The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-04-05
XXXV1I. Congress go Senate.
EXTRA SESSION
wAsHrNaroN. March 81.

President Lincoln, relating to resolution
passed by the Senate, asking if, in his
opinion, it lie not incompatible with the
public interest to communicate the des-
patches of Major Robert Anderson to the
War Department during the time he has
been in command at Fort Sumter. The
President says: II have come to the con-
clusion that at the present moment the pub
LEGATION of it would be inexpedient."
When the doors were opened Mr.. Brock
inridge moved to take up his resolution of
yesterday, saying If his motion prevailed
he would accept Senator Clingman's sub.
stitute. He asked for the yeas and navs
saying he should consider it test question
as to whether or not the Senate was will
ling to express an opinion.
Mr.. Rice was in favor of Breckinridge's
resolution, but thought Clingman went too
far be questioned the right of the Senate
to express an opinion on collecting the rev.
enue to the President.
Mr.. Breckenridge said it would be for the
Senate to decide as to the acceptance of
Clingman's substitute. as s,s
Mr.. Wade hoped it would be taken up so
as to have square vote on it.
MIR. Rice deemed it improper for the
Senate to advise the President in matters
which rest on him by law.
MIR. Clingman wanted to 60 further than
the breckenridge resolution, believing that
the President, under existing laws, has no
power to collect revenue in the seeding
States.
Mr.. Rice said the Senate was travelling
far out of the way to advise the President.
He asked Breckenridge if his resolution ex-
tended to Key West and Tortugas. If so,
he would never withdraw troops thence.
Mr.. Breckenridge supposed the resolution
embraced those points, as they were within
the limits of Florida, but was willing
to say that they should be excluded from
the resolution rather than hazard its defeat
and did not consider the withdrawal of
troops from Key West and Tortugas essen
tial to the public peace. He disliked to do
so because he entertained the hope of the
reunion Of all the States.
Mr.. Rice said if the seeded states were
determined to remain out of the Union, be
was in favor of their going in peace, and
would give them the forts and arsenals for
the sake of peace; but they avere not in pos
session of Key West and Iortugas, and never
will be! These points are needed for us and
not for them. The commerce of the North
qviU need these, and he wouid not give them
up under any circumstances!
Messrs. Clark, Simmons and Ten Eycke
opposed talking upon the resolution. at1
Mr.. Douglas favored taking it up, with
the view of offering an amendment to bring
it in the scope it ought to take; he thought
it would be wise to withdraw the troops
from fort Pickens. He said the government
at Montgomery, being revolutionary gov.
eminent, could claim only what they occu-
pied. He was willing, under existing
circumstances, to give up forts Sumpter
and Pickens, they being Of no use, unless
they were intended as O basis of military
operations. They were now sources OF
constant irritation.
Mr.. Breckenridge said he did not assume
this to be a test vote, but thought it might
be so regarded. ~ r,ee5-3.i gr. :
Mr.. Wade hoped the resolution would be
taken up and discussed. He did not hesi-
tate to say that the Senate, under the pres.
ent circumstances, ought to express their
opinion. He was anxious that this subject
should receive full discussion now. Sew
en- states had gone out of the Union, and
are domineered over by usurpation. The
people there had no voice in the government
which has been enacted, but military
despotism tramples their rights under foot.
If they had power they would call upon us
to vindicate their rights and the constitu.
tion clothes us with the authority to do it.
After further debate vote was taken
l9 to 10-no quorum Motions were made
to adjourn and 60 into executive session,
still no quorum. Suggestions were made to
take recess and direct the Sergeant-at-
to hunt absentees.
Mr.. Breckenridge said, after giving the
Republicans an opportunity to confirm
nominations, and having discharged bis duty
he would move to adjourn sine die. Disa-
greed to. Finally the Senate adjourned
till tomorrow.
WASHINGTON, March %.
Mr.. Trumbull offered resolution ex-
pressing that in the opinion of the Senate
the true way to preserve the Union is to
enforce the laws Of the Union; that resis-
lance to their enforcement, whether under
the name of anti-coercion or any other
pane is disunion, and that it is the duty
VI IuC ICSluSuI W uS6 ali luc mGdLS III DIS
power to hold and protect the public pro-
perty of the United States, and to enforce
the laws thereof as we'll in the States of
South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Missis-
sippi, Florida, Louisiana and Texas, as
within the other States of the Union.
Mr.. Trumbull said he offered the resolu.
| tion as expressive Of the views he enter
tanned. He desired to have it printed
and would be glad if he could have vote
on it.
Mr.. Bright said all on this side of the
chamber will be glad to have vote now.
Mr.. Sumner moved to proceed to consid-
Grafton of executive business.
The Senate went into executive session.
On opening the door, Messrs. Baker and
Bright were appointed a committee to wait
on the President and inform him that the
Senate was ready to adjourn.
Several executive messages were received.
LII l. ~ov,k s,okA