The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-08-21
Wednesday, august Is, 1856.
SENATE


A message was received from the President,
in answer to the resolution calling for informa-
ton relative to the protocol of the Peace Con-
ference on the subject of privateering.
Mr.. Jones, of Iowa, offered the following res
olution,
RESOLVED, That in the proceedings before the
Senate, in the matter of the memorial of Wash
ington Allen Bartlett, late lieutenant of the
Navy of the United States, complaining of the
action had under the act of Congress entitled
An act to promote the efficiency of the navy,
approved February %, 1885, nothing appears
which impeaches his promptness and efficiency
as an officer of the navy, or impugns his char
acter as gentleman.
The Senate, after an Executive session, pro-
ceeded to consider the bill regulating the COM
pensation of members of Congress; which was
passed. Adjourned.
The House passed the bill extending the pat
ent of the Adams printing press, by 40 major
ity.
The House then took up the Senate's amend
ment to the Legislative, Executive, and Judi
csl appropriation bill.
The Committee of Ways and Means recon-
mended concurrence in the amendment of
the Senate to strike our the proviso that no
money appropriated by the bill shall be expend-
ed until the persons in Kansas indicted for trea-
son and other offences, shall be discharged.
Mr.. Pennington offered an amendment
Prooided, That no part of the money appro-
priated by the act for the Territory of Kansas
shall be drawn from the Treasury or paid out
of any other appropriation made by Congress,
until every person charged with treason against
the United States, or other offences founded
upon any participation of such persons in the
formation of the Constitution known as the To-
peka Convention, or any measure preparatory
thereto, or in pursuance thereof or in the body
claiming to be the Legislature of said Territory,
convened at Topeka; or any measure prepare
tory thereto, or in pursuance thereof; or any
violation or disregard whatever of any enact
ment of the alleged Legislative Assembly of
said Territory recently assembled at Shawnee
Mission, shall be released from confinement and
discharged from further prosecution therefor !;
but nothing contained in the provision shall be
so construed as to prevent the Indictment, ar.
rest, prosecution, or punishment, upon detection,
in or by any court of the United States in said
Territory, of any persons who sh.ll have vio-
lated any provision of any act of Congress, in
the commission of any offence against person
or property in said Territory.
Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, said he was satisfied
that no man would be prosecuted or punished
for treason, now in prison or under arrest, in
Kansas.
Mr.. Kunkel said he should like to know how
the gentleman became the recipient of this in
formation, denied to other members.
Mr.. Pennington's amendment was agreed
to-yeas 81, nays II.
Mr.. Davis, of Maryland, agreed that the pros
ecutions in Kansas ought not to proceed, if
Judge Lecompte was properly reported in the
newspapers. The House had not reached
point where such revolutionary remedy as that
proposed would be justi6able.
Mr.. Kunkel, in the course of his remarks,
said he had a right to know, as well as Mr..
Campbell, whence was derived the knowledge
that the prosecutions are to be abandoned.
Mr. Campbell of Ohio, repeated his remarks,
and said he would not violate the confidence
which had been reposed in him.
Mr.. Stanton observed that there was nothing
revolutionary in his movements, and he was
willing to adhere to the proviso, disregarding
all consequences.
Mr. Orr said, while he he'd no official inform
alton, he had no doubt that the supposition OF
Mr.. Campbell was correct. He thought differ
emily from Mr.. Letcher, and that the President
was the right one to enter Q posse prosequi In
those cases in Ksnsas. He did not believe the
parties went far enough to commit treason.
The House adjourned.