The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-07-26
Mr.. Vallandigham gave notice of bills to
regulate and enforce the writ of habeas cor.

| regulate and enforce the writ OF naoeaS cor
pus. aas191 -;
- 5dm WAsHNToN, July Is.
Enthusiastically Forney called the
| Senate to order, and stated that be had
note from the Vice President saying that
be should be absent for the rest of the ses.
sion. go
A bill to provide for an assistant Secre-
tary Of the Navy was taken up, and after q
short debate the bill passed. 9iii" ~
Mr.. Hale moved to take up the bill for
the better organization OF the marine corps,
which was agreed to.
The amendments of the Naval Commit.
tee were adopted and the bill passed. -
HoUsE-Mr. Washburne, from Commit.
tee on Commerce, reported bill to remit
fines and penalties in certain cases, incurred
by reason of the closing of the southern
ports, and consequently no collectors were
there to give the proper papers to vessels
leaving those ports. The bill was passed.
Mr.. Sheffield reported bills supplementary
to the act to protect our commerce and
punish piracy. Referred. aa
On motion of Mr.. Elliott, resolution
was passed instructiDg the Committee on
Commerce to inquire into the expediency OF
closing, by an act of Congress, certain
ports 10 the rebellious States, with leave to
report by bill or otherwise.
A bill was introduced that all prepaid
letters, to the soldiers, addressed to them at
the point where they are stationed, may,
whenever possible, be sent to any other
point without further charge. The bill
passed.
Mr.. PendIeton, from the Judiciary Com
mittee, reported bill for the relief of the
Chic volunteers. 1t provides for paying
them at the time they arrive at the place of
rendezvous, instead OF from the time when
they were sworn, which was twelve days
afterwards. An amendment was also made,
directing the War Department to pay the
militia of other States similarly situated.
The bill was than passed.
Mr.. Hickman, from the Committee on
Judiciary, to whom Mr.. Potter's resolution
was referred, to inquire whether Henry May
of Maryland, has been, or is now holding
intercourse with those in armed rebellion
against the United States, &c, reported.
The gentleman who moved the resolution,
was called before the Committee, but stated
that he had no evidence tending to prove
MIR. Mays guilt, the resolution being predi
Gated on newspaper articles only, and that
no action is necessary on the part of the
House. The Committee further say that
the investigation entirely relieves the Presi,
dent and Gen. Scott from any suspicion of
a correspondence or attempted correspon-
dence through MIR. May.
Ga motion of Mr.. Hickman, the report
was laid on the table.
Mr.. May, by permission of the House,
then proceeded to make personal explana-
ton. He said he Vas more than gratifed
that the Committee on the Judiciary had,
in this decisive way, condemned an unpar-
aleled outrage upon him and his constit-
uents and that upon investigation, those
individuals who were called upon to adduce
proof had to admit there was no ground of
evidence for the charge. He had no words
with which to pronounce his Indignation
and disgust for such a proceeding. He
spoke OF the humiliation he felt at the atti.
tude OF his constituents, now bound in
chains, without the rights of free people
all their previous rights under constitu.
ton Frustrated and trampled under foot.
uC hOo NliCSlCu Cltl-
zens in the dead hour OF the night and then
incarcerated them in the forts. Injuries had
been inflicted without redress by our sol.
diers. Was it not natural he should feel
indignant under these wrongs, and was it
not reasonable to hope that there was yet a
redeeming spirit in our constitution.
MIR. Hutchins understood that the gen.
teman had obtained leave to make per-
sonal explanation, but instead of that, he
was bringing charges as to the manner in
which his constituents were treated. He
therefore made this point of order.
The Speaker replied be had no control
over the line of remarks, in reference to
which the House must judge for itself.
Mr.. May resumed, saying be had fought
against the monstrous heresy of secession
be had stood faithfully for the Union of the
States, and he meant to stand by it. he
claimed that if he possessed the spirit OF a
freeman, be would strive to emancipate bis
constituents from tyranny and oppression
MIR. Stevens, interrupting MIR. May
moved as the sense of this House that bis
(May's) remarks were not in order, and
therefore be ought not to be permitted to
proceed.
The Speaker repeated that it was for the
House to prescribe the line Of debate.
Mr.. Stevens appealed from the decision o.
the Speaker.
Mr.. Vallandigham moved to lay the ap.
peal on the table.
The motion was disagreed to-yeas SO
nays 80.
After further proceedings, the decision O.
the Chair was Overruled.
On motion OF MIR. Davis, Mr.. May was
allowed to continue his remarks iu order
Mr.. May said, when the freedom of de.
bate shall be opened to American Repre-
sentatves on this floor, then shall speak as
it becomes me to do
A nnnr other criticisms the Chairman;