Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-12-22
TELEcRAPHIc.
CONGRESSIONAL.
W.sHlNarox. Dec. Is.

Mr. Williamson offered a resolution that the
Committee on the Conduct of the War be directed
to inquire into the facts relative to the recent
battle at Fredericksburg, particularly as to what
officer or officers are responsible for the result,
also for the delay which occurred in preparing to
meet the enemy.
Mr.. McDougal suggested an amendment that
the committee report the result OF their nvesti-
cations to the Senate
The amendment was accepted and the resolu-
ton adopted.
On motion of Mr. Wilson. the bill to facilitate
the discharge of disabled soldiers from the army
and for the inspection of convalescent camps and
the hospitals of the army was taken up, and, af-
ter considerable discussion, il passed
Mr. Sumner offered a resolution requesting the
President, if not inconsistent with the public in
terest, to communicate to the Senate any inform
alton he may have in his possession why General
Saxton was removed from his command at Hill
ton Head.
The bill to improve the organization of cavalry
forces was taken up and passed.
The bankrupt act then taken up, AID Mr..
Foster addressed the Senate in favor of its
passage.
Mr.. Grimes Offered resolution directing the
Secretary of War to inform the Senate of wi ON
the transport vessels which recently broke down,
namely, the Thomas and Margaret, and schooner
Nymph, (procured for Banks expedition.J were
purchased, and by what agent or agents of the
War Department they were chartered, at what
price and for what period of time, and also to
port to the Senate what officers or agents exam
ned said vessels on their seaworthiness. The
resolution-was adopted.
Adjourned.
HoUsE.-Mr. Bingham, from the Committee
on the Judiciary. reported back the bill extend
ing relief to loyal men for slaves wrOngfully
taken, recommending that il do not pass.
Mr.. Wickiffe, who originally introduced the
bill, remarked that he did not despair of satisfy
ing the House some legislation was necessary;
that the bill did not interfere with the articles
of war.
Mr. MAYNARD said il was important that some
such measure should be proposed. to enable the
military authorities to discriminate between loyal
men and traitors He had been informed on the
best authority that in some parts of Tennessee
the seceSsionists had been in the practice OF in
ducing their slaves TO get within our lines where
they could not be reclaimed merely for the pur-
pose of annoying Us.
Mr. Wickfe mentioned several instances to
show the injustice to loyal men in Kentucky,
growing out of this question. In this connection
he stated the case of a young and gallant officer
who had been dismissed from the service Some
thing, he repeated, ought to be done to protect
Oyal men, and to prevent excuses which he did
not wish to see.
Mr.. LOvejoy, of Illinois, remarked i'm this dis
cussion that he (Lovejoy) was weary of the per-
sistent and shameless attempt on the part of the
Mr. Wickliife-(from the other side of the
house) Do you call this a shameless attempt?
Mr. Lovejoy / do call this shameless at
tempt.
Slr Wickliffe. / am not at all surprised to
hear that, from your standing and position on this
floor.
Mr. Lovejoy. l call it shameless and per-
sistent attempt of the shareholders to get the
army of tine United States-theSe volunteers
who have of their own free will offered up their
lives as a sacrifice on the altar of their country
to turn themselves to the base business Of chas-
ing fugitive slaves. In this the gentleman from
Kentucky has the effrontery to appeal to the jus
tce of the Republicans.
Mr.. Bngham-replying to Mr.. Wicklffe who
had remarked that it was not his choice to have
it referred TO the Judiciary Committee, but to
special committee-sad the reference of this bill
to the Judiciary Committee was the proper one in
his opinion IL was violation of the COnstitu
ton, and if the principle should be established it
would return some day to torment the inventor.
The bill authorizes the Federal Government to
interfere with the rendition of slaves and deter
minatiOn of fugitive cases within the limits of
the States in manner unknown to the COnstitu
ton. The Federal Government cannot, by law,
more than once, and not more frequently than by
the gentleman from Kentucky.
A colloquy then occurred between Messrs.
Bingham and Mallory.
Mr. Bingham then argued that the bill was OPP
posed TO the new article of war, the con6scation
and emancipation act, and not the least, the act
which expressly provides that the Executive may
employ in the service of the United States what
ever slaves, whether belonging TO loyaists or
rebels who may come within our lines. The bill
WAS for the purpose Of hunting down and Selling
slaves.
After a long debate Mr.. Wicklifie's bill was
aid on the table by vote of sc against 40
A resolution was adopted instructing the Com
mittee Naval 4 Ifairs to report if Letters of
Marque ought not to be issued for the capture of
the pirate Alabama, and other like craft fitting
out in the ports Of Great Britain.
The army appropriation bill was taken up in
Committee of the Whole. The bill approprates
$3.50. 900 600.
An amendment was offered by Mr. Mallory
that none of the appropriation should be used for
the benefit of runaway slaves, or for emancipating
colonizing theyu. The amendment dis
agreed to.
The bill was then reported to the House and
passed by a vote of l07 against 3.
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole OH the first bill on the calendar, which
ing cannon.
Mr. Yeaman. of Kentucky, made speech, in
which he explained the reasons Why he recently
offered resolutions declaring the emancipation
proclamation Of Mr.. Lincoln unconstitutional, and
not calculated to hasten the restoration OF peace.
and as an assumption of power dangerous to the
prosperity of the Government and the rights of
the citizens
Mr. Yeamln said he had promised his constitu-
ents to uphold the unity of the Republic and the
supremacy OF the laws; and that he would sup
port the Administration and the President so far
as the President would wage an honest, earnest
and decent war within the pale of the Constitu
ton, and according to the usages OF civilization
and humanity. for the vindicati0n OF the laws.
He would, if the choice were presented. take
the Government without slavery. in preference to
slavery without the Government; but, differing
from the radicals. he did not believe that slavery
was the cause of the rebellion
He (Mr. Yelman) would do nothing to de
stroy the institution, nor would he, for the same
reason, support the Presidents proclamation to
liberate the slaves, and he relied upon the con-
servatve feeling of the people OF the country to
sustain him in his position on this question.
Adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Dec 49,
SENArE.-Mr. Hale offered resolution in
structing the Secretary of the Navy, in preparing
the Naval Register, TO continue the same infor
nation heretofore. also to give some informa
ton in regard to volunteers la the naval service.
Adopted
Mr. McDougal offered a resolution requesting
the Secretary of War to inform the Senate
whether any tribunal has been constituted to
port on the operations of Gen. Buell. in Kentucky
and Tennessee, and if so to state the character Of
such.trbunaI and whether it is a court martial
court of inquiry. and if not under what law twas
instituted, aud whether that tribunal was heia in