, 1861-12-12
TIE PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-,


SENATE.
Mr. SUMNER Of Massachusetts, presented
petition for the emancipation OF the siafesi
those Of the rebels without compensation, and
those Of Union men to be paid for.
Mr. WILSON Of Massachusetts offered .
resolution that the Committee on Military
Affairs be Instructed to inquire and report TO
the Senate what reduction may pc made IN me
expenses Of the army. Agreed to-
iii. CHANDLER Of Michigan offered
resolution instructing the Military Committee
to inquire into the e1pediency of appointing
q Joint committee Of the two Houses OF Con
gress, who shall have power to retire any I'M.
proper officer Of the army or navy. Agreed
?: Mr. MORRILL,, of Maine, introduced a joint
resolution for the confscation Of the property
Of rebels, and for the satisfaction Of the claims
Nj: HARR1s Of N. 7. introduced bill
establishing new military and mail route to
Mr. WILSON Of Mass introduced bill
to Increase the number Of Cadets 0t- West
Point. Referred to the Military Committee.
Mf EEshITa M ,1t Ef oEss9aa aa ann9q9cs9 the
Baker, q. s. Senator from Oregon, aud paid :
brief and feeling tribute to his worth and
bravery, and Offered the usual resolutions OF
respect to his memory.
Mr. McDOUGALL of Cal. followed, refer,
T11E 10 Liz AtCtdbE VI t"O
Senators, Messrs. Douglas and Baker.
Meas1s BROWNING and COWAN fol-
III. LATHAM Of Cal. closed with most
beautiful, eloquent and touching eulogy on
| the deceased, when the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
On motion Of Mr. HOLMAN Of Indiana it
| WAS resolved that the Committee on Public
| Lands should report what rallroad company
| had received donations Of lands On condition
| of transporting troops and munitions Of war
| free of charge, and whether the Government
| has the unqualified right Of such Transports
! ton.
ton iustructing the Committee on Foreign
Affairs to report bill establishing diplomatic
relations between the United states and Hayt
and Liberia. The resolution lies over.
Nj. BLAIR, Of Missouri, offered 4 resolu
ton declaring it just to recognize the cmlnen
and patriotic services Of the late Gen. Lyon
and rendering the thanks Of Congress to tn
brave officers and soldiers under Us conman
vito sustained the honor Of the flag an
| achieved victory at Springfield, Mo; and /
| order to commemorate the event, each req
ment engaged On that occasion bear Oh it
co1ors the word "Springheld,'' in letters 6
gold, and that these resolutions be read at th
head Of the different regiments of the arm
| OF the United States. Mr. Blair believed til
Government had taken no notice at all Of th
death of Gen. Lyon, and hence the prophet
Of the passage Of the resolution. He kne'
the man well. One never lived who coul
do more for his country and less for himself
The resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Lansing's preamble and resolution 0
fered on Monday came up.
11r. THAD. STEVENS, Of Pa, said if Il
| passage Of the resolution is to have gos
effect, especially in the West, the sooner it
passcd the better. The allegation Of Ge
Halleck as an excuse for his order that 1ue
tive Slaves whom hclproposes to exclude fro
:, his lines, gives information to the enemy,
!, too bald i prctext to justify lin. The retu
= Of fugitive slaves was initiated by Ge
! Mcclellan, aud had been followed by Gen
9 Dix, Kelly and others. AL these cases are
# disgrace to tile profession Of arms. If sn
- returns of fugitIrcs hare been made by orde
J. of the commanding Generl1s, they deserve
e hare their cpaulettcs stripped from th,
It | shoulders; and # it las been done by high
- authority, then God forgive them, for til
J know not what they DO.
} Mr.. LOFEJOY Of Illinois expressed his he
J. ! est conviction that such orders were issued
, | the Commanding Generlls Of the Army vii
= out orders from tho President. He was sat
It fed Of this fact. While the President dt
not remove aud cashier them, as lie tLoycle
nj would, hc did not believe the Commando
- Generals lad power for such lnhuman a
"a shameful measures.
is Nh. BLAIR Of Missouri said Afr: Steve
lad evidently misunderstood Gen. Hallec
IN | order. The latter {Halleck) informed l!
~ that he had 10 idea Of doing anyth5
N contrary to the law Of the Last Congress :
Il. the policy Of the Government.
hn A debate ensucd between Messrs. Blair 9
~ LOVEJOY, on the subject Of Gen. Halteck'6 S
a' cent order about slaves.
Mr. JULIAN Of Ind. referred to the c
Of Col Brown, Of an Indiana regiment, =
G. refused to deliver up fugitiycs until SO ordc
by Secretary Cameron. He presumed the
ulinistration sanctioned suciA proceedings.
Mr.. KELLOGG assumed to say the Ada
istration had nothing to do with that or<
and would not indicate such policy to
ltF | army.
mt The resolution which caused this debate
~ finally tabled, Is to 81.
fh The resolution looking to the recognition
ort the Independence Of Hnyti and Liberia
,rt adopted, with an amendment that the G.
1T. mittcc On Foreign Atlairs inquire into the
~, pcticncy Of doing so.
nd The subject Of abolishing tho franking
ed TEN came up, when Mr. COLFAA remarked
the Committee on Post Offices had frame
:., bill to abolish it. The bill also requires IL
I'LL bers to show the absolute necessity Of
,a Post routes.
~ ~ Adjourned