Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-04
CONGzEESSIONAL.
. AsHING1ON. Apr

WASHINGTON, April 3.
SENATE-Mr. Hale from the Naval Com
mittee reported bill authorizing the Secretary
of the Navy to test plans and materials to render
floating batteries invulnerable, with an amend
ment reducing the appropriation from $5O.OO0 to
S25 900.
The bill was amended and passed.
Also, from the same committee, bill for the
relief of widows and orphans of officers of the
ships Cumberland and Congress.
The bill gives twelve months extra pay to the
widow, child or nearest relative. The bill was
passed.
Mr.. Doolittle presented resolutions from the
Legislature of Wisconsin against imposing a
stamp tax OH newspapers or any Introduction OF
free exchanges.
Mr.. Kennedy presented memorial from to-
bacco planters against the proposed tax on leaf
tobacco.
Mr.. Wilson of Massachusetts, offered the fol-
lowing:
Resolped, That the Military Committee be in
structed to report whether any further legislation
is necessary to prevent persons employed in the
military service of the United States from aiding
the rem dtion or releasing control over persons
claimed to be fugitive slaves and to punish them
therefore.
The resolution was laid over
Mr.. Davis offered the following:
RESOLVED, That the war shall not be prosecuted
in any spirit of conquest or subjugation, but TO
defend the Constitution and preserve the rights of
the several States unimpaired, and that the Uni
ted States will prosecute the wauntil this is Sc
cured.
The resolution was laid over-N
On motion of Mr.. Sumner. the bill to admins
ter the oath of allegiance to citizens was taken
up and passed
The bill to abolish slavery in the District of
Columbia was taken up.
Mr.. McDougal, of California, spoke against it.
Mr. Ten Eyck, of New Jersey, said he would
have preferred a bill providing for the gradual
emancipation of slaves.
Mr.. Sumner moved to amend the bill so that
taking testimony before the Commissioners no
witness shall be excluded On account of color.
The amendment was agreed to-yeas 20,
NAYS 10.
Nays-Bayard, Garlic, Davis, Nesmith. Ken
nedy, Powell, Salisbury, Wiley, Wilson of Mis-
sour, and Wright.
Messrs Clark and Wnght's substitutes were
rejected.
Mr.. Clark moved to amend the second section
by providing that claimant making petition
for payment for his slaves, shall take oath that
he has not borne arms in rebellion and given aid
and comfort thereto.
Mr.. Trumbull moved to add that such oath OF
party to the petition shall not be evidence of the
facts therein stated. Agreed to and the amend
ment was adopted
Mr. Browning of Illinois, moved amend
ment providing that the average price of a slave
shall be $500 instead of $500 half to be retained
by the Secretary of the Treasury. to be paid to
the person liberated, if he emigrates 10 anothel
country.
The motion was rejected-ayes 10, nays 81.
Mr. Collameroffered an amendment that the
owners of persons held to service shall put upoI
file the name and description OF the persons lib
Grated by the bill within twenty days after making
claim for payment, or within such time as th'
Commissioners may limit under penalty of for
feiture of claims. and that the Clerk OF Cour
shall issue certificates of manumission to the per
sons liberated.
The amendment was adopted.
Mr. Doolittle offered amendment appropria
ting 500, 900 to aid in voluntary emigration o
persons liberated by the bill or other persons o
color in The District of Columbia to Hayti, Liben
or other countries. which adopted-yeas q
nays 10.
Nays-Messrs Chandler, Clark. Fessenden
Foster, Grimes, Hale, Howard, Merrill, Pomeroy
Sumner.
The question was then taken on the passage o
the bill and il passed by ayes %, nays IA
Nays-Messrs. Bayard. Davis, Henderson, La
than. Doottle, Nesmifh. Powell. SALISBURY
Clark. Wiley, Wilson of Missouri, Wright an
/ Garlic
The Senate then adjourned
HOUSE-The House took up the tax bill
/ The following amendments in relation TO marin
and inland insurance was made:
Where the amount insured does not excee
81 900 the tax upon the same shall not excee
25c. where more than 81 900 and not exceedin
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