The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-02-10

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS.

The SPEAKER laid before the House "A communication
from the President of the United States Transmitting re-
port from the director the Mint showing the operation
Of the Mint aud lis branches which laid the table
Mr., CHANDLER, by unanimous consent submitted a
resolution authsrzng the printing of copies in add
ton the usual number Of the Presidents message com
muneang the annual report Of the director OF the Mint
in eonnexon with the letter Of the Secretary OF the
rior communicating report upon the neness and value
Of foreign gold and silver for the director OF the Mint,
which was referred, to the Committee on Printing
The SPEAKER also laid before the House communi-
cation from the War Department made in answer 10 the
House resolution calling upon that department for copies
of all dispatches received by him In relation to the en-
gagemen which took place in August last Fort Lara
ie between the United States troops and the Sioux In
dians; which laid the table and ordered to be
printed.
PERSONAL EXPLANATIONS.
Mr.. FAULKNER said; cast a vote on Monday last
which has been the subject of extensive Misrepresentation
throughout the district which have the honor to repre-
sent this floor; and precuded by the previous
question from making at the time any remarks expana
tory Of my vote ask the indulgence OF the House to
make very brisf personal explanation.
aude, sir, to the vote which gave in opposition 10
the motion of the gentleman from Pennsylvania Mr. VIM
asking suspension of the rules TO enable him to sub
NIT some resolutions eondemnatory OF religious inoler
and ofseere political associations Ny refusing
suspend the rules for the purpose indicated has been most
strangely msconceved and msrepresented evdencing
my part either membership of sympathy for the
Citations sought be asaed by those resolutions repu
date all such inerences from my vote false illogical
and destitute of the slightest foundation in truth.
that vote in view Of the condition OF the business
OF this body and in view Of my responsibility to the coun
try chairman of of the committees charged with
the business of this House II Is well known sir that
have had my possession for weeks bills relating to the
increase and reorganization Of the army and to the mi
tary dences of the country, of the highest and most
urgent Importance 1t equally well known that have
BEEN for weeks struggling for favorable opportunity OF
pressing these essential of national defence upon
the consideration OF Congress But so far have struggled
in vain may further add that have been seeking an
opportunity to report from that committee bill for the
relief of the officers and soldiers in the war of 1872,
and other of legislation of interest to the coun
try but have been frustrated by the memorable rules
of the House, and by business which had acquired
precedence, from SO doing ask sir, then with what
propriey could have aided, by my vote, the intro
ducton before this House of resolutions such those
submitted by the gentleman from Pennsylvania which,
however sound they may be in their political teachings
propose legislation whatever by Congress
ly declaatory of individual opinion, and would only
lead 10 debate and consumption of time that should
be devoted to the urgent wants of the country ask
especially, with what propriety could record my
assent to this of time when that branch of the pub
lie service which has in some measure been specially con-
hded to my then, and is at this moment most
grevously suffering for want Of the legislation of this
House2
The views which influenced my vote were believe par
tcpated in by every chairman of important committee
in this House. who manifested by their course the
repugnance that did to the time of this body con-
sumed in action upon abstract resolutions when the
necessities of the country loudly called for practical
Of legislation may here refer to the chairman
of the Committee of Ways and Means MIR. Houston, to
the chairman of the Committee Foreign Relations Mr..
BAYLY the chairman Of the Judiciary COMMITTEES, Mr..
SFASToN,l to the chairman of the Committee Public
Lands Mr. DISNEY, TO the chairman Of the Committee of
Claims Mr. EDGERToN To the chairman of the Committee
Revolutionary Claims, Mr.. PEcKHAM, TO the chairman
of the Committee Roads and Canals, Mr. DuNHAM to
the chairman of the Committee Printing Mr. MURRAY
and perhaps others who concurred in their vote with
but of those gentlemen named, speak with conii-
dence they all have seats to me- and my opposition
the suspension of the rules the result Of consua
ton between three of the gentlemen named and myself
founded upon the pressing condition of the business OF
the House.
Mr. Speaker, / will not abuse the courtesy which has
been so kindly extended by the House by indnlgng
in any general remarks the merits Of the resolutions
which sought to be introduced by the gentleman
from Pennsylvania But trust may be allowed in con-
clusion say that although did not for the reasons
before set FORTH vote for the suspension of the rules yet
that do yield to that gentleman to any other me-
Der of this body my firm determination to maintain the
rights Of conscience and the nyoabty of the great prn-
cipes of religious freedom not, never have been,
and expect to be- member of any oathbound secret
political association claim communion with but one
political organization and that is the great national DEM
ocrac party of this counya party that has shown it
SELF after the most ample experience broad enough to en
brace all the vast interests OF liberty aud humanity, and
strong enough to uphold by its firm and conservative
grasp the CONSTITUTION of my country and the UGoS OF
these States.
DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR BILL
On motion OF Mr. CHANDLER. the House then resumed
the consideration of the bill remodel the diplomatic and
consular system Of the United States Mr. O. said he knew
that the House was impatient TO proceed TO the consld
ration OF other business and athougn ne was uerons OF
finishing his remarks upon this subject which he COM
menced the other day STILL under the present circumstances
he would content himself with moving the previous qnes-
ton ordering the bill to be engrossed and read third
time
The previous question ordered and the bill read
third time and passed--yeas l43, nays 3d.
Before the call of the r&l was completed
Mr. BRECKENRIDGE said II would be recoliected by
the House that days since he nominated by the
President and confirmed by the Senate Minister to Spain
that entirely unexpected by him. he said that
the nomination and confirmation entirely without his
knowledge application he had not even heard Of the
resignation Of Mr. SonlG until informed that his name had
President very properly granted him short indulgence to
consider the matter and confer with his friends After
consulting with his friends, and after careful reflection
upon the whole subject while very deeply apprecang the
mark of executive confidence and the in which his
appointment confirmed by the Senate be felt IL 70 ~
his duty to decline serving minister 70 the eonrt oi
Madrid Having apprzed the President he relieved
from any feelings Of decacy with regard this subject
and he should therefore, this question vote yea
REPORTS FRox COMMITTEES
Mr. BOCOCK from the Committee on Naval Affairs
asked and ootained leave introduce bill authorizing
the construction Of steam sloops-owar which
read the first and second times BY unanimous consent and
referred to the Committee Of the Whole the state Of the
Union.
Mr. PHELPS from the Committee Of Ways and Means,
asked leave report bin making appropriations for the
support Of the army during the fiscal year ending the 3o
Of june 1856; which read twice by unanimous
sent committed, and ordered 10 be printed
Mr. VALLEY, from the Committee OF Claims asked
and obtained leave report bill for the relief Of the
widow and children Of Henry Shreye deceased which
was read twice by unanimous consent and committed.
Mr. IOLLfCOFFER, from the Committee on Naval AZ
fairs asked and obtained leave 70 report back Senate bill