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Mr. PEARCE presented the memorial of D. L. Dix, asking a grant of public land for the establishment of an asylum for the indigent curable and incurable in the United States. In presenting this memorial --

Mr. P. said: This memorial comes from a lady of well-known practical benevolence, who unites in her own character all the graces and virtues which adorn her sex, and who has devoted her time and talents for a number of years to the amelioration of the condition of that class of our citizens for whom she asks relief. She has gathered from public documents -- and very largely from her own experience and observations -- a variety of facts, of which she has made a simple statement which, of itself, constitutes the most touching appeal to our sympathy I have ever read. The memorial shows that the number of insane in the United States at the taking of the last census was about eighteen thousand; and that this number at the present time has swollen to more than twenty-two thousand. A singular view presented is, that this class of unhappy sufferers in the United States is more numerous, in proportion to our population, than in any other known country: and this seems to be referable to the fact, that there exists in no other country such freedom of civil, political and religious institutions, and of course that there is nowhere else the same variety and number of causes of mental excitement. Skilful physicians, experienced in the management of the insane, have demonstrated how much may be done for the cure and improvement of that class, by means properly adapted to their treatment; and the facts collected by this lady show how deplorably destitute the most of them are. Not to mention numerous cases of individual suffering, most harrowing in their details, I beg leave to read an extract from her memorial, in which she sums up the results of some of her observations:

"I repeat that these institutions, literally sustained as are most of them, cannot accommodate the insane population of the United States who require prompt remedial care.

"It may be suggested that, though hospital treatment is expedient, perhaps it may not be absolutely necessary, especially for vast numbers, whose condition may be considered irrecoverable, and in whom the right exercise of the reasoning faculties may be looked upon as past hope. Rather than enter upon a philosophical and abstract argument to prove the contrary to be the fact, I will ask permission to spread before you a few statements, gathered, without special selection, from a mass of records made from existing cases, sought out and noted during eight years of sad, patient, deliberate investigation. To insure accuracy, establish facts beyond controversy, and procure, so far as possible, temporary or permanent relief, more than sixty thousand miles have been traversed, and no time or labor spared which fidelity to this imperative and grievous vocation demanded. The only States as yet unvisited are North Carolina, Florida and Texas. From each of these, however, I have had communications which clearly prove that the conditions of the indigent insane differ in no essential degree from those of other States.

"I have myself seen more than nine thousand idiots, epileptics and insane, in these United States, destitute of appropriate care and protection; and of this vast and most miserable company, sought out in jails, in poorhouses, and in private dwellings, there have been hundreds, nay, rather thousands, bound with galling chains, bowed beneath fetters and heavy iron balls, attached to drag-chains, lacerated with ropes, scourged with rod, and terrified beneath storms of profane execrations and cruel blows; now subject to gibes and scorn, and torturing tricks, now abandoned to the most loathsome necessities or subject to the vilest and most outrageous violations. These are strong terms, but language fails to convey the astounding truths."

The memorialist then gives the scenes she has witnessed in detail, and says:

"I pass by without detail nearly one hundred examples of insane men and women, in filthy cells, chained and hobbled, together with many idiots and epileptics wandering abroad. Some were confined in low, damp, dark cellars; some wasted their wretched existence in dreary dungeons, deserted and neglected. It would be fruitless to attempt describing the sufferings of these unhappy beings for a day even. What must be the accumulation of the pains and woes of years, consigned to prisons and poor-houses, to cells and dungeons, enduring every variety of privation -- helpless, deserted of kindred, tortured by fearful delusions, and suffering indescribable pains and abuses. These are no tales of fiction. I believe that there is no imaginable form or severity, of cruelty, of neglect, of every sort or ill management for mind and body, to which I have not seen the insane subject in all our country, excepting the three sections already defined. As a general rule, ignorance procures the largest measure of these shocking results; but, while of late years much is accomplished, and more is proposed, by far the largest part of those who suffer remain unrelieved, and most do so, except the General Government unites to assist the several States in this work."

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The views of Miss Dix have been fully approved by a convention of medical men, engaged in the superintendence of institutions for the insane, recently assembled in Boston.

I will add, Mr. President, that although the labors of this lady have procured munificent donations from wealthy and benevolent individuals, and noble grants from some of the States, the unfortunates for whom they are intended are not yet by any means adequately provided for. These means are probably not more than sufficient for one fifth of them. She therefore appeals to the General Government for further assistance.

Allow me to say further, sir, that there is nothing by which the age in which we live is so much and so favorably distinguished from the most glorious of those which have preceded it, as the attention now paid to the rights of suffering humanity. This is one of the glories that cannot be claimed for the past; and I am sure that no prouder or more enduring monument to the true glory of the United States can be raised, than an adequate provision for that class of people who, of all others, are most entitled to our sympathy and care. This memorial was presented about two years ago, but was not then acted upon. It is now presented with such alterations and additions as experience and observation have suggested. I move to reference now to a select committee, to be appointed by the Chair, and that it be printed.

Mr. PEARCE moved that the committee be appointed by the Chair; which motion having been agreed to --

The VICE PRESIDENT named the following as the select committee: Mr. PEARCE, Mr. BENTON, Mr. DAVIS of Massachusetts, Mr. DICKINSON, and Mr. BELL.

On motion by Mr. FELCH,

Ordered, That the resolution of the Legislature of Michigan, on the files of the Senate, in favor of granting alternate sections of land for public works in that State, be referred to the Committee on the Public Lands.