The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-12-13
THIRTY-sEvENTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, Thursday Dec. H.
sen

SENATE.
Mr. Trumbull of Ill. presented petition 10
reneal the law which prevents Jewish divines
officiating as chaplains in the army. lie also
offered resolution that the Secretary OF State
inform the Senate whether any persons have
been arrested and imprisoned by his order ana
if SO by what authority. Laid over.
Mr.. Anthony of R. l. offered resolution
that tho naval committee be instructed 10 en-
ouire into the expediency of appointing pupis
to the naval Academy on the ground OF merit
agreed to. -, .,;
Mr.. Foot of w., introduced bill author
zing the President to ell up the corps OF cadets
at West Point. Referred.
MIR, Wilson offered resolution that the In
spector General and Quartermaster OF subslst-
ence be directed to inform the Senate what arti-
Giles ought to be sold by the suffers to yolun-
teers and such as best would secure their efhclen-
cy. Referred.
The bill to promote the efficiency of the Navy
was taken up. On motion OF Mr.. Doollttle the
time of retiring was made As years instead OF
40, and after discussion, the bill was passed.
Mr.. Foote called up the resolution to e4pel
Waldo H. johnson, of Mo. Tho clerk read an
extract from the secession speech of Senator
johnson delivered in Mo. Mr.. Salisbury said
there seemed to be nothing against him except
rumor and moved the reference of the resolution
to the judiciary committee Adjourned.
Mr. Blair of Mo-. rising to question OF
privilege, caused to be read the following ex,
tract. as further explanatory of the remarks
which he made yesterday on Mr.. lovejoys res
olution, having in view the revocation OF that
part of Gen Hallecks general order relative to
fugitive slaves. (Tbe resolution, it has already
been stated, was laid on the table)
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI.
Hon. f. p. BLAIR, Washington:
Yours of the 4th inst. is just received. Or
der No. is, in my mind, clearly military ne
cessity Unauthorized PERSONS black or white,
free or slaves, must be kept out OF our camps
unless we are willing to publish to the enemy
everything we do or intend to do. 1t was
military and not political order.
l am ready to carry out any lawful instruc'
tions in regard to fugitive slaves, which my su-
periors may give me, and to enforce any Ia VS.
which Congress may pass, but ! cannot make
law, and will not violate it, You know my
private opinion on the policy Of coniscating the
slave property of rebels in arms.
II Congress shall pass it you may be certain
shall enforce it. Perhaps my policy as to the
treatment of rebels and their property is as we'll
SeG OuJ III UlUCI ANO. IL, loouCu VbO Jay bOAOAo
your letter was written as could now describe
it. Yours truly,
II. W. HALLECK.
Mr.. Lovejny, in explanation, said, in iutrodu
cling his resolution he of course did not desire
to revoke an order that Gen. Halleck did not
mean to make. lie would say IN regard to him
self and others, hat an attempt had been made
to convey the impression that he and others de-
sign to support the war, not against the rcbell-
ION, but against slavery. He believed in taking
away all the property of the rebels, and enamel
pating their slaves, az the most efficient means
Of suppressing the rebellion.
Others might differ from him as to tho policy
but while he was not in favor Of carrying on the
war for the specific and ultimate purpose of lib
Grating the slaves, he was against carrying it or
for protecting sla cry. He was opposed to TIM
army being employed as slave catclers and tt
| giving orders to throw back on their master
those who desire to escape, whether free o
slave, black or white.
Mr. Blair Of Mo-, from the committee on mil
itary affairs, reported bill authorizing the rails
ing of u volunteer force for the better defence O
KY. |, proposes to raise volunteer force o
q, GOO men for ~ months, to be employed with
in the limits of that State to repel invasion anC
guard public property, hut whenever necessar.
they may be employed temporarily outside of Ky
Regiment and company officers are to be ap
pointed under such regulations as tho kentuck.
military board may prescribe.
| Mr.. Wickliffe, who several days ago intrOdu
ced the bill, proceeded to show the importanc
of its passage.
Mr.. Lovejoy of H., inquired, why it is tina
the regularly mustered forces cannot accomplish
these purposes
Mr.. Wicklifc replied, that they wanted tn
volunteer force 10 protect the State from inroad
on the border, as well as at any time to rende
aid to the Union army
, Mr. Loyejoy wished to know whether it wa
important to act on the bill to-day.
Mr. Wickliffe replied, he had received from
the military board of Kentucky an urgent ap
plication to call on the war department and as
q Tor just such corps as the bill provided and
: had brought the subject to the attention of tn
President and the Secretary of War, and it me
not only with their approval, but with that c
all the cabinet.
The further consideration OF the bill was the
postponed until Monday.
h The House then proceeded 10 the considerable
d of the special order, namely, the various prope
;. sitions involving the question of emancpatin
l the persons held as slaves by .ebels
q Mr.. Elliott of Mass. proceeded to explain an
o enforce his resolution, declaring that the wa
has for its object the suppression Of the rebello
o and the establishment of the rightful nuthorit
=, of the national Constitution and the laws, ovt
). the entire extent OF our common country an
!, advising, that the military orders for tho emal
: cipation of slaves be used whenever the san
,r shall avail to weaken the power of the rebels
h arms, or in sustaining the military power of Il
9 loyal forces.