The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-06
Thirty-Seventh Congress,
FIRST SESSION..

SEFATE.-the Vice President called the
Senate to order at noon. About 40 mem
bers were present.
On motion of Mr.. Grimes, message was
ordered to be sent to the House that quo.
rum was present and was ready to proceed
to business.
An informal recess was then taken.
The COMMITTEE appointed to wait on the
President, reported be would communicate
his message to Congress tomorrow at noon
Adjourned.
HOUsE.-The House was opened with
prayer, after which the roll was called, and
forty four answered to their names.
Messrs. Sargent and Phelps of Califor-
MIA Hooper OF Massachusetts, Wilson of
Iowa, Bernheisel, delegate from Utah, and
Cradebaugh, delegate from Nevada, were
sworn in.
Mr.. Dawes moved that Mr.. Maynard OF
Tennessee, be sworn in as member from
the End district of Tennessee.
Messrs. Bidde of Pennsylvania, Burn
BAN Bennett, delegate from Colorado, and
Wallace, delegate from Washington Terri
tory, were severally sworn in.
uAAs SoivVkt RiCoCuIVo q AuCnuOiloI Vi III
Beach of Virginia, asking to- be admitted to
a seat in the House. Referred.
A memorial was presented that Mr..
Lowe be admitted as an additional member
from California. Referred.
Mr.. Lovejoy offered resolution tender
ing the thanks of Congress to Capt. Wilkes
for his arrest of the traitors Slidell and
Mason.
Mr.. Edgert0n moved as substitute, that
the President present Capt. Wilkes with a
gold medal with suitable emblems and de-
vices expressive of the high sense and con-
fdence entertained for him by Congress in
bis prompt arrest of the rebels Mason and
SIidel.
The substitute was rejected and the orig.
inal resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Blair offered the following as ques-
ton of privilege:
Resolved, That John K. Reid, member of
the House from the Fifth Congressional Dis
trct of Missouri, having taken up arms against
the Government of the United States, is hereby
expelled from the House, and that the Speak
ca notify the Governor of Missouri of this fact.
The resolution passed.
Mr.. Colfax offered the following:
Whereas, Michael Corcoran was taken pri.
soner at Manassas and has, after suffering 9TH
er indignities. been confined by rebel authori-
ties in the cell of q convicted felOn, therefore,
Resolved. That the President of the United
States be requested to similarly confine James
NJ. Mason, late of Virginia, and now at Fort
Warren, until Colonel Corcoran shall be treat
ed as the United States have treated all prison.
ers taken by them on the battle field. Gap.
plause in the galleries.)
The resolution was unanimously adopted.
Mr.. Elliot of Massachusetts, offered the
following:
Resolved by the House of Representatives,
Fl st, that in behalf of the people in these
States, we do again solemnly declare that the
war in which We are engaged against the in
surgent bodies now in arms against the Gov.
eminent, has for its object the suppress
sion of such rebellion and the re.estab-
lishment of the rightful authority of the nation.
al CO asttutiOn and laws over the entire extent
of our common country.
Second, That while we disclaim all power
under the constitution to interfere by ordinary
legislation with the institutions of the several
States. yet the war now existing must be con-
Quoted according to the usages and rights of
military service, and that during its cOntnu-
ance the recognized authority of the maxim
that the safety of the State is the highest law
and 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-chefO of
our army, and the officers in command under
him, have the right to emancipate all persons
held as slaves in any military district in q state
in insurrectiOn against the national govern
ment, and that We respectfully advise that
such order OF emancipation be issued whenever
the same will avail to weaken the power of the
20 q in 4 tn cfr fho mil for
power of the Government forces.
Mr. Bum moved to ley the resolution on
the tab e, but the motion was disagreed to
by yeas 56 against u.
The question recurring on Mr.. Elliott
resolution, Mr.. Roscoe Conkling proposed
an amendment, which Mr.. Elliot accepted,
so as to make the resolution apply to the
slaves OF disloyal citizens.
On motion of Mr.. Stevens, the further
consideration of the resolution was post.
pOned until tomorrow week, in order that it
may be discussed and amendments submit
ted. He was in favor of the main features
of the proposition, but desired modifca
ton.
Mr.. Campbell gave notice that he would
call up the following on next Tuesday week:
Resolved, That, IN legislating to meet the
exgencies of the present rebellion, Congress
should contiscate property in slaves included
of all rebels, and protect the property and
rights under the constitution and laws, of all
loyal citizens.
Mr.. Stevens submitted the following for
consideration
Whereas, Slavery has caused the present
rebellion in the United States, and
whereas. there can be no solid or permanent
peace and union in this Republic so long as
that institution exists within it, and
Whereas, slaves arr. now used by the rebels
as an essential means of supporting and pro.
tecting the war, and
Whereas by the law of nations it is right to
liberate the slave OF an enemy to weaken his
power,
Therefore be it enacted by the Senate and
House Of Representatives, That the President
OF the United States be requested to declare
them tree, and direct our Generals and officers
in command to offer freedom to all slaves who
shall leave their masters, or shall aid in quell-
ing the rebellion.
Second. And be it further Resolved, That
the United States pledge the faith of the Ma.
ton to make full and fair compensation to all
loyal citizens who ale or shall remain active
in supporting the Union for all the losses they
may sustain by virtue of this resolution.
e. Mr.. Fenton from Joint Committee, re-
ported that they had waited on the Presi.
dent and he desired them to state that he