Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-07-19
37th Congress-special Session
WASHINGTON ,Tulv |.

WASHINGTON, July IA.
HoUsE.-On motion of Mr. Washbmne i
it was resolved that the committee on Com
merce be directed to institute immediate in
quiry as to what further measures are neces
sary, if any, to make the blockade of the fort
in the rebellious States more effectual, and t.
arrest the depredations of pirates now preyins
upon American commerce under pretended
letters of marque issued by the so-callet
Southern Confederacy.
! On motion of Mr.. Dixon, the resolution wa.
passed, the Senate concurring, that Congress
adjourn next Friday.
Mr.. Conkiin asked leave to introduce res
olution providing for select committee tt
which shall be referred the subject of gen
eral bankrupt law, to report at next session, by
bill or otherwise. Adopted.
Mr.. Elliott from the committee on Com
merce, reported the following: Resolved
That the Secretary of the Treasury be re
quested to employ Immediately a sufficient
| force to protect our commerce from pirates
| which now infest the seas Passed.
The Speaker laid before the House letter
from Mr.. Carlisle, resigning his seat, he hay
ing been elected Senator from Virginia
Mr.. Wood offered the following: Resolved
of the various States to convene their Legisa.
lures for the purpose Of calling an election OF
two delegates from each of the Congressional
districts. to meet in general convention, at
Louisville, on the first Monday of September
next; the purpose of the convention being to
devise measures for the restoration of peace
to our country.
Mr.. Washburne moved to lay the resolution
on the table. Agreed to; against 81.
WASHINGTON, July 1G
HoUsE.-Mr. Washburn, from the commit
tee on commerce said they were ready to re-
port on a resolution for clearing the seas of
pirates, and make the blockade more effectual
and as there was immediate necessity for it's
passage hoped the House would proceed to
consider it,
Mr.. Bingham from the committee on judi
ciary introduced bill providing for the sup
preston of rebellion against the government,
andresstance to the laws of the United States.
The President is authorized to call out the
militia for these purposes. Their continu-
unce in service is not to extend beyond 60
days after the commencement of the regular
session Of Congress, unless the latter shall
otherwise direct The militia to be entitled
to the same pay and rations as the regular
service
The bill passed under the operation of the
previous question almost unanimously.
Mr.. Blair form the committee on military
affairs, reported back the Senate bill author
izing the President to accept the services of
10000 volunteers to aid in the enforcement
of the laws and the protection of the public
property. He proposed for it substitute
lIar To fI,a l.,
several additions, and provision which al
ows the President to select the Majors and
Brigadier Generals from the line of the army
10 command volunteers. These officers to
resume their former places at the expiration
IF the war; The bill passed
Mr.. Stevens from the committee on WAYS
md means reported Senate's amendments to
he loan bill which, on their recommendation,
we're all concurred in.
Mr. Wright introduced bill authorizing
he Secretary of the Treasury to issue ex.
hange bills to the amount of 500, 900, 900.
Referred to the committee on WAYS and I
1eans. ,
Mr.. Sedgwick from the Naval committee re- I
orted, with an amendment, the Senate bill
the Secretary of the Navy to al
II and regulate the Navy rations; also the c
enate bill providing for the appointment of I
n assistant paymaster in the Navy; also the $
enate bill, with amendments, fixing the 3Oth c
June as the date when the sloop of war n
undered at sea, and providing for the relief 7
the widows and orphans of those lost "
The three above named bills were passed Al
SENATE.-Mr. Sumner presented petition e,
r the abolition of slavery in the Southern d
ates, remunerating such owners of slaves b,
may be impoverished thereby from the hi
sasury Of the United States
A petition was presented from NJ. o. Rob
is asking payment for the Star of the West nj
It in the Government service Isl
Mr.. McDougal offered resolution in regard be
the Pacific railroad being made military a.