Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1862-12-17
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Tho following communication ffom the Pres
ident of the United States was read;
Fslloe-citi.ens oTths Senate and Hom~ Of Rep
yesentaiires: have In my possession three val
uable swords, formerly the property Of Major
General Twiggs, Of the rebel army, which are
now placed at the disposal Of Congress. They
wero taken In the neighborhood Of New Orleans,
by Gen. Butler.
If Congress should dispose of these swords,
the President thought that Gen. Butler was en-
titled to the first confederation.
A copy Of the letter from Gen. Butler to the
President, accompanying the swords, was read.
One of the swords in question had been pre-
meritorious conduct at Monterey, Mexico. An.
other was presented by the state Of Georgia;
and the third by Gen. Twiggs' native city. These
trophies were entrusted by Twiggs to the safe
keeping ofa young lady; the fortune Of war
compelling the gallant Twlggs to seek safety
beyond the reach OF Gen. Buffers forces. From
the hands of this young lady they came Into
the possession Of a slave, with whom they were
found, and from whom they were taken and
forwarded TO the President. The whole subject
was referred to the COMMITTEES on Military Al.
fairs.
Mr.. STEVENS called up his resolutions, as
| follows;
Resolved, That this Union must he and remain
one and indiyisible forever.
Rssorsd, Thst at 4 any p person in the sIRloynsnt
uSsa n esnes me m t o. ea i
should accept or sdvise the acceptance Of any such
proposition on any other basis than the integrity
ritores as they existed at the time Of the rebellion,
he will be guilty Of high crime:
the mediation or permit the intervention Of any
foreign nation to this rebellion, In our domestic
sirairs,
permitted to exist within the territory now belong
Ing to the United states, and which acknowledged
their Jurisdiction at the time Of the insnrreeton.
Mr.. STEVENS said he did not desire TO occu-
py the time of the House while more imp ortant
business was TO be done. He would not, there.
FORE urge his resolutions on the attention OF the
House al present, but would ask the House to
postpone for certain time, aud take up In.
stead one of the appropriations. They could
thus devote the holidays to the appropriations
f the were taken " they sS,ssaIs wSSs
moved TO postpone the further consideration ol
these resolutions till this day three weeks.
Mr.. STEVENS subsequently withdrew the
motion for postp0nement, to allow
Mr.. YALLANDIGHAM to Introduce az
! amendment 10 the series Of resolutions hereto;
fore published In this connection.
, Mr.. WICKLIFFE also submitted as ar
amendment the following: That all opposed tc
the closing of the war, or preserving the Unlor
as II was and the Constitution rs II 10, formef
, by that Constitution, is an enemy Of the coun
try and unit 10 hold any office OF trust Of
emolument under the Government.
Mr.. THOMAS said that all the resolutions
on this subject should be postponed TIL the 10
day of January, 1900.
Z Mr. STEVENS. l cannot consent 10 ths
n without frst consulting the Executive. Laugh
a ter
The resolutions were postponed accordingl
!, to this day week. ....
q Mr.. cox moved that the Secretary Of tb
Treasury be directed TO furnish to the House