Mr. BRANDEGEE. When I am in the discharge of the duty of reporting a case from a committee I prefer to state my case fully and then answer any interrogatories that may be put to me by any member of the House. It will be observed by the House, upon this statement of facts, that when this officer was rein stated, though he was out of the naval service to be sure for about 6 months, to wit, from the 12th of October, 1862, to the 21st of february, 1863, his reappointment was to date back as of his original rank. Now, if I understand the argument of the gentleman, and I feel the speciousness of it if not its force, an officer who was not doing naval service is not entitled to the pay of a naval officer. But it was stated before the committee I think it came from the proper Dept; at any rate the proof was before the committee from officers of the Navy that in case of an officer being retired by the action of a board and afterwards being reinstated, the original rank and pay dates back to the time of the retirement. At any rate there are cases where special legislation has been had in this way. Now, it seemed to the committee clear that the intention of the President was to condone the offense for which he was removed and wipe it out as if there was no such offense as justified his removal, and it seemed clear to us that the President renominated him as of the date of his removal. This bill would draw from the Treasury about $1,000 as pay for a commanding officer waiting orders. Though it may be of no special consequence in this case, I will state that this officer has since proved to be a very valuable one to the naval arm of the service. During the war he organized and commanded the corps of Marines who led the assault upon Fort Fisher under the bombardment of our fleet. The amount involved is small and it seemed to the committee that they were following the recedent in such case and carrying out the intention of the President and of the law in reporting this bill. With this statement I leave the matter with the House., Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. If my friend will permit me