The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-12-28
w Washington N ews.
WASHINGTON, December 81.


The select committee OF the Senate, on
the crisis, met to-day, and had free inter.
change of opinion, during which Senator
Douglas said he was ready now to unite in
recommending such amendments to the
Constitution as would take the slavery
question out of Congress. In view of the
danger which threatens the Republic with
disunion, revolution, and civil war, he was
prepared to act on the matters in the con-
troversy without regard to his previous
action, and as if he had never made speeches
or given vote on the subject.
Senator Bigler, who is on the committee,
has been for some days maturing plan by
which the slavery question, by amendment
to the Consultation, may be removed alto.
gether from Congressional control. 1t meets
the appreciation of distinguished gentlemen.
Lieuts. Dozier and Hamilton and several
acting midshipmen, natives of South Caro-
lima, have resigned their commissions in the
navy.
The Senate has confirmed the nominations
of Geo. w. Heard as Secretary of Legation
to China, and E. D. Chandler as Marshal
to consular court at Bangkok, Siam.
Messrs. Hale and Hughes, from Texas,
are here, counsels for Judge Watrous,
whom the House judiciary Committee
recommended to be impeached for high
or;p,ou q nd y,;odop,ooror
WASHINGTON, Dec. o.,
The matter of the Commonwealth of
Kentucky, by the Governor and Executive
authority thereof, against the Governor OF
the State of Ohio, was taken up in the Su-
preme Court to-day. MIR. Monroe having
received the petition and exhibits, and hav-
ing moved the Court for writ of manda-
mus, or for rule to show cause, pursuant
to the terms OF said petition, it was ordered
that the motion be set down for argument
on the 18th day of January; and it is
further ordered that the Clerk of the Court
forthwith send copy of this order and Pc
titiou and exhibits filed therein to be serv-
ed on his Excellency, VIM. Dennison, Gov
ernor of the State of Ohio.
WASHlNGTONs DCC. AAs
The Times correspondent telegraphs from
here to the Times of this morning, thai
the following propositions were discussed :
An enabling act for Pixies Peak and
New Mexico; an act for the admission OF
Kansas, which would settle the difficulties
concerning that Territory. The Commit
tee adjourned till January 7th. Suisse
quently the Republican members held
caucus, and came to the conclusion that no
proposition satisfactory to the ultra South
ern States by way of amendment to the
Constitution could be adopted by the peO'
pie, and therefore it was necessary to pre-
pare.
The same correspondent says that the
Cabinet were in session all day discussing
the national crisis. He also says General
Bonham will on Monday announce the pas
sage OF the secession ordinance, and the
South Carolina delegation will then retire
from the hall. Mississippi and Alabama
members consulted as to the propriety of
withdrawing at the same time, and decided
to await the actions of their States.
The Herald correspondent says the Presi-
dent will send special message to Congress
on Monday, in reference to secession. The
same correspondent has doubtful report
that letter from prominent citizen of
Lancaster, Pa, says that as surs as Fort
Moultrie is taken by the secessionists, MIR.
Buchanan's residence at Wheatland will be
burned to ashes.
Times Correspondence. The Pennsyl-
vania members held caucus early in the
week. All were present except Montgomery
and Dimick. Senator Bigler presided.
Mcknight was Secretary. Mr.. Campbell
submitted the following resolution, which
was unanimously adopted
RESOLVED, That in our judgment it is the
opinion of the people of Pennsylvania that the
constitutional rights of all sections of the coun-
try should be respected and secured; that all
the laws should be promptly and faithfully eX-
ecuted, and that the Union of the States, the
Constitution and the laws should be maintained
and enforced throughout the country.
Both Senator's were present. Cameron,
Grow, Hickman, Morris and Verree made
speeches. The action was entirely harmo-
ntous. The caucus adjourned to Thursday.