Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1858-01-23
From Washington.

WasnINaToN, Jan. 1.-THE proceed
ings of Congress to-day wore uuimportant.
In tho Senate the nomination by the
President of the Hon, Nathan Clifford to
the vacant seat ton the Supreme Bench, was
confirmed.
From q correspondence transmitted to
Congress to-day, it appears that Yrissarri,
the Nicaraguan Minister, has been from
first to last urging the Government to the
defeat of General Walkers plans in Mica
ragua.
WAsHINaToN, Jan. 13.-SBNArE.
Nj. Duoiittiv introduced joint resolution
directing the presentation of medal to
Commodore Paulding, for his conduct in
arresting Walker and his followers.
The resolution was read once by its title
The Senate then returned to tho consid-
Grafton of Mr.. Mason's motion to reconsider
the vote adopting Mr. Hunter samendment
to the joint resolution extending and de
fning the power of the President with re-
gard to the nomination of officers who have
been affected by the action of the Naval
Retiring Board
The amendment alluded to is as follows
hat nothing herein contained shall be
so construed as to allow the increase of tho
number of officers on the active service list
as now authorized by law"
Mr.. Houston, Mr.. Toombs and others
spoke with great carncstncss in favor of the
reconsideration, contonding that the effect
OF the proviso was to prevent justice being
done to those officers who had been miuri-
ously affected by the action of the naval
retiring ooard. Mr.. Toombs spoke of these
officers as being victims of the most pcrlid-
ious trcachery.
Mr. Stuart opposed the motion in long
speech, arguing that no necessity had been
shown for increasing the active list and
although a great deal had been said about
injustice, the specific cases had not been
mentioned.
Mr.. Davis mentioned two cases of gallant
officers who had been struck down while en-
honorable service-one in Pugct's Sound
and the other on the coast of Africa.
Mr., Hale cloquently cplogized Com.
Stewart and denounced the retiring board
generally. When he closed his remarks
there was slight demonstration of applause
in the galleries, which were dcnsely filed
by officers of the navy and others.
After long debate, Mr.. Hunters amend
mcnt was rejected; and joint resolution
was passed with another amendment limit
ing the power of the President to nominate
to six months after the passage of the act.
Mr.. Brown gave notice of his intention
to offer an amendment to Mr. Doolittlc's
joint resolution for the presentation of
medal to Commodore Paulding. Itis to
the effect that Congress has heard with sur
prise of the arrest of Gen. VIM. Walker
and others at Punta Arenas by Commodore
Paulding, and feeling satisfied that said act
was violation of the territorial sovereignty
OF Nicaragua, and not sanctioned by any
existing law, Congress disavows the act,
and being officially notified that said Pauld-
ing acted without instructions from the
President or the Secretary of the Navy,
Congress hereby expresses It's condemnation
of his conduct in this regard.
MIR. Fitch made a personal explanation
in reference to the proceedings of the late
Indiana State Convention, and the resolu-
tion which was changed by telegraph, being
the subject of an editorial in to-day's I'm
ion.
Mr.. Douglas said few words in cply,
contcnding that the change was not very
material one.
Mr.. Hale undertook to explain the action
of the New Hampshire Democracy on this
question, causing some fun.
The Senate then adjourned.
House or REPRESENTATIVE Es.-The
House won't into committee of the whole
on the state of the Union on the Prosi-
dents annual message.
Mr.. Curtis argued that from the earliest
period of our national history until now,
the government has interposed in various
means to restrain our citizens from fitting
out hostile expeditions against nations with
which we are at peace. The operations of
Walker afforded evidence of tie necessity
for the application Of the neutrality laws.
He adverted TO the enormous expenses of
keeping the various routes across the 18th
inuS GPoa, The routes were 100 long undi
distant, and the country too sickly to be of
permanent advantage TO reach the Pa
cifc, a direct line should be taken across
our own territory. 1t was wrong for the
government to so into fillibustering opera
tions. This has been its policy for years
past, and it has too long winked at private
fllibustering. An examination of the doc.
ument submitted by the President shows
that Commodore Paulding has, like true
and honest sailor, carried out his instruc-
tons, 1t was not his duty to explain the
law
Mr. Clay said this was the first time he
had the privilege to address the legislative
assembly Of the country, and he was gratil