Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-01-14
Congressional.


Sxx,rv-On motion Of Mr. Fitzpatrick, a
resolution was adopted requesting the President
as far as may be compatible with the puoiic III
terests, to communicate to the Senate the COT
respondence, instructions aud orders 10 the "
S. Naval forces on the cost of Central America;
connected with the arrest of VIM walker aho
his associates, at or near the port OF San Juan,
in Nicaragua also, to transmit such further IN
formation as he may possess In relation 10 Thai
event.
Mr.. pugh stated that he offered the bill as
compromise. and explained its provisions as fol'
lows; 1t provides for the admission OF Kansas
into the Union, uuder the LecOmpton Constitu-
ton with the same boundaries as were DEFINED
by the bill of the last Congress requires that
the seventh article of the Constitution relative to
slavery shall be submitted to the direct vote oil
the qualified electors on the It'll OF April next,
and that the returns of this election shall be
made to the Governor of the Territory, instead
of the President of November last. 1t also pro-
vides that the Contribution shall not be SO con-
structed as to limit or impair the right OF the
people to at any time call a Convention for tina
purpose of altering, amending or abolishing
their form of government, subject to the Constr
ton of the United States.
HoUsE.-The Speaker submitted q letter from
the Hon, N P. Banks to the effect that he has
forwarded to the Governor of Massachusetts his
resignation as a member from the seventh Con-
eressional District of that State.
Mr.. Clingman from the Committee on Foreign
Affairs. reported resolution that the President
be requested, if in his opinion not Incompatible
with public interests, to communicate all infor-
nation in his possession in relation to the seizure
of General Walker and his followers in Nicara-
qua, together with such instructions as have
been given to naval and other officers.
Mr.. Faulkner moved an amendment to the res
olution, calling on the President tocommunicate
all the facte and information which rendered it
probable that VIM. Walker was engaged last
summer and autumn, within the limits of the
United States, in fitting out a military cxpedi-
ton against the people and territory of Nicar-
aqua also copies of all orders, letters and in
structions addressed to the various officers of the
government relative thereto, together with such
others measures as were adopted to arrest said
military enterprise and enforce the neutrality
laws also embracing the instructions, if any to
Com. Paulding, for the arrest of Walker, and
showing how it has been approved or disapproved
by the government.
Mr. Humphrey Marshall offered an amendment
to Mr.. Faulkner's amendment, calling on the
President further to communicate whether our
government, prior to the arrest of Walker, had
undertaken by treaty or other arrangement with
the existing government of Nicaragua, to guar
anty the peaceable enjoyment of the Transit
ronto between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific
ocean, or otherwise assume the protectorate of
said rout, with the army of the United States,
if necessary Mr.. Marshall said his intention
was to ascertain to what extent this government
assumed the protecterate, which might induce it
to shield an officer who violated the law.
The resolution, as amended at the instance OF
Messrs. Faulkner and Marshall, was passed.
Mr., Kelsey offered a resolution, which was
adopted, calling on the President to inform the
House whether the government of Nicaragua
has made any complaint on account of Commo-
dore Paulding's seizure of Walker and his fol-
lowers.
On motion eff Mr.. Cobb resolution was adopt
ed, instructing the Committee on Territory to
report an opinion whether or not the organic act
of Utah ought to be repealed, and that territory
attached to adjoining territory.
Mr.. Morrill, introduced bill to punish the
practice of polygamy in the Territories of the
United States, and for other purposes
The bill was referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary.
All the States and Territories were then call
ed in succession; when large number of bills
and resolutions were introduced and appropri-
ately referred.
JAM 5.
HousE-The House went into Committee Of
Nl.,1o
Mr.. Clancy Jones submitted series of resolu-
tions referring the various branches of the mes
sage to appropriate standing committees. He
expressed the hope they would beadopted forth
with, as the message had been before the coun-
try nearly month.
Mr.. Quitnan moved an amendment, referring
that portion of the message relative to the en-
torcement of the neutrality laws to a select
committee of five members He said the coun-
try demanded that something be DONE Gentle
men might attempt to get rid of these questions,
but they were now forced on the consideration
of Congress. He had come to the conclusion
that the greater part of the neutrality laws
ought to be swept from the statute book and
he believed if the large portion of the House
would investigate the subject, they would ar
rive at the same conclusion.
Mr.. Qnitman continued, saying that these
were questions which might as well be met now
Ii an intelligent nation like this should think
proper to retain its neutrality laws, or carry out
the recommendation of the President-now, Che
belleved) for the first time made from the Exec.
utlve chair--that is, to make them more strin-
gent, he must then be content But he would
not be contented till he could bring Congress tc
L.
phatlcally denied that the law of nations re-
qulres independent States to restrain their citi
zens from hostile aggressions on another power
The rights reserved to citizens by the Constitu
ton cannot be invaded by the government, thu
powers of which are limited and specified. Tht
so-callcd. neutrality laws attempt to punish al
crimes acts which are unknown to the law O
nations, lie hoped the sympathy now manifest
ed in behalfof Central American affairs would
not be restrained by force. Were not our citi
zens as good judges of their own morals as Con
gress for them?
Mr.. Lovejoy said if the neutrality laws neec
change, he would vote for it, He protested
against this attempt to elevate into honor buc
cancer, q murderer and pirate, .who for YEAR
had been disturbing the peace of neighborin.
nations. As for the fact, they had the author
ity of the President, who says Walker is fugi
tive from justice, and escaped from jail Laugh
ter.) And now they were asked to bow to thu
magnanimity of the criminal who yielded tx
the officer, (Laughter.) Great magninimity
indeed-when man can't help himself
daughter That was done under the polio
arrangements every day If they were to bow
to every such hero, they would soon exhaus
their power of admiration. (Laughter) |
Com. Paulding had hung him Walker) to thu
yard-arm, he Qovejoy) would have honored hin
for it. This is the treatment such pirates ough
to have held out to them. He entered his pro
test against clothing man with heroism, ano
making him martyr, when he is simply ras
cal. Excessive laughter.)
Mr.. Stanton sid he understood the settle,
rule of international law to be that every natiol
has the right to pursue its criminals on tn
high seas and arrest them, wherever found unde
its fac and where IL can he done lao;t;mo tal =,