The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-02-22
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IL.


of the Crittenden propositions.
Mr.. Crittenden presented a petition o.
23,200 citizens of Massachusetts, in favor
of his resolutions. He said he felt cheered
by such voice from Massachusetts, show.
ing their devotion to the Union, for which
their fathers fought.
The navy bill was taken up.
Mr.. Green made strong speech against
the amendment to build sloops of war, ba
sing his remarks on the ground thai
the country was bankrupt and the
object was to coerce independent states
He advocated the right of secession, anl
said that holding Fort Sumter, which was
built for protection, with its guns frownine
on Charleston, was an act of war agains
South Carolina. He said South Carolins
has as much right to the forts in New York
harbor as the United States has to Fort
Sumter, and he pledged his feeble arm to
act in any contingency which might arise
The amendment was then cOncurred in by
ayes u, nays II.
Messrs. Bigler, Douglas, johnson, o.
Tennessee, and Latham voted in the affirm.
alive. The bill was then passed, and the
Senate went into executive session.
Adjourned.
HoUsE.-Mr. Morris made report from
the special committe on the Indian trust
abstraction, saying that it was unanimous.
The Pacific Railroad bill was taken up.
Mr.. Curtis favored the northern route,
without deprecating others.
Mr.. Craig, of Missouri, opposed the Sen
ate's amendment.
Mr.. Farnsworth and Mr.. McClernand
opposed the bill as it stood.
Mr.. Pryor opposed the whole bill as
chimerical. He moved that the Senate's
amendment be tabled.
Mr.. Sickles defended the project, saying
that all parties for the last eight years have
declared 10 their platforms the constitution
atty and practicability of the road. He
said tidings from Tennessee, Kentucky,
and Virginia, would tend to restore the
credit which Mr.. Pryor said the country
had lost.
Mr. Pryor replied that Virginia would
sever the bonds which bind her to the op-
pressive association, unless Justice and equal.
ity were secured to her. She has not pro-
nOunced for submission, but resolved mag
unanimously to make one more effort to pre-
serve the Union.
MIR. Sickles SAID Virginia declared for
reason, not passion. What she would do
in future be knew not.
Mr.. Leach said Virginia was anxious to
preserve the Union, if she can get justice;
if not, she will trust her own right arm and
appeal to no earthly power. He said 100
out of ESQ delegates are for secession, unless
they obtain ample guarantees by the fourth
of March.
Mr.. Pryor had paragraph read from
the Richmond Wing sustaining his assertion
as to the course OF Virginia.
Mr.. Sickles said the 100000 Union men
of New York concurred in the resolutions
Of the people of Virginia, Kentucky and
Tennessee, which is Indicative Of the love
to the Union. Adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IL.
HOUSE The House opened with prayer
by Chaplain Stockton in which he said -
Bless the outgoing administration may
it close its labors in peace, without further
violence and without any stain OF blood /;
and we pray for the incoming administra-
ton; that the blessing of God may rest
on the President elect in his journey hith-
erward that the good Providence may be
around him day and night, guarding him at
every step; and we pray that he may be
peacefully and happily inaugurated, and
afterwards by pure, wise, and prudent coun.
sells, that be may administer the government
in such manner as the name may be glori,
fed, and the welfare of the people in all
their relations be advanced, and that our
example of civil and religious liberty be
followed in all the world"
Mr.. Sherman sent up letter from tho
secretary of the treasury, again urging
speedy measures in view of the pressing de-
mands on the treasury. Mr.. Sherman &C.
cordingly reported bill authorizing the
President in place of any part OF the recent
loan, to issue coupon loans of denomination
not exceeding $50, and bearing not exceed
ing six per cent. interest, and running twenty
years, and apply such bonds at par to the
creditors who may receive them, the entire
amount not to exceed that authorized by
the recent loan acts. Mr.. Sherman made
an explanation, showing the importance of
the measure.
MIR. Garnet opposed the bill, saying the
speech OF the President elect at Indianapo-
lis, indicated coercion and the Inauguration
of military despotism. Suppressed his
ses.
Mr.. Sherman moved q suspension of the
rules. Decided not in order.
The Senate was notified OF the readiness
of the House to have the electoral votes
counted. The Senate entered and the Tel
lers and other officials took their stations
and after short address by Vice President
Breckenridge, he opened the difiereat certi
fcates. which were read, the Secretary Of
the Senate taking note of them. The read
ing of the vote OF South Carolina caused
good humored excitement. The reading oil
all the electoral votes having been complet'
ed the tellers reported the result, whereupor
the Vice President, rising said" Abraham
Lincoln, of illinois, having received ma
jority of the whole number of votes, is duly
elected President of the United States fol
the four years commencing on the 4th o
March, 1861, and Hannibal Hamlin, o
Maine. having received majority of thu