The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-01-15
xxxvIITH CONGRESS.
WAsHrseroN. January 9.

H..
promote the efficiency, Of the Dead Letter
Office, The bill provides that all dead let.
ters be returned to the writers, instead Of
being destroyed.
After long discussion, the bill was post
poned till TO- morrow.
Mr.. Trumbull reported from the Judicia-
ry Committee, in favor Of the resolution TO
expel Waldo II. johnson, Of Missouri.
Mr.. Hale introduced bill to punish frauds
on the Treasury. The bill provides that any
person obtaining money fraudulently shall be
punished by fine and imprisonment at hard
labor for not more than ten years: il any of-
ficers of the Government do il, that he be
discharged and punished, and ever after held
Ineligible for any office.
Referred.
A communication was received from the
War Department, transmitting the report
Of the Sanitary Commission.
Referred.
The House resolution in regard to bonded
Sugar and coffee, laid over yesterday, was
taken up and passed by yeas %, nays 10
The communications from the Secretary
Of State in regard to the Trent affair was ia
ken up.
Mr.. Sumner proceeded to address the Sen
ate He took the ground that Capt. Wilkes
was not legally justified in searching the
Trent and taking from her the rebel ambass-
aGors, though in making the SEIZURE The gal
liant Captain was actuated by the purest mo-
tiyes, and acted in strict accordance with
British precedents, and with international
law as expQpndtd by the highest British au'
thorites. He contended that the unilorm
policy of the United States, as welas the
states of continental Europe, has been oppo- |
sed to the pretensons OF the British Govern |
ment, and has maintained a liberal inter-
pretation of the rights Of neutra!s; and that
in many solemn treaties, in many most im-
portant and authoritative state papers, rom
| the foundation of the Republic to the pres
| ent time, the American Government has
committed itself fully and unreservedly to
the right of o neutral flag to cover civil pas
sengers.
The question, he continued, has been ar
gued with the greatest ability and thorough
I ness by the most eminent OF our statesmen,
including Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and
other Presidents, and the whole record OF
our diplomacy is luminous with arguments
against such acts as that Of Captain Wilkes.
He proceeded to show that we had protested
again and again that navy Captain had no
right to constitute himself judge on the
deck of neutral ship and take from her at
| his sole pleasure and discretion what he
might think was contraband. He was bound
if Re suspected her OF carrying contraband,
| to carry her into port and have the question
decided by competent courts but no court in
this country, recognizing our national and
long established position the law Of nations,
could have lawfully condemned the Trent or
or held the captured ambassadors.
In taking them from under the British flag
Mr.. Sumner held that Capt. Wilkes, mised
by British legal authorities ard by British
law books had violated the American princi
Pile of the right OF search, while the British
Government, on the other hand, has, by de-
mandipg the surrender of Sldell and Mason
stultified its own history, denounced its own
prciples and virtually acknowledged the
Justice Of the position so long maintained bv
the United States. This was policy and di-
plomatc triumph of the highest value, for
which we are deeply indebted to the daring
and patriotic act Of Capt. Wilkes and the en-
ilightened craftsmanship of Mr., Seward.
After Mr.. Sumner had flushed, Mr.. Hale
moved to take up the bill providing for TWEEN
ty mail clad gunboats.
/ The question being on the amendment to
substitute the President for the Secretary of
the Navy.
Mr.. Hale spoke in fayor Of the amendment
and asked the Senators il they approved the
course OF the Secretary Of the Navy. The
Secretary OF the Navy is no doubt an hon
est man. but he made mis- AXE. He said ne
(Hale) always seemed unfortunate in attempt
of this kind. If he attack small man,
then it was to small a business; ana
then if he went up to the head OF the
department. he was too high, and must not
paralyze the puolic confidence. We are
, spending million and halia dav, not to
put down the rebellion, but 10 keep just a
bout where we are.
Mr.. Dixon thought it strange il we cast
censure on man against whom there is no
charge and who was an honest man. lie
could show, instead OF the money being lost,
this proceeding saved the Government
great amount oil money. He thought it was
not proper mode to reprimand an officer
who was admitted to be honest and pure in
intention, ana it was gross injustice to the
Secretary of the Navy
Mr.. Sherman spoke in favor Of the amend
, ment He said the facts could not be denied
Mr.. Morgan. the brother in law of the Sec
retary OF the Navy, had received nearly
| 500 600, and such action could not be de-
Tended.
Mr.. Doolittle said that he would go for
, making war on the thieves OF the Treasury,
but he was not prepared on er pa'te evidence
s to vote censure on the Secretary OF the Navy
We had more things to contend with than
# secession, and one was the eternal croaking
and complaining on the part oi pretended
t friends Of the Government, sometimes with
S out reason.
Mr.. Wilkenson said it was a question
d whether the Secretary OF the Navy was to be
, intrusted with large amount of money
He was unwilling to do it after what had
J. passed. He did not believe Secretary Welles
Il an honest man, or IN this emergency Of tht
It country he would not have permitted thu
Treasury to be robbed for the purpose OF en-
riching Iamily connections. He cared no
who the man was, or what position be oc
n cupied, he would lift up his hand against cor
!. ruption and wrong now and forever.
:, Mr.. Doolit,le said he had advised the naya
= committee to call on the Secretary OF the Ma
r Wy for an explanation.
;. Mr., Hale said when he wanted advice b
q would call for it.
Mr.. Wilson, by consent, introduced reso
!, luton that the Secretary Of he Navy be re
# requested u inform the Senate OF the fact
!. in regard to the employment OF Gov. Nor
/. gan to purchase vessels, and the amount o
compensation paid him Which was asree'
D. to. n
Adjourned.
IL HOUSE.--Ar. Fenton introduced bi
q providing for the payment o! the interest 1
certain cases on claims against the govern
ment.
MIR. Washburne introduced bill TO pun
NJ ish frauds against the government.
Mr. Richardson introduced bill to estal
= lsh an arsenal at Springfield, Ill.
nd The above bills were all appropriately IT
ed lerred.
The House proceeded 10 the considerable