The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1861-02-15
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON. Feb. Z.

raj petitions in favor of the Crittenden reso-
luton. He also presented the resolutions Of
the Legislature of New York, which his
colleague had presented during his absence
and said he dissented from the views of his
colleague.
Mr.. Collamer presented q petition from
the citizens of Vermont, asking Congress
to adopt an amendment to the Constitution
similar to the border state propositions. He
said he was willing to do all in bis power in
in Congress, but not anything was now
allowed by the Constitution, which says
that Congress may propose amendments, to
be submitted to the states and further if
states wanted amendments let them say so
by convention, and Congress must agree.
Mr.. Cameron presented petition signed
by five thousand citizens of Philadelphia,
representing probably 10000 or 10000
people in favor of the Crittenden-B -Bigler
resolution.
HousE.-The galleries of the House were
densely crowded to-day. Among the spec.
tators were the commissioners to the peace
convention. A sound like the reverberat-
ing of cannon startled everybody. The
members rushed to their feet, aud the la.
dies hastily left the galleries. The Speaker
quieted their fears by saying that something
had fallen on the roof. 1t was subsequently
found that the wind had blown down small
derrick.
The report of the committee of thirty
three was taken up. Mr.. Corwin gave
notice that he would move to close the de-
bate week from Friday.
WASHINGTON, Feb. g.
SENATE.--Messrs. Seward and Hale pre-
sented petitions from the citizens of Phila-
delphia asking for the preservation of the
Union and the enforcement of the laws.
Mr.. Bigler presented petitions in favor
of the Crittenden resolutions.
HoUsE.-The House passed a bill for the
Sound agricultural company, under the
treaty of Great Britain. 1t authorizes
persons residing in Washington Territory,
within one year to make application for
confirmation of the title to the lands claimed
by them.
The speaker laid before the House the
message of the President, enclosing the cor
respondence between bimselfand Col. Hayne
of South Carolina. Referred to select
committee of five, and ordered to be printed
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.
SENATE.-The Vice President announced
that he had received the resolutions of the
Democratic State Convention of Ohio. OBJ
lection was made to their reception on the
ground that they were not especially ad-
dressed to the Senate After some discus
sion, the resolutions were received, yeas 38,
nays IA.
Mr.. Seward presented petitions for the
settlement of the difficulties of the cOuntr !;
and also the resolutions of the Legislature
oi New York.
Mr.. Crittenden presented memorials from
the citizens of Kentucky in favor of the
Crittenden resolutions.
HoUsE.--On motion of Mr.. Boteler, res
olation was adopted requesting the President
to communicate to the House the corres-
pondence between our Government and that
of Peru, since 1853, on the subject of the
free navigation of the Amazon and its
tributaries.
Mr.. Cox offered an amendment to the
Senate bill, for temporary government for
the territory of Colorado. 1t proposes to
allow the people to assemble and form for
themselves an organic law and territorial
government, to consist of legislative, judi
diary, and executive departments, &c. 1t
is substantially the Douglas substitute,
offered in the Senate. Ordered to be printed.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IL.
SENATE.-Mr. Wade presented four pc.
titions, numorously signed by citizens of
Philadelphia, asking Congress to stand firm
by the Union and Constitution, and the en-
forcement of the laws. Mr.. Crittenden
presented large number of petitions from
citizens of Massachusetts, Indiana and Mis-
souri,, asking some settlement of the diff
culties in the country. Mr.. Bigler pre-
sented petitions asking Congress to submit
the question of amendments to the consti.
tuition to the people and also of Fifty
politicians, asking for the passage of the
Crittenden resolutions.
A resolution calling for the correspond
ence relative to the extradition of Ander.
son was laid over. A petition was received
from Nevada, asking for territorial gov
ernment. Referred to the territorial com.
mittee. Another conference committee was
dppUlutCu vi IuC uSuClCuCy Uuls 1uC COu"
sideration of the Presidents message was
postponed till Thursday. The naval appro-
priation bill came up. Several appropria-
tions for the Pensacola yard were struck
out. Mr. Hale offered an amendment repeal
ing the act preventing the purchase of pat
ented articles.
Mr.. Pierce proposed to amend, to accept
firearms. Agreed to, and the amendment
was carried.
MIR. Hale offered an amendment to build
steam sloops of war.
Mr.. Hunter opposed. Carried, ayes 30,
nays l8.
HOUSE, Mr.. Briggs presented memo
rial from the citizens of Seneca Falls, New
York, in favor of the border state resolu-
tions.
Mr.. Craig of New York, offered the fol.
lowing:
Whereas, as South Carolina, Georgia, Alaba-
ma, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida, have
separated from the confederacy of the United
States and established second confederacy !;
and Whereas, it is desirable that the most ami
cable relations should exist between them and