The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-03-16
IMPORTANT PROCEEDINGS Of THE SENATE
UNITED STATES SENATE.
EXTRA SESSION.
WASHINGTON, March l5, 1851.

WASHINGTON, March 10, 1861
11m MILITARY FORCE AT rHx CAPITAL
M7. MASON, (opp.) OF Va, offered the following prean
BILE and resolution
Whereas the presence of o military force concentrated
permanently quartered at the scat Of
q departure from al former usage of the government
and dangerous to the rights and liberties OF the people
Resolved That the President inform the Senate what
Of troops Of the army quartered In this city,
they brought here further that inform the
Senate when said troops TO be Withdrawn, and II not
Sbe withd,awn for what purpose they arc maintain <
he, and whether 1t his purpose 70 Increase said forco
and 70 what extent
THE rEmrAL PROPERTY IN THE SOUTH.
Mr. DOUGLAS resolution In relation TO the forts arse
mails navy yards and other public property in the
coded States thcn taken up. The resolution u o.
follows
nformrhe Senate what forts srsenas navy yards and
other public works within the lins OF the States Of
South CArona Georga, Florida Alabama, Mississippi,
son and occupation Of the United States and by what
number Of each garrsoned and held and whether
40 whether the government has the power and means
under existing laws TO supply such reinforcemen@ with
in such time g the e1gencies and necees Of the case
Of tho United States and their interests make 1t
necessary and wise TO retain military possession
OF such forts, places and other property, except
at Key West and ortugas and to and
such others the United States have been deprived
with view TO any other end than the subugaticn and
occupation Of these States which have assumed the right
70 from the Upon and within whose limits such
forts and other public property are situated and II such
be tho motives for fecapturng and holding the fos and
Other public property, what ,. military force, including
the United reduce the States aforesaid and such
others supposed 70 sympathsc with them TO sub
jectou and obedience 10 the laws Of tho Unon and 70
protect tho federal capital
Mr. CLARK, (rep) OF N. IT,, suggested amendment,
10 strike out all after tho words "Unitci States"
Mr. DoccrAs said he could not acce6c 10 the amend
ment Il was important tho peace Of TIE country that
the should answered in both sections tho
inaugural "a construed as Indicative of war policy II
the apprehension Ia allowed to rpen into the conviction
that the administration mediate yoicy to reduce
the seeded States by military force, he feared
would have the issue precptated upon us in shorter
than imagine. He did not believe the policy rs
This construction s disputed on the democratic
side while the republicans mute, SILENT neither
asserting dissenting from his Interpretation In this
sste OF the case Tor the purpose Of qetng the appre
meoitate war, and secondly, that he has means
prosecuting H Mr. Lincoln desired 70 do 40, he
Iopgas Rad brought In his resolution for the purpose 0;
obtaining information important 70 be known An attemp
made 70 te consideration IL was suegceted
that dscussk u not improper would DO Injurious Ba
the Information desired2 II the policy Of the sdmnistra
ion be peace II will relieve exciting apprehensons, re
Tire length and breadth Of the land. II
on the contrary; the policy BE- war, y is due
Lncwu fIe repeated that M Lincoln does not medi,a,
war Certain bo that under ing the Presi
dent cannot corsd ely with his oath do anything TO
produce collision between the seeding states and the
federal government. IL the nrst place he has power
under TIC exislng laws to collect the ship
board as guge.s,cd by partizan newspapers Tho law
stands lust "a u did when Jackson called on
Cngrtse for additional legislation 70 collect the rove
nues at tho port OF Charleston. He had no power 10
order a collection anywhere ese than In those
places designated by law. Congress passed Law well
known TO the country as tho Force BIN u was passed in
March 1899 and expired al the end OF the next session
by express limitation. What was and 10 true ~ 70 Char
keon, N 70 all the other ports Of the seeded
ees ssnaors suppose the President going 10 violate
the lsws and do that which IN forbid ten. With
regard to blockadpg, there authority
blockade Nev Orleans, Charleston, or any other