Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-12-18
THIRTY.sEvENTH CONGRESS.
First Session

| " II
Sg WAsHK0roN, Dec. II.
SEnArr-A bill was received from the Hous,
TO authorize the sending Of volunteer force foI
On motion Of Mr.. Howell, II was referred u
Mr.. Sumner presented several petitions FOL
emancipation Of the slaves Of rebels.
Mr.. Wilson reported q bill for an increase ol
the number Of cadets at West Point.
Mr., Latham offered a resolution that the
Secretary ofWar be requested to inform the
Senate BY virtue Of what law and what reason
passports are required from passengers TO San
Francisco, which was agreed 10. .IfL
Mr.. Sherman offered resolution that the
Secretary Of War be requested TO furnish to
the Senate q copy Of all correspondence be.
tween Gen. Scott and Gen. Patterson.
Agreed 10. lfet = r-g-Z -ss f...tr.e..
Mr.. - introduced a bill in relation to
claims for French spolistion.
Mr.. Lane spoke against the present inactiVi.
ty Of our Potomac army. He said we must
advance into the rebel States and whip some
body, and then loyal men will come out by
thousands. gs tI.
Mr.. Carlile spoke against the ground taken
by Mr.. Lane on the subject of slaves.
Mr.. Lane continued, saying We must fight
aud gain victory before England sends her ar
my and navy upon US. II we are victorious,
she WON'T send them. $50 1G~H
On motion of Mr.. Grimes, ~. l-yr-
The resolution which caused this debate was
laid on the table. EtHI.
The bill providing for an allotment among
volunteer levies, with a substitute, was passed.
The Kansas contested seat came up, and was
postponed till tomorrow.
4 The Chair announced the committee to in
vestigate the general conduct OF the war:
Wade, Chandler, and Johnson Of Tennessee.
A resolution from the House about adjourn
ing until January 9Th was tabled
Adjourned, -
HoUsE.-Mr. Bingham, from the Judiciary
committee, reported back the joint resolution
directing and requiring the Provost Court at
Alexandra, Va, to retain and safely keep in
It's custody any property taken as that OF persons
engaged in or aiding the rebellion against the
United States, until the further action Of Con-
gress touching the same.
The resolution passed.
The House resumed the consideration Of the
special order, it being Mr.. Elliot's resolution
proposing the emancipation of the slaves ofreb-
els, etc.
Mr.. Harding of Ky j, invoked calm and patti.
otto consideration Of the subject now before the
House. 1t was with the deepest pain that he
witnessed the Introduction of the proposition
at an early period in the session, and the at
tempt to pass it under the operation of the pre-
vious question He thought that there was
disposition to exclude all reflection and re-
fusal to pause in the apparent mad career, but
when disposition was afterWard shown to act
with deliberatioD, his hopes revived.
Mr.. Harding then proceeded TO elaborate the
following points of his opposition to the pend
ing resolutions: 1st, We have no constitutional
power to pass them, or any bills on the subject.
3D., As be proceeded to show from copious ex-
tracts Congress and the President and the Ad-
ministration stand pledged in the most solemn
and public manner against all interference with
slavery; therefore, to sanction such O policy
would be palpable violation Of the plighted
faith Of this Government. Sd, He opposed the
resolution because legislation on the subject is
forbidden by every principle Of sound policy
4th, He opposed them, as all kindred measures,
because they would inaugurate war which
would involve in its horrors the loyal and dis
loyal, the innocent and guilty, and warfare
disgraceful to any civilized and Christian ma
ton. ... t...,..e. .fa-.f.. ...--
In the course of his remarks he said this war
has nothing more to do with slavery than with
any other institution. Let slavery alone, and II
will take care of itself. He showed the injus-
tice Of diverting this war from Its original de-,
sign, namely, the restoration OF obedience to
the Constitution and the laws, and the pVeserva-
tion of the Union.
The following we're submitted by Mr.. Van
Wyck, chairman Of the Investigating commit
tee:
Resolped That the Secretary Of the Navy be
requested to adjust the claim against the gov
eminent for the 5 600 Hall csrbines purchased
through Simon Stevens, Esq, by Gen. ]. G.
Fremont, on the 9th of Aug. 1851, and after
ward delivered at the United States arsensl at
st. Louis, on the basis Of sale of said arms
TO the government for twelve dollars and fifty
cents each, rejecting all other demands against
the government on account of the purchase of
said arms.
Resolued, That the practice Of employing ir-
responsible parties, having no official connection
with the Government, in the performance Of
public duties which may be properly performed
by regular officers of the g. gernment, and of
purchasing by private contract supplies for diff
ferent departments where fair and open compe-
tition might properly be invited by reasonable
advertisement for proposals, is Injurious to the
public service and meets the unqualified disap
probation of this House. FL
The conclusion of the report was postponed
till Thuraday,
Mr.. Morrill, introduced bill, which was
passed, to suspend the appointment Of assessors
and collectors OF income tax until the lst of
April next.
A bill for indemnity for the detention Of the
British ship Pirthshire came up.
Mr.. Cox In the course Of his remarks on the
subject, said the Government took pride in ac.
cordIng satisfaction in this case, and he hoped
the action of this House toward foreign pow
ers will show wise and just conciliation without
any timid or time.serviDg concessions. He ad-
verted to England's strange course regarding
the pirate Nashville.
After lengthy remarks the bill passed.