Mr. LAFLIN. It was far from my intention, as the gentleman would seem to intimate, to do any injustice whatever to Mr. Kennedy. he had watched my remarks closely he would have discovered thatI did not say thathe claimed a copyright. I know he did not claim it. But I knew of no language that could express my idea more clearly than to say that he claimed and if there was a great deal of time. that he was entitled to the creditcf the production of this work a quasi copyright. Now, the gentleman does not pretend to dispute this point, but 110goes on to argue it as a question of delicacy, of literary honor. I do not assume to dispute that question with him, although perhaps I may not agree with him in that particular. That is notaquestion for this House to determine; and I would simply say here, inasmuch as this question has been raised that by far the greater proportion of printed matter that appears in the 3rd volume evidently emanating from the brains of somebody. I think I may say, speaking from recollection, full ten pages to one, appears in connection with the introduction to that volume and I thinkl am safe in saying that the introduction to the 3rd volume, on manufactures, contains more valuable statistics, gives more information, shows more power and capacity, and entitles the author tomore literary credit, than the preface itself. I found, when I went into an examination of this case, that ever word of this introduction had been prepare origi nally by Dr. Bishop, that it had been submitted to the late Superintendent of the Census, and that it was only corrected in a very few words. We asked the snperintending clerk of the census several questions on this subject, and I would not allude to them but for the remarks that have been made by the Gentfrom P“ennsylvania, [Mr. THAYER] We asked him, Were on not appointed under the direction of the SecyInterior?” He an swered that he was. “Did you not act under his direction 2" He answered, “I did." We asked him, “Who wrote the introduction?" He said it was Written principally byI Dr. Bishop. “ Under whose direction did he act?” He answered, “ Under the direction of the super intending clerk of the census. ” Then we asked him, “If you as the superintending clerk, acting under the direction of the SecyInterior, have a right to author ship and to proart in your productions in reerence to sucii a book as this, has not Dr. Bishop also the same right; and if so, where will it stop 1” Now, sir, I want to say here that there has been no such injustice done to the late superintending clerk as the Gentfrom Pennsylvauia [Mr. Than mi has represented. I entertain the most friendly feelings toward Mr. Kennedy. I am willing to recognize the ability with which he has conducted the duties of that office. I am aware that he has a reputation of which any man might be proud, not only in this country but abroad. But this vol ume, as were the preceding volumes, ought not to have been published with a title page reading thus: “ ompiled by the superintending clerk of the census, J. C. G. Kennedy, under the direction of the SecyInterior." When the 3rd volume, on manufactures, was published, that which related “ to the superin tending clerk of the census” was left entirely out; the Commissioner in charge of the GLO never inserted anything rela ting to himself or his office upon the title9 whatever but.rinted it as it ought to have iizgu printed, under the direction of the SecyInterior.” and, sir, there is not a sin 1 word, from the beginning to the end of 51 preface, which in any manner detracts from the high characterwhich Mr. Kennedy has held, or which in any manner claims for Mr. Edmuuds anylrightor title to the preparation of the book. Our, Mr. Speaker, think I have made the case clear. I think it is perfectly apparent that under the act of Congress of May 23, 1850, the SecyInterior, and the SecyInterior alone, was placed in the general management of this office, and every person appointed thereto was to act under his direction. I have shown that under his direction, on the 7th of June, 1865. the duties of this Office were transferred to Hon. J. M. Edmunds of the GLO, and he was placed in charge of the census. I have shown that the SecyInterior could not, therefore, as this memorial charges, have acted in violation of law. This is a very serious charge to be made against such a high and distinguished public fnneionary as the SecyInterior, and that, too, by a gentleman occupying, to say the least of it, a subordinate position. But the committee were satisfied, there was not dOubt resting on their minds, as to the [ego y of the case, and even if a question might have been raised as to delicacy and propriety, ccrtainl this House is not the place to determine it. tcertainly does not b.0methis House, when a large edition of this volume on manufact ures is already published and circulated to the country, to assume to say that the pref ace shall be expurgated in the fortheoming edition and another substituted, when that preface was placed there by the order of him to whom the charge was given, in strict conformity, not only with rigid law, but with resolutions of the HoRep and Senate. The committee merely ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject; and I move the previous question.