The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-12-05
xXxvfIth Congress..-First Session.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 1861.
rserTf SENATE.
SENATE.

XXxVfIth Congress...First Session.
WAsHlNGToN, Dec. Q, 1861.
NTFr SENATE.
The Vice President called the Senate
to order at noon. About forty of the
forty seven accredited members were
present.
On motion of Mr.. HALE, IL o'clock
was fixed for the daily sessions.
On motion of Mr.. GRIMES; mes
sage was ordered to be sent to the
House that quorum of the Senate was
present, and was ready to proceed to
business.
The Senate concurred in the resolu.
ton of the House for the appointment
of the Joint Committee to wait on the
President, and appointed as the Com.
mittee, Messrs. Hale, of New Hamp-
shire; Trumbull, of Illinois; and La.
than of California.
Mr.. TRUMBULL, of Illinois, gave
notice that he would introduce bill
tomorrow to confscate the property OF
rebels and give freedom to persons in
the Slave States.
Mr.. WILKINSON, of Minnesota,
gave notice of bill to abolish the dis.
tinction between the regular and vol.
unteer forces.
An informal recess was then taken.
Before rsassembling, the Committee
appointed to wait upon the President.
reported that he would communicate
In MAasoon of "a a H.
journed.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The House was opened with prayer,
the roll was then called by States, and
ia members, out of 176 accredited,
answered to their names. .,,.,..-s
Messrs. Sergeant and Phelps, of CAL
ifornia; Hooper, of Mass; Wilson of
Iowa; Bernhalsel, Delegate from Utah,
and Cradlebaugh, Delegate from Ne
vada, were sworn In.
On motion of Mr.. DAWES, ofMass.,
Horace Maynard was sworn in as a
member from the Cd District of Ten
nessee.
Mr.. HICKMAN, of Pa, presented
the certificate of the Provisional Gov
eminent of North Carolina, dated Hat
teras. AS to the election of Mr. Eos
ter, he asked that the papers be read.
The case was reported to Committee
on Elections.
Mr.. LOVEJOY, Of Illinois, offered
a joint resolution rendering the thanks
of Congress to Capt. Wilkes for his ar
rest of the traitors Slidell and Mason.
Adopted.
Mr.. BLAIR, of Mo. offered the fol-
lowing, as question of privilege.
Resolred, That John W. Reid, Member of the
House from the 9Th Congressional District of Mis-
souri,, having taken up arms against the Govern
ment of the United States. he is hereby expelled
from the House; and that the Speaker also notify
the Governor of Missouri of this fact.
The resolution passed.
Mr.. COLFAX, Of indiana, offered
the following:
WHEREAS, Michael Corcoran was taken prisoner
at Manassas and has, after suffering other indigni-
ties been confined BY the rebel authorities in the
cell of a convicted felon, therefore,
Resolced, That the President of the United States
be requested TO similarly contine James NJ. Mason,
late OF Virginia. and now in custody at Fort War
United States have treated all prisoners taken by
them OH the battle field.
Applause in the galleries.
The resolution was unanimously
adopted.
Mr.. ELIOT, of Massachusetts, offered
the following:
Resolred, By the House of Representatives =
First That in behalf of the people of these States
do again solemnly declare that the war in which
we are now engaged against the insurgent bodies
now in arms against the Government has for its
object the suppression of such rebellion and the
restoration of the rgbtful authority of the National
Congress and laws over the entire extent of our
common country.
Second, That while we dsclam all power under
the Constitution TO interfere by ordinary legislation
with the institutions of the several States yet the
war now existing must be conducted according to
the usages and rights of military service and that
during its continuance the recognized authority of
the maxim that the safety of the State is the
highest law subordinates the right Of property,
and dominates over civil relations;
Third, That, therefore, we do hereby declare
that in our Judgment the President of the United
States. as the Commander-in-C Chief of our army,
and the officers ia command under him have the
right to emancipate all persons held as slaves in
any military district in state of instruction
against the National Government. and that we
respectfully advise that such order of emancipation
De issued whenever the same Will avail 10 weaken
the power of rebels in arms to strengthen the
military power of the loyal forces.
Mr.. DUNN, of Indiana, moved to
lay the resolution on the table, but the
motion was disagreed to by ayes IS
against II.
The question recurring on Mr.. Elliot's
resolution, Mr., ROSCOE CONK-
LING, of New York, proposed an
amendment which Mr.. Eliot accepted,
so as to make the resolution apply to
the slaves of disloya citizens.
On motion of Mr.. THADDEUSI
STEVENS, of Pennsylvania, the
further consideration of the resolution
was postponed until tomorrow week,
in order that it may be discussed and
amendments submitted. He was in
favor of the main features of the prop
osition and desired modification.
Mr.. CAMPBELL, of Pennsylvania,
gave notice that he would call mp the
following on next Thursday week.
Rssolved, That in legislating to meet the exigen-
cies of the present rebellion, Congress should con-
fscate the property slaves included of all rebels
and protect the property and rights under the
Constitution and laws of all loyal citizens.
Mr.. STEVENS submitted the follow