The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-02-22
CONGRESSIONAL.

Foote took the chair.
The resolution for printing $4,000 addi-
tional copies of the agricultural report for
the patent Office was passed.
HoUsE.-Mr. Kellogg, of Illinois, present.
ed a memorial, signed by 200 citizens of
the district he represented, against amend
ments to the constitution, lately introduced
by himself.
Mr.. Cochrane, Of New York, presented
the proceedings of the New York Demo.
cratic Convention, signed by $50 delegates,
relative to the settlement of the national
difficulties. Laid on the table.
Private bills were then considered.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Is.
SENArE.-Mr. Baker presented creden-
tiaIs of J. w. Nesmith, Senator elect from
Oregon.
A large number of petitions were pre-
sented by different Senators, in favor of the
Crittenden compromise.
Mr.. Morrill, presented several petitions
for the emancipation of slaves with COM
pensation to owners of the same. A reso.
luton was passed to meet at IL A. NJ,
hereafter.
Mr.. Gwin moved to take up the Post
Office bill, asking committee of conference.
HoUsE.-John Cochrane, from the com.
mittee on commerce, reported bill appro.
priatipg $4,000 for the survey of the nor
them water courses and Islands of the Pa
cifc ocean from Behring's Straits, in view
of Telegraphic communication from the
mouth of AMOR, in Asia, to some point on
the confines of the Russian Possessions. Re-
ferred to tie committee of the Whole on
the state of the Union.
MIR. Briggs from the committee on claims,
reported resolutions to repeal the joint res
olution favor of VIM. II. DeGroot. Adopt
ed. The report of the committee of con-
ference, on the deficiency bill, made on Sat.
urday, was taken up and agreed to.
Mr.. Stanton, from military committee,
reported a bill supplementary to acts of
1895 and 1917, providing for calling for
the militia for the execution of the laws of
the Union, suppressing of Instruction and
repelliDg invasion, so as to extend their
provisions to the case of instructions
against the authority of the United States,
and authorizes the President, in cases
where it may be lawful, to use the militia in
addition to the army and the navy, to &C.
cept the services of volunteers, as cavalry,
infantry and artillery, and officer the same.
Mr.. Bocock said that if there is to be
any hope of peace it must be by the rejec
ton OF force bills.
Mr.. Stanton said the bill was merely
supplementary to the act of 1895.
Mr.. Bocock objected to the second read
ing of the bill. Therefore the question
shall the bill be rejected? was put and re.
jected by 81 to IL.
Several members explained their votes.
Mr.. Stanton demanded the previous ques-
ton on the passage of the bill, but it was
not taken.
The report of the committee of thirty
three was resumed.
Mr.. Webster opposed secession. His
great object was to preserve the Union and
its liberties all within the Union. He op.
posed the force policy which was indicated
by the recent vote, as it would drive the
South so far off as to preclude the possiblli-
ty of reunion. He advocated conciliatory
policy.
The bill authorizing issue of fifty dollar
treasury notes was taken up and passed.
Also the bill organizing the territory of
Colorado.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10.
SENATE.-Mr. Rice said be believed the
people of bis State were in favor of the diff
fcuties between the North and South be-
ing settled, and if separation must come, a
peaceful, Christian one. He presented
petition, signed by 1900 voters of st. Paul,
asking for a settlement.
Mr.. Ten Eycke presented petition of
the citizens of New Jersey in favor of the
constitution and laws.
Mr.. Seward presented large number of
retitions in favor of the constitution and
laws.
HousE.-Mr Fenton offered a preamble
and resolution:
Whereas, Varied and conflicting opinions
prevail among the members of this House, IN
regard to the causes which have produced the
unhappy disturbances now affecting our cOun-
try, and in regard to the proper mode of meet
ing and adjusting these disturbances and
guard against their future occurrence. There
fore
Resolved, That in the judgment of the House
the proper tribunal to which all the disturbing
questions should be referred for elaboration,
consideration, and final settlement, to the ac-
ton of delegates from the several states of the
Union, to be called in the mode prescribed in
the Constitution.
Mr.. Stanton showed the necessity of the
passage of the bill he introduced,
authorizing the President to call out
the militia, etc., to enforce the COL
lection of the revenue, saying six states
had seeded, or organized separate and
hostile confederacy. At Charleston, Sa>
vannah and New Orleans authority of the
government is superseded, the laws cannot
be executed, and no duties can be there col
lected without some immediate measures be
adopted, aside from the ordinary mode of
collecting. One of two things remained to
be done, either to recognize secession or
abandon the execution of the laws. Sup
pose Virginia and Maryland, twenty days
after the fourth of March, should be precipi-
tated into secession, and make hostile de.
monstration on the Capitol, and five thou
sand troops could be collected here within
thirty days, are we to leave the executive
without means of repelling invasion? We
must rive the President means of defence.