The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-01-04
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON, ID. C.,
Tuesday, Dec. % 1850.


Tuesday, Dec. 20 1850.
Christmas! Congress yesterday adjourned
over. both branches. until Thursday. On Mon
d,y little ofexclShg interest was done in either
br,neh. The House passed. the consular aP-
,r,priation bill, had little brief season Of ex-
element on the all ensrOssing topic, Secession.
growing out Of a resolution offered by John
Cochranc Of New York, who as he has just
been dis,anced in the race for next Congress,
seems DESTROYS Of signalling his exit to private
life, by saving the Union much as possible
in his way.
The South Carolina delegation sent letter
10 the speaker, announcing their withdrawal,
which was real and ordered to be printed. II
/, understood that the speaker does not rceos-
nre their right to get out in this way, and
hence until they 90 through the ordinary pro-
clss ofresigning. their names will be continued
ou the roll Of the House. Secretary Thomp-
son of the Interior sent a communication to
the House informing 1t Of the robbery Of $780,
90 in the Indian Trust Fund. aud asking for
committee Of investigation, which request
vas complied with.
Bailey, the Clerk who distracted the bonds
ia from South Carolina, nephew Of Floyd
the Secretary OF War.
Nicholson's speech in the Senate, though
Southern in is tone, was betwixt and between
AS to the question of separate secession and CO.
operation. lie said substantially that Ten
nessee would 20 out II additional securities to
slavery were not granted. The bill for the adj
mission Of Kansas by the efforts Of MIR Cola
mer Of VT. who made some explanation OF the
bill and who showed by the recent returns Of
the census that Kansas had sufficient popula-
ton TO entitle her to admission even under the
English Bill, was male the special order for
Monday next.
The above is brief abstract Of the proceed
ings OF Congress on Monlay:
The Senate committee Of thirteen held scs-
sion of over six hours ON saturday, and arrived
Mt no definite conclusion 10 the measures
deemed necessary 10 meet the present national
emergency.
by Mr. Urittenicn, 10 settle the controversy
between the North anil the South, finally and
forever, bya division Of the country irOm
ocean 10 ocean, on the parallel Of the Missouri
line, was the great subject of discussion. =
Me-srs. Crit,enden, Douglas aud Bigler main
tanned il with great zeal aud ability, but AT th'
same time expressed themselves willing To EN-
brace any other cfectlvemOdc otalUustment.
Nrssrs. Wade, DOolittle, Cullamer AMI Crime.
republicans opposed the proposition with much
s,rnestness. They maintained that the peopl,
in the late election decided the question 81
slavery ia the territories. and, therefore, they
hal no concessions 10 make or Uifer.
A .fHFs q
the present unhappy condition Of the country.
sul insisted that propositions must come irou'
the dominant party, the rcpublicaus.
The vote ON Mr.. Critlcnlen's proposition
was ~ Olluss; For the prOp0sl,iOn-lcssrs.
B,ler, CrIlt, uicn, DuDglas, Rice aud Powell
"a. Against it-Mes.rs. Davis, DuOlittle, Col
lamgr, Vale. fuumhs, Grimes, and lluuter-T.
Me.,r,. Uduter, TOOmhs aud Davis, never
theless, iutir,aiel an inclination 10 20 for u u
the republicans would prpose Il IN good
faith.
The second proposition submitted by Mr..
Critteuden, dIuying the right Of Congress u
abolish slavery in the dnckyaIdS and arsenals,
Was voted agains, by Mcssrs Colamer, Doc
little, Grimes and Wade. The remainder VI the
committee voted cor the proposition, but as 1t
had not majority Ot the republicans, II was
defeated unlCr the rules adopted by the COM
uIittss, that no proposition should be considered
adopted anil recommended t. the Senate which
iil not rccciyea majority Of the republican
votes. and also majority Of thOse opposed to
the republicans.
The third clause. denying To- Congress the
right 10 abolish slavery in the District Of Co
lumbia, was defeated by the same vote, the re-
publicans all voting against II, and the re-
mainder Of the committee for u.
The fourth clause, establishing the right OF
transit, was defeated by the same vote. tn,
tifth, which l. intended To perfect the fugitive
slave law, by requiring the several States t'
nav for fugitiyes who might be rescued irOu
me officers Of the Law, was lost by the sam'
vote, the republicans all voting In the mega
tive. T., -.
voted upon, but none of leading Importance.
Mr. paws submitted q resolution eSpressl,
reeogi1ing property in slaves but no vote ""
' NJ Taombs submitted series OF resolutions
embracing. substantially, the principles OF h'
Breckinridgc platform; but hnal action was no
taken on them.
The grea, sensation OF to-day IL rumor
founded |, is SAID on despatch received BY th'
War Department from Pittsburg. stating thai
the people tina, city. Democrats rs well a.
Republicans. had ressted the shipment Of I
large number lover 100 ID u sakll Of guns %
the largest kind intended ~ the armament Of
certain forts st Galveston, Texas AMI at the
mouth OF the Mississippi. m, or,lsr for their
shipment was sent from the War DEPARTMENT,
and as the States to which they we're to be ship
ped are now taking measure. to ~ %, Of the
Union. carrying with them the proISr,y OF, III,
United states. and as the people Of Piitsburg Ia.
su.piciOns oft. being tTeAshsr' on the part o
Floyd, Who has for q long time past been trans
fsring arms Of every description IRON tn
Northern To the Southern arsensls' ,hes ha
intsrfered to preveu, the shipment Oh 10
guns That something Oft kind has occur
red Il Is probable. but thel exact truth OF IN
matter we cannot ascertain
There Is o general feeling here among tn
p.publicans, that Floyd, Secretary ofwsr. VIII