Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-01-04
BY TELEGRAPH.



xxxvLth Congressional Session.
Wednesdays Proceedings
Is WAsHr6Toz, Jan. 2.-SEg1Tx--AH the ealIeri
were crowded before IL oeseek, and all the lobbi
4 were full Of ladies' and largs crowd was gather
. | outside the door,
, A question of order rose, the Pacific Railroi
pm being the special order, and Mr.. Baker havir
The Pacific Railroad bill was made the special q
: der for Saturday next
Baker proceeded to speak 81 the great respons
Dsll'y ne 1elt IN speaking in such presence
eompnmented the speech Of the Senator from Lou
slans as oeiDg the best he had heard, but still it
i inI am q famous book. Baker read fror
/ Websters works his opinion that no State had
right to dissolve its relations with the general Gov
ernment, and claimed, according to Webster. tina
the government was The government of the Who'll,
people lie referred 70 an extract read by Mr.
Denjanain' from an address of John Q. adams, ant
sad that the Senator had unwittingy left ont the
nrst part. when he said nn feation was an idea toc
absurd for argument and toe odious for tIiscussion
and the right Of State secede is equally ahsur5
baker argued thar there was but one sava-a;oo
and that was the people. He said ali arri,ne5s .
based on the sovereignty OF State are fallacions
| South Carolina was net sovereign State ana eli
arguments made with special reference to Euronaan
sovereignty was not exactly applicable here Per-
sonal Liberty Bills, If they hindered the operation
OF the Fugitive Slave Law, ought to be repealed.
dAu sdm LfuCOiu We'll enforce the laws. whether
revenue or Fugitive Slave Laws After further ar
gument he yielded the floor, on motion to adj
journ. +Ee
In the course of Els remarks message was re-
ceived from the Pres ldent.
DAVIS offered resolution authorizing the Presi-
dent on application Of any State either through its
Convention or Legislature, to withdraw Federal
garrsons and take needful security fer the safety of
public property remaining; directing the President
to recognize the right of any State to keep troops
anAC 80 -
ana snlps OF war and to give information to all par
ties concerned by proclamation
Laid on the table and ordered to be printed. Ad-
journed.
HousE.-Coburn, Of Maine, chosen in place of Mr..
Washburn, appeared and was qualified.
otratton presented memorial from citizens of
Newark, New Jersey. asking Congress torecommend
amendments to the Constitution in view of the pre-
sent condition of the country. Moved that it be re-
ferred to select committee of five
Washburne, of Illinois, said we have already got
a committee.
Stevens moved to lay it on the table.
Maynard called for yeas and nays
Washburn recalled his notion that il might be
referred to the Committee of Thirty Three, which
was then ordered
John Cochrane Intellectually sought to amend the
motion, to instruct the committee to report sepa-
rately on the subject.
Adrian presented the resolutions on national aues
tons, as adopted by the Convention lately held at
Trenton, New Jersey, which were similarly refer
red
Clark, of Missouri, wished to know whether the
committee were likely to report at an early day,
or at all. 1t was important that this should be
known.
To this question there was no response and sew
eral gentlemen called Mr. Clark to order
The House then passed the Indian Appropriation !
bill.
The House then took up the resolution of Davis.
OF Maryland, offered on Monday, instructng the |
Committee on the Judiciary to inquire INFO |
and report to this House az any time. what legisla-
ton has become necessary, if any. on the part of /
Congress on account of the secession position as
sumed by South Carolina.
The House refused to second the demand for the /
previous question: against H.
Davis withdrew the resolution. Holman having in
troduced as substitute, resolutions against seces-
sion, and looking to the employment of the army I
ana navy Tor the protection Of public property and
Fallsndigham andESherman severally contended
hat Davis had no right to withdraw his resolution
The Speaker decided that Davie had such right
Sherman claimed the privilege of offering Davis
original resolution as above.
Cochrane said such action was out of order
The Speaker decided against Sherman. quieting
he rules which governed him.
Sherman appealed from the decision. saving that |
was due to the country that there should be a
Tote on the proposition.
Adrian moved to lay the appeal on the table
'emarking they could have a vote at future
ime
ority.
Hill moved reconsideration of the vote
Moore, OF kentucky, moved that the House ad-
ourn.
Andrews of Missouri said it seemed action on
his subject was calculated to irritate the public
nlnd and to hasten impending events. He therefore
moved that the House resolve itself into Commit
ee OF the Whole on the State of the Union,
Sherma0 fhp H. all ,oJ |
o come in, he would move to refer it to c select
of five.
Houston suggested that Sherman introduce the
esolution on Monday, should he obtain the floor,
Without making trouble here now.
Sherman replied that ne desired to send the reso-
ntlon to select committee of five with such in
tructons as would not probably excite discussion
he Committee OF Thirty-three is too large to con-
ider the proposition
motion to adjourn was negatived-57 against |
Howard, of Michigan, was unwilling to vote on |
he resolution, it contained abstract propositions
lie desired that the whole subject he referred to a
elect committee of five, with instructions, which I
vas read for information. Such committee is re- | I
ulred to inquire and report whether any Executive
fhcer has been or now is treating or holding com
with any person or persons concerning
he forts or other public propeaty at Charleston or
whether any demand has been made for the surren-
er. II so, by whom, and what answer has been I
L
var Whether the Custom House, Office and s
Arsenal at Charleston, and other public buildings
ave been seized by any person; and also to obtain
articuiars whether any revenue cutter has been I
eized. and whether any efforts have been made by
he head OF the Treasury to recapture the same and
hat the committee have power to send for persons
nd papers and take testimony. and report, from | I
me to time, such facts as may be material to the
atioual welfare
Sherman said in case the appeal should be sus.
aimed he would not press a vote, but was willing
hat such a reference should be made without one
Houston said, for himself he could make no |
to refer with Instructions if contrary |
D the rule of the House.
The question was taken on Halls motion TO re-
onsider the vote by which the House refused to
~ on the table Shermans appeal from the decision
the Chair, and it was decided in the affirmative
y three majority. u
The House again refused to table Sherman's ap- I
cal by two majority.
A motion to adjourn was disagreed in by two 7
Majority. 7
Maynard moved that when then House adjourn to- t
borrow, it be till Monday =
Barksdale moved call of the House. c
Both were negatved. Other motions were made 2
avoid vote on the question, "Shall the decision
the Speaker stand as the Judgment of the House.
Q having ruled Sherman out of ordec!r '
Howard, OF Michigan, proposed as a compromise '
rat the House agree to take vote on the whoig i
inject at o'clock tomorrow. The opposite side s
efused to agree to this. e
The House subsequently agreed to it, and then ad-
burned. il
From Charleston.
CHARLESTON, Jan. 2.-The Columbia artillery, con n
sting of fifty men, arrived and proceeded to the
arbor. 200, 900 pounds of powder have been order
] to one of the forts. n
CHARLESTON, Jan. 2.-The President announced