The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-07-19
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT.

Mr.. Hale moved that the Senat e proceed
to elect Secretary. On the first ballot
36 votes were cast; j. W. Forney received
rs, and was declared elected.
Mr.. Wade introduced bill for protec.
tion of Government contractors.
The appropriation bill was taken up and
several amendments reported from the Cons
mittee on Finance, were adopted. Mr..
Grimes offered an amendment that the coast
survey be suspended during the time of war.
Disagreed to.
HoUsE.-On motion of Mr.. Washburne
1t was resolved that the Committee on
Commerce be directed to institute an imme.
date inquiry into what further measures are
necessary, if any, to make the blockade of
| the ports in the rebellious States more eff
fectual and to stop depredations of priva.
teers now preying upon American CON-
merce, under pretended letters of marque
issued by the so-called Southern Confede-
racy.
On motion of Mr.. Dixon a resolution was
passed 1.-THE Senate concurripg) that Con.
gress adjourn next Friday.
Mr.. Conkling asked leave to introduce a
resolution providing for a select committee
to which shall be referred the subject of a
general bankrupt law, to report at next ses.
sion, by committee or otherwise. Adopted.
The Chairman from the Committee on
Commerce, reported the following resolu-
ton:
Resolved, That the Secretary Of the Treasu-
ry be requested to employ sufficient force to
protect our commerce from pirates which now
infest the seas. Passed.
The Speaker laid before the House let
ter from Mr.. Carlisle resigning his seat he
having been elected Senator frnm Virginia.
Mr.. Wood offered the following:
Resolved, That this Congress recommend to
the Governments of the various States to con-
vene their legislatures for the purpose of call
ing for the election of two delegates from each
OF the Congressional Districts to meet in Gen.
eral Convention at Louisville, on the first Mon.
day OF September next, the purpose of the
Convention being to devise measures for the
restoration of peace to our country.
MIR. Washburne moved to lay the resolu-
tion on the table. Agreed to, 80 against
81.
Mr.. Allen asked leave to offer the follow,
ing resolutions:
Resolved, That whenever the States now in
rebellion against the General Government shall
Union, it is the duty of the Government to sus.
pend the prosecution of the war.
Resolved, That no part of the object of the
present war is to interfere with slavery.
Mr.. Blake suggested an amendment by
by adding the words and surrender their
leaders to be hung"
MIR. Vallandigham asked leave to offer a
series of resolutions setting forth the recent
acts of the President in relation to calling
out troops for the war, &C., and claiming
they were without the warrant of law and
in violation of the Constitution. Mr.. Val
landigham said he wanted the resolutions
referred to the Committee of the Whole.
The House tabled them.
WASHINGTON, July l6.
HoUsE.-Mr. Bingham from Committee
on Judiciary, introduced bill providing
for the suppression of the rebellion against
Government and resistance to the laws of
the United States. The President is au-
thorized to call out the militia for these
purposes; their continuance in service is not
to extend beyond sixty days after the com,
mencement of the regular session of Con.
gress, unless the latter should otherwise di-
rect. The militia are 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 from the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs, reported back the Senate bill
authorizing the President to accept the ser.
vices Of 100000 volunteers to aid In the
enforcement of the laws and the protection
of public property. He proposed for it a
substitute similar to the bill passed pre-
viously, with, among several other additions
and provisions, one which allows the Presi.
dent to select the Major and Brigadier-
Generals from the line of the army to com.
mand the volunteers, these officers to assume
their former places at the expiration of the
war. Bill passed.
AIR. Stevens from Committee on Ways
and Means, reported Senate's amendment
to loan bill, which, on their recommends
ton, were all concurred in.
Mr.. Wright introduced bill authorizing
the Secretary OF the Treasury, to issue ex-
change bills to the amount of $4,000, 900.
Referred to Committee on Ways and
Means
Mr.. Washburne, from the committee on
Commerce, said they were ready to report
on the resolution for cleaning the seas of
pirates and make the blockade more effec
tive, and as there was immediate necessity
for its passage, he hoped the House would
proceed to consider it.