Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-12-28
uoT-sE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

siened by Mcssrs. Mcqueen, Bonham, Boyce
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
canacity. have resumed the powers which they
heretofore delegated to the General Govern
ment. and this dissolved their (thc signcrS)
connection with the House Of Representatives.
In taking leave Of those with whom they
have been associated, they, as well as the peo-
ple of their Commonwealth, wish TO express q
natural feeling Of respect, and cherish the hope
that in the future their relations may be friend
IL. Laid on the table and ordered to be
printed.
Mr.. Moore Ky.) introduced bill, giving a
construction to the Fugitive Slave Law, OF
1898. Referred to the Select Committee Of
Thirty-thrcc.
Mr.. Morris Cll.J offered 4 resolution for the
appointment OF il Committee Of five TO inquire
into the late abstraction Of certain bonds from
the Interior Department ; but suffered the res
olntion to lie over for the present.
Mr.. Sherman stated that he had been in
formed the Secretary OF the Interior would send
4 communication on the subject.
The Speaker laid before the ~IInnsea oul'nu-
~nication from the Secretary Of the Interior.
stating that on Saturday last lie was informed
by voluntary confession ui an officer Of the
department, that States funds held in trust by
the United States for the benefit Of indians,
amounting to $50 00, have been distracted
from his custody'anl converted 10 private uses.
The Secretary says the e~norInity Of the fraud
demands full investigation b. Congress in order
to vindicatc his own honor and TO expose the
guilty and dcreIici. lie therefore appeals to
the House for the appointment Of n Committee,
with full power to send for persons and papers,
and asks for investigation with the view that
full justice may be done in the premises.
Mr.. Sherman said the Secretary Of the Trca-
sury also desired an investigation for the vindi-
cation of his character, and introduced Il rcSo-
luton, which Mr.. Morris (lll.) accepted for his
own, directing the appointment OF a Select
Committee Of five to inquire into and report
the facts in relation to said fraud, and that the
committee have full power to send for persons
and papers.
The resolution was passed.
STATE or TUE NATION.
John Cochrane, y. Y, (Dem.) offered a pre-
amblc, setting forth the dangers which now
menace the country, suggesting the removal Of
the slavery question from the national councils
as 4 remedy, and concluding with n resolution
expressive Of the opinion Of Congress that
slavery shall not exist in the territory North Of
3G 80, and that the States formed thcrcfrom
shall be admitted with Or without slavery, as
their constitution may prescribe, and that
South Of that line slavery shall not be pro-
hibitcd by Congress or Territorial legislation.
The next resolution asserts the sovereignty Of
each State, and that any attempt to compel
them by force to observe the federal compact,
would he to levy war, and prccipitatc y disso-
luton.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
Mr.. ilaSkin, OF New York, (anti- Lccompton
Democrat,) proposed as a substitute, that the
Judiciary Committee inquire into the relations
now existing between the Federal Government
and the State Of South Carolina; the duty Of
the Executive Department in view Of the at
tempted withdrawal of that State from the
United States, and the threatened seizure Of the
Federal property within the limits Of that State;
and what action Congress should take 70 exc
cute the Constitution and enforce the Laws, and
protect the property from seizure, and that the
committee relOr. al any ting.
Mr.. Stanton wanted the resolution sent To the
Select Committee.
Mr. Cocliranc desired 4 Yoic, and moved a
suspension Of the rules to enable him 20 intro.
duce his resolution.
Mr.. Morris, Of Maryland, said. before intro.
ducing such resolutions it would he wise to al
low the committee If thirly-lhrec to reach Il
result, if it could, or leave tie House To Le in
formed OF their inability 10 DO so. He hoped
the matter wonld 60 over till Monday next.
Mr.. Cocfrane replied, that it was not his in
tentlon to anticipate the report OF the Select
Committee, but there We're other considerations
which compelled him 10 present this question
at the present time. lie had no confidence in
the power OF Congress to settle this matter.
The Speaker reminded him that 4 debate
wns not in order.
Mr.. Vallandighara, OF Oiiio, Dem said that
Mr.. Cochrane's resolution proposed nothing
substantial, therefore lie appealed to him 10 let
it 20 over till Thursday.
Mr.. Briggs, Of y. y, (Am.) moved that it he
referred to the Select Committee, l,uL VI. Cuctl-
ranc Withdrew it.
Mr.. Kilgorc, Of Ind, (Rep.) referring to the
statements made in the South Carolina Con-
%vcnlion, denied that Indiana had ever passed
Il Personal Liberty Bill.
Mr.. ~!iorris, Of Illinois, said he wanted TO
obtain the floor. lie represented the popular
sovereignty principle, winch stood between two
fires.
The House vent into Committee on the Con-
sular and Diplomatic appropriation bill.
The bill WIS subsequently passed without
dcoate.
Adjourned till Thursday.