Obrazy na stronie
PDF
ePub

of the United States and to inform him that a quorum of each House was present and ready to receive any communication he might be pleased to make to them, reported that they had performed that service, and received for answer from the President that he would make his annual.communication to the respective Houses of Congress to-day at one o'clock.

RECESS.

Mr. SUMNER. I move that the Senate take a recess until one o'clock.

The motion was agreed to.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore again took the chair at one o'clock, and called the Senate to order.

PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL MESSAGE.

JOHN G. NICOLAY, esq., the President's Private Secretary, appeared below the bar and said:

Mr. PRESIDENT: I am directed by the President of the United States to deliver to the Senate several messages in writing.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore handed the President's annual message to the Secretary of the Senate, JoHN W. FORNEY, esq., by whom it was read. It will be published in the Appendix.]

Mr. ANTHONY. I offer the following reso

lution:

Resolved, That the usual number of the message and documents be printed for the use of tlie Senate.

The resolution was considered by unanimous consent, and agreed to.

Mr. ANTHONY. I now move that five thousand additional copies be printed; and I ask that that motion be laid on the table until the Committee on Printing shall be appointed.

The motion was ordered to lie on the table.
REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore laid before the Senate the annual report of the Secretary of the Treasury on the state of the finances; which was ordered to lie on the table.

BRITISHI AID TO THE REBELLION.

Mr. SUMNER submitted the following resolution; which was considered by unanimous consent, and agreed to:

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested, it in his opinion not inconsistent with the public interest, to furnish to the Senate any information in the possession of the Department of State concerning any prop. osition or overture recently made by British subjects in aid of the rebellion.

EXECUTIVE SESSION.

Mr. SHERMAN. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of executive business. The motion was agreed to; and after some time spent in executive session, the doors were reopened, and the Senate adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY, December 6, 1864.

The House met at twelve o'clock, m. Prayer by the Chaplain, Rev. W. H. CHANNING. The Journal of yesterday was read and approved.

ORGANIZATION OF CONGRESS..

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois, from the committee appointed to wait on the President and inform him that a quorum of the two Houses had assembled, and that Congress was ready to receive any communication he might be pleased to make, reported that the committee had discharged that duty, and that the President would send in a communication at one o'clock, p. m., to-day.

The SPEAKER proceeded, as the regular business in order, to call the States for bills on leave.

UNITED STATES CURRENCY.

Mr. STEVENS, in pursuance of previous notice, introduced a bill to prevent gold and silver coin and bullion from being paid or exchanged for a greater value than their real current value, and for preventing any note or bill issued by the United States and made lawful money and a legal tender from being received for a smaller sum than is therein specified; which was read a first and second time by its title.

Mr. SPALDING called for the reading of the bill.

The bill was accordingly read.

Mr. STEVENS. I move that the bill be or

dered to be printed, and referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.

Mr. KASSON. I ask the gentleman from Pennsylvania whether, in the first proposition of his bill, he proposes to change the standard weight

and fineness of the coins of the United States.

Mr. STEVENS. It does not change the values of the coins of the United States, but merely recites what they are.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill was ordered to be printed, and referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.

INTERNAL REVENUE LAW.

Mr. STEVENS also introduced a joint resolution explanatory of the act entitled "An act to provide internal revenue to support the Government, to pay interest on the public debt, and for other purposes," approved June 30, 1864; which was read a first and second time, and referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.

AMENDMENT TO TAX LAWS.

Mr. BROOMALL submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to: Resolved, That the Committee of Ways and Means be instructed to inquire into the expediency of so amending the laws of the United States imposing taxes on inheritance as to exempt from such taxation all estates and interests of widows in the estates of their husbands.

RED RIVER CAMPAIGN.

Mr. SPALDING submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to: Resolved, That the committee on the conduct of the wår be instructed to inquire into the causes of the disastrous issues of the Red river campaign, under Major General Banks, and to report thereon at their earliest convenience.

OATH OF LOYALTY.

Mr. JULIAN introduced a bill prescribing an oath of loyalty to all persons practicing law in any of the States declared to be in rebellion; which was read a first and second time, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

REBEL LANDHOLDERS.

Mr. JULIAN also introduced a bill to provide for the forfeiture of the fee of rebel landholders; which was read a first and second time, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

FOREIGN MAILS.

Mr. BENNET introduced a bill to repeal the fourth section of an act to provide for carrying the mails from the United States to foreign poris, and for other purposes, approved March 25, 1864; which was read a first and second time, and referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

TRADE WITH THE REBELLIOUS STATES. Mr. BOUTWELL submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed

to:

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs consider the expediency of reporting a bill prohibiting the transit of goods, wares, or merchandise to any portion of the territory of the United States in possession of the persons engaged in rebellion and beyond the lines of the armies of the United States, and of prohibiting the sale of any goods, wares, or merchandise to persons resident upon said territory; and also the expediency of authorizing the purchase of the products of the territory occupied by the rebels in arms by any person not connected with the Army or Navy of the United States, nor otherwise in the service or employment of the United States, either upon credit or by the payment therefor in money or foreign exchange. RECESS.

Mr. WILSON moved that the House take a recess till one o'clock, p. m.

On a division there were-ayes 57, noes 32; no quorum young.

The SPEAKER, under the rules, ordered tellers, and appointed Messrs. WILSON and PENDLE

ΤΟΝ.

The motion was agreed to; the tellers having reported-ayes 66, noes 34.

So, at thirty-five minutes after twelve o'clock, the House took a recess till one o'clock, p. m. The House resumed its session at one o'clock.

m.,

ESTIMATES FOR PRINTING.

The SPEAKER, by unanimous consent, laid before the House estimates of additional appropriations for the office of the Superintendent of Public Printing for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1865; which was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means, and ordered to be printed.

EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.

The SPEAKER. The business pending when the House took a recess, was the resolution offered yesterday by the gentleman from O...io, [Mr. PENDLETON,] which was hid over one day under the rules. The Clerk will read the resolution, again.

The resolution was read, as follows:

Resolved, That the President of the United States he requested to communicate to this House, if not incompatible with the public interest, the report made by Colonel Thomas M. Kew of an interview between himself and General Howell Cobb on the 14th day of June. 1882, on the bank of the Chiekahominy, by authority of the War Department, on the subject of the exchange of prisoners of war.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I move to refer the resolution to the committee on the conduct of the war. They can call those parties as witnesses, if they choose, and obtain all the evidence.

Mr. MORRIS, of Ohio. Would it be proper to move to lay that motion on the table? The SPEAKER. It would not. Mr. MORRIS, of Ohio. Then I demand the yeas and nays on the motion.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

The question was put; and it was decided in the affirmative-yeas 82, nays 37, not voting 63; as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Allison, Ames, Arnold, Ashley, Baily, John D. Baldwin, Baxter, Beaman, Blaine, Blair, Blow, Boutwell, Broomall, Ambrose W. Clark, Freeman Clarke, Cobb, Cole, Creswell, Thomas T. Davis, Dawes, Deming, Dixon, Donnelly, Driggs, Eckley, Eliot, Farn-worth Frank, Garfield, Grinnell, Hooper, Asaliel W. Hubbard, John II. Hubbard, Hulburd, Ingersoll, Jenckes, Julian, Kasson KelJey, Francis W. Kellogg, Orlando Kellogg, Loan, Longyear, Marvin, McBride, McClurg, Samnet F. Miller, Moorhend, Morrill, Daniel Morris, Leonard Myers, Norton. Odell, Charles O'Neill, Orth, Patterson, Perham, Price, William H. Randall, Alexander II. Rice, John H. Rice, Edward II. Rollins, Schenck, Scofield, Shannon, Sloan, Smithers, Spalding, Starr, Stevens, Thomas. Tracy, Upson, Van Valkenburgh, Elihu B. Washburne, William B. Washburn, Webster, Wheeler, Williams, Wilder, Wilson, and Windom-82.

NAYS-Messrs. Ancona, Augustus C. Baldwin, Brooks, James S. Brown, Chauler, Coffroth, Cox, Dawson, Deni-on, Eden, English, Finck, Harding, Harrington, Holman, Kaibileisch, Law, Marcy, Middleton. William H. Miller, James R. Morris, Morrison, Noble, John O'Neill, Perry, Radford, Scott, John B. Steele, William G. Steele, Stiles, Strouse, Stuart, Sweat, Townsend, Ward, Fernando Wood, and Yeaman-37.

NOT VOTING-Messrs. James C. Allen, William J. Allen, Alley, Anderson, Bliss, Boyd, Brandegee, William G. Brown, Clay, Cravens, Henry Wiater Davis, Dumont, Edgerton, Eldridge, Fenton. Ganson, Gooch, Grider, Griswold, Hale, Hall, Benjamin G. Harris, Charles M. Harris, Herrick, Higby, Hotelikiss, Hutchins, Philip Johnson, Wil liam Johnson, Kernan, King, Knapp, Knox, Lazear, Le Blond, Littlejohn, Long, Mallory, McAllister, McDowell, Meludoe, McKinney, Amos Myers, Nelson, Pendleton, Pike, Pomeroy, Pruyn, Samuel J. Randall, Robinson, Rogers, James S. Rollins, Ross, Smith, Thayer, Voorhees, Wadsworth, Whaley, Chilton A.White. Joseph W. White, Winfield, Benjamin Wood, and Woodbridge-63.

So the resolution was referred to the committee on the conduct of the war. During the call,

Mr. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania, stated that he was paired off with Mr. THAYER; otherwise he would have voted in the negative.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.

A message in writing was received from the President of the United States, by Mr. NICOLAY, his Private Secretary.

The SPEAKER, by unanimous consent, laid before the House the annual message of the President of the United States; which was read. (It will be published in the Appendix.]

Mr. STEVENS. I move that the usual number of copies of the message and accompanying documents be printed for the use of members, and that the message be referred to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union. The motion was agreed to.

Mr. STEVENS. I move that fifty thousand extra copies of the message alone be printed. The motion was referred to the Committee on Printing, under the rules.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I move that the House adjourn.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.

The SPEAKER. Before that motion is put, the Chair asks leave to lay before the House the annual report of the Secretary of the Treasury, which by law is ordered to be made directly to Congress.

The SPEAKER thereupon, by unanimous conH sent, laid before the House the annual report of

the Secretary of the Treasury on the state of the finances; which was ordered to be printed, and referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.

The SPEAKER also, by unanimous consent, laid before the House the annual report of the Secretary of the Interior; which was ordered to be printed, and referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.

The SPEAKER also, by unanimous consent, laid before the House the annual report of the Secretary of the Navy; which was ordered to be printed, and referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I renew my motion.

EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.

Mr. PENDLETON, 1desire to enter a motion to reconsider the vote by which the resolution in reference to the exchange of prisoners was this morning referred to the committee on the conduct of the war.

The SPEAKER. Did the gentleman vote with the prevailing side?

Mr. PENDLETON. I did not; and as I cannot make the motion I hope the gentleman from Illinois will.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I will examine the resolution, and if I see no objection, I will make the motion to-morrow.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Mr. LANE, of Indiana, asked, and by unanimous consent obtained, leave to introduce a bill, (S. No. 352,) authorizing the holding of a special session of the United States district court for the district of Indiana, and for other purposes; which was read twice by its title, and, with the accompanying papers, was ordered to lie on the table until the committees shall be appointed.

Mr. MORRILL asked, and by unanimous consent obtained, leave to introduce a bill, (S. No. 353,) to amend an act entitled "An act to incorporate the Metropolitan Railroad Company in the District of Columbia," approved July 1, 1864; which was read twice by its title, and ordered to lie on the table.

CONDUCT OF GENERAL PAINE AT PADUCAH.

Mr. POWELL. I offer the following resolution, and, if there be no objection, ask for its present consideration:

Resolved, That the Secretary of War be directed, if not

incompatible with the public interest, to transmit to the
Senate the report and evidence taken by a military com-
mission, of which Brigadier General Speed S. Fry was
president, appointed to investigate the conduct of Brigadier
General Paine of the United States Army, in and about
Paducah, Kentucky.

Mr. WILSON. Let that lie over until to-mor

row.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Objection being made, the resolution will lie over.

SENATORS FROM LOUISIANA.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Chair
will present to the Senate certain proceedings by
the Legislature of Louisiana, with a communica-
tion from the Governor, which will be read.
The Secretary read as follows:

STATE OF LOUISIANA, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
NEW ORLEANS, November 22, 1864.
SIR: By the terms of a joint resolution adopted by the
General Assembly of the State of Louisiana, it is made my
duty to transmit to the Senate a copy of the proceedings
therein referred to declaratory of the election of Hon.
CHARLES SMITH and Hon. R. KING CUTLER as Senators
of the United States from the State of Louisiana, as well as
a certified copy of the joint resolution itself, all of which I
have the honor to inclose you as directed, to which is
added a copy of a subsequent joint resolution adopted by
the General Assembly authorizing the Governor to deliver
to the Senators their credentials.

I remain, with high respect, &c.,

MICHAEL HAIN,

Governor of the State of Louisiana.

To the PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The papers will lie on the table unless otherwise ordered.

Mr. WADE. In connection with that subject I desire to present a memorial of citizens of Louisiana, numerously signed, remonstrating against the admission of Senators or Representatives from the pretended State of Louisiana into the Congress of the United States, and the reception of any electoral vote of that State in counting the votes for President and Vice President of the United States, and praying for the passage of an act guarantying republican government in the insurrectionary States, and I ask that it may have the same direction as the other papers. present it now, and ask that it lie on the table.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. That order will be made. It will lie on the table for the present.

Mr. MORGAN. I present what purport to be the credentials of Hon. CHARLES SMITH and Hon. R. KING CUTLER, Senators-elect from the State of Louisiana. I do not propose that these persons be now sworn in as members of this body, for the Senate will be much better qualified to judge in relation to all the proceedings connected with the election after they shall have been carefully examined, and a report made by a committee of this body. I shall, therefore, propose, when the committees are appointed, that the credentials be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. In the mean time I ask that they lie on the table. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The credentials will be read, unless objection be made.

Mr. TRUMBULL. I understand that the papers just submitted are copies of the proceedings of the General Assembly of the State of Louisiana in this election, and they are somewhat voluminous, and as it is not proposed to take any action upon the subject at this time, unless some one desires the reading, I think the Credentials might just as well be laid on the table and take the same course as the other papers.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. If no Senator desires the reading, that order will be made.

Mr. WADE. These papers contain arguments on the subject, and I think, perhaps, it would be better to have them all printed. I move, therefore, that all the documents which have been presented on this subject be printed for the use of the Senate.

The motion was agreed to.

Mr. FOSTER. I move that the Senate do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; and the Senate
adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WEDNESDAY, December 7, 1864.

The House met at twelve o'clock, m. Prayer
by the Chaplain, Rev. W. H. CHANNING.
The Journal of yesterday was read and approved.
The SPEAKER stated that the first business in
order was the call of committees for reports.

FRAUDS IN PHILADELPHIA NAVY-YARD.

Mr. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania. ask the unanimous consent of the House to offer a resolution.

The Clerk proceeded to read the resolution, as follows:

Whereas large frauds have been discovered in the Phil adelphia navy-yard, and, furthermore, many persons hoid ing important—

Mr. STEVENS. I must object to that at present. My colleague will have his time when the States are called.

Mr. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania. I do not want the States. I am for hunting up a few individuals who are thieves.

Mr. STEVENS. I think the gentleman had better postpone it.

Mr. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania. I have at least a right to have my resolution read.

The SPEAKER. Not if any gentleman objects; and the gentleman from Pennsylvania objects.

Mr. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania. But a portion of it had been read before the objection was made.

The SPEAKER. The objection could be made at any time. Mr. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania. Well, my colleague has cut off the sting.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

Mr. STEVENS. I rise to a privileged question. I move to reconsider the vote by which the message of the President was yesterday referred to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, and to lay the motion to reconsider on the table.

The latter motion was agreed to.
GOLD BILL.

Mr. BLAINE. I move to reconsider the vote
whereby the ouse yesterday referred to the
Committee of Ways and Means a bill introduced
by the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. STE-
VENS] "to prevent gold and silver coin and bullion
from being paid or exchanged for a greater value
than their real current value, and for preventing
any note or bill issued by the United States, and
made lawful money and a legal tender, from being
received for a smaller sum than is therein speci-
fied."
I believe, Mr. Speaker, that this bill has
been productive of great mischief in the brief
twenty-four hours that it has been allowed to
float before the public mind as a measure seriously
entertained by this House. And I believe that
still more mischief will ensue every day and every
hour the House stands committed to such legis-
lation, even by the motion of courtesy which refers
the bill to a committee. The provisions of the
bill are very extraordinary, and but for the respect
I feel for the distinguished gentleman who intro-
duced it, I should say they were absurd and
monstrous. Let me read two or three of these
provisions:

2. That a dollar note issued by the Government, declared lawful money and legal tender, is declared of equal value for all purposes as gold and silver coin of like denomina

tion.

3. That a contract made payable in coin may be payable in legal-tender United States notes, and that no difference in sale or value shall be allowed between them.

5. That no person shall by any device, shift, or contrlvance receive, or pay, or contract to receive or pay, any Treasury or other note issued by the United States for clrculation as money, and declared legal tender, for less than their lawfully-expressed value; and any offender, upon conviction, shall suffer imprisonment not exceeding six months, and a fine equal to the fall amount of the sum specified in said note."

6. That if any person shall, in the purchase or sale of gold or silver coin or bullion, agree to receive in payment notes of corporations or individuals atless than par value, he shall be deemed to have offended against the provisions of this act, and shall be punished accordingly.

1 forbear to recite the remainder of the bill. I have read enough to show that if it should become a law the entire population on the Pacific coast would be liable to indictment and conviction for a criminal offense simply because they will persist in believing that in the present condition of our currency a gold dollar is worth more than a paper dollar. And stili further, not limiting the scope of the bill to protection of Government currency, the gentleman from Pennsylvania proposes to punish, as for a misdemeanor, any one who shall agree to sell gold and receive in payment "notes of corporations or individuals at less than par value."

[ocr errors]

The whole bill, sir, aims at what is simply impossible. You cannot make a gold dollar worth less than it is, or a paper dollar worth more than it is, by a congressional declaration. I think we had experience enough in that direction with the famous gold bill at the last session. We passed that measure after a very severe pressure, and with great promises as to the wonders it would work in Wall street. It continued on the statutebook for some twelve days-gold advancing at a frightful rate every day until its repeal was effected. The bill now under consideration has already had a most pernicious effect, and should it become a law, no man can measure its fatal influence. It is for these reasons that I desire to have its reference reconsidered.

Mr. COX. It seems to me, if the gentleman wants to cut down the price of gold, that he had better not have this bill up again and have it discussed in Congress. He had better have it referred to the Committee of Ways and Means, and let it be disposed of at once.

Mr. BLAINE. I desire to get it before the House again simply for the purpose of laying it on the table, and thus removing it from the field of controversy.

Mr. COX. I will assist the gentleman from Maine in that. But I do not agree with him that this bill has had the effect of putting up the price of gold. I think the President played the bull in his message of yesterday.

Mr. BLAINE. I cannot stop now to discuss that proposition with the gentleman from Ohio. I shall be glad to have his aid in laying the bill on the table; and to that end he will of course vote to have the motion of reference reconsidered.

Mr. STEVENS. My friend from Maine [Mr. BLAINE] has an intuitive way of getting at a great national question; one which has exercised the thoughts of statesmen of several countries for many years; one which I think is at least worthy of consideration. I do not know how far the bill is practicable, or how far it ought to be modified. But that there ought to be some law which shall prevent gambling in gold, by which it is put at two and a half times its value, is just as clear as that that system is making every man who eats food pay three prices for it, and reduces the price of the lawful money of the country to less than one half its real value.

Now, sir, I know that the gold gamblers can take advantage of anything to put up the price of gold; and you cannot prevent it unless you legislate in some way. I do not say that the legislation proposed by this bill will reach it, or that it ought not to be very much modified, but I say that

is just the legislation which England adopted during her great wars with Napoleon, and continued as a system during the whole of those wars, and found it to act beneficially. How the gentleman from Maine, [Mr. BLAINE,] by his intuitive knowledge of these things comes to understand at once what the ablest statesmen of England took months to mature, I cannot very well understand. It is a happy inspiration, but it is a summary way to dispose of the question. I move to lay the motion to reconsider on the table.

Mr. BLAINE demanded the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The question was taken, and it was decided in the negative-yeas 51, nays 68, not voting 63; as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Anderson, Ashley, Baily, Baxter, Beaman, Blair, Blow, Boyd, Brandegee, Ambrose W. Clark, Cobb, Cole, Henry Winter Davis, Deming, Dixon, Donnelly, Driggs, Eckley, Eliot, Farnsworth, Ganson, Grinnell, Hooper, John H. Hubbard, Hulburd, Ingersoll, Jenckes, Kelley, Orlando Kellogg, Loan, Longyear, McClurg, Sam uel F. Miller, Moorhead, Morrill, Daniel Morris, Leonard Myers, Charles O'Neill, Orth, William H. Randall, John H. Rice, Schenck, Shannon, Sloan, Smithers, Spalding, Stevens, Thomas, Upson, Van Valkenburgh, and Wilder -51.

NAYS-Messrs. James C. Allen, Alley, Allison, Ames, Ancona, Augustus C. Baldwin, John D. Baldwin, Blaine, Bliss, Boutwell, Brooks, Brooniall, James S. Brown, Chanler, Coflroth, Cox, Dawes, Dawson, Denison, Eden, English, Finck, Garfield, Grinnell, Harding, Harrington, Holman, Asaliel W. Hubbard, Julian, Kalbfleisch, Francis W. Kellogg, Kernan, Law, Le Blond, Marcy, McBride, Middleton, William H. Miller, James R. Morris, Morrison, Norton, Odell, John O'Neill, Pendleton, Perham, Pike, Price, Pruyn, Radford, Rogers, Scofield, Scott, Smith, Starr, John B. Steele, William G. Steele, Stiles, Strouse, Stuart, Sweat, Townsend, Elibu B. Washburn, William B. Washburn, Webster, Wheeler, Williams, Wilson, and Fernando Wood-68.

well, Thomas T. Davis, Dumont, Edgerton, Eldridge, Fenton, Frank, Gooch, Grider, Hale, Hall, Benjamin G. Harris, Charles M. Harris, Herrick, Higby, Hotchkiss, Hutchins, Philip Johnson, William Johnson, Kasson, King, Knapp, Knox, Lazear, Littlejohn, Long, Mallory, Marvin, McAllister, McDowell, McIndoe, McKinney, Amos Myers, Nelson, Noble, Patterson, Perry, Pomeroy, Samuel J. Randall, Alexander H. Rice, Robinson, Edward II. Rollins, James S. Rollins, Ross, Thayer, Tracy, Voorhees, Wadsworth, Ward, Whaley, Chilton A. White, Joseph W. White, Windom, Winüeld, Benjamin Wood, Woodbridge, and Yeaman-63.

So the motion to lay on the table was disagreed to.

Mr. BLAINE. I move the previous question upon the motion to reconsider.

The previous question was seconded, and the main question ordered to be put, and under the operation thereof the motion to reconsider was agreed to, there being, on a division-ayes 65, noes 41.

The question then recurred upon the reference of the bill to the Committee of Ways and Means. Mr. STEVENS. I move to postpone the further consideration of the question for ten days. Mr. COX. Would it be in order to move to lay the bill on the table?

The SPEAKER. It would.

Mr. BLAINE. I desire to make that motion. Mr. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, gentlemen are mistaken if they suppose that this bill contains any provision prohibiting the exportation of gold. It embraces no such provision whatever. It seems to me that the least the House could do would be to let the bill be printed and come up for consideration hereafter.

As to the statement that the gamblers in gold have carried the premium up twelve per cent. by reason of the fear that this bill may pass, those who choose to take their part may do so. Mr. BLAINE. I move to lay the bill on the table.

Mr. STEVENS demanded the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered.

The question was taken; and it was decided in the affirmative-yeas 73, nays 52, not voting 57; as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. James C. Allen, Alley, Allison, Ames, Ancona, Augustus C. Baldwin, John D. Baldwin, Blaine, Bliss, Boutwell, Brooks, Broomall, James S. Brown, Chanler, Coflroth, Cox, Dawes, Dawson, Denison, Eden, English, Finck, Ganson, Grider, Griswold, Hale, Harding, Harrington, Holman, Asahel W. Hubbard, Hulburd, Kalbfleisch, Kernan, Law, Le Blond, Marcy, McBride, Middleton, William H. Miller, Daniel Morris, James R. Morris, Morrison, Noble, Norton, Odell, John O'Neill, Pendleton, Perham, Pike, Price, Pruyn, Radford, Alexander H. Rice, Rogers, Scofield, Scott, Starr, John B. Steele, William G. Steele, Stiles, Strouse, Stuart, Sweat, Thomas, Townsend, Elihu B. Washburne, William B. Washburn, Webster, Wheeler, Williams, Wilson, Fernando Wood, and Yeaman-73.

NAYS-Messrs. Ashley, Baily, Baxter, Beaman, Blair, Blow, Boyd, Brandegee, Ambrose W. Clark, Cobb, Cole, Henry Winter Davis, Dixon, Donnelly, Driggs, Eckley, Eliot, Farnsworth, Frank, Garfield, Grinnell, Hooper, Jolin H. Hubbard, Ingersoll, Jenekes, Julian, Kasson, Kelley, Francis W. Kellogg, Orlando Kellogg, Loan, Longyear, Marvin, McClurg, Samuel F. Miller, Moorhead, Morrill, Leonard Myers, Charles O'Neill, Orth, William H. Randall, John H. Rice, Schenck, Shannon, Sloan, Smithers, Spalding, Stevens, Upson, Van Valkenburgh, Whaley, and Wilder-52.

NOT VOTING-Messrs. William J. Allen, Anderson, Arnold, William G. Brown, Freeman Clarke, Clay, Cravens, Creswell, Thomas T. Davis, Deming, Dumont, Edgerton, Eldridge, Fenton, Gooch, Hall, Benjamin G. Harris, Charles M. Harris, Herrick, Higby, Hotchkiss, Hutchins, Philip Johnson, William Johnson, King, Knapp, Knox, Lazear, Littlejohn, Long, Mallory, McAllister, McDowell, McIndoe, McKinney, Amos Myers, Nelson, Patterson, Perry, Pomeroy, Samuel J. Randall, Robinson, Edward II. Rollins, James S. Rollins, Ross, Smith, Thayer, Tracy, Voorbees, Wadsworth, Ward, Chilton A. White, Joseph W. White, Windom, Winfield, Benjamin Wood, and Woodbridge-57.

So the bill was laid on the table.

EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, at the request of the gentleman from Ohio, [Mr. PENDLETON,] I move to reconsider the vote by which the House referred to the committee on the conduct of the war his resolution calling on the President for information in relation to an interview on the bank of the Chickahominy on the subject of the exchange of prisoners of war. I am willing to make that motion, and have the vote reconsidered, provided the gentleman will agree to an amendment of his resolution.

Mr. PENDLETON. Will the gentleman please indicate the amendment he desires?

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I desire to NOT VOTING-Messrs. William J. Allen, Arnold, amend it so as to call upon the President "in his William G. Brown, Freeman Clarke, Clay, Cravens, Cres-discretion, and if not incompatible with the public

interest," to give this information-striking out that portion of the resolution which assumes that the conversation referred to was by authority of the War Department. I will send to the Clerk the resolution, modified as I propose.

The Clerk read, as follows:

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested, in his discretion, and if not incompatible with the public interest, to communicate to this House the report made by Colonel Thomas M. Key of an interview between himself and General Howell Cobb on the 14th day of June, 1862, on the bank of the Chickaliominy, on the subject of the exchange of prisoners of war.

Mr. PENDLETON. I shall be perfectly willing to accept the modifications proposed by the gentleman, as they do not, in my opinion, change the sense of the resolution.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. Then, Mr. Speaker, I hope that the vote by which the resolution was referred to the committee on the conduct of the war will be reconsidered, and that the resolution, modified as I suggest, will be adopted. The motion to reconsider was agreed to.

The SPEAKER. If there is no objection, the resolution will be considered as adopted in the modified form proposed by the gentleman from Illinois.

There being no objection, the resolution as modified was adopted.

CALL OF COMMITTEES.

The SPEAKER proceeded, as the next business in order, to call the committees for reports; when no reports were presented.

COMMITTEE ON RULES.

The SPEAKER. The Chair will state that, on examining the Journal, he finds that the committee on rules, at the last session of Congress, was raised only for that session. It fell, as all committees do unless specially revived. Therefore, if it is the desire of the House that that committee shall be continued during this session, special action of the House is necessary.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I move that the committee on rules, as raised at the last session, be continued during the present session. The motion was agreed to.

UNITED STATES CURRENCY.

Mr. BLAINE. I move to reconsider the vote by which the House this morning laid on the table the bill to prevent gold and silver coin and bullion from being paid or exchanged for a greater value than their real current value, and for preventing any note or bill issued by the United States, and made lawful money and a legal tender, from being received for a smaller sum than is therein specified. I also move that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table.

The latter motion was agreed to.

CALL OF STATES.

The SPEAKER proceeded, as the regular order of business, to call the States and Territories for resolutions and bills on leave, commencing with the Territory of Idaho.

MAIL COMMUNICATION WITH CHINA. Mr. COLE, of California, introduced a bill to authorize the establishment of ocean mail steamship service between the United States and China; which was read a first and second time, and referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

APPORTIONMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES. Mr. SLOAN offered the following resolution, and demanded the previous question on its adoption:

Resolved, That the Judiciary Committee be instructed to inquire into the expediency of so amending section two of article one of the Constitution of the United States, that Representatives in Congress shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within the Union, according to their respective numbers of qualified electors, and to report by bill or otherwise.

The previous question was then seconded. The main question was then ordered. Mr. PENDLETON. Is it in order to move that the resolution be laid on the table? The SPEAKER. It is.

Mr. PENDLETON. Then I submit that motion.

The motion was disagreed to.

The question then recurred on the adoption of the resolution.

Mr. BROOKS. I ask the gentleman from Wis

consin to allow me to amend his resolution so that it shall provide that Senators in Congress shall be apportioned in the same way.

The SPEAKER. The main question having been ordered, amendment is not now in order. On a division there were-ayes 34, noes 42; no quorum voting.

The SPEAKER, under the rules, ordered tellers, and appointed Messrs. SLOAN and BROOKS.

Mr. STEVENS. I do not know whether I understand the resolution, and I ask that it be again read. If it be a mere resolution of inquiry, there can, of course, be no objection to it.

The resolution was again read.

Mr. COX. Is it in order to call for the yeas and nays?

The SPEAKER. It is.

Mr. COX. Then I demand the yeas and nays on the adoption of the resolution.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

The question was taken, and it was decided in the affirmative-yeas 60, nays 55, not voting 67; as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Alley, Allison, Ames, Arnold, Baily, John D. Baldwin, Baxter, Beaman, Blow, Boutwell, Boyd, Broomall, Ambrose W. Clark, Cobb, Cole, Donnelly, Driggs, Eckley, Eliot, Farnsworth, Garfield, Grinnell, Hooper, Ashael W. Hubbard, Hulburd, Ingersoll, Julian, Kasson, Kelley, Orlando Kellogg, Longyear, Marvin, MeBride, McClurg, Moorhead, Morrill, Daniel Morris, Leonard Myers, Norton, Charles O'Neill, Orth, Patterson, Perham, Price, Williain H. Randall, Alexander II. Rice, John H. Rice, Schenck, Shannon, Sloan, Spalding, Starr, Stevens, Thomas, Upson, Van Valkenburgh, Eliliu B. Washburne, Wheeler, Williams, and Wilson-60.

NAYS-Messrs. James C. Allen, Ancona, Augustus C. Baldwin, Blair, Bliss, Brandegee, Brooks, James S. Brown, Chanler, Coffroth, Cox, Dawes, Dawson, Deming, Denison, Dixon, Eden, English, Finck, Frank, Ganson, Grider, Harding, Ilarrington, Holman, Jenckes, Kalbfleisch, Kernan, Law, Le Blond, Marcy, Middleton, William H. Miller, James R. Morris, Morrison, Noble, Odell, John O'Neill, Pendleton, Pruyn, Radford, Rogers, Scott, Smith, Smithers, John B. Steele, William G. Steele, Stiles, Strouse, Stuart, Sweat, Townsend, Webster, Whaley, and Fernando Wood-55.

NOT VOTING-Messrs. William J. Allen, Anderson, Ashley, Blaine, William G. Brown, Freeman Clarke, Clay, Cravens, Creswell, Henry Winter Davis, Thomas T. Davis, Dumont, Edgerton, Eldridge, Fenton, Gooch, Griswold, Hale, Hall, Benjamin G. Harris, Charles M. Harris, Herrick, Higby, Hotchkiss, John II. Hubbard, Hutchins, Philip Johnson, William Johnson, Francis W. Kellogg, King, Knapp, Knox, Lazear, Littlejohn, Loan, Long, Mallory, McAllister, McDowell, McIndoe, McKinney, Samuel F. Miller, Amos Myers, Nelson, Perry, Pike, Pomeroy, Samuel J. Randall, Robinson, Edward H. Rollins, James S. Rollins, Ross. Scofield, Thayer, Tracy, Voorhees, Wadsworth, Ward, William B. Washburn, Chilton A. White, Joseph W. White, Wilder, Windom, Winfield, Benjamin Wood, Woodbridge, and Yeaman-67.

So the resolution was adopted.
During the vote,

Mr. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania, moved to dispense with the reading of the list.

Mr. HARRINGTON objected, stating that when the reading had been dispensed with he had often found his name not recorded.

The vote was then announced as above recorded.

Mr. SLOAN moved to reconsider the vote by which the resolution was adopted; and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table. The latter motion was agreed to.

JURISDICTION OF DISTRICT COURTS. Mr. WILSON submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to: Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary consider and report whether any legislation is needed in reference to the jurisdiction and authority of the several district courts of the United States.

PROTECTION OF OVERLAND EMIGRATION. Mr. WILSON introduced a bill to provide for the protection of overland emigration to the States and Territories of the Pacific; which was read a first and second time, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.

Mr. INGERSOLL offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That the Secretary of War is hereby directed to report to this House what obstacles, if any, now interpose to prevent an early and full exchange of the prisoners of war now held by the rebels.

The SPEAKER. This being a call upon one of the Executive Departments for information must, under the rules, lie over for one day, unless there be, unanimous consent to its adeption at this time.

Mr. COX. I ask the gentleman from Illinois to yield to me to offer an amendment.

Mr. INGERSOLL. I will hear the amend

ment.

Mr. STEVENS. Iobject to the consideration of the resolution on this day.

The SPEAKER. Then it will lie over until to-morrow.

Mr. COX. I give notice that when the resolu tion comes up I shall offer the following amend

ment:

Resolved, That (if not incompatible with the public interests) all communications in reference to the exchange of prisoners, not heretofore published, be communicated to this House by the Secretary of War.

NATURALIZATION OF SAILORS.

Mr. ARNOLD introduced a bill for an act to so amend the laws in regard to the naturalization of soldiers as to include sailors also in its provisions; which was read a first and second time, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

SALE OF MINERAL LANDS.

Mr. JULIAN introduced the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to: Resolved, That the Committee on Public Lands be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing by law for the sale of the mineral lands of the United States, and to report by bill or otherwise.

[ocr errors]

ENLISTMENT OF SOLDIERS.

Mr. HOLMAN introduced the following preamble and resolution, and demanded the previous question:

Whereas it is represented that many instances have occurred where soldiers have enlisted in the service of the United States during the present war to fill up old regiments, with the assurance given in some cases by the of ficers of such regiments, in others, by the Governors of the States where the enlistment was made, that such enlistment should be limited to the unexpired term of the regiment, being in most instances about two years, and such soldiers, by the inadvertence or fault of the mustering officers, mustered into the service for three years, contrary to the true intention of such enlistment: Therefore,

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the facts of such enlistments, and what legislation is necessary to enable, or require, the Secretary of War to do justice in the premises, and report by bill or otherwise.

The previous question was seconded, and the main question ordered to be put.

Mr. SCHENCK. With the permission of the House I will say the inquiry is proper enough, but I would suggest a modification. Wherever the enlistment has been for three years, it has not been by the inadvertence of the mustering officer, but of the party who is mustered in. If promises were made by regimental officers, and Governors of States-and there is no question that such promises have been made, and improperlythey were made without authority of law; and if soldiers were intrapped and deceived it was owing to no fault in the mustering officers.

Mr. HOLMAN. My only object was to get the matter before the committee of which the gentleman from Ohio is chairman, that it might be considered. It is only a matter of inquiry, at any

rate.

The resolution was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.

RESTORATION OF CIVIL AUTHORITY.

Mr. YEAMAN introduced a bill to provide for the restoration of the civil authority of the United States in certain States; which was read a first and second time, referred to the Committee on Military Affairs, and ordered to be printed.

NAVY-YARD, ETC., AT CLEVELAND. Mr. SPALDING introduced a bill to provide for the establishment of a navy-yard and navy depot at Cleveland, in the State of Ohio; which was read a first and second time, referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs, and ordered to be printed.

EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.

Mr. COX offered the following resolution: Resolved, If not incompatible with the public interest, all communications with reference to the exchange of prisoners, not heretofore published, be communicated to this House by the Secretary of War.

The SPEAKER. This resolution being a call for executive information, requires unanimous consent to be considered this day. Objection being made, the resolution was laid over under the rule.

FRAUDS IN PHILADELPHIA NAVY-YARD. Mr. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania, introduced the following preamble and resolution:

Whereas large frauds have been discovered in the Philadelphia navy-yard, and, furthermore, many persons holding important positions therein, and heretofore supposed to be of character for honesty, have been placed in confinement for alleged complicity in such theft: Therefore,

Resolved, Thata committee of members of the House be appointed to investigate such frauds, and others that may be discovered, with power to send for persons and papers, and that it shall be the duty of such committee to report to this House the result of their inquiry.

Mr. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania. I do not like to demand the previous question; but if I do not, the resolution will go over.

Mr. STEVENS. I suggest to my colleague that the preamble affirms a fact which the House cannot be aware of, and he had better modify it in some way, so that, instead of affirming a fact, an inquiry into the fact shall be directed."

Mr. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania. I take it for granted that when a man is locked up he is locked up for some charge, and that there is some crime he has committed. There are sixteen men locked up.

The SPEAKER. If the resolution gives rise to discussion it goes over under the rule. Mr. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania. I demand the previous question.

The previous question was seconded.

Mr. STEVENS. I move to lay the resolution on the table.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I should like to have the resolution read again. When a member here offers a resolution charging frauds I hope the House will not refuse an investigation. The resolution was again read.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I suggest to the gentleman from Pennsylvania that he modify his resolution by inserting in the preamble the words "as is alleged." At present he makes the charge.

Mr. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania. No, sir; you have not listened to the reading of the resolution or you would have found that the interpolation proposed unnecessary.

Mr. O'NEILL, of Pennsylvania. I think this resolution requires some debate. I am not prepared to vote on it at this time. There are many reasons why I think it should not be adopted by the House, and hence I hope that it will go over under the rules.

The SPEAKER. The gentleman's colleague has demanded the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania. I only · wish light.

The SPEAKER. Debate is not in order. Mr. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania. Well, I will modify the resolution by inserting the words "as is alleged."

The SPEAKER. There is a blank in the resolution. Of what number of members does the gentleman wish the committee to consist?

Mr. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania. Nine.

Mr. KELLEY. There are similar allegations made in regard to other navy-yards. I ask my colleague to modify his resolution so as to make the inquiry general.

Mr. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania. I will include the arsenal at Philadelphia.

Mr. SPALDING. I ask the gentleman to modify his resolution so as to refer this matter to the standing Committee on Naval Affairs, and save the expense to the country of a special committee.

Mr. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania. I ask no expense. I have not asked an appropriation. These frauds can be hunted up without any appropriation.

Mr. O'NEILL, of Pennsylvania. I should like to know if the resolution is debatable. The SPEAKER. It is not.

Mr. O'NEILL, of Pennsylvania. If it is, I should like to have something to say upon the subject.

Mr. SPALDING. I hope the House will vote down the previous question. I call for tellers on the second.

Tellers were ordered; and Messrs. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania, and SPALDING, were appointed. The House divided, and the tellers reportedayes 52, noes 63.

So the House refused to second the demand for the previous question.

Mr. BROOMALL. I move to refer the subjectmatter of the resolution to the Committee on Public Expenditures.

Mr. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania. I called the previous question, and therefore I am entitled to control my resolution.

The SPEAKER. The House, however, refused to second the previous question, whereby the gentleman loses his control of the resolution. Mr. O'NEILL, of Pennsylvania. I rise to debate the resolution.

The SPEAKER. Then the resolution lies over under the rule.

Mr. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania. When can I get a record?

The SPEAKER. When the resolution again comes up, if any motion shall be before the House upon which the yeas and nays can be ordered.

Mr. O'NEILL, of Pennsylvania. I am willing to let the debate go on to-day if the House will permit it. I am ready to say to-day what I have to say.

Mr. RANDALL, of Pennsylvania. And I am ready to answer you.

The SPEAKER. The resolution cannot be debated upon the same day upon which it is presented except by unanimous consent.

ABOLITION OF BOUNTIES.

Mr. BROOMALL submitted the following resolution, upon which he demanded the previous question:

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill abolishing and preventing the paying of bounties to soldiers enlisting in the service of the United States, and so raising the pay of soldiers as to compensate for the loss of bounties. The previous question was seconded, and the main question ordered, and under the operation thereof the resolution was agreed to.

AMENDMENT OF INTERNAL REVENUE LAW.

Mr. ODELL submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to: Resolved, That the Committee of Ways and Means be instructed to inquire into the expediency of amending the internal revenue law, by providing for an ad valorem tax upon all sales of merchandise of every description, and to report by bill or otherwise.

ARREST OF SEAMEN.

Mr. ELIOT submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to:

Resolved, That the Committee on Commerce inquire into the expediency of extending the provisions of the acts of July 20, 1790, and June 19, 1813, concerning the arrest of seamen, with leave to report by bill or otherwise.

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION.

The SPEAKER laid before the House a communication from the Secretary of the Interior in regard to matters in the District of Columbia; which was referred to the Committee for the District of Columbia, and ordered to be printed.

And then, on motion of Mr. FARNSWORTH,

(at twenty-five minutes to two o'clock, p. m.,) the House adjourned.

IN SENATE. THURSDAY, December 8, 1864. Prayer by Rev. THOMAS BOWMAN, Chaplain to the Senate.

The Journal of yesterday was read and approved. Hon. CHARLES R. BUCKALEW, of Pennsylvania, and Hon. B. GRATZ BROWN, of Missouri, appeared in their seats to-day.

NOTICE OF A BILL.

Mr. DAVIS gave notice of his intention to ask leave to introduce a joint resolution for the restoration of peace and the Union, the vindication of the Constitution, and the construction of additional and adequate guarantees for the rights and liberties of the people of the United States.

STANDING COMMITTEES,

Mr. ANTHONY. I move that the Senate proceed to the election of the standing commit

tees.

The motion was agreed to.

Mr. ANTHONY. I ask the unanimous consent of the Senate to suspend the 34th rule requiring the committees to be elected by ballot, in order that they may be elected by nomination. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there any objection to the suspension of the rule? The Chair hears none. The rule is suspended.

[blocks in formation]

On Agriculture-Messrs. Lane of Kansas, (chairman,) Harlan, Wilson, Farwell, and Powell.

On Military Affairs and the Militia-Messrs. Wilson, (chairman,) Lane of Indiana, Howard, Nesmith, Morgan, Sprague, and Brown.

On Naval Affairs-Messrs. Grimes, (chairman,) Anthony, Willey, Ramsey, Harding, Hicks, and Hendricks.

On Manufactures-Messrs. Sprague, (chairman,) Morgan, Riddle, Wilkinson, and Hendricks.

On the Judiciary-Messrs. Trumbull, (chairman,) Foster, Ten Eyck, Harris, Foot, Powell, and Johnson.

On Post Offices and Post Roads-Messrs. Collamer, (chairman,) Dixon, Ramsey, Conness, Buckalew, Pomeroy, and Van Winkle.

On Public Lands-Messrs. Harlan, (chairman,) Pomeroy, Foot, Harding, Carlile, Hendricks, and Wright.

On Private Land Claims-Messrs. Harris, (chairman,) Sumner, Howard, Riddle, and Harding.

On Indian Affairs-Messrs. Doolittle, (chairman,) Wilkinson, Lane of Kansas, Harlan, Nesmith, Brown, and Buckalew.

On Pensions-Messrs. Foster, (chairman,) Lane of Indiana, Van Winkle, Saulsbury, Buckalew, Foot, and Brown.

On Revolutionary Claims-Messrs. Wilkinson, (chairman,) Chandler, Wilson, Nesmith, and Wright.

On Claims-Messrs. Clark, (chairman,) Howe, Pomeroy, Anthony, Morrill, Hicks, and Davis.

On the District of Columbia-Messrs. Hale, (chairman,) Dixon, Morrill, Wade, Willey, Henderson, and Richardson.

On Patents and the Patent Office-Messrs. Cowan, (chairman,) Ten Eyck, Ramsey, Lane of Indiana, and Saulsbury.

On Public Buildings and Grounds-Messrs. Foot, (chairman,) Trumbull, Grimes, Farwell, and Hendricks.

On Territories-Messrs. Wade, (chairman,) Wilkinson, Hale, Lane of Kansas, Carlile, Davis, and Richardson.

On Pacific Railroad-Messrs. Howard, (chairman,) Collamer, Johnson, Harlan, Trumbull, Sherman, Morgan, Conness, and Brown.

To Audit and Control the Contingent Expenses of the Senate-Messrs. Dixon, (chairman,) Clark, and Harding.

On Engrossed Bills-Messrs. Lane of Indiana, (chairman,) Sumner, and Willey.

Joint Committee on Printing-Messrs. Anthony, (chairman,) Morgan, and Powell.

Joint Committee on Enrolled Bills-Messrs. Howe, (chairman) Cowan, and Hicks.

mer,

Joint Committee on the Library-Messrs. Colla(chairman,) Johnson, and Howard. Select Committee on Slavery and the Treatment of Freedmen-Messrs. Sumner, (chairman,) Howard, Carlile, Pomeroy, Buckalew, Brown, and Conness.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The question will be, Will the Senate agree to the several nominations proposed by the Senator from Rhode Island?

The nominations were agreed to.
SENATORS FROM LOUISIANA.

Mr. MORGAN. I now desire that the credentials of Mr. Cutler and Mr. Smith, Senators-elect from Louisiana, which were presented yesterday and laid on the table in consequence of the committees not being appointed, be taken from the table and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

that I offered yesterday on that subject will be referred with the other papers?

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. It will be referred, with all the other papers, to the Committee on the Judiciary. There were three several documents presented, all of which will be referred to the same committee.

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore laid before the Senate a communication from the Secretary of the Interior transmitting a tabular statement furnishing the information called for by a resolution adopted by the Senate April 11, 1864, in regard to the number of cases commenced and pending in the courts of the United States; which was ordered to lie on the table, and be printed.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore also laid before the Senate a communication from the Secretary of the Interior transmitting a report in obedience to the joint resolution of Congress approved June 30, 1864, entitled "A joint resolution authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to reclaim and preserve certain property of the United States;" which was ordered to lie on the table.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore also laid before the Senate a message from the President of the United States, communicating, in answer to the resolution of the Senate of the 6th instant, requesting information in regard to aid furnished to the rebellion by British subjects, a report from the Secretary of State and the documents by which it was accompanied; which were referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, and ordered to be printed.

THANKS TO NAVAL OFFICERS.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore also laid before the Senate the following message from the President of the United States:

To the Senate and House of Representatives:

In conformity to the law of July 16, 1862, I most cordially recommend that Captain Jolin A. Winslow, United States Navy, receive a vote of thanks from Congress for the skill and gallantry exhibited by him in the brilliant action, while in command of the United States steamer Kearsarge, which led to the total destruction of the piratical craft Alabama on the 19th June, 1864-a vessel superior in tonnage, superior in number of guns, and superior in number of crew.

This recommendation is specially made in order to comply with the requirements of the ninth section of the aforesaid act, which is in the following words, namely:

"That any line officer of the Navy or Marine corps may be advanced one grade, if, upon recommendation of the President by name, he receives the thanks of Congress for highly distinguished conduct in conflict with the enemy, or for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession." ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

WASHINGTON CITY, December 5, 1864.

The message was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore also laid before the Senate the following message from the President of the United States:

To the Senate and House of Representatives:

In conformity to the law of July 16, 1862, 1 most cordially recommend that Lieutenant William B. Cushing, United States Navy, receive a vote of thanks from Cougress for his important, gallant, and perilous achievement in destroying the rebel iron-clad steamer Albemarle on the night of the 27th October, 1864, at Plymouth, North Carolina.

The destruction of so formidable a vessel, which had resisted the continued attacks of a number of our vessels on former occasions, is an important event touching our future naval and military operations, and would reflect honor on any officer, and redounds to the credit of this young officer and the few brave comrades who assisted in this successful and daring undertaking.

This recommendation is specially made in order to comply with the requirements of the ninth section of the aforesaid act, which is in the following words, namely:

"That any line officer of the Navy or Marine corps may be advanced one grade, if, upon recommendation of the President by name, he receives the thanks of Congress for highly distinguished conduct in conflict with the enemy, or for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession. ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

WASHINGTON Crry, December 5, 1864. The message was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS.

Mr. GRIMES. I present the memorial of the Washington Gas-Light Company, in which they represent that in 1860, and at a subsequent period, Congress limited the amount which they were authorized to collect from the consumers of gas; that since those acts were passed the expense of manufacturing gas has greatly increased; that the Senate has upon two occasions at the last session Mr. WADE. Is it understood that the protest passed a bill allowing an addition to the amount

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. That order will be made; and the other papers connected there with will be referred to the same committee, unless otherwise ordered.

« PoprzedniaDalej »