Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I do not know that I have advocated any particular claim from the Galena district, or from any other district either. But I have heard considerable said by my colleague [Mr. INGER soli] and by the Gentfrom Indiana [Mr. WAs.HBURNJ in regard to the duty of this government. Why say that if this Government shall not do so and so, shall not pay this, that, or the other claim that is presented, the government will be dishonored and disgraced; that this claim is honest and just, and if the Government does not come forward and plank down the money, or give its note for 60 or 90 days, it would be no just Government at all? Now, I take issue with those gentlemen in regard to what is the character of this government. I think it is the most just, the most honest, the most liberal, and the most beneficent Government on the face of the earth. I think our legislation here is characterized by more liberality than that of any other Government in the world. I think more claims get through our Congress here, upon less evidence and with less real justice, than are allowed by any ot.her legislative body. one word in regard to this claim. I think we should act in regard to it as representatives who are sent here by our constituents to guard their interests; we should endeavor to ascertain whether or not we can pass this claim in justice to them; whether or not, should we pass it, we would not be reversing all the principles upon which we have hereto fore acted since the rebellion broke out. Now, what is this claim 7 It appears, so far as I could gather from hearing the report read, that there were some gentlemen very honest and patriotic and loyal gentlemen, I have no doubt, for they were from Indiana. And Indiana has been heard upon that question; nobody will doubt her loyalty since she has sent back here such Representatives as she sends here. These gentlemen contracted to carry the mails in the State of Missouri. It seems that their route lay through the enemy's country, and they did not want to carry the mails while the bushwhackers were about. I do not blame them much for that; for I confess that I would not have desired to be there then. It was insisted, however, that they should perform their contract; and the military authorities there, in order to protect them, sent an escort with them to guard the mails. But the escort was not sufficient for that purpose, as I understand my friendfrom Indiana, Mr. WAshburn] And what next? The property of these perfectly loyal gentlemen from the State of Indiana was captured by the public enemy. And now they come here and ask us to do, what? Why, sir, to pay them for property captured by the public enemy. Sir, as I understand it, that is what we have in every case refused to do. If we pass this bill and this principle, we depart from the well established rule of international law. No Government on the face of the earth has ever undertaken to pay for damages arising from the casualties of war. No Government could meet the expenditures which would be incurred in that way. This whole question has been discussed in Congress a great many times I will not sa by abler men than there are here now but it was discussed 50 years ago by the ablest men in Congress at }. i that time, when persons came claiming compensation for damages incurred during the war of 1812.