The national Republican., 1860-12-25
THIRTY-SIXTH CONGRESS,
SECOND SESSION.
Monday, December "a, 1860.

u
loan the credit of the Government and grant.
ing public lands to Pacific Railroad Company;
which was ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Pugh submitted resolution recommend.
ing the Legislatures of the several States to
apply to Congress to order the holding of Con.
vention to amend the Constitution of the Uni.
ted States, as provided in the fourth article
thereof. Referred to the committee Of thirteen.
Mr. Bisler introduced bill to prevent the
invasion of one State by forces from another.
Referred to the committee of thirteen.
Mr.. Douglas submitted sundry amendments
to the Constitution. Referred to the committee
of thirteen.
Several private bills were then taken up and
disposed Of.
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill for the more
effectual suppression Of the slave trade. Re.
ferred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr.. Collamer called up the Kansas bill, ad-
mitting that Territory into the Union.
The President decided that the unfinished
business, being the resolution of Mr.. johnson,
of Tennessee, proposing amendments to the
Constitution, took precedence.
After some debate as to the parliamentary
law in the case the hour of one o'clock arrived,
and the Chair decided that the Kansas bill, be.
ing the special order for that hour, was before
the Senate.
After some discussion as to the precise posi-
ton the bill occupied,
Mr.. Nicholson, of Tennessee, obtained the
floor, and discussed the condition Of the coun.
try, replying to the remarks of Mr. Wade, sub
mitted some days since. He eulogized the De-
mocracy of the North, and declared that the
great fear of the South was, that when the anti.
slavery sentiment controlled three fourths of
the States, Congress would abolish slavery in
the remaining States. Nothing less than an
amendment TO guard against the danger would
satisfy the South. He advocated consultation
among the Southern States as to their interests
in the present crisis. He declared that an at.
tempt to coerce the people Of South Carolina to
obey Federal laws would be making war in that
State. Let not bloodshed be added to dsunion.
Mr. Doolittle said that, as the admission of
Kansas was the duty of Congress, that admis
sion would be more likely to give peace to the
country than anything else
Mr.. Coamer advocated the admission Of
Kansas. He said that the returns from Kan.
sas now at the Census Bureau was one hundred
and nine thousand, and that the admission
would tend to produce peace on the borders.
Mr.. Davis introduced a resolution declaring
that property in slaves held by any State should
| be recognised in all Federal relations like other
property.
| Mr.. Bigler moved to reconsider the vote by
which the Senate agreed to adjourn until
Wednesday, with a view Of making the adj journ-
ment until Thursday.
The vote was reconsdered, and Thursday
was inserted instead of Wednesday.
The Kansas bill was then made the special
order for Monday next, at one o'clock.
The Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
The Speaker laid before the House letter
signed by Messrs. Boyce, Mcqueen, Bonham,
and Ashmore, in which they say they avail
themselves of the earliest opportunity, since
the official intelligence, OF making known that
the people Of South Carolina, in their sovereign
capacity, have resumed the power which they
heretofore delegated to the General Govern.
ment, and have thus dissolved their connection
with the House of Representatives. The sign
ers in taking leave of those with whom they
have been associated, express their feelings OF
mutual respect for each other, and express the
hope that in future they may enjoy friendly re-
lations.
The letter was laid upon the table, and or
dered to be printed
Mr.. Morris, of Illinois, offered resolution
providing for the appointment of a select COM
mittee to inquire into the facts respecting the
recent abstraction of certain Indian bonds.
He, however, temporarily withdrew his reso.
| luton,
Mr.. Sherman saying he understood that the
Secretary of the Interior would send a letter to
the House on the subject.
Mr.. Crawford moved, and the House agreed,
that when the House adjourn to-day, it ud journ
to meet on Thursday next
Mr. Sherman, from the Committee of Ways
and Means, reported the army appropriation
bill which was referred to the Committee of
the Whole on the state of the Union.
Mr.. Kilgore introduced bill to provide for a
metropolitan police for the city of Washington ;
which was referred to the Committee for the
District of Columbia.
Mr. Curtis from the Committee on Military
Affairs, reported bill more eflectually to pre-.
vent and punish for desertion; the considera.
ton of which has been postponed till January.
Many uninteresting reports were made from
various standing committees.
The Speaker laid before the House letter
from the Secretary Of the Interior, stating that
on Saturday night, he was informed by the vol
untary confession of one of the officers of the
Department, that certain State bonds held in
trust by the United States, amounting to eight
hundred and serenity thousand dollars, have
been abstracted from custody, and converted
to private uses The enormity of the fraud, he
says, demands full investigation by Congress
to vindicate his own honor, and to expose the
guilty and derelict. He appeals to the House
for the appointment Of a committee with full
power to send for persons and papers. He asks
the investigation with view that full justice
may be done in the premises.
Mr. Sherman then introduced resolution
for the appointment of select committee to
examine into the matter, with power 10 send
for persons and papers.
The resolution was adopted.
The select committee consists of Messrs
Morris, of Illinois; Conkling, of New York
Bocock, of Virginia; Harris, of Maryland anC
Case, Of Indiana.
Mr.. John Cochrane offered a preamble ant