The national Republican., 1861-07-17
THIRTY SEVENTH CONGRESS,
FIRST SESSION.
SENATE.-M Tuesday, Wly l6, 1861.

the claim Of John Egenolf TO vAlfornia wal
bond which was referred to the Committee on
Claims.
Mr.. FOSTER presented the petition Of Oliver
Allen, praying the extension Of a patent granted
him ior an improved bomb lance for killing
whales referred to the Committee on Pat
ents.
On motion Of Mr.. FOSTER, il was
Ordered, That Frederick Vincent, admins.
TRAITOR Of lie Case, have leave to withdraw his
petition and papers.
Mr.. SUMNER presented the petition Of
women of the North, praying Congress to pro.
pose to the States which shall proclaim the
emancipation of slavery, remuneration to oil
persons who, having no property but slaves,
would be impoverished thereby.
Laid on the table.
. Mr.. POMEROY asked and obtained consent
TO bring in a bill to suppress the shareholders
rebellion; which was read twice, and, on mo.
ton Of Mr.. Pomeroy, ordered that it lie on the
table.
Mr.. THOMSON presented the memorial Of
Lieutenant Commanding David d. Porter, Of
the navy, in relation to patent quoin for point.
ing ordnance; referred to the Committee on
Naval Affairs.
Mr.. LANE, of Kansas, presented letter from
the Chief Clerk Of the War Department, enclos.
ing copy Of the appointment Of F. p. Stanton
as special agent to Kansas and New Mexico (;
referred 10 the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr.. HARRIS presented the memorial Of Mar.
shall o. Roberts, praying compensation for the
loss of the steamship Star Of the West captured
while in the service of the Government by enc.
mics of the United States; referred to the Com.
mittee on Claims.
Mr.. HARRIS asked and obtained consent to
introduce bill for the relief Of Marshall O..
Roberts; referred to the Committee on Claims.
Mr.. CHANDLER presented the petition Of
officers Of the volunteers called into service for
three years or the war, praying that regimentsl
and brigade staff officers may be appointed
outside Of the line Of company officers, and that
three lieutenants may be allowed to each COM
pany; referred to the Committee on Military
Affairs.
Mr.. HALE presented the petition of James
Hamilton, praying that the Navy Department
be authorized to avail itself of an improvement
made by him in machinery for curvilinear and
compound bevel saving; referred to the Com.
mittee on Naval Affairs.
Mr.. TRUMBULL, from the Committee on
the Judiciary, reported back bill concerning
the Attorney General, and the attorneys aud
marshals of the several districts, with amend.
ments.
Thereported amendments having been agreed
to, and the bill further amended, the bill was
passed.
The Senate proceeded to consider the resolu.
ton submitted by Mr. McDougsll on the 18th
instant, in relation to q railroad from the Mis-
sissippi river to the Pacific ocean.
On motion of Mr.. McDOUGALL, it was
Ordered, That the bill be referred to q select
&c h,,t Wa
ideut.
The VICE PRESIDENT appointed on the
committee Messrs. McDougall, Pomeroy, Clark,
Polk, and Cowan.
Mr.. HALE, from the Committee on Naval
Affairs, reported back bill for the relief of the
widows and orphans of the officers, seamen,
and marines Of the United States sloop. Of war
Lepant.
Considered and passed.
Mr.. HALE, from the Copmittee on Naval
Affairs reported back q bill authorizing the
appointed Of an Assistant Secretary of the Navy,
aud fixing the salary Of the same, without
amendment
Mr.. HALE, from the same committee, re-
ported back bill for the better organization of
the marine corps.
On motion of Mr.. FESSENDEN, the Senate
proceeded to consider bill making additional
appropriations for the naval service for the year
ending June 30, 1862, aud appropriations of
arrearaces for the year ending June 80, 1861.
The amendments reported by the Committee
on Finance having been agreed to, and the bill
further amended after debate, it was ordered
to lay the bill over until to morrow.
Mr.. SUMNER asked and obtained consent
to introduce bill to provide for the confsca.
ton Of property of persons found in rebellion
against the laws Of the United States referred
TO the Committee on the Judiciary.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the
joint resolution to approve and confirm certain
acts of the President Of the United States for
supressing insurrection and rebellion.
Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE said, under ordinary
circumstances, he might content himself simply
with a vote, but he now thought it required
him TO give expression to his views. The reso.
luton now before the Senate is 10 declare certain
acts Of the President approved. The resolution,
upon its face, seems to admit the acts of the
President not performed in accordance with
the Constitution and the laws. Ii this is true,
he would be glad to have some reason assigned,
showing the power vested ia Congress to ia.
demnify the acts Of the President for this breach
in the Constitution. The President has rights
aud powers conferred upon him, the Leglsa
tive Department has its powers, the judicial its
powers, and be denied that either could en-
croacb upon the other.
He spoke Of the acts only enumerated in the
resolution. He thought they were gross usur.
pations, and he was sorry to see Senators who
are willing to endorse these acts, which they all
kpey to be invalid aud infractions upon the
Constitution. He thought on his part, that the
President should be stesn.y rebuked.
The President had established blockade OF
the Southern ports without constitutional or
delegated authority, and he wished to know
whether any Senator would say that Congress
has power to delegate to the President authori
ty to establish o blockade. During the last
session the question arose, but no one attempted
to defend the right of the President. On the
contrary, Senator Douglas plainly showed that