New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-07-20
Proceedings OF the Federal Congress.

Proceedings OF the Federal Congress.
We extract from the Louisville journal Of the
10th the following abstract of the proceedings of
the Federal Congress on Monday the 18th inst:
SESArE.--NIr. Dixon said the rebellion must be
put down, whatever the consequences Let the
army move South with irresistible tread, and let
the banner wave over Richmond and New Or
leans.
Mr.. Hale le-moyed that the Senate proceed to elect
q Secretary.
First Eaiiot-3G votes were cast-Mr. Forney re-
ceived 2B and was declared elected.
Mr. Wade introduced a bill for the protection Of
the Government contracts.
The army appropriation bill was taken up. Sew
eral amendments were reported from the Commit
tee on Finance and adopted.
M. Grimes offered an amendment that the Coast
Survey be suspended during time of war. Dis
agreed 10.
The bill was then reported to the Senate and
passed.
A bill to increase the military establishment of
the United States was taken up.
The question WIS the amendment reducing
tine army again six mont after the suppression
of the iusurrection, aud it was modified SO as TO
make it one year instead of six months.
Mr. wilson opposed the amendment, as it would
have bad effect on the army and deter officers
from entering Lew regiments.
Massrs. Hale and Harris were also opposed to
the amendment
=. Mr.. Wilson said that though he was devotedly
attached 10 lle army, SLNt LIE country WAS H0t
watching tue interests of the army as it should. II
VIC had had 10000 men last October, properly dis
trbuted. we might have had the forts il the South
ern COntederacy to-day.
On motion of Mr., Breckenridge, the resolution
approving the acts Of the President was made the
special order for tomorrow, as he wished to sub
nit a few remarks.
Mr. Howe moved to amend the amendment re-
ducng the army again in one year after the insur-
rection was suppressed by providing that the
army be reduced as Congress may direct. The
amendment to the amendment was agreed to
yeas %, nays lS The bill then passed
Mr. Chandler introduced bill providing for the
coniscaton Of the property OF rebels.
The loan bill was taken up. Several amend
ments reported from the Committee on Finance
were adopted.
Nouse-On motion Of Nj. Washburne it was
resolved that the Committee on Commerce be di-
rected to instruct an immediate inquiry as to what
further means, If any, are necessary to make the
blockade Of the ports Of entry of rebelious States
more etfeotual, and to arrest depredatlons of pi-
rates now preying upon American commerce un-
der pretended letters of marque issued by the Sc
called Southern COgfederacy.
On motion of MIR. Nixon, the resolution passed,
the Senate conCurring, that Congress adjourn next
Friday.
Mr. ConElng asked leave to introduce resolu-
ton providing for select committee to which
shall be referred the subject Of general bankrupt
law to report at next session by bill or otherwise
Adopted.
Mr.. Elliott, from the Committee on Commerce
reported the following:
Resol0ed. That the Secretary of the Treasury be
requested to employ a sufficient force to protec
our commerce from pirates which nov lnfest thu
seas. Passed.
The Speaker laid before the House letter from
Mr.. Carlisle, resgning his seat, he having beeI
elected Senator from Virginia
Mr.. Wood offered the following
ReS0}Uel, That this Congress recommend to thu
| Governors of the various States to convene the
Legislatures for the purpose Of calling an election
| of two delegates from each Congressional District
| to meet in general convention at Louisville, on th
| first Monday Of September next: the purpose o
the convention being to devise measures Tor tn
restoration Of peace to the country.
Mr.. Washburne moved to lay the resolution OF
the table. Agreed to-92 against 81.
| Mr.. Allen asked leave to offer the following reso
| lutions:
Res3lUed That, wheRever the States now in re
| belon against the Government shall cease then
| rebellion and become loyal 10 the Union, 1t IS lht
duty OF the Government to suspend the prosecution
| of the war.
RcsolUed, That no part Of the object of tho
present war is to interfere with slavery.
Mr.. Blake suggested to amend by adding The
words and surrender their leaders to be hung
| Mr.. Vaaudigham asked leave to offer serie
of resolutions setting forth the recent acts of thu
President in relation to calling out troops for th'
/ war, etc, and declaring they were without Warran
| of law and in violation OF the Constitution.
Mr. Vallandigham said he wanted the resolution
| referred to a committee Of the whole. The Hous
tabled them.
Mr. Hickman from the Judiciary Committee, re
| ported bill which he said had received the ap
prevail of the law, the Government, and the ia
| dicury Committee. The title Of the bill is to defn
and punish conspiracy. After considerable discus
cusson the Dill passed. Yeas 1873, nays 7.
Mr. McClernand offered the following: Whereas
portion of the people of the United States i
violation of their Constitutional obligations, hav
! taken up arms against the National Goyernmcn
and are now striving by an aggressive and IN
righteous war to overthrow it and break up tn
Union Therefore,
Resoyred That this House pledges itself to vot
any amount of money and any number of me
which may be necessary to secure q speed
and efectual suppression Of said rebellion and til
permanent restoration of Federal authority every
where within the limits and jurisdiction of til
United States. Adopted. Yeas l2l, nays 5.
A long discussion ensued on the resolution
Mr.. Potter regarding Congressman May, to inqnir
if he had been holding criminal intercourse wit
the rebels, and to report what course should b
taken, and power to send Tor persons ard paper
! The resolution passed.
The House concurred in the Serates ament
ment to the Volunteer Bill and then The HVu;
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