should.
ul course. respect its contracts; but where
property was seized by force and destroyed,
or converted to the Use Of the Army, it
seems {" me that thu principle We establish
IN paying Tor that property Is one that will
lead to dangerous results and will involve
the establishment OF immense claims against
the Treasury.
du not propose to argue the matter. Or
course Il" not expect To be here when
these questions come mp hereafter, but
simply express my opinion about this case
and ask Ia have the Yeas and nays taken
on the passage of this BILL
The yr:ts and nays We're ordered; and be
iig taken rt>,iI;t::::i $780, - -. ~ Al
sent -. So the bill was passed. -. -. -