The national Republican., 1861-12-20
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House resumed the consideration of the
bill to amend an act of July 28, 1861, granting
bounty of one hundred dollars to certain col
diers who served in the army Of The United
States.
MIR, HOLMAN, of Indiana, moved to recon-.
nit the bill to the Committee on Military At
fairs with Instructions to report bill TO in
clude the soldiers who enlisted for three
months, under the first call of the President,
who were honorably discharged by reason of
wounds received.
Mr.. MORRILL,, of Vermont, moved to lay
the whole subject on the table; which m >tion
prevailed--yeas sc, nays not counted.
The SPEAKER appointed the following
gentlemen on the joint committee TO enquire
into the conduct Of the present war: Messrs
GooGh, Of Massachusetts, Covode, of Pshnsyl.
vanis, Julien of Indiana, and Odell, of Penn
sylvanla.
Also, Msssrs Colfax, MCPHERSON and Coz,
as regents Of the Smithsonian Institution.
A message was received from the President
of the United States, transmitting the CORE
spondence between the Secretary of State, the
| Secretary Of War; and the Governor OF the
| State OF Maine, upon the subject of fortifca
tons upon the 'seacoast aud lakes.
Mr.. STEVENS, of Pennsylvania, from the
Committee of Ways and Means, reported bill
making appropriation for constructing and
preserving certain Notifications for the year
ending 3Oth June, 1868, aud for additional ap-
preparation for the year ending the 3Oth June,
| 1862. Referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Also, bill to incorporate the Washington
and Georgetown Railroad Company.
| The House resumed the consideration Of the
bill authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to
boats.
Mr.. VALLANDIGHAM offered an amend
ment to have the contracts for the building of
| these steamers advertised for ten days. The
amendment was rejected, and the bill passed.
Mr.. MCKNIGHT, of Pennsylvania, from the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, reported a joint
resolution authorizing Capt. Sawyer to receive
medal from the King of Holland. Passed
Mr., COLFAX, from the Committee Oh the
Post Office aud Post Roads, reported bill to
promote the efficiency Of the dead letter Office
altogether. He read from the Postmaster Gen
erals report several extracts, to show the
basis Of the bill.
| Mr.. KELLOGG moved 10 amend the bill by
striking out 2a and inserting s. also before
the word clerk, In the bill, insert the word
loyal. Lost
Mr.. HOLMAN, of Indiana, moved to lay the
bill on the table. Lost.
Mr. COLFAX demanded the main question
when the bill passed.
Mr.. WASHBURN, Of Illinois, offered reso
luton that the Committee on Elections enquire
and report whether any person holding Office
under the United States and receiving com
pensation therefor, Is, at the same time, hold
Ing bis scat in this House, and receiving com
pensation for the same Passed.
A resolution of enquiry was passed, author.
izing the Committee On Expenditure and Pub
lie buildings to enquire into the Treasury and
Capitol extensions, whether the contractors
are faithfully performing their duty, with
power to send for persons aud papers.
On motion of Mr.. STEVENS, the House re-
sol we'd itself into Committee of the Whole on
the state Of the Union, (Mr. Kellogg, Of Hi
! nois, in the chairD aud took up House bill max