, 1861-12-18
THE PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS,

4 bill vas received from the House author
lxlrS the raising OF i volunteer force for tile
defence Of Kentucky On motion Of al1.
POWELL, OF ky., it was referred to the Mill
Mr. SUMNER, Of Mass, presented several
rebels.
Mr. WILSON, Of Mass, reported 4 bill for
an increase Of the number Of cadets at West
Point.
Mr: LATHAM, of Cul, offered resolution
that the Secretary Of War be requested to in
fern the Senate by virtue Of what law and
what reason passports arc required from pas-
Eengers from New York to San Francisco;
which Wae agreed to.
Sir. sHEKMAN, Of Ohio, offered a resoIn.
ton that the Secretary Of War be requested to
furnish to the Senate copy Of all the cores
Pondcnce between Gen. Scott and Gen. PuttcE-
son: Agreed to.
to the Claims Ior French spoliutions.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr. BINGHAM, from the Judiciary Com
mittec, reparted back the joint resolution di~
recting and requiring tic Provost CC12rt at
Alexandria, Va, to retain and safely keep IN
lis custody any property taken as that at per
| tic United States, until The furthe. action of
Congress touching the same The resolution
| passed.
The House resumed the consideration Of
the special order, Icing fr: Eliot:s resolution
proposing the emancipation Of the slaves Of
1dr: HARDING. OF KentreEy, invoked 8
ca!msand patriotic consideration Of the sub
| je1t nOW before the House. It was with the
deepest pain that he witnessed the introdue-
| ton Of The proposition at ILL carly period IN
the session, :aBd the attcHpt TO pass it unEer
thought that there was 8 disposition to eS-
| clude Ill rsnectiou, and refusal to n22Ec in
| the appazant1y mad career. But Whcaa dis
position was afterward shown to act With de-
liberation, his loEes revived Dir. Earding
then proposed to elaborate the following
resolution: First; We have no constitutional
power to pass them or any bills on the sub
jet: second, as he proceeded to show frnu1
copieus extracts, Congress, the President and
the Administration stand pledged, in the most
solemn public manner, against all interference
with slavery; therefore to sanction such q
policy would be palpaale violation Of ths
pGghtcd faith Of his government third, he
| opposed the resolution because legislation Or
the subjcct is forbidden b5 every principle o
| sound policy; fourth, he opposed them, 4:
kindred measures, because they would in
augurate war which would involve in its hor
rors the loyal and disloyal, the innocent
and guilty, and i warfare disgraccful to an1
| civilized and Christian nation. In tho cours1
Of his remarks be said this war las moth
|
other institution. Let slavery alone. 1t nil
take care Of itself. He showed the iniustlc
Of diyertins the war from its original desig,
namely, the restoration Of obedience to fl
Constitution, laws and the preservation Of til
Union.
| The following resolutions were snhmItte
By Mr. VAN WICK, OF New York, chairma
Of the Investigating Committee:
Ieeo|red. That the Secretary Of the Treasury b
requested to adjust the claim against the Gover1
1lent for the GU Hall carbines, purchased throu
. | Sin1ou Stevens. Esq. by Gen. J. G. Fremont, q
the 9Th Of August 1851. and afterwards deiiyere
at the T. s. Arsenal At St. Louis. On the basis Of
: sale Of said arms to the Government for SIC. 81
| | rriecting all other demands against the GvYer1
I mcnt On the account Of said arms.
ResMred Tint the practice Of employing ,ir.
, sponsble parties, having no official con1ecto
lie duties. which may be properly performed
regular officers Of the Government, and Of pn
chasing By private contract, supplies for the di
: t ferent Departments. where fatr and open comp
tition MIGHT properly be invited by reasonab
, pubic service, and meets the unqualified disa
probation Of this House.
The conclusion of the report Was postpone
l till Tuesday.
4 Mr. MORRILL,, Of Vermont, introduced
bill, which was passed, to suspend the a
= Eointwent Of assessors and collectors Of ii
y Income tax until the Arst Of April next.