, 1861-01-10


known, yet the report went out TINT they had
violated etiquette md insultcd the President,
and that the Commissioners retired. The Pres
idcnt, In his message, does not even allude to
the cause Of the failnre Of the negotiations,
and not even tells US the Commissioners are
gone he stops with u letter, which he must
say was wanting in fairness, and was preyer-
sion of the arguments they presented. MIR.
D. said he had m authentic copy Of the Com
missioners' reply, and asked that 1t be read By
The Clerk.
Mr.. KING said the Senator talks of the high
character of the Commissioners. Benedict
Arnold aud Aaron Burr once also had high
characters.
Mr. DAVIS (iuterrupting) The Senator from
New York once occupied higher position
than be does. Now, l call the Senator to Or
der.
Nj. K1NG-These men we're here with
Mr.. DAV1S-1 call the scntor to order. I
sent paper to be read, sir.
p. Mr.. KING-I cali the Senator to order. I
object to the reading Of the paper.
Mr. DAVIS II the Senator has the mean
ness to object, let 1t come buck.
Mr. KING said he objected to the reading.
He did not want to hear the papers read.
A long discussion ensued On point of Or
der: The ayes and noes were called on the
dcciaIon OF the chair that the paper was under
stood to be part of the Senate papers.
.A4 nAAs1 eiAlA III OuJEEtE4 IL luE ESCEpLluu
Of the paper, as he supposed it was supposed
to supply deficit in The Presidents message.
Mr.. DAVIS explained that lie sent the paper
simply to be read as part Of his remarks, con-
6equcntly be was much surprised to hear the
objection, but if the Senate chose to take the
paper as ! paper Of his own, he had no objec~
tion. As The Senate had taken charge Of it he
wanted them to dispose Of It.
ME. KING said he simply objected to the re-
ccptinn Of it, Us he supposed it was intended
to supply deficit in the message, md thought
1t would be rcbuke to the President HeTas
willing the Senator should rcad the paper, hut
was not willing to disapproye the action Of the
President in saying nothing Of that letter.
The decision Of the Chair was sustained.
Ayes 81, noes 10.
The ayes and noes were called on reading
the paper. Ayes So, noes 13,
The last letter Of the Commissioners was
then read. It has already been publishcd.l
Mg. DAVIS resumed aud said that moro
than ever since tho episode thrown into his
remarks, le piticd the Executive Of the United
States. He must be fallen indeed, when he
comes to the Senator from New York for sup
port and protection; but when the President
read this letter, when the country was anxious,
Why did not the President call On these men
for the means by which peace could be re-
ttoreds He might then hare avoided the evil
of war, and the country would not be waiting
row to sec whether it would be peace orwnS.
Mr. D. here yielded to the motion from
Mr.. BIGLER, who moved that the consider
alton Of the message be postponed tillto-mor-
row.
Mr. CRTrTENDEN moved thnt his resolu.
tions to submit amendments of the Constitu~
tion to the people, be taken up.
Mr. CLARK said he wished to amend by
substituting the resolution he offered.
Mr.. WILSON moved to postpone it till to-
morrow.
NJ. PuGH thought 1t best to decide the
question at once.
Mr. B1GLER spoke in favor Of voting on
the resolution now: Ho thought they had
neglected the question too long. Hc Thought
the country. It ,sas never too late to struggle
Nj. SALISBURY made IN appeal for o
vote now, that the country might know If
there was patriotism enough here to gave the
| country by the adoption Of the resolutions.
tomorrow
The Pacific Railroad bill WIZ taken up
Mr.. WILKINSON moved TINT the bill be
referred to select committee,
Mr.: GWIN said he thonght 1t would destroy
the bill if It were referred to a committee.
reference Of the bill
Mr.. RICE said 1t vas evident that the
| friends Of the bill intended to pass it without
| giving the Northwest q show. He moved .ita
indefinite posfponcment.
| Mr.. BAKER seconded the motion,
| Mr.. LATHAM demanded the ayes and noes
| on the motion.
| Mr. LANE thought that this was not the
time to pass such 3 bill. He thought it was
better TO say to the South that tGeir rights
should be protected. he I-anc} did not be.
l'eve this Railroad would restore pence.
| Adjourned.
| HovsE.-s1r. sTRArToN asked leave TO
/ t+thy v3n1 If In ni& 1fI
ton, on the subject Of national affairs, contain,
| ing practical suggestions.
Sir. BURNETT objected
The SPEAKER laid before the House mes.
EaSc from the President He says at the open.
| Ing Of the session he called attention to tho
dangers Of the Union, and recommended such
measures OF relief as he believed would have
the effect Of tranquitizing the country, and
save it from the perils in which It Is needless.
| u mud unfortunately placed. It Ia not neces-
sary to repeat these opinions and recommends
t!ons bis opinions there expressed, remain
unchanged. He regrets to say that matters,
Instead Of becoming better, are still worse,
| aud hope is diminished. Alluding to the con.
ditiou Of South Carolina he says there is no
other alternative but to collect the revenue
and protect the public property, as far rs Is
| practicable under existing laws. His duty is
right and duty to use the military and naval
force against those who illegally assail the
Federal Government, arc clcaT and tudIsputa.
hlc, but the present state Of things was be-
| You'd the Executive control We are in the
midst Of great revolution, aud he recon-
mcudcd to Congress to act in the present emer-
gcney. 10 Congress Is reserved the power 10
declare war and remove the grievance that
| might lead to war, and restor0 peace to the
country. On them rests the responsibility.
After eulogizing the blessings conferred By
the Union, he says should 1t perish, the calam.
Northern States. The secession movement Ia
chiefly BASED On misrepresentation as to the
sentiments Of the majority Of several Of the
Northern States Let the question be transfer,
rcd to The political a.sembl. l.-to the ballot box
-and the people will redress the grievances,
In Heavens name, let The trial be made before
| VIC plunge into tic assumption that there ID
no other alternative. Let rs have reflection.
Would that South Carolina had reflected.
lie appeals to Congress to say In their might,
The Union a.ia must md shall BE- preserved" By
Congress to dcrote themselves to prompt &C.
ton with ricw to peace. 4 division on The
line Of 50 deg. 30 min. is suggested as calcu.
lated to produce IN adjustment It WIS m
lmputation on members to say ther will hcsi-
eral Of the States forts md a1scnals hayc been
seized By aggressive acts Congress should
endeavoE to give peaceful solution. He
states tho reason why he had refta1ned from
| sending troops to Charleston AaTboT, believing
this would have furnished tho prctext, If no;
the provocation, on the part Of South Cazollna
for aggression- Referring to Major Anderson,
he saye that officer could not, before he Left
Fort Moultrie, have held that post forty-elght
or sixty hours.
He had warned bis countrymen Of its dan
ger. He felt that the duty mas faithfully but
tmpcffectly performed He WIS conscious he
meant well for s1ie country.
Mr. HOWARD Of Michigan moved that the
message be referred to u special committee oi
FIVE, With Instructions to inquire whether any
Executive officers Of the United States have
been or arc now treating or holding CON.
munication with any persons for tho trans.
Ter OF amy forts or any other prop.
erty; whether any demand for their snr.
render has been made, and by whom, aud what
answer has been given; whether any officer
or officers have entered into my pledge not to
send rcinforcemcnts of troops to the harbol
Of Charleston; II 50, when, where, by.whom
I and on what considerations; whether the Gus.
I tom house, post office and arsenal ut Charles.
| ton have been seized; By whom held in pos
session; whether any revenue cutter has been
seized, and whether any efforts have been
| made to recover it. Tie Committee hare
| power to send for persons and papers, and re.
| port from ttmp to time such facts is may be
required for the national honor, &c.
/ r..