Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1861-01-17
CONGRESS.

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 9.-The special mes
sage of the President was received and read
in both Houses on Wednesday. In the Sem
ate, Mr. Seward presensed the memorial OF
the New Yo,k Chamber of Commerce, asking
for steam postal service between San Fran
cisco and China. Mr.. Yulee presented bill
to adjust the difficulties between the otates-
A resolution, offered by Mr.; ohdell, lnqulrIng
of the President as to the office OF Secretary
of War. and WHY the appointment, if made,
was not committed to the Senate, was laid
over. Mr. Clslk of New Hampshire pre-
,ented serious of resolutions, amendatory of
Mr. Crjrendeu's resolution; they were order
al TO be printed. Mr. Davis of Miss. called
for the reading of the correspondence from
the South Carolina Commissioners. MIR.
King Of New York objected, on the ground
that it was reasonable, and a sharp debate
arose between him and Mr.. Davis. The
Chair decided that the papers were under
stood TO be part of the Senate papers that
decision was sustained. The last letter of the
Commissioners was then read, and, after fur
thur discussion. the consideration OF the spec
cial message "as postponed until Thursday
Mr. Crittenden's resolutions in reference to
submitting to the people amendments of the
Constitution, were laid over until Thursday.
An eIiOrI was MAUI Aut ld4tCOs ~ ACiCA tAS
Pacific Railroad bi TO a special committee
When the Special Message had been read in
the House, on motion of Mr. Howard it was
referred to a Special Committee OF five, with
power to investigate everything pertaining to
the present difficulties, and with liberty to
send for persons and papers. 1t was stated
upon inquiry that there is no probability OF
the agreement of the Committee OF Thirty
three. The Civil and Appropriation bill was
taken up, but there was no vote The Select
Committee on the Presidents Special Mes
sage was instructed to inquire as to the al
lened removal of arms from the arsenals and
from Harper's Ferry, and if so, by whose au-
thority.
THURSDAY, Jan. 10.-In the Senate, Mr..
Slidell's resolution for inquiry as to . who is
at the head of the war department." &c, was
adopted. Mr.. Davis OF Miss addressed the
Senate, making his closing speech before
leaving Washington, his State having seced-
ed. He argued that the constitution gave no
power to coerce a State, and that Major An
derson's act had put South Carolina in hos
tile attitude. He continued to argue the jus
tifcation of all the movements of South Car
DINA In the House, the debates were unim-
pOrtant, and after considering some District
of Columbia business, the House ad ourned.
RIDAN, Jan IL 1 ne pilHClpdI event III
the Senate was a speech by Hunter of Vir-
ginia proposing amendments to the ConstitU-
ton securing protection to slavery in the ter
ritories and the District of Columbia and pro-
yiding for a dual executive TO consist Of
President elected from each section of the
Union and holding office at the same time
In the House, Mr.. Lovejoy offered a resolu-
ton, which was allowed to be read only for
information, that it would be wise for the
President to delegate all his powers over the
army and navy to Gen. Scott. The civil and
miscellaneous appropriation was passed, cut
ting off an amendment for a survey Of the
gulf coast.
SATURDAY, Jan. -. -- The Senate pro-
ceeded to the special order, the consideration
OF the Presidents message, when Mr. Seward
took the floor and delivered, in the presence
of the diplomatic corps, and a large number
of ladies and gentlemen, his expected speech
on the state Of the country. In the House, a
iettcr was received from the Mississippi dele
CATION announcing their withdrawal from the
House, their State having seeded from the
Union. The House went into Committee on
the Navy Appropriation bill, which, after
some discussion, was passed