Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-12-17
37th COngress---Flrst Session.
WASHINGTON, Monay, December Is.
HOUSE.

have taken up arms against the Government,
or in any manner aided the rebellion.
Mr.. VallandiRham, Of Ohio, introduced the
following preamble and resolution:
WHEREAS, The Secretary Of the Navy has
reported to this House that Captain Charles
Wilkes, in command Of the San Jdointo, on
armed public vessel Of the United States, did,
on the 9Th Of November, 1861, on the high
seas, intercept the freat, British mail
steamer, and forcibIy removed therefrom james
Mason and John Slidell, disloyal citizens,
leading oonspirstors, rebel enemies, and dan
gerous men, who, with their suite, we're on their
wsy 70 Europe to promote the cause OF the in
surrection, ciaimiog to be Embassadors from
the Seeded Confederate States; and,
WHEREAS, The Secretary of the Navy has
further reported TO this House that the prompt |
and decisive action of Captain Wilkes on this
occasion merited and received the emphatic ap-
proval Of the Department; aud, moreover in
public letter, has thanked Captain Wilkes for |
the act; and, whereas, this House, on the |
first day of the session, did propose to tender |
he thanks of Congress to Captain Wilkes for
his brave, adroit aud patriotic conduct In the
arrest Of the traitors; and, Whereas fdrther,
on the same day, this House did request the |
President to con6ne the said J. NJ. Mason aud |
John Slidell in the cells of convicted felons
until certain military officers of the United |
States, captured and held by the SO called Con-
federate States, shall be treated as prisoners of
war,
Resolped, As the sense Of this House, that
it is the duty of the President to now firmly
maintain the stand thus taken, approving and
adopting the act of Captain Wilkes, in spite Of
any menace or demand of the British Govern
ment, and that this House pledges its full sup
port to him iR upholding now the honor and
vDdicating the course of the Government aud
people of the United States against foreign
power.
Az UolIand;1bau nnovad tha nrevioua mas.
ton. They had heard the first growl of the
British lion; it remained to be seen who would
cover.
Mr.. FentoD, of New York, hoped the resolu
tioE would be referred to the Committee on
Foreign A6sirs.
Mr.. Vallandigham remarked. that former
resolution, approbstory Of Captain Wilkes,
passed without being so referred. He (Vallau-
digbam) had offered this resolution in good
faith and would stand By it. The House then
refused to second the demand to the previous
question.
Mr.. Fenton again moved that the preamble
and resolution be referred to Committee on
Foreign Affairs. The motion was agreed to
by yeas 100; nays 13.
The House resumed the consideration Of the
bill authorizing the raising Of volunteer
| force for the better defense of Kentucky.
Mr.. Lovejoy, of Illinois, hoped the bill
would not pass. According to the official re-
turns we have standing army Of between
| 900 900 and zoo, 600, which is amply sufficient
for the war. We have more soldiers now than
can be used. The raising of 20, 900 volunteers
| for twelve months instead of for the war should
not be authorized. He did not understand
that the military authorities had asked for this
increase. Besides, he was opposed to the mode
of raising them.
Mr.. Richardson, of Illinois, trusted the bill
| weuId pass. The volunteers proposed to be
/ -. KavNu olyu nf tha heat Kind The
base of operations was at Louisville, and u, 900
men we're necessary to guard the base aud the
| line on which our army is to advance.
Mr.. Wickliffe said Kentucky has furnished a
quota of $1,000 men. He repeated what he
said the other day, namely, that before he in
troduced the bill he mentioned the subject to
the Secretary Of War, and also consulted the
President, who, together with his Cabinet, he
was informed, approved Of the measure. AS to
Mr.. Lovtjoy's opposition, he knew that gsntle-
men would vote against any thing except Whas
| related to negroes.
In the course of his remarks, Mr.. Wickliffe
said whenever our army shall move to take
possession of Columbus, we will require every
| soldier that can be brought into the field to re-
take the place and march on Tennessee. The
volunteers will not be required to serve in Ken
lucky alone, but to fight wherever an enemy
can be found, and they will do it. He (Mr.
Wickliffe) entered his protest against making a
regular army cut of these more than 500 600
volunteers. The gentleman from Illinois Mr..
Lovtjoy) was at the battle of Bull Run, and
must have seen we have not men enough. The
decisive battle in this campaign must be fought
in Kentucky, and, when fought, he wanted the
highways protected.
Mr.. Stevens, Of Penn, opposed the bill or
| financial grounds, saying this war must b(
carried on in the most economical manner.
Mr.. Dunlap urged the passage of the bill
ard argued that there must be force enough t
defend Kentucky at all hazards.
MIR. Divsn, of N. Y, also supported the bill
Mr. Lovejoy, in reply to the remarks of Mr.
Wickiffe, said be would carry on the war Il
put down the rebellion, and let slavery taxi
care of itself. He was not to be intimidateC
by any sneers or ailusions to his anti SLAYER,
sentiments. He was not afraid of the slave
drivers whip.
He was willing to vote, in good faith, mel
and money, but not for the proposed force. a
at an expense of thirty millions of dollars
when it was not needed. Some Of the super
fuous force on the Potomac River ought to b
sent to Kentucky.
Messrs. Bingham, of Ohio, Maynard, of Ten
pessee, and Morrell, of Vermont, severalI
spoke in favor of the bill.
Mr.. Blair, of Missouri, closed the debate il
reply to Mr.. LovtjOy. He said we have tn
best reason TO believe that we have not nea
enough in the field, for we have not been abl
to conquer the enemy any where as yet, an
We have not met him at any time except whel
J be Outnumbered us, Hence, we have not bee'
able to drive back the foe one foot.
Mr., LovtjOy replied, accounting for this b.
the fact that the enemy will not meet US unles
when he is in superior numbers,
/ Mr.. Blair-Then why should not cur arm,
ovsITuu the enemy?
J Mr.. Lovtjoy-Bscsuse We have no Generals
Mr.. Blair advocated the passage of the bill
The bill was passed.
Mr.. Allen introduced joint resolution that
the Senate concurring, when the House adjour
| on THURSDAY next, it be until the 1st of Janu
| ary. The resolution was adopted by
against 56. Adjourned.
, SENATE. ..
, Mr.. Grimes presented petition that in con
sequence of the present rebellion, slavery b
absolutely and Internationally abolished.
Mr.. Ten Eyck offered a resolution that th
present war is for the Union according to th
. Constitution; that the object of the war is
save the former and inforcS the latter; that
! was SO in the beginning and should be 80 ii
l the last; that measures extreme, radical an
disTuptiVe in themselves, involving in a con
7 mon fate the loyal and disloyal, should not
T resorted to, and in suppressing treason th
] Government can not prove traitor to the Oh
, ganic law of the land. Laid over.
Mr.. Hale offered q resolution that Ii
Committee on Military Affairs enquire into th
: e1pediency of providing uniform manner fC
dealing with the slaves Of tho rebels and tho!
made prisoners or escaping from their master