Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-12-27
CONGRESSIONAL.
TUEsDA1, Dec. II, 1861.
SENATE.

for the defence of Kentucky.
On motion of Mr.. Powell it was refer
red to the military committee.
Mr.. Sumner presented several petit
tions for the emancipation of slaves of
rebels.
Mr.. Wilson reported bill for increa-
sing the number of CADETS at West Point.
Mr.. Sumner offered n resolution that
the committee on military affairs be in
s;ructed to inquire into the expediency
of providing by Legislation that the army
shall not be employed in surrender Of
fugitive slaves. Laid over.
Mr.. Sumner introduced bill in rela-
ton to claims for French spoliation.
Mr.. Lane spoke in favor of forward
movement of the army of the Potomac,
and of emancipating the slaves.
Mr.. Carlisle contended that thsa@as a
war for constitutional liberty, and not to
trample on the constitutional rights Of
the people of any state. If the army
was to be turned into negro catchers, it
would dissolve like snow. He was will
ing to trust to the president. He (Mr.
CARLISLE supposed he had come here to
take constitutional measures to restore
the Union, and yet he was obliged to lis
ten to anti-slavery speeches and to men
simply working for party. If senators
from free states would do as much as the
loyal citizens Of the free states, they
would bring about good feeling and peace
would return to every part of this dis
tracted country.
Mr.. Lane spoke further to the effect
that he would wage the war to crush out
rebellion, and let such an emanation from
hell as slavery take care of itself, and if
| it perish, let it perish and freedom smile.
Mr.. McDougall opposed the resolution,
and protested against bringing in sub
iect not calculated to further the great
interests of the country,
Mr.. Grimes moved to lay the reso!u-
ton on the table. Agreed to.
Mr.. Wilson reported back from mill
tary committee bill to provide for alot-
ment among the volunteer forces, with a
substitute, which passed.
The Chair announced the committee
to inquire into the general conduct of the
war, as follows: Messrs. Wade, Cband-
Ter, and johnson of Tennessee.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Bingham of Ohio, from the judi
ciary Committee, reported back the joint
resolution directing and requiring the
Provost Marshal at Alexandria, Va, to
retain and safely keep in its custody any
property taken as that of persons en-
gagged in or aiding the rebellion against
the United States until the further action
of Congress touching the same. The
resolution passed.
The House resumed the consideration
of the special order, being Mr.. Elliot's
resolution proposing the emancipation of
the slaves of rebels, &c.
Mr.. Harding of Kentucky opposed the
resolution, because Congress has no con-
stitutional power to pass any bills on the
subject and because Congress and the
administration stands pledged against all
interference with ,lavery, He showed
the injustice of diserting the war from
its original design-the restoration OF
obedience to the Constitution and laws
and the preservation of the Union.
Mr.. Kellogg of Illinois moved that the
resolutions and those relating to the same
subject be referred to the judiciary Com
mittee. Agreed to. Yeas II; nays 81.
Mr.. Washburne, from the special com
mittee to inquire into the government
contracts, made report. He states that
the committee had gwen to it their unan-
imous concurrence, with the exception of
Mr.. Jackson, who met with the commit
tee, but for few days being called away
to Kentucky by a telegram, which re-
quired his immediate presence to aid in
putting down the rebellion.
The following was submitted by Mr..
Van Wyck, Chairman of the Investiga-
ting Committee:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the
Treasury be requested to decline making
any further payments to parties interest
ed in the steamboat Cataline, on account,
of the charter of said vessel by the Uni
led States on the 2jth day of April, 1861.
Resolved, That the Secl etary of the
Treasury be requested TO adjust the
claims against the government for five
Hall carbines, purchased thro'
Simon Stevens, Esq, by Gen. Fremont
IN the 9th of August, 1861, and after
ward delivered at the United States Ar {
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