Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-12-13

tives, on Monday last, a resolution was adopt
ed requesting the President to inaugurate sys-
tematic measures for the exchange ofprisoners.
The committee on foreign affairs was instruct
ed to inquire into the expediency of furnishing
relief to the starving population of Ireland.
Among the bills reported was one to abolish
slavery in the District of Columbia.
Nothing much of interest transpired in Con-
gress on Tuesday. The memorial of the Po-
lice Commissioners of Baltimore now confined
in Fort Warren, asking measures of relief came
before the House on a motion to discharge the
judiciary committee from its further conside-
ration and ELECTED debate, during which
Mr.. Psndleton, of Ohio, spoke at some length.
The subject, however, was finally laid on the
table,
In the United States Senate, on Wednesday,
several petitions were presented, asking that
all the slaves be set free-those of loyal mas
tiers with compensation-those of disloyal un-
| conditionally. A bill was introduced pro-
posing the construction Of new military and
mail route from Washington to Baltimore
In the House the greater portion of the session
was occupied with discussion on the resolu-
tions offered previously by Mr.. Lovejoy, with
reference to the proclamation of General Hal
leck, which prohibited fugitive slaves from
coming within his lines. A sharp controver-
sy sprung up in the course of the debate be-
tween Mr.. Fouke, of Illinois, and Mr.. Love
joy, in which the former suggested that if Mr.
Loyejoy would pay less attention to the ne
groes and more to the country, they would
get along better. The resolution, on motion
of Mr.. Vallandigham, was laid on the table
LEGISLATIVE the Senate of Maryland, on
Tuesday, resolutions were offered and referred,
proposing to appoint joint committee of
three of each House, to proceed to Washing
ton and wait on Major Gen. Mcclellan, with
the view of inducing him to adopt measures to
prevent the admission of fugitive slaves with
in the lines of the army. Nothing of interest
transpred in the House.
In the Senate, on Wednesday, leave was
granted to report bill to provide for taking
the sense of the people on the propriety of
calling Convention to form a new State
Constitution, and to provide for the election
of delegates to said Convention. A number of
notices to introduce bills were given by diff
ferent members, but nothing else of moment
was transacted.
In the House, on Wednesday, the bill au-
thorizing the removal of The prisoners now in
this county to Frederick county, until the
Jail of this county can be rebuilt, was passed.
MORE SKRNIsHISG.-Th Washington cor
respondents of the Northern journals give a
brief account of a sharp skirmish near An
mandate on Monday last, which ended, it is
said, by the Federal pickets being driven in
but reinforcemcnts being subsequently thrown
forward from Blenker's division, the Confede-
rates were, in turn, forced to retire. On the
other hand. the Washington Republican of
Tuesday last, states that it was Stahls bri-
gade of Blenker's division which encountered
the Confederates, and that it was 30 severely
handled as to render it necessary to send TO
the main body for reinforcemeuts. "More
troops and battery were Immediately sent"
but the result is not stated. If, however, we
are permitted to credit current reports, which
seem to be well authenticated, the Federal
troops were repused with heavy loss.
Major General Halleck has issued an i'm
portant order TO his commanding officers in
Missouri, directing them to arrest and hold in
confinement every one found in arms against
give aid to the Confederates; and ordering
that all persons found within the lines of the
army, in disguise as loyal citizens, and giving
information to the enemy, and all those taken
from the ranks of the Confederates in actual