The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-12-04
+ From our Washinoton Corresnondent


MEETING OF CoNGREss-vARIoUs R UMoRs AND suRMI.
sEs-MR. HUNTER TO OFFER coMPRoMIsE-cAU-
CUsEs-TEMPER OF SOUTHERN MEN-ExPEcTED SPEECH
OF MR.. BRECKENRIDGE, &C., &c.
WASHINGTON, Dec. Sd.
A bright sun and bracing atmosphere greeted the
assembling of Congress to-day, and the galleries of
both Houses were crowded to excess in anticipation
OF the reception OF the Presidents Message and
perhaps an exciting lmpromptu debate thereon
In this anticipation the public disappointed the
President not yet having completed the document,
important alterations having suggested themselves
to him at the last moment These alterations it is
stated relate to his views upon the subject of seces
Sion, which, it is now said, will be less decided in
opposition thereto than has heretofore been ex-
pected.
The Senate presented rather an empty aspect
this morning, quite number of Senators being alb
sent.
No Senators appeared from South Carolina, Geor-
gia Louisiana, and individuals were not present
from many other Southern States No political
significance, however, is attached to the absence of
any except the Senators from South Carolina and
Georgia. Mr.. Toombs, however, it is believed,
will be here. Mr.. Slidel, of Louisiana, and Mr..
Gwin, of California, are at home looking after
their reelection by the Legislatures of their re-
spective States, and Mr.. Benjamin, believe, has
not yet returned from California where he has
been engaged upon very important law case. Mr.
Douglas and Mr.. Seward were in their seats, look
ing quite well.
Messrs. Bigler, Mason and Collamer were appoint
ed the Committee to wait upon the President, and
1T being understood that he prepared to make
no communication, the Senate at an early hour ad
journed.
The House organized amid the usual noise and
hustle Rev. Thomas Ii. Stockton the Chaplain
delivered long, fervent and eloquent PRAYER, in
which he duplicated God to crush the designs of
wicked men in all parts of the country, and aid the
wise men of the land, who in these troubous times
knew not what to do. The venerable Divine was
listened to with unusual attention. -
Mr.. Grow, of Pa, made several efforts to get up
his pet hobby, the Homestead Bill, but did not
succeed. -.'''' wi
The only absentee this morning from Carolina
was Mr.. Porcher Miles, of the Charleston district
The tedious operation of selecting seats was then
gone through with, and it was noticeable that the
Americans generally took seats upon the Republi-
can side of the House. Mr.. Winter Davis is upon
that side, and Mr.. Etherdge, of Tennessee, located
himself with Mr.. Burlingame, of Massachusetts,
Mr. Washburn, of Maine, having been elected
Governor of Maine, his position upon the COM
mittee of Ways and Means will have to be filed by
another.
When the name of MIR. Bocock, of Virginia WAS
called to-day for the purpose Of selecting his seat.
Mr.. Houston, OF Alabama, arose and said that in
Mr.. Bocoek's absence he would make the selection,
and would choose the seat occupied by Bocock
during the last session. Mr.. 7. b. Florence, of
Pennsylvania at the time was sitting in the place,
and at Houston's request vacated it,remarking
loosely that by so doing it would enahle him to
get farther from the gentleman from Alabama.
eyes" replied Houston. "and before long we will
probably be still farther apart" sseE;
The House at P. M. adjourned, having done
nothing of Importance. No evidence of unkind |
feeling was given by members towards each other.
The breach between the sections is, however,
wider and deeper than it was at the close of last
session, and various plans being suggested with
the view of healing it. caucus of South Ameri- |
cans were strongly disposed to urge general Com
ference Of all the Southern members, to be held |
t''nightbut the scheme has failed, the South Caro-