THIETY-THIRD CONGRESS, 1853-1855. 533 



instructing the Senate in regard to the question which is discussed in 

 the paper. If that honorable and distinguished gentleman wished 

 to instruct the Senate upon the merits of the question out of which 

 his resignation has arisen, he had the right to come before this body in 

 a respectful manner, by petition, by memorial, or by official commu- 

 nication, as a Regent of the Institution; but he disclaims the privilege 

 and the right of addressing us as a Regent of the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution, because, in the very act of representing his views to the Senate, 

 he resigns that office, and shows that he leaves the Senate and the 

 country to take care of the question as they best may. 



I think, then, that what is due to this occasion is to lay this letter 

 on the table. Then, I agree with the honorable Senator from Mary- 

 land and the honorable Senator from Virginia, and others, that there 

 is, in the occasion itself, in the subject-matter which has come to the 

 knowledge of the Senate, that which may very properlj^ require an 

 inquire". I think that inquiry ought to be made by the Senate out of 

 regard to the public interests, the public welfare, and the honor and 

 dignity of the country, and not upon a communication which is of so 

 unusual and extraordinary a character as this. 



Mr. A. P. Butler. Mr. President, I do not know that I concur 

 entirely in the conclusion of the honorable Senator from New York, 

 but I must say that I agree, in the main, with the purport of his 

 remarks. I hope that my friend from North Carolina will therefore 

 withdraw his motion to refer this paper to the Committee on the 

 Judiciary. What is the paper? It is the resignation of an office? If 

 so, there it should terminate. Is it an accusation against those with 

 whom this gentleman has been associated? If so, as my friend from 

 North Carolina has remarked, I can not approve its taste. Is it for 

 the purpose of bringing this subject into debate in the Senate? If so, 

 I think its purpose mischievous. Is it for the purpose of making an 

 issue in relation to this fund, which is calculated to involve perhaps, 

 as has been intimated, different views in different parts of the country ? 

 If so, it is a purpose which is criminal. 



In every point of view, whether I regard the taste of the paper as 

 an accusation of those with whom this gentleman has been associated, 

 or whether I regard it as designed to bring this subject into popular 

 discussion, I can not approve its tone. I am bound to say that much; 

 but if it be for the purpose of bringing the subject before the Senate, 

 it can not be so effectually done as it would be by making the report 

 of a committee the vehicle of his views. I hope, therefore, ni}^ friend 

 from North Carolina will withdraw his motion to refer this paper to 

 the Committee on the Judiciary. 



Mr. G. E. Badger. I am satisfied, sir, after the remarks made by 

 the honorable Senator from New York, that my first inclination on 

 this subject was correct, and that is that we have nothing to do but 



