Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-12-12
NGRESSIONdL.
xxxvIIsh CONGREss-S.eouA Session.

S
sESArE.-Yesterday, AFTER tho close Of our 70
port
Buiogies upon she death of the late Senator
Baker wese pronounced by Messrs. Dixon, Sum
usual resolution Of respect to the memory Of ths
deceased, the Senate I'D icurned.
Enthusiastically, after our report closed
The following resolution was taken up.
Whereas, Major General Halleck, Of the West
ern Department, has issued an order prohibiting
negroes from coming within the lines Of our
army, and excluding those already under the pro-
lection Of our troops; and whereas a different
policy and practice prevails In other departments,
by the direct sanction Of the Administration and
whereas said order 10 cruel and inhuman, and, Ia
the Judgment Of this House, based upon no mill.
tarv necessity Therefore
Rssoicsd, That the President Of the United
states De respectfully requested to direct Msjor
General Halleck to reoall said order, OF cause
IL 70 conform with the practice Of the other de-
partments Of the Army.
The section Of Gen. Halleck's report referred
to In the resolution was read, - follows:
Hsddqsa,tsr, Department Of Missos@f,l
st. Louis. November 20, 1891.
i. II has been represented that important in
formation, respecting the number and condition
OF our forces, Is conveyed TO the enemy BY means
Of fugitive slaves admitted within our lines In
order TO remedy this evil, II 10 directed that no
such persons be hereafter permitted to enter the
limos Of any camp, or Of any forces on the march;
and that any now within such lines be immedi.
ately excluded thefefrom.
Mr.. Stevens urged immediate action upon the
resolution. He believed the sent. ment TO exclude
slaves from our lires and return them IN their
masters was concurred In by General Mcclellan
while Ia Western Virginia Afterwards BY the
to the stern Shore OF Virginia. Also, that the
same order has been made here regarding the army
OF the Potomac. The Issuing Of the order for
Gen Fremont's successor was more for the pur.
pose OF hunting him down. He thought that all
such cases as returning them to their masters was
disgtace to the military profession OF the army,
ana that the commanding generals In such cases
deserve 70 have the epauletts taken from their
shoulders. "God forgive them, they know not
what they don
Mr. Lovejoy, Of Illinois, would much a--efer
that some one else should discuss these questions
that wou not be fanatical or one ideaed His
conviction was that all these orders were Issued
by the generals commanding, and not by the
authority OF the President. Why did not the
PRESIDENT remove them or cashier them rs be
would do! Ii IVES the concurrent testimony OF
every general in the field, with whom he had
conveIsed, that these slaves never into their
camps es spies He recollected while in companv
with General Mcdowell, on the morning of the
battle Of Bull Run, that he 1.-THE 0eneraD was
very careful In questioning every slave he met In
Terence to the position Of the enemy, and the
topography OF the country, and in no instance
did they deceive the General He considered
thcm the best srouts we had.
Mr. Blair, Of Mo, thong ht the gentleman (Mr
Stevens) had done Major Gen Halleck great in.
justice He had conversed with Gen Halleck In
reference TO this order he (Blai) had also mis-
apprehended the order; and Gen III told him that
whatever was done under the color Of this order
was not intended by him, as slaves were In the
habit OF coming from Cairo into the camps 70.
the purpose OF selling goods to the soldiers ard
going back TO the enemy with all the information
they could obtain for the use OF the enemy
Mr.. Fouke, Of ILL.,, said that the order issued bv
Gen Halleck was a wise and salutary one He
said, let the House pass this resolut on and the
volunteer forces Of his State would cease. The
whole army there would stand by Gen HsIleck
ne would now say that slaves did come from
CAIRO into the camps, and furnish information TO
tue enemy These facts be knew IL his col.
league tMr Lovejoy) would paw less a tte ntion IN
tue negroes ard more to the country thew word
get along better. Applause In the galIer,es I
Mr. Kellogg, OF III, said he had wa tched the
actions OF the Administration closely, and read
well bis message to thiS House, and he saw
nothing upon which to base such proclamation
OF Gen; Halleck. The Administration had no
mana directly or Indirectly, In this order, or In
shaping the policy that was In the general line Of
After further debate, tue whole subject WA
tabled BY vote Of yeas IS, nays &c.
The following gentlemen were appointed n
select committee on that portion Of the PRES
annual message relating to defense on the western
lakes ana rivers: Messrs. Arnold Of Illinois; Ash
icy, OF Ohio; NOEL, Of Missouri; Aldrich Of
Minnesoie; Rabbit Of Pennsylvania; Spanlding,
OF New york; Granger, Ct Michigan; w heller
OF New ork; and Potter. Of Wisconsin
Eulogies upon the decease Of the late Senate.
Baker were delivered by Msssrs Shield. Phelpe
Coifa1, Dunlap. Richardson, Kelly Sargent and
hiddiei and after the adoption OF the Customary
resolutions In respect to the memory of the late
senator, the House adjourned.