Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-12-03
S7lh COngress---First Session,
CONCLUSION OF Yesterdays PROCEEDINGS.
WAsHmoroN, Monday, December

the committee Messrs. Hale, Trumbull and
Latham.
Mr.. Trumbull, of Illinois, gave notice that
he would introduce bill to. morrow to combs
cate the property Of rebels, and gsve freedom
to persons in slave States.
Mr.. Wilkinfon Of Minnesota, give notice Of
q bill to abolish the distinction between regular
and volunteer forces.
Tho committee appointed to wait on the
President, reported that he would communi.
cate his message to morrow at noon.
Mr.. Biddle, of Penn, Mr.. Burnham, Of
Conn.,, Mr.. Bennett, delegate from Colorado,
and Mr.. Wallace, delegate from Washington
Territory, were severally sworn in.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Calvert presented a memorial Of Mr..
Beach, of Va, asking to be admitted to q seat
in the House. Referred.
A memorial was presented that Mr.. Lowe be
admitted as an additional member from Cali
fornia, Referred.
wr. Lovejoy offered joint resolution ton
derirg the thanks of Congress to Captain
Wilkes for bis arrest Of the traitors Slideli and
Mason.
Mr.. Edgarton moved, as o substitute, tha.
the President present Captain Wilkes with
gold medal, with suitable emblems aud devices,
expressive of the high sense of confidence en-
tertained for him by Congress, in his prompt
arrest Of the rebels Mason and Slidell.
The substitute was rejected, and the original
resolution adopted.
Mr.. Blair offered the following as q question
Of privilege:
Resolved, That John X. Read, mem her Of
the House from the Fifth Congressional Dis
trict of Missouri, having taken up arms against
the Government of the United States, is hereby
expelled from the House. and that the Speaker
notify the Governor of Missouri of this fact.
The resolution passed.
Mr.. Colfax offered the following:
WHEREAS, Michael Corcoran was taken pris-
oner at Manassas; has, after suffering other in
digni'ies, been confined by the rebel authori-
ties, in the cell Of convicted feloD; therefore,
Resolped, That the President of the nited
STATES be requested to similarly confne James
NJ Mason, late Of Virginia, and now in Gus
tOdy at Fort Warren, until Colonel COrcoran
shall be treated as the United States have
treated all prisoners taken by them on the bat
tie. field Applause in the galleries
The resolution was unanimously adopted.
Mr.. Elliott offered the following:
ResolDed, by the House of Representatives,
First that in behalf Of the people in the States,
we do again soIemnly declare that the war in
which we are now engaged against the insur-
| gent bodies now in arms against the Govern
ment, has TOR its obj CT the suppression of such
rebellion and the re establishment Of the right
ful authority of the National Constitution and
Laws of the entire extent of our common
country.
Seeond-Tbat, while we disclaim all power
under the Constitution to interfere by ordinary
| legislation with the institutions of the several
| Sta'es, yet the war now existing must be con.
| Quoted according to the usages and rights of
mi1tary service, and that during its continuance,
the recognized authority of the maxim that the
safety Of the State is the highest law. subor-
climates right of property, and dominates over
civil relations.
Third-Thet therefore we do hereby declare
that, in our judgment, the President of the
| United States, as the Commander in Chief OF
our army, and the officers in command under
him, have the right to emsncpate all person
held as slaves in any military district in a
state of insurrection against the National Gov
| eminent; and that we respectfully advise that
| such order of emancipation be issued whenever
the same will avail to wesken the power of
rebels in arms or to strengthen the military
power Of the loyal forces.
MT Dunn moved to lay the resolution on th
table, but the motion was disagreed to by yeas
Sc sgainst n.
The question recurring on Mr. ElliotFs reso
luton, Mr.. Roscoe ConkIing proposed an
amendment, which Mr., Elliott accepted, so az
to make the resolution apply to ths slaves o.
disloyal citizens.
On motion of Mr.. Stevens, the further con-
sideration of the resolution was postponed un-
til tomorrow week, in order that 1t may be
in faver of the main features Of the PROPOSE
ton, but desired modification.
Mr.. Campbell gave notice that he would call
up the following on next Tuesday week.
RESOLVED, That in legslatpg to meet the
exiPencies of the present rebellion, Congress
should conhscate property (slaves included) o.
all rebels, and protect the property and rights
under the Constitution and Laws, of all loya
citizens.
Mr.. Stevens submitted the following for con
sideration:
WHEREAS, Slavery has caused the present re
: bellion in the United States, and whereas Their
can be no solid and permanent peace and uniol
in this Republic so long as that institution ex
lists within it; and whereas slaves are now ussl
BY the rebels as an essential means of support
ing and protracting the war; and whereas b,
the law Of nations it is right to liberate tn
: slaves Of an enemy to weaken his powers; there
' fore,
2 Be Il enacted by the Senate and House of Rer
4 resentatiUes, That the President be requested I
declare free, and direct our Generals and off
: GERS in command to offer freedom TO all slave
: who shall leave their masters, or shall aid il
quelling the rebellion.
, 2. And be 1t further resoEUed, That the Unite
States pledge the faith of the nation to max
full and fair compensation to all legal citizens
, who are or shall remain actiyein supporting tn
Union, for all the loss they may sustain by Vir
tue of this resolution.
: Mr.. FeDton, from the Joint Committee, re
ported that they had waited on the Presiden
and be desired them to state that he woul
send in his message to the House to morrow &
2 twelve o'clock.
Mr.. Stevens gave notice Of his intention
introduce bill to repeal certain laws creatin
ports of entry.
Q Roscoe Conkling submitted the following
which was adopted;
ResoEoed, That the Secretary of War be II
4 quested, if not incompatible with the public II
!. terest, to report to this House whether an,
and If any, what measures have been taken
) ascertain who is responsible for the disastroV
= movement of our troops at Balls Bluff.
Mr.. odsll submitted the following, whi
l. was adopted:
j. WHEREAS, Colonel Alfred M. Wood, Of I
Fourteenth Regiment New York State Militi
who was wounded and taken prisoner at t
! battle Of Bull Run, has now, by the rebel q
i thorities, been ordered to confinement in
10 felon's prison, and by the same order is to
treated as prisoner convicted Of any infAmo
u crime; therefore, 3FI
70 ResoIped, That the President Of the Unit
V States be respectfully requested TO order Jot
SlidelI to the same character OF prison. ana
1s the same treatment, until Colonel WOOD shs
l. be treated as the United States have used pri
oners taken in battle. Adjourned.
H.