Mr. MILLER. Mr. Speaker, on the 22d of January last I presented to this House the billnow under consideration, entitled “A bill granting pensions to soldiers of the war of 1812 with GreatBritain, ” and asked that it be referred to a select committee, in order that speedy action might be had thereon but the honorable Gentfrom Illinois 5. Mr. WASH auaNi i] interposed an objection an had it referred to the ComInvalidPens, and' the result is, at this late day. a verbal report with a negative recommendation. This extraordinar 'report, it seems to me, can only be accounts for on the ground that the ardu' ous duties of that honorable committee prevented them from iving the subject matter due consideration, I?" no written report has been presented, and I cannot well see how one could be, resting upon a sound basis embra cing such a recommendation. The bill, Mr. Speaker, provides that the surviving commissioned and non-commissioned officers, musi cians, and privates of the Army and Navy of the war of 1812 with GreatBritain, who have received an honorable discharge and are now in iiccessitous circumstances and the widows of such as are deceased who are in like circumstances, shall have their names placed on the pension list of the U.S., and be paid, out of any mone in the Treasury not otherwise appropriate, the sum of eight dollars permonth, to be computed from the 1st day of April, 1865. The sum proposed to be paid by this bill is very small, and confined exclusively to those in indigent circumstances. A bill passed this HOiise during the 1st session of the 35th Congress by a majority of 50 5, giving pensions to the soldiers of the war of 1812without confining it to those in “necessitous circumstances, ” and among the honorable gentlemen that are members 0! the present Congress who voted for that bill, I find the names of Messrs. Tuavea, BINGHAM, and our distinguished Speaker, [Mr. commm] That bill seems, for some cause, perhaps for want of time, not to have been taken up in the Senate. Trouble was then about coming upon the country, and our old heroes were willing to let their claim rest for a time; but as the darlr cloud that was hovering over our country is now dispelled they renew their request, and call upon this Congress to give a pittance to enable them to procure a little food pnd raiment in their old age and declining years. After the space of 35 yepi's from the treaty of peace by which our independence was recognized the soldiers of that war were placed on the pension roll, only 2 of whom survive, to wit, Samuel Dowling, of NewHampshire, and James Barnham, of Missouri. A few years more and these 2 veterans will also be taken from us, and none will be left to relate the doings of those dark days; but their works will live. And now that more than 50 years have passed since the war of 1812, sometimes do, nominated the 2nd war for independence was ended, justice requires that the names of the surviving veterans of that war should be placed on the roll of pensions, so that speedy relief may be had to a leviate those that are in indigent circumstances. These old veterans have passed their 3 score years and ten, and yet they are brave. I remember, Mr. Speaker, of being at Harris burg at the time GeneralLee invaded Pennsylvania with a large rebel army, and seeing some of these old soldiers crossing the bridge over the Susquehanna at doublequick, with their rifles on their shoulders, ready and willing to face the enemy. They will not honor the nation with their presence much longer: Th are rapidl assing away, many having ls, us since I hat the honor of pressing this bill, and if Congress intends to do anyt ng for. these old heroes, action ought to be taken immediately. I will read, Mr. Speaker, a circular addressed to the members of Congress by a committee appointed on the 18th of February, 1858, at a meeting of the Veteran corps of the city of NewYork, which is as follows: At a meeting of the Vetern corps of the city of NewYork, held on the 18thday of cbruary. 1858.it waRsesolved, the ta. committeeheappointed to a letter to each address member of Connress. Asking their support of a bill to provide for themilitia who were enrolled in actual service during the last war With GreatBritain, and to forward the same without dels: and that Henry Raymond. James B. Murray, Veilliam Buttrec, I. M. Phyfc, Th0n'ia sI). llowc. John C. llownrd. Daniel Whitney. lleiiry Baker. Harlow Porter, CharleseK. Crowley, and William G. Moncll composesaid committee. NewYorknir. February 22.1858. Sm: 'The undersigned.appointedunder the above resolution. her: leave to su init the same to you and to solicit your advocacy of abill, alrcady re iorted b the ComInvalidPens of the HoRep grantmg pensions to the officers and soldiers of the war with GreatBritain of 1812 1813 and 1814 and their widows and thoseengaged In Indian warsduring that perio.” The claimsof thosesoldiers are so eloquently set ufonrd the risnigtnheed report accompanyingthe bill. that the would not venture to add a word but itnhga.t. having participated in that struggle and av from natural sympathy, watched the subsequent fateof their brethren in arms, they deem it proper to statefactsin relation to them which should impart apdrodsitpioenroaul sfocrocuenttoryth, eseclaims upon a grateful and and to which prosperity, they may be allowed to add, the services cre alluded to have, in their opinion. greatly contributed. It must be remembered that the largest proportion of these menwere. at the time of their being called upon to defend their country and to sustainthe honor of her flag, in comfortablecircumstances, pursuing the various arts of agriculture, manufactures, mechanics, and commerce and Wero transferred to all the expo suresand dangers of the campand the garrison under mere nominal pay and withoutaproVision either of arms or clothing. How well their duties were performedlettho battles of Quecnston. of Bridgcwater. of the Thames, of NewOrleans and other fields respond. At least 3/4ths of those who did not. fall in battle have beensummonedto another world in the regular courseof nature, many from the operation ofwnunds and diseases entailed upon them by their patriotic services, leaving to their widows and children no other legacy than that of‘poverty and Many of our surviving brethren are now exper i encing the same miseries. These arethe factswhich our own eyeshave witnessed and are daily witness 1BR. Our associationhas been organized, not merelyto perpetuatethe memor of those days. but to afford roliot to the living. on decentlyto interthe dead. This can only 0 partially accomlislied whereso few hava the means; and although oncvolent individuals have aided, still the casesof distress are numerous. It must be kept in mind that no man now living who sharedin theseeventscanbe shortof 3 score years, while many greatly exceedthat age and of course, if now in dependent eircumstances, can hope for nobeneficial change except through this act of national Hill! and public justiec. The undersigned cannoteonceiveit to be necessary to enlarge upon this subject. Several membersof our honorable body can bear personal testimony, having participated in the services of those days. while othershave learned them from their patriotic sires. We mostearnestly invoke your support of the bill. not merely asan actof charity to the necessitons, but asa reward to the faithful servantsof the Republic and asan incentive to future sacrificesfor the Dubhc a001. We are, with great respect, sir, your obedientsor "nu HENRY RAYMOND, JAMES MURRAY PORTER.’ “C'HILLRILAEIS'I K. CROWLEY.’ G. ilIUNELIt, I Committee of the Soldiers of ISI'Z. 'Doceased. This paper, it will be seen, was signed by a committee of 11 of the soldiers ot the war of 1812, only 3 of whom now survive, to wit. Henry I aymond, Isaac Phyfe, and Henry Baker. I will also read the followmg extract of a letter to me, written by an officer of the war I of 1812, from the same city: Nnw Yoax, March 14, 1866. Dana Sin: In the proceedingsof CongressI perceivothat you have introduced a bill granting pensionsto soldiersof the war of1812.which wasreferred to the ComInvalidPens. Your honor hasthe heartfelt thanks of all the veteransI have conversed with and I trust you will not let the matter restwithout some.definito action taken thereon. Could alnw of that kind he passed it would relieve the pressingwants of many an old soldier who at this present time hardly knows where a meal of Victuals is to come from. such is their abject poverty. There are some that necessityhas compelled to becomeinmates of an almshouse.eatinga pauper's food. such isthe and condition of many oft 050 old menwho in their youthful days sacrificed every thing for the benefitof their country‘in the hour of her pen], I would gladly confer With you at any time and in any mannerto consummatethis laudable object, and would her;most respectfully to suggest the propriety of forwarding a petition of the Veteransof 1812in this section 0 country. I will also read the following small extract from the proceedings of a meeting of the old soldiers 0 that war held at Philadelphia, in.my own State, in February last: “We are grateful to learn from the public prints that a disposition is manifested at this late day by someof the Representatives in Congress to recognize In n'substantial manner the services of the poor old soldiers of the 2nd war of independence. We in vito the attention of the associationto this matter." I will not trouble the House further, Mr. Speaker, by reading extracts from the numer ous letters and proceedings received in relation to this matter. This seems to me to be sufficient to satisfy every member of this House of the stern necessity of immediate action in aid of“ the old voterans. It may be said, and has already been intimated, that the country is not. in a condition to grant the relief asked. for. This, I think, is a mistaken idea; we have lately passed through a terrible war, and the people ore the heavy drain of men and means with such alacrity as to astonish the world, and now, as 'eace and prosperity are restored, and the government about being placed upon a firm and substantial basis, we are surely in a condition to do adequate jus ticc to those old heroes. It. will not do to say the nation is too poor, when we have passed a law giving $25,000 to feed the poor of Washington city, many of whom were never in the Union Army, and some 700,000 dollars to keep certain tribes of Indians from starvation, some of whom have even been in the rebel service; and beside, after the eloquent s eech of the honorable Gentfrom Iassae usetts, [Mr. Bunny? passed a bill appropriating $100,000 to cash 0 this nation to be represented in the grand Exosition to take place in France in 1867. of these appropriations I have nothing to say more than t. at, in my opinion, the claim of the soldiers and sailors of the war of 1812 is more meritorious. It will not do, Mr. Speaker. for the Representatives of this great nation of over 30 million people, with such vast re‘ sources, to withhold1 the relief provided by this bill on the ground of want of means. The bill that passed this House by an almost unanimous vote for equalizin beauties, which will require some 100s of millions, was just, and in the early art of the session I offered a resolution an also'presented a.bill looking to that end; and as to the ultimate payment of such bounties, it is a mere question of time, the recipients being comparatively young men, while those of the war of 1812 are far advancedin life, and according to the course of nature can be here but a.short time, and if any provision is to be made forthem it must be done quickly. It will not do to allow them to become alto gether objects of public charity. The sum provided for in the bilf is very small, scarcely enough to clothe and feed them in the most. humble manner. In the early part of this session a recess for a short time was frequently taken in order that our worthy Speaker might introduce to the members various generals who in the late rebellion had done good service for the reservation of the Union, which he did in is usual affable manner; and now, I beg leave as their Representative to introduce to this House the old veterans of the war of 1812, hungry, and with garments all tattered and torn, asking for the service they rendered their country a small sum in way of pension to enable them to procure food and raiment. Shall it be granted? They, like Lazarus of old, are willing to be fed on crumbs, and is this Congress not willing to rant it? Sir, while I have a voice on this floor I will stand u for the defenders of my country. No individual) or nation ever lost anything by being charitable. Our officers of the Army and Nayy deserve greafpraise, and many encomiums are cast upon them, but the privates who have to obey the command and face death are equally deserving of the gratitude of their country. Russia, England, and France, yea, all civilized nations of the world, have made provision for their old veterans, and no people are more able and willing than those of the U.S. to have these defenders cared for, and I am satisfied that the passage of this bill will meet the entire approbation of our constituents, (unless it is that the pension is too low.) And now, Mr. Speaker, I move that this bill be recommitted to the committee with instructions to report the same with an affirmative recommendation, and will call for the yeas&nays. I can hardly think that any member will record his vote against allowing this pit tance to an old indigent soldier; if there is he will have on opporunity of so recording his vote. I will add that this is no party measure; it is aplatform on which all can safely stand.