Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-12-28
CONGRESSIONAL.

In the Senate, portions of the Presidents
Message were referred to appropriate commit
tees.
Mr. Shields reported bill to increase the
efficiency Of the army.
The House bill for the relief Of the heirs of
Baron de Kalb, was taken up and debated, and
then appropriately referred,
The Bill establishing Board of Commits
sioners to examine and adjust private claims
against the United States, was taken up, and
after some discussion, it was referred to select
committee of five to be appointed by the Chair.
In the House, Mr.. Phillips, of Alabama, in
troduced bill authorizing the construction of
on Naval Affairs.
The House went into Committee Of the
Whole on the Academy Bill
Mr.. Berry, of Mississippi, devoted an honr
to speech in condemnation Of the Know
Nothing organization, dissecting their move
ments and purposes, and stigmatizing it not on
ly as illegal, but as a combination to take away
the rights Of citizens. 1t was, in his opinion, a
child Of the alien and sedition laws, and anti
republican in it's tendencies
Mr. Banks, Of MASSACHUSETTS,, replied, con.
tending that men have light to conceal their
political views, and the government which I'M
dertakes to trammel them in that light strikes
at the basis of republican Institutions, and for
that ought to be whipped from the face of the
earth. He explained why men should combine
to acquire rights donied them by corrupt po-
ltieul influence and the monied aristocracy,
and took occasion to condemn in severe terms
the claim of the Roman Catholic Church, to
Interfere with and control secular affairs.
The Military Academy and Indian Appropri-
alton bills We're passed.
Tuesday Dec. 10.
SENATE.-Bills were passed. in favor OF the
claim of Gen. Wool, and concerning U. ). lands
in Cincinnati. A message was received from
the President, transmitting correspondence with
our minister at Constantinope. Mr.. Rockwell
presented petition from David Sears, Abbott
Lawrence, and others, asking an appropriation
for the Massachusetts, Humane Society, on be-
half of shp-wlecked mariners on the Eastern
coast.
Mr. Cass gave notice that on some future day
he should move that the Senate adopt MIR. I'm
dorwood s resolutions, and call the attention of
the President thereto He eulogized Napoleon
|. for his sentiments in regard to religious free
dom, quoting certain remarks OF his at the time
of his coronation, upon the subject.
Mr. Brodhead made an eloquent appeal in be-
half Of the resolution for sending "a steamer to
the Arctie Seas, in search Of DR.. Kane and his
party, and it was passed.
That part of the Message referring to naval
affairs, was referred to the Naval Committee.
HousE.-Tho Naval Appropriation Bill was
reported also bill making appropriations for
Notifications and means OF defence. Both bills
were sent to the Committee of the Whole. The
House went into Committee, on business relat-
ing to the District of Columbia.
Various bills were considered, but without
final action. During the consideration of one
of the bills, Mr.. Giddings Of Ohio, offered an
amendment that no person shall be imprisoned
unless charged with crime. He then alluded
to tie law imprisoning free colored men, and
argued his amendment, which was rejected
Yeas 80, nays not counted.
Mr.. Bayley Of Virginia, gave notice of hit
intention to move the taking up of the Spoa.
ton bill on the 10Th OF Januury Adj.
Wednesday, Dec. 20.
SENArr.-Mr. Stuart reported bill in favor
of extending the California Land Commission
Passed.
Mr. Sumner presented the memorial of the
Baptist Free Mission Society of New England
praying for the repeal Of the kanzas and Ne.
braska bill and the Fugitive Slave Law. Ii,
moved that they be laid on the table, as Mr.
Chase will soon call up his bill for prohibition
of slavery in the territories.
HousE.-Gen Whitfield, delegate from Kan
zas, was announced and took the oath to sup
port the Constitution of the United States.
Thursday, Dec. q.
In the Senate, Mr. Foot introduced bill for
completing the breakwater at Lake Champlain
Mr. Sumner of Mass offered . reso ution that
the Committee on Foreign affairs consider the
expediency of the meditation of the United
States between the Allies and Russia. Laid
over.
The bill to establish board to investigate
private claims has passed.
In the House the correspondence in the Glib
son case was read.
The judiciary committee were instructed to
inquire whether any additional legislative ac-
ton was necessary Tor the proteetion of officers
Of the United States engaged in the execution
Of the laws.
Petitions are in circulation in New York pray
ing Congress to authorize the President to offer
the meditation Of the United States between the
Elropeau beligerauts.
Friday, Dec. %.
SKNArE.-Mr. Toombs, of Georgia, reported
IL bill in relation to the salaries Of Judges OF
Courts in the District Of Columbia,
The bill for the removal of Instructions from
j the southwest passage of the Mississippi, was
made the special order for the 9th of January
Without transaeting any business the Senate
adjourned till Tuesday.
HousE--the bill making appropriations for
the Post Office Department and Ocean Mail
service for the year ending June 30, 1854, was
reported and referred to the Committee of the
Whole.
| MIR. Fuller of Maine, from the Committee on