The New York herald., 1862-01-10

Also bill TO increase the clerical force Of the Office Of
the Adjutant General
Mr. SIBERIAN, (rep) Of Ohio, from the Select Committee
on Compensation, &C., in the departments reported bill
the army.
Mr. CowAS, (rep) of Pa presented petition from the
homeopathic surgeons and physicians employed in the
army.
Also bill In relation TO the appointment Of chaplains
in the army, and to allow Jewish chaplains.
ALLEGED GRkAr FRAUDS ARMY NAVY CONTRACTORS.
Mr.. Hale, (rep) Of NJ H., presented . petition from
citizens Of Pennsylvania, which states as folows:-
Whereas great frauds have been perpeated the rea
r. Hers.a 1 ~ %ss; IL
ment OF persons without the statute therefor -'''-
PUNISHMENT FRAUDS ON TREASURY.
Mr. HALE also introduced bill to punish fraud on the
Treasury. The bill provides that any person obtaining
money frauduently be punished with hne TO the
amountof money and imprisonment hard labor for not
he be discharged and punished and ever after held
eligible for any Office Referred.
REPoRr SANITARY COMMISSION.
communication received from the War Depart
ment transmitting the report Of the Sanitary Commission
THE TARIFF ON SUGAR AND ooyyn
Inc House resolution in regard 10 bonded codee and
laid over yesterday was taken up and by
yeas %, nays 15
SPEECH OF Mr.. SUMNER TRENT AFFAIR.
i
gard to the Trent affair was taken up.
Mr.. SUMNER, (rep) Of Mass said-Mr. President, every
principle Of international law when justly and authorita
lively settled becomes safeguard Of peace and land
mark Of civilization. 1t constitutes part Of that code
which is the supreme law, above all municipal laws,
binding the whole commonwealth Of nations. Such q
settlement may be by general congress Of nations at
Munster, Vienna Paris it may be through the gene
raj accord Of treaties or it may be by precedent e.
tablished under such conspicuous circumstances with
all nations az asserting Witnesses that it shall at
become in itself commanding rulo Of international
duct Especially is this the case, disturbing preen
sions long maintained TO the detrment Of
practically renounced by the Power which has maintained
them Without any congress treaties such precedent
has been established. Such precedent ought to be
sidered and understood in its true character under
taking 70 explain it, shall speak for myself alone but
shall speak frankly, according to the wise free
dom Of public debate and the plain teachings Of history
on the question involved trusting sincerely that what
say may contribute something elevate the honest pa
trotsm Of the country. and perhaps that
gull judgment which will render this precedent herald
II not the guardian, Of international harmony Two old
and two younger associates recently taken from the
British mail packet Trent the high seas by Of
Captain Wilkes Of the United States Navy and after
wards detained in custody at Fort Warren have been
PfoOc0
government This has been done the that
governusent courteousy conveyed and founded the
assumption that the original capture these
act Of violence which aront the British flag
and violation OF international law This is q simple
outline of the facts But In order 10 appreciate the
value Of this precedent, there other mat
ters which must be brought into view.
These two old men citizens Of the United
and for many years Senator's One the author
OF the Fugitive Slave BILL and tho other the chief
author of the bustering system. which has dsgraced
national and disturbed national peace Oc
cupyng places Of trust and in the service Of their
country they conspired against it, and at last the
traitors and conspirators became open rebels The pre-
sent rebellion SURPRISING in proportions and also In
wickedness any rebellion In history from the begin
ming quckened and promoted by their untring energies
That country TO which they owed love- honor and 0bed
they betrayed and gave to violence and outrage
Treason conspiracy and rebellion each In succession
have acted through them The incacuabe expenditures
which now task national resources, the untold de-
rangement Of affairs not only at home, but also abroad
the levy Of armies almost without example, the
vasaton OF extended regions Of territory the plumber Of
citizens the murderous battle ed-such of
the consequences proceeding directly from them To
carry forward still further the gigantic crime OF which
they were so large part these two old with their
two younger associates stole from Charleston board
rebel steamer and under OF darkness aud Storm
running blockade and avoiding the cruisers in that
in reaching the neutral island Of
Cuba where with open display and the knowledge of the
British Consul they embarked on board the British mail
packet the Trent bound for st Thomas whence they
10 embark for III gland in which Kingdom them
to play the part Of ambassador Of the rebellion while the
other to play the part in France The original
treason, conspiracy rebellion which they were SO
henousy guilty were all continued on this voyage, which
became prolongation Of the original crime. destined
to still further excess through their embassadoria
pretensons, which, 1t was hoped, would array two
great nations against the United states and enlist them
openly In behalf Of accursed slavehoding rebellion
While onther way tho ambassadors arrested by
Captain Wilkes OF the United States steamer San Jacpto
accomplished officer, already well known by his scen
m uflonG W OSeaC CQn al 1or
instructions from his government IT. in this arrest, he
forgot for moment the fixed policy OF tho republic,
which has been from the beginning like frontet between
the eyes, and transcribed the Of nations as the
United States have always declared It. his apology must
ana N @ hs . pae 1y whcn me no was IN
get They the enemies OF his country, embodyng
in themselves the triple essence OF worst enmty-trea
conspiracy and rcbeon-and they wore pretended
embassadoria character, which, he well knew.
cording TO high British authority rendered thcm liable
TO be stopped IT. in ardor o an honest nature Cap
tain Wilkes erred, he might well say
Loyal and neutral m momenis No man.
The expedition Of my violent love
ousrAn the pauser reason; ,,,
That had q heart n love, and in that heart
Courage To make his love knowns
this transaction be regarded exclusively in the light
Of British prccedcnts follow the seeming authority
OF the British Admiralty speaking by It's greatest voice.
especially wc accept the oft repeated example Of
British cruisers, upheld by the British government
against the Oft protests Of the United States
shall not ind difficult % vindicate it. The act becomes
questionable only when brought To the Ouchstone OF
those liberal principles, which, from the times
the American government has openly avowed
and sought to advance, and which other Eu.
roptan nations have accepted with regard to
tho Indeed, Great Britain cannot complain
except by adopting those identical princi-
pies and should undertake TO vindcate tho act IL
be done only by repudatng hts principles
Our will he reversed In the struggle between
Laertes and Hamlet, the two combatanis exchanged
rapers; that Hamlet was armed with III, rapicr Of
Iaertes and acrcs armed with the raper OF Hamlet
And now On thisscnsve question similar exchange has
occurred Great Britain is armed with American princ
Pies while left only those British principles which,
throughout history have been constantly berate
ly and socmny rejected. Lord Russell his despatch
To Lord Lyons, communicated 10 Mr. seward, contents
himself by saying that W appears that certain individuals
have been forcbly taken from board British vessel
the snip Of neutral Power che such rsei prs
agfai and nnont poydge-an act OF violence which
aifont 20 the British flag and violation Of nterna-
tiona law" Here s positive assertion that tho ship
trousy having on board tho rebel cmissares pursu
ing lawful aud innocent voyage; but hero Is spcci
ncaon Of the precise ground which the In ques-
ton is regarded violation Of international law OF