Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-12-11
TAE RAFTsN)AN's JOURNAL,
FROM CONGRESS.


Mr. Trumbul OF Thursday, introduced into
the Senate his bill for confscating rebels
property and setting slaves free. This bill
he advocated in speech. 1t provides for the
absolute and complete forfeiture TO the Uni
ted States OF every species of property belong
ing to persons who, during the existence of
the present rebellion, shall take up arms
against the United Stat es. This forfeiture is
TO be enforced against property in the rebel
lous districts, through the military power,
and against property in other portions of the
United States, where the judicial power is not
obstructed by the rebellion, though the
Courts, and the proceeds of the property of
each individual seized and forfeited is to be
subject to the just claims of loyal creditors,
to be held for the benefit of loyal citizens de-
spoiled of property by the rebellion, and to
defray the expenses incurred in its suppress
sion. The bill also forfeits the claims of all
rebels and those who give them aid and comfort
to the persons they hold in Slavery. The bill
declares that slaves thus forfeited shall be free,
and makes it the duty of the President to pro-
vide for the colonization of such as may be
willing to go to some tropical country where
they may have the protection of the Govern
ment, and be secured III all the rights and
privileges of freemen.
In the Senate on the 4th, Mr.. Wilson intro
duced resolution inquiring into the case Of
certain colored persons confined in the Jail at
Washington. Thereupon enSued debate
concerning the administration of justice in
the District of Columbia. Upon this topic
Mr.. Hale was very severe. The Marshal of
the District directed to report at once to
the Senate the names of all persons now con-
fined in the Jail at Washington, the causes of
their CONTINENT, the names of the magistrates
who committed them, the length of their i'm
prisonment, and the names of the original
complaints.
In the House of Representatives on Thurs
day, resolution was adopted directing the
Committee on the Judiciary to inquire wheth-
er a telegraphic censorship on the press has
been established in Washington, and, if so, by
whose authority, and by whom il is
trolled then to report if snch Censorship has
not been used TO restrain wholesome political
criticism and discussion, while its proteSsed
object was TO withhold from the enemy infor-
NATION of army movements.
Mr.. salisbury OF Delaware on the 4th caused
some amusement in the Senate by offering a
resolution to appoint Messrs. Fillmore. Ever
EFT, Dallas, Taney, and some others, Com
mission on the part of the North TO meet
similarly constituted Commission from the
South, and bring the war at once to satisiac-
tory termination. After the Senate had
laughed at the resolution it was brushed aside.
In the House on the 4th, Mr.. Hutchins of
Ohio introduced resolution similar to that
offered i'm the Senate by Mr.. Wilson, directing
the Committee for the District of Columbia to
inquire concerning forty five slaves said to be
at present confined in the Jail at Washington,
to discover by what authority they are impris-
oned, and to take measures for their release.
and for the pieventaion of such Imprisonment
hereafter.
Mr.. Cox of Ohio on the 4th introduced into
the House OF Representatives resolution to
the effect that there had been virtually an ex-
change of prisoners during this war, and that
the interests of the army and of humanity de-
mand such exchange; thereto calling on the
President to take measures TO This end.
In the House the 4th, Mr.. Gurley OF
Ohio, gave notice of his intention to introduce
a bill confiscatng all property of Rebels,
making their slaves free men, giving them
employment during the war, then apprentice
ing them to loyal masters, and finally coloniz-
ing them.
Mr.. Hale on the 4th introduced into the
Senate a resolution instructing the Committee
on the Judiciary to inquire into the expedi-
ency of abolishing the present Supreme Court,
and OF establishing another which shall meet
the requirements of the CONSTITUTIONS
Mr.. Holman of Indiana on the 4th in the
Fl ouse, offered a series of resolutions reiterat-
ing the sentiments of the CrittendeD resolu-
iions, and reaffirming them. These were
laid on the table by vote OF II against 65.