The Nevada Democrat., 1861-04-11

Congressional PrOceedings-The Forts
In the Senate, on the 25th ult., Mr. Breck-
inri1ge offered the following:
Resolved, That the Senate recommend
aud advise the removal of United States
troops from the limits of the Confederate
States.
Clingman remarked be had drawn up a
similar resolution, with one point in ad'
dition. He had shown it TO several Sena-
tors and it had met their appreciation.
Il was as follows:
Resolved, That in the opinion of the Sem
ate it is expedient that the President with
draw all Federal troops from the States OF
South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama,
Mississippi, Texas aud Louisiana, and alb
stain from all attempts TO collect revenue
in those States.
Clngman added, if the troops be with
drawn, there ought to be forbearance as to
the collection of revenue.
On the 9th, Mr.. Breckenridge again
moved to take up bis resolutiOn-stating
that if the motion prevailed be would accept
Clngman's substitute.
MIR. Rice was in favor Of Mr.. Breckin-
ridge resolution, but thought Mr. Cling
mans went too far in questioning the right
of the Senate to express an opinion on col
lecting the revenue to the President.
Some conversation ensued, in which Wade
expressed the hope that the resolution
would be taken up, as he wanted q square
vote on IT,
Mr.. Rice said the Senate was travelling
far out of its way to advise the President.
He asked Mr. Breckenridge if his resolution
extended TO Key West and Tortugas; if so,
he would never Withdraw troops from
thence.
Mr. Breckenridge supposed the resolution
embraced those points, as they are within
the limits of Florida, but was willing to say
these points be excluded from the resolu-
tion, rather than hazard its defeat, aud did
not consider the withdrawal of troops from
Key West aud Tortugas essential to the
public peace. lie disliked to do so, because
he entertained the hope of the reunion of
all the States.
Mr.. Rice said if the seeding States were
determined to remain out Of the Union, be
was in favor of their going in peace, and
would give them the forts aud arsenals for
the sake of peace; but they were not in po-
session of Key West and Tortugas, and new
er will be. These points are needed for the
United States aud not for them. The COM
merce of the North will need them, and he
would not give them up under any circum-
stances.
Messrs. Clarke. Simmons and Ten Eyck
opposed talking upon the resolution.
4lr. Douglas favored taking it up, with a
view of Offering an amendment to bring it
in the scope it ought to take. He thought
it would be wise to withdraw the troops
from Fort Pickens. He said the Govern
ment at Montgomery, being only a revolu
tionary Government, could claim only what
they occupied. He was willing under exis-
ting circumstances to give up Sumter and
Pickens, they being of no use unless they
we're intended as basis of military opera.
tions, and were now sources of constant ir-
ritatiOn.
Mr.. Wade again urged vote. He was
anxious that this subject should receive a
full discussion, now that seven States had
gone out of the Union, and are dOmineering
by usurpation. The people there had no
voice in the Government which has been
erected, but military despotism tramples
their rights under foot. If they had the
power they would call upon us to vindicate
their rights, and the Constitution clothes us
with authority to do it.
After some further debate, a vote was
taken on Breckinridge's motion, which
stoOd-ayes 10, noes 10.
There being no quorum, various efforts
were made to procure one, which failing
the Senate adjourned.
The MAnS.-Dispatche by the last Pony