5(JO CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



Regent of the Smithsonian Institution, 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 Maryland, 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 properly require an inquiry. 

 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 commu- 

 nication which is of so unusual and extraordinary a character 

 as this. 



Mr. 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 ? Is it 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 cannot approve 

 its taste. Is it for the purpose of bringing this subject into 

 debate in the Senate ? If so, I think its purpose mischiev- 

 ous. 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 cannot 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 cannot 

 be so effectually done as it would be by making the report 

 of a committee the vehicle of his views. I hope, therefore, 

 my friend from North Carolina will withdraw his motion to 

 refer this paper to the Committee on the Judiciary. 



Mr. BADGER. I am satisfied, sir, after the remarks made 

 by the honorable Senator from New York, that my first in- 

 clination on this subject was correct, and that is, that we 

 have nothing to do but accept the resignation. I yielded, 

 however, because my friend from Maryland, who occupies 



