The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-12-19
XXXvIth COngress-2d Session.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12.-SENArE.-Mr
Bigler offered an amendment to Morrilrs
Tariff bill.
Mr.. Hunter reported the Treasury note
bill, with an amendment reducing the notes
to fifty dollars as the minimum, and pledgng
the proceeds Of the sales of the Iublic lands
as security.
Anthony and Hale very properly insisted
that the faith of the Government should be
sufficient. If the finances and Tariff were
properly managed there would be no occa.
sion for the Government to offer collaterals.
HoUsE.-In reply to the Speakers call,
pursuant to order, on the various States for
propositions relative to the present condition
of the country, Mr.. Thayer submitted a
string of resolutions asserting, among other
things, that the present unfriendly feeling
has risen from the usurpation of Congress
and the Executive; that the rights of Amer
can citizens are before Congress and the
President, and the Territorial governments
should not be compelled to derive their pow
ers from their consent that there shall be
no legislation whatever on the subject of
slavery; that every congressional district
shall be entitled to one Presidential elector,
and each State to two on general ticket.
Mr.. John Cochrane proposed to amend
the Constitution so as to establish dividing
line like the Missouri Compromise; prohibit
ing interference Will, the interstate slave
trade, recognizing the rights of shareholders
in transitu or temporarily sojourning in non
slavehclding States, and declaring all State
laws, in any degsce impai,ing or infringing
on the Fugitive Slave Law, null and void.
WASHINGTON Dec 13.--SENArE. The
Treasury note bill was amended and passed.
Several other bills were introduced, and then
the state of the Union was discussed by
Wigfall and others. Wigfall was more bitter
than ever, and accused Mr.. Seward of advi-
sing the Wide Awakes to keep up their or
ganization, as their services would be need
ed to secure the fruits of victory, and Wig
fall said there were half million of those
well-trained men ready to sweep the South
with fire and sword. A.
Mr.. Seward denied the charge unequivo-
cally, and Wigfall was much relieved.
HousE.-Various resolutions in reference
to the state of the Union were offered
The Treasury Note bill was amended and
passed. 1t authorizes the issue of $40, 0OO,-
600 at 6 per cent, but requires them t, be
sold at not less than par.
Mr. Haskins stated that Mr.. Ford, the
Public Printer, was absent, and that his SUBJ
contractors declined to do the work at the
reduced rates, and he offered resolution
that the Superintendent of Public Printing
contract with competent parties to do the
work. 1t was replied that Ford would be
there on Saturday, ready to do the work. A
spicy debate followed.
WASHINGTON, Dec, l4-There is no
doubt whatever that General Cass has re-
signed as Secretary of State. Regret is ev-
everywhere expressed in consequence. In
are that Governor Dickinson, of
New York, will be the successor, though
these are not altogether reliable.
There is but little, if any, confidence, in
the assurance that South Carolina will not
resist the Federal Authority during the
Administration of President Buchanan
They are regarded as mere promises to
quiet apprehension in an official quarter.
Lieut.. General Scott has expressed the
opinion that additional forces should be
sent to South Carolina for the protection of
the public property. The President,
however. is still opposed to such increase
for prudential reasons, being apprehensive
that it would but augment the present ex-
There was an understanding among the
the select Committee Of S3 that their pro-
ceedings, excepting as to results, shall be re-
tanned as private, and therefore not be re-
vealed for publication. 1t is known, howev-
er, that several propositions, looking to po-
litcal Cancellation, were presented an d read,
but not acted on. Gentlemen made speech
es, and opinions were interchanged. The
prospect Of accommodation is about the
same as twas yesterday. In order to afford
time for consideration an adjournment till
Monday took place.
The publication oc the manifesto of the
Southern members has produced depress-
cd effect among the Conservatives, who say
they are now satisfied the former are oppo-
sed to any political compromise or aceommo-
dation whatever. Mr.. Douglas speech next
week of a coercive character against will be
secession.
Senator Wilson's letters addressed to
Caleb Gushing will appear in to morrow's
National Republican.
Perham's Peoples Pacific Railroad Bill,
enforcing four routes, has been referred to
the House Special Committee on that sub
ject.
Paymaster John S. Cunningham has
been ordered to the sloop Of war Macedo-
MIA.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 11.-HoUsn. - Mr..
Cobb, Alabama, did not rise to make a
speech, but to express an anxious desire
that the Select Committee should commence
their bushes and present their deliberations
in some tangible form His hone. however