Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-03-01
ThiEtY~sixth congress--second Session.
Wednesdays Proceedings


WAsHIxGroN, Feb. 27.-SENAFE Crittenden pre-
scented number Of petitions for the preservation
of the Union.
Trumbull and Wilson presented petitions against
compromise.
Ten Eyck presented petitions of citizens Of New
Jersey for the Union, asking amendments to the
Constitution to prevent the secession of any of the
States except South Carolina, which shall be allow
ed to 60 IS often as she chooses.
Sumner presented petitions of citizens of Penn
solVania for the repeal of all laws for carrying the
mails on Sunday, also one for the repeal of the Flu
gitive Slave Law.
Bgler presented petitions in favor of the CritteR
den resolutions and others in favor of the Border
States resolutions.
Several private bills passed.
Powell moved TO postpone the Army bill, and to
consider The Orittenden Resolutions. Lost-l6 to
~.
The Committee ca Patents reported. Reportwas
agreed to and ell passed
The Committee on Tariff bill reported, recon-
mending concurrence in House amendments strik-
ing out the duty on tea and coffee. Agreed to and
bill passed
The Army bill was taken up.
Hale moved to amend, that no officer of the
Army, except GeR- Scott receive over So 600 per
year
Powell moved to include Gen. Scott. Lost-9 to
81.
Hale's amendment lost.
After further consideration, the bill passed.
The Vice President announced the reception of
communications from Ex-PresIdent Tyler, President
of Convention held in Washington, that that Con-
yentiOn approved of the documents inclosed, asking
Congress submit the same to the Legislatures of
the different States. The Clerk read the PROPOSE
tions winch had been agreed upon, which are modi:
fed from Guthrie's plan.
On motion of Mr.. Crittenden it was ordered to be
printed and referred to a Select Committee, with
instructions to report at one o'clock TO morrow.
Yeas-Messrs. Anthony, Baker, Bayard, Bigler,
Bragg, Bright, Clingman, Crittenden Cameron,
Douglas, Fitch, Foster, Gwin, Hunter, Johnson of
Tennessee, Kennedy, Lane, Latham, Mason, Nich0l-
son, Pearce, Polk, Powell, Rice, Sebastian and
Thompson-26.
Nays-Messrs. Bingham. Chandler. Clark. Cola
mer, Doolittle, Durkee, Eeszeaden, Foote Green,
Grimes, Hale, Harlan, King, Morrill,, Seward, Sim
monds, Sumner, Ten Eyck, Trumbul, Wade and
WisOl-2l.
The Senate went into Executive session.
HoUsE-Morris, of Illinois, offered resolution
that the Select Committee on distracted bonds be
and is hereby invested with full power to examine
witnesses as to VIM. Il. Russell. or any person for
him who has directly indirectly paid money to
any officer of the United States, or any person to
assist him in obtaining contracts allowances from
the Government, or assisting him in the transaction
of business with the same.
Burnett suggested amendment that any per-
charged shall be 50 notified, and have a light
to examine Witnesses The proceedings should not
be inqusitorial
Morris said there has been no nqulsition, and he
would have objection TO the amendment, if time
could be allowed for such course as suggested.
The resolution was adopted.
Sherman, from the Conference Committee, re-
ported that the Senate had receded from the clause
in the tariff bill Imposing tax on tea Bnd coffee
The House then resumed the consideration of the
report of the Committee of Thirty three.
The first Joint resolution voted on the substi
tute of Burch and Stout, recommending to the seYe
raj States of the Union, that they, through their
respective Legislatures, request Congress to call
Convention of the States in accordance with the 9Th
article of the Constitution in such manner, and
with regard such bjects as will more adequate
ly respond to the wants and afford sufficient guar
antees to the diversified and growing interests Of
the Government and the people composing the
same.
The sgbatitate was rejected-74 against 100.
Very muck confusion prevailed throughout the
proceedings, and it was objected that strangers on
the floor tended to increase the disorder.
The Speaker made repeated efforts to restore
quiet.
The first proposition of the Committee was an
nouaced with the pending amendments. 1t was a
joint resolution deela-atory of the duty to recog
nize all constitutional obligations and recommending
such action On the part of the States will secure
tkoze objects.
Kilgore moved to lay the pending proposition with
the pending amendments, VIZ: the Crittenden and
Kellogg propositions the table.
AuBOfeS mOtlon was neBablVeOs only fourteen
votes given in the affirmative, viz Alley, Beale Buf
fngton, Carey, Elliott. Farnsworth, Grow, Kigore,
Porter, Washburne, Of Wisconsin, Window. Nays
IT'S.
Keogg's substitute was rejected-33 against l5S.
The Crlttenden proposition, as submitted by Glenn
ems, was rejected-S0 to lis. The question recur~
red on the first resolution of the series reported
from the Committee.
Sherman moved to table it. Disagreed to-66 to
124.
McClernand asked that the communication on the
Speakers desk from the President of the Peace
Conference be taken up. Objection was made.
Branch Intellectually sought to strike out the res
oution, that it is the duty of the Federal Govern
ment to enforce the Federal laws and protect Fed
eral property and save the Union of these States.
The resolution was adOpted-l36 to SO.
The joint resolution then came up.
Mr.. Corwin moved to amend it so as TO read
" No amendment shall be made to the Constitution
authorizing or giving Congress power to abolish
interfere with the domestic institutions Of any State
including thai of persons held to labor service
by laws of that State"
The resolution as amended was rejected-120
against RI, not being twOthirds.
Kiigore moved reconsideration.
Bingham moved to table that resolution
Hickman moved TO adjourn till Friday. Lost.
Great confusion.)
Sherman appealed to the House to consider the
appropriation bills, but without success.
At o'clock the House adjourned.