The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-05-25
xxXVIth CONGRESS-FIRST SESSION
WASHINGTON, May 10.

@AAA y An CONGRESS-F4RST SESSION
WASHINGTON, May 10.
The House went into committee of the
whole on the state Of the Union for general
debate.
Mr.. Washburne, of Maine, in connection
with comments on the bred Scott de-
cision, said that the Supreme Court is a
despotic and irresponsible power. He spoke
of the issue before the country, maintaining
that the Republicans stand with Jefferson
for freedom, and not with the olgarchv of
Southern slave traders, for whom the so.
called Democratic party was established.
MIR. Cox wanted to know whether Mr..
Washburne had not written his speech be-
fore the Charleston Convention.
Mr.. Martin, of Ohio, spoke of the exist.
ing sectional animosities, and of the necessity
of rising superior to the trammels of party.
He spoke OF the Republican party as ag~
gresslve, outrageous, revolutionary and Sec
tional.
Mr.. Cobb showed that it had always
been his object to cultivate harmony and
brotherly love, and expressed hope that
the Democratic Convention at Baltimore
will nominate candidate who will take the
wind out of the sails of all secessionists.
Mr.. Wade had written out some scriptu-
raj texts to sustain his anti.slavery views
and obtained leave to publish them.
AT the time of adjournment only eight
members were present.
SENATE--Mr. Sebastian, from the Cons
mittee on Indian affairs, reported the House
bill to appoint Superintendent of Indian
affairs for Washington Territory, and also
az Indian Agent.
| BUCHANAN ON THE SLAVE TRADE.
A message from the President was re-
ceived and taken up. The message calls the
attention of Congress to the capture of the
SLAYER Wildfre, with 507 negroes, by Capt
Cragin, of the steamer Mohawk, on the Goth
of April. The negroes were carried to Key
West, Fla, on the Both of April, aud de-
livered to the custody of Marshall for the
Southern District of Fla. The question
arises, what. shall be done with the negroes?
The President referred to the case of the
schooner Echo. The negroes were sent
back to Africa by an agreement with
the Colonization Society, and suggest
that Congress authorize the President to
make general agreement with the Coloni>
cation Society to cover all future cases. In
consequence of increased activity in the Slave
Trade, such cases are likely to become fre~
quent. Something must be done. These
negroes are now at Key West, and an ex-
pense has already been incurred of $l2 900;
but worse than that, the yellow fever is likely
to come to Key West, and the Marshal urges
their removalat an early day. The message
was referred to the judiciary Committee.
WASHINGTON, May 81,
SENATE-Mr. Cameron presented petit
ton from the citizens of Pennsylvania, for
an alteration in the revenue law. He
said he should press the question so that be
might know who were the friends of this
measure.
Mr.. Sumner offered a resolution that the
committee on commerce be instructed to in
qulre whether some action is not necessary
to provide for the better safety of pas
sengers between New York and San Fran
cisco.
On motion of Mr.. Hale, the overland
mail bill was made the special order for
Thursday.
On motion Mr.. Wilson's bill for the more
efiectual suppression of the Slave Trade was
taken up and sundry amendments offered to
be printed, the bill was then referred to
committee on judiciary.
HoUsE.-The Speaker laid before the
House pecial message of the President
similar to that communicated to the Senate
on Saturday, recommending further legisla-
ton in regard to the recaptured Africans.
Mr. Branch said, in addition to the slaves
recaptured by the Mohawk, unofficial in
formation had been received that another
cargo had been seized on the coast of Cuba.
Hence there should be prompt action on
the part of Congress. 1t appeared to him
that the additional legislation required, was,
an explanation and construction of the act
heretofore passed. His motion as amended
was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Duell introduced bill granting 16O
acres of land to each officer and soldier who
had served in the army period of five years,
although not in any of the wars, in which
the country has been engaged.
Other bills were introduced in relation to
bounty lands.
On motion of MIR. Elliott, the President
was requested to furnish the House the in
formation recently received relative to the
Chinese oolie trade.
MIR. Wells introduced resolution for a
fine und Imprisonment for the purchase of
Africans imported into the country, in vio>
lation of the law for the suppression of the
slave trade. Objections being made, the
resolution lies over.
Mr. Montgomery introduced resolution
providing for the adjournment of Congress,
on the 18th June much confusion followed
in consequence, and an Intellectual motion
was made to table it.
Mr.. Sherman proposed an amendment,
substituting the 18th, which Mr.. Modgom-
cry accepted, but refused a further amend
ment by Mr.. Sherman, providing for even
ing sessions.
The resolution was adopted, l26 against
So.
SPECIAL NOTICES.