395
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WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1853
The last item in his account is, "Expenses from London to Birmingham, Liverpool, New York, and Washington, including thirteen dollars for books for office." What is the use of that? Could we not have had this magnificent charge, and could not Mr. Kennedy have got there without making a display to the whole world associated with this grand mission? As you multiply the points or objects around a great magnificent one they detract from the grandeur of that one, and divert the mind from the contemplation of its splendor. I object to such insignificant things coming in contrast with this magnificent design. [Laughter.] The expenses, it seems, from London to Washington, according.to the statement of Mr. Kennedy, were $228.75; not one dime, not one mill of which had been paid; yet appended to this statement is: "I certify that the above amount of $1,467.76 was necessarily expended during my journey, and falls short of my actual outlay. JOSEPH C. G. KENNEDY." And this is approved by the Secretary of the Interior. Mr. Collins averred that the payment was not made, and Mr. Whittlesey rejected the account because there was fraud upon the face of it. I will vote for no increase of salary under such circumstances.
1 Cong1·essionctl Globe, Part I, pp. 643-644, 2d Sess., 32d Cong., 1852-1853.
REMARKS CONCERNING THE RAILROAD TO THE PACIFIC, FEBRUARY 19, 1853 1 Mr. President, it was not my intention to open my mouth upon this bill, nor do I design to make any extended remarks at this time. I have listened on several occasions to political lectures, or doctrinal lectures as to Democracy and Whiggery, and the schisms that may exist in those respective political churches. I am disposed as much as any individual, to listen to them; but when I exercise my best judgment, in voting for any measure, in conformity with what I believe to be the constitutional powers of this Government, I do not think it is perfectly decorous that I should be reproached with having departed from the strict line of Democratic faith. Mr. President, I have not seen a more clear and conclusive conformity to the doctrines laid down in General Jackson's Maysville road veto message, than this bill lays down. General
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