The Union and journal., 1861-12-20
Congressional.
Congress-First Session,

Congress re-asscmbcd on Monday, after u
two days adjournment. \ large number OF
petitions for the emancipation OF slaves were
presented in the Senate. The papers on file
relating to the recognition of llayti and Iii.
IBERIA, were, on motion Of Mr.. Sumner, re-
ferred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The resolution of inquiry into the causes oil
the Bull Run, Balls Bluff and other disls-
ters, was passed by u vote OF 80 to 3. In
the House the resolution directing the Pres
ident to inaugurate an exchange OF prison.
ers with the rebels, was given passage. SO
the friends of the Federal prisoners are to he
claddened by once more seeing them. Mr..
I.oveioy, of ILL.,, offered resolution con-
demnninc Gen. ialleck's order refusing to
admit fugitive slaves within the Federal lines
in Missouri. and requesting the President to
modify the barbarOus and unwise order. n
motion to table the resolution was lost by Il
vote of 63 to GS. The subject was then post.
roned. A bill aholishing slavery in the Dis
trict of Columbia, WIS referred; also bill
prohibiting imprisonment OF colored pCrsons
because they had no masters; also r. sOlu
tion to inquire into the expedicncy OF modi-
fyinc the tariff and direct tax bill. a cau-
Gus of the Republican member of Congr,ss
was held in the evening, at which the gene
al feeling seemed to be- to coniiscate the slaves
and other property Of rebels, but not to in-
tcricrc with Unionsts.
In the Senate. Tuesday, Mr.. FoOtc, Of VT,
offered resolution to expcll Waldo ii. John
son. of Mo-, for participating in the rebel
lion. which was laid over. Mr.. Harlan in
troduced bill to authorize the President to
acquire territory Tor the settlement OF free
persons of color. The death OF Mr.. Hing'
ham, late Senator from Michigan, was an
nounced. In the House, the Attorney Cen.
was requested tn communicate his views as
10 the proper mude OF obtaining rctroccs-
sion of Alexandria to the United States
Mr.. Potter introduced a bill providing bOun-
ties To soldiers in li,u of land. Mr.. Pendle-
ton. Dem. OF Ohio. moved to refer the mc-
mortal of the Baltimore Police Commission
ers, with instructions that Congress, and not
the President, has power 10 suspend the hd-
teas corpus. Mr.. i. advocated his motion ut
length. but the House, not thinking his
opinions sound or patriotic, tabled the mat
ter by II vote of los to %.
"WEDNESDAY, Dec. ii.
SENATE. - Several petitions, resolutions,
&c., were presented, alter which Mr.. Ncs-
misth announced the death of Edward Dick
inson Baker, paying brief tribute TO his
bravery and worth. and offered the usual res
olution. Mr.. McDougal, Browning, and
Others followed Adj.
IlorsE.-Mr. Bingham, OF Ohio, introduc-
cd bill fOrleiting the property OF rebels !;
also Joint resolution directing the Provost
Court of Alexandria to keep the property OF
rebels until further action by Congress. Re-
ierred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Lovcjoy, of ILL.,, offered resolution
instructing committee to report bull es.
tablishing diplomatic relations between liay.i
and the united States. Mr.. Nallandigham
said" We want no Niger ambassador
heie." \ debate arising, the resolution was
laid over.
Mr.. Blair, of Mo-, offered resolution de.
elaring it just to recognize the eminent and
natriotic services of the late Gen. Lyon, and
rendering the thanks Of Congress to the Of
fcers and brave soldiers under him, who sus-
tanned the honor OF his flag and achieved a
victory at Springfield, Mo-, and in order to
commemorate the event each regiment shall
hear ON It's colors the word Springfield, in
letters of Gold: and that this resolution be
read at the headquarters OF the different reg
imeuts of the army. Adopted.
A discussion arose on n resolution request
inc the President 10 direct Gen. Ilalleck 10
recall his order, forbidding fugitive slaves
within his lines. The resolution was laid ON
the tablets to g..
A message was received from the Senate
announcing the death Of Senator Baker,
Messrs. Shield. Phelps, Sargent. Dunlap,
Collax, Richardson, Kelly and Riddle seve-
rally delivered eulogies. The usual rcsolu-
tions were adopted, when the House ad-
journed.
THURSDAY. Dec. 10.
SrNArE.-Mr. Trumbull presented petit
ton to repeal the law which prevents Jewish
divines from officiating as Chaplains in the
army.
Mr.. Trumbull also offered resolution that
the Secretary OF State inform the Senate
whether any persons have been arrested and
imprisoned by his order, ani il 50, by what
authority. Laid over.
Mr., Anthony offered resolution that the