, 1862-05-28
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, May q, 1862.
GENAnH

"ASd1aGIUAy Nay Git 1662.
SENATE.
Mr. GRIMES offered resolution that the
Secretary Of War inform the Senate how many
volunteer forces in the United States arc now
IN the peniteutiary Of the District of Colum-
bia, to what regiments they belong, and by
what court of authority such commitments
were made. Adopted
- On motion Of Mr. C0LLAsfER, the Post
Ronte Bill was taken up and passed
The resolution suspending payments. under
the net providing payment for the troops Gu
ploycd in the Department of the West, was
Mr. HENDERSON of Missouri, offered an
amendment that the Commissioners provided
1or report within sixty days, which was adopt
The Bill WAS then Ibid over, and the tax bill
taken up.
a reduction Of the tax on tobacco WAS re-
fused.
An amendment striking ont the tax On cot.
Ton was adopted. Yeas 20, nays 16.
The tax on auction sales was modified TO
one Per cent. on merchandise and one. tenth
OF one per cent On bonds. stocks, &C.
fending motion Of Mr. WILSON Of Mass,
to strike ont the license to retail liquor deal
e1s, on the ground Of immortality, he stating
that he would vote AGAINST the bill if such sec.
uon was retained In it, the Senate adjourned,
HOUSE.
Mr: CRISF1ELD, from the Committee On
Public Lands, reported and advocated the bill
granting to the State Of California the tract
OF land known IS the Colorado Desert, for tue
purpose OF introducing q sufficient supply of
fresh water upon and over the same. Inc bill
Tns referred to the Committee of the Whole.
:. Mr. POTTER, from the Committee on Pub
lic Lands reported back the Senate bill pro-
vidiDg that contracts for surveys shall not be
binding until approved By the Commissioner
Of the General Land Office, that the compen.
sation Of registers and receivers shall be each
$500 per annun1, with fees, commissions, &c.
The object being to reduce the expenses Of
the euryey and sale OF lands. The bill was
passed.
The eSpeaker laid before the House message
from the President, briefly referring TO the
commencement of hostilisies, aud his exercise
preserve the capital Of the country, during
the absence Of Congress. incidentally to this,
he refers to the arrangements with Gov. Nor
gan, Alexander Cummings and Others, with q
view to speedy and efficient protective meas
ufes By these means he believes the Gov
las no knowledge that dollar was lost or
wasted.
The President quoted the House resolution
ccnsuriDg Mr.. Cameron, and says that not
only himself, hut all the heads of departments
are responsible with Mr.. Cameron for what
NtNA SAAcAS "AoAS ~ A+uhs A.A' I~-A @oAAuk1Gt6u
the message was referred to the Committe Of
the Whole on the state of the Union
Mr. DAWES, Of Massachusetts, made an ex-
pos11Te Of the financial condition OF the treas-
ury, to show that Mr. Voorhees, widely over
rated the mark as to expenditures, SC.
MIR. VOORHEES, spiritedIy replied and de-
Tended his former position.
Two Thousand copies Of the Presidents
messages were ordered printed, and the mes
sage was referred to the Committee Of the
Whole.
The House then went into Committee on
Hospital in the District Of Columbia. 4 sharp
discussion occurred between Messrs. Dawes
aud Voorhees,.
Mr.. WAD3WORTH drew comparison BE-
tween the present governors Of Kentucky aud
Massachusetts, saying Kentucky weuld far-
nish troops without conditions, Ind fght till
all the States are again under the Constitu-
ton.
Mr. DAWES Of Mass. replied vigorously
for Massachusetts, referring to the past course
Of his State, saying Massachusetts will not
tire Of this war. She has no blood, no troas-
ure she will not freely offer. She will freely
give her last man and last drop of blood for
constitutional liberty aud freedom.
The Committee ro8e-
Mr. PORTER moved to reconsider the vote
Of yesterday, rejecting the bill confscating
the slaves Of rehels, pending which the House
adjourned,