, 1861-03-28

SESArE.-Fhe chair presented message,
from President Lincoln relating to resolution
passed by the Senate, asking, Il in his opinion |
It is not inc7mpatible with the public interest
crt Anderson to the War Department during
the time he has been in command at Fort Sum
ter. The President says. ii I hare come to the
conclusion that at the present moment ths
publication Of them would be inexpedient-"
MI. BRECKENRIDGE moved to take up the
sing the Withdrawal Of the Federal troops
frotn the seeded States. lie did not intend
making any remarks, as he had already c1-
prcssed his views on that subject, and desired
the vote on his motion to be regarded as q
testqueeti0n,
Nj. FESsENDEN supposed there would be
no objection to that, but reminded the Sens
tor that no quorum Was present.
On motion Of Mr. HALE, the Senate went
into Executive Session. ...--..
When the doors were opened, Mr. RRECK-
INRIDGE moved to take up his resolution Of
would accept CliUgman's substitute, - lie
asked the yeas and nays, saying he should con-
slider 1t test question as to whether or not J,
the Senate was willing to express IN opinion.
Mr. RICE was In favor OF Breckinridge's
resolution, but thought CIiugman'a went too
press an opinion on collecting the revenue to
'ns H. r's5dssI; BREck1NR1DeE said it would be for
the Senate to decide as to the acceptance Of
Cliugman's substitute.
Mi. WADE hoped 1t wuuld be taken up, 60
as to have square vote on It.
Mr.. RICE deemed It improper for the SEN
ate to advise the President il matters which
rest on him By law
| Mr.. CLINGMAN wanted to go further than
the BreekinFidge resolution. believing the Pres
| ident, nnd4 existing laws, has no power to
l nn15ect rnCnnt1e i'm tire ganafiinr SfafAa
MI. RICE said The Senate was travelling far
| out of the way to adviEe the President He
asked Breckenridge if his resolution extended
to Key West and Tortugas. If SO, he would
l never withdraw troops thence.
Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE supposed the resolu-
tion embraced those points, as'they are within
the limits Of Florida, bnt was willing to have
| these points excluded from the resolution,
rather than hazard Its defeat; and did not coz
slider the Withdrawal of troops from Key West
He disliked to do 80, because he entertained
the hope Of the reunion Of all the Statea+
| Mr.. RICE said If the Seeded States were de-
termined to remain ont OF the Union, he was
In favor Of their going In peace, and would
gfye them the forts and aEsenals for the sake
9f peace; but they we're not In possession Of
| Key West and Tortugas, and never will be.
These points are ne ,ded for us, and not for
| them: The commerce of the North viii need
| these, and he would not give them up under
1 any circumstances. -.-..... : -. ...-
Messrs. CLARK, SIMMONS, md TEN
EYCK oprpsed taking up the resolution.
| Mr. DOUGLAS favored taking It up, with q
| view Of offering an amendment to putt in the
scope 1t ought to take. Tie thought 1t would
be wise to withdraw the troops from Fort
Pickens. He said the Government at Mont
gomery,. being 2 revolutionary government,
dou1d claim only what they occupied. He
wss willing, under existing circumstances, to
| give up Sumter and rickeEa, they being of no
| use unless they Were intended as basis pi
military operation, and were now sources pi
constant irritation.
Mr. BRECKENRIDGE said he did not as:
sumo this to be q test vote. bat thought Il
might be 10 regarded.
1fr. WADE hoped the resolution would be
taken up and discussed. he did not hesitate
to say that the Senate, under the present cir
; He was anxious this subject should receive (
| full discussion ROW. Seven States had gont
ont Of the Union, and are domineered over By
usurpation. The people there had no voice il
| tho Government which has been erected, bu
military despotism tramples their rights IN
der foot. II they had power, they would cal
upon US to vindicata their rights, and tht
Constitution clothes Us with the authority tt
do It,
After further debate, s rcte Ess taken-2
| to TO- No quorum. Motions were made t
! adjourn and 60 into Executive Session Still
no quorum. Suggestions were made to tako
NJ BRECKNRIDGE faid after giving th.
Republicans an opportunity to confirm 1omi
nations, and having discharged his duty, b,
moved to adjourn ss5c die. Difasreed to. Fl
ually the Senate adjourned till tomorrow.