Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-12-20
CONGRESS YESTERDAY.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 18th.

WAsHINeroN. Dec. 18th.
SENATE.-Mr. Anthony of K. l., offered
a resolution that the naval Committee be In
structed to enquire into the expectancy OF
appointing pupils IN the naval Academy on
the ground of merit, agreed to.
Mr.. Foot of VT, introduced bill auth
orizing the President to fill up the corps OF
cadets at West Point. Referred.
Mr.. Wilson offered resolution that the
Inspector General and Quartermaster OF SUBJ
sistence be directed to inform the Senate
what articles ought to be sold by the suffers
to volunteers and sueh as best would secure
their efficiency. Referred.
The bill to promote the efficiency OF the
Navy was taken up.
On motion of Mr.. Doolittle, the time of
retiring was made As years instead OF 40,
and after discussion the bill was passed.
Mr.. Foot called up the resolution to exprl
Waldo Ii. johnson, of Mo. The clerk read
an extract from the secession speech OF Sen
ator johnson delivered in Mo.
Mr. Salisbury said there seemed to be moth
ing against him except rumor and moved the
reference of the resolution to the judiciary
committee. Adjourned.
HOUSE.-Mr. Blair of Mo. rising TO a
question OF privilege called for the reading
OF the following as further explanation OF the
remarks be made yesterday on Mr- LoyeJSy
resolution, having in view the revocation OF
the order relative to fugitive slaves.
HEAD QUART ERs, DEPT MIssoCaI.
Hon. E P. Ri III, Was iIngton
Ny Dear Colonel Yours of the 4th iRst-
n-l in,
mind, clearly military necessity. Unau-
thorized persons, black or white, free or
slave, must be kept out of our camps, unless
we wish to publish to the enemy every thing
we do or intend to do. 1t Was military,
and not political order. l am ready 80
carry out any lawful instructions in regard
to fugitive slaves which my superior may
give me, and to enforce any laws which Con-
gress may pass. But cannot make law,
and will not violate it. You know my pri-
vate opinions on the policy of confscating
slave property of rebels in arms. If Congress
shall pass it, you may be certain l shall
enforce it. Perhaps my policy as to the
treatment of rebels and their property IS as
well set out in order No l3, issued the day
before your letter was written, as could now
describe It. Yours, truly,
IL. W. HALLECK.
Mr.. Lovejoy of H., in explanation said, in
introducing his resolution, he of course did
not desire to revoke an order that Gen. Hal
leck did not mean to make.
Mr.. BLAIR of Mo-, from the committee on
military affairs, reported bill authorizing
the raising of a volunteer force for the better
defence Of Kentucky 1t proposes to raise
volunteer force of 20 900 men for II months,
to be employed within the limits OF that
State to repel invasion and guard public
property, but whenever necessary, they may
be employed temporarily outside OF Kentucky
The consideration OF the bill was then
postponed until Monday.
The House then proc .eded to the consld-
Grafton of the various propositions involving
the question oil emancIpating the persons
held as slaves by rebels.
Mr.. Elliott OF Mass, proceeded to explain
and enforce his resolution, declaring that
the war has for its object the suppression OF
the rebellion and the establishment of the
rightful authority of the national Constltu
ton and the laws, over the entire extent OF
our common country and advising, that
the military orders tor the emancipation OF
slaves be used whenever the same shall avail
to weaken the power of the rebels in arms.
or in sustaining the military power the loyal
forces Slavery, he argued was at the root
of rebellion, and, therefore, Is an outlaw
In the course of his remarks, he said Simon
Cameron has done more in three months TO
raise his name higher among men ana the
lovers of freedom, and as an opposer OF rebel
lion. than during all his previous career Ill
public lite.
Mr.. Steele of n Y, said, that he would
endeavor not to exhibit bad taste by follow
ing in the discussion pursued by the gentle
man from Mass, (ElliOttl who asserted IN
broad terms that slavery is the cause OF thss
war This proposition he denied. lie assert
ed that it was caused by unnecessary agita-
tior of slavery. In further response to Mr..
Elliott he said, let it be proclaimed that this
war is Tor the extinction OF slavery, and
whether you believe 1t or not the power OF
our army Is parliyzed.
Mr.. Conway OF Kansas consnded that the
conflict. from an attempt TO put down an
insurrection, has settled into deliberate War;
We have not yet encountered the enemy IN
anv battle in which we have won an unques-
tionable victory. with the exception of the
advantages gained By two expeditions on the
Southern Coast. The rebels have secured
with foreign nations belligerent character
in derogation of this responsibility to the
federal Union, How then could they have
rights under the Constitution which the
government is bound to respect. The prin-
ciples on which the war is conducted by the
administration would restore slavery to its
former relation to the Union.
Mr.. Fouke of ILL.,, wished briefly to reply
Mr.. Conway, who had said that the battle
of Belmont was a defeat. In justice to the
brave soldiers in that action, he wanted to
nail the falsehood.
Mr.. Conway remarked, that he did not
wish to be subject to the imputation of hav-
ing told falsehood.