The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-12-17

| Mr.. Tencyck offered a resolution that
the present war is for the Union accord
ing to the Constitution. that the object
of the war is to save the former and en-.
force the latter, that it was bin the be-
ginning and should be SO till the last, that
measures extreme, radical and disraptiye
in themselves, involving in common
fate the loyal and disloyal, should not be
resorted to, and that in suppressing
treason, Government cannot prove traitor
to the organic law of the land Laid
over.
Mr. Hale offered d resolution, that the
Committee on Military Affairs enquire IN
to the expedIeney of providing uniform
manner Tor dealing with the slaves Of the
rebels ard those made prisoners or escap-
Ing from their masters. Agreed To.
Mr.. Lane, of Indiana. offered resolu-
ton that the Committee on the Judiciary
/ be requested to provide law so that the
aiders of treason may be prevented from
bringing suits for the collection of debts
in the courts of the United States.
Agreed TO.
Mr.. Sumner offered resolution tina
the Commissioners of Patents enquire if
any additional legislation Isl necessary to
secure persons Of African descent the
right TO take out patents. Agreed to-
! MIR. Wilkinson offered the following
preamble and resolution:
Whereas, On the first Of March last
Jesse ID. Bright wrote letter to jeff.
Davis, the letter was here read, intro.
dueing Mr.. Lincoln to Mr. Davis as
having made an improvement in firearms,
and
Whereas. Such letter is evidence Of
disloyalty, therefore
Resolved, that jesse ID. Bright he ex.
PEELED from the Senate of the United
States.
Mr.. Cowan moved to refer the subject
to the Committee on the Judiciary
HoUsE.--A personal explanation &C.
cured between Conway and Fouke, during
which Conway charged Fouke with de-
/ llbcrate purpose to bring about personal
collision without cause, aud asked whether
such conduct was not only unworthy
member of the House, but characteristic,
rather. Of a blackboard and scoundrel.
Sensa ton Mr.. Fouke wanted to say
one word ia reply. Stevens and Others
objected they had enough OF such things.
The Speaker informed Mr. Fouke that no
debate was in order. Fouke, amid the
cries Of order, was understood 10 say
that Mr.. Conway was disgrace II the ma.
tlon and TO humanity. There the matter
ended In the House.
The House passed the bill to strike out
| from the pension roll the names OF all per-
sons who have taken up arms against the
! Government or IN any manner aided the
rebellion.
Nalahdigham, of Ohio. introduced a
preamble aud resolution Whereas, the
oec'y of the Navy has reported to this
House that Capt. Chas. Wilkes. in com
maId OF the San Jacinto, al armed public
vessel of the U. =, did on the 9th Nov,
1861, on the high Seas. intercept the
Trent, a British mail steamer. and forci-
bly, removed therefrom James Mason aud
John Slidell, disloyal citizens, leading
consprators, rebel enemies, aud dangerous
men, who with their suite were OH their
way to Europe to promote the cause Of
the insurrection, claiming to be ambassa-
doris from the seeded Confederate States;
and. whereas, the Sec'y Of the Navy has
further reported to this House that the
prompt and decisive action of Capt.
Wilkes Oh this occasion merited and re-
| celyed the emphatic approval of tie De-
| partment, and, moreover, III public letter,
has thanked Capt. Wilkes for the act; and
whereas, this House, on tho first day of
the session, did propose to tender the
thanks Of Congress to Capt Wilkes for
his brave. adroit and patriotic conduct in
the arrest of traitors; and, whereas, furth-
er, on the same day this House did request
the President to eonfine the said James
Mason and John Slidell in the cells Of
convicted felons until certain military Off
GERS of the L. S., captured and held by
the so called Confederate States, should
be treated as prisonersof war; Resolved
az the sense Of this House, that IL il the
duty Of the President to now firmly main.
tain the stand thus taken, approving and
adopting the act Of Capt. Wilkes in spite
of any menace or demand of the British
Government, and that this House pledges
its full support to him in upholding now
the honor and vindicatipg the course Of
the Government and people of the IT, S.
against q foreign power.
| Nallandigham moved the previous ques-
ton. They mad heard the first growl of
the British lion. 1t remained to be seen
who would COVER E
Fenton Of N. Y, hoped the resolution
would be referred TO the Committee on
| Foreign Affairs.
Mr.. Vallandighum remarked that a
former resolution approbatory Of Captain
Wilkes, passed without being so referred.
lie (Vallandigham) had offered this reso-