The New York herald., 1862-02-18
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. CONGRDss.
fIRSY SESSION.
wAsHrscros, Feb. II, lso2.

WASHINGTON, Feb. II, 1862.
NEW CALIFORNIA.
Mr.. HARLAN, (rsp) OF Iowa, presented . communica-
ton from the Secretary Of the Interior regard the
recently discovered gold mines of California Referred
EMANCIPATION SLAVES
Several petitions for hs emancipation OF slaves were
presented.
PROMOTION GENERAL WOOL.
Mr. HARRIS, (rsp) ofN. Y, presented petition from
citizens of Now York. asking that tho full rank Of Major
General be conferred on General John f. Wool.
Mr. LATHAM, (opp) Of CAL, from the Military Commit
tee reported bill authorizing survey in relation 10
the telegraph TO the Amoor river.
THB OREGON AND WASHINGTON DEET.
On motion OF Mr.. NEsxrH (opp) OF Oregon, the joint
resolution relative to the mode of the payment of the
DIS for settling tho Oregon and Washington debt
taken up.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE CAPTURE OF FORT poNgLsoN
MIR. LANE Gep.) or Ia. ask d to have spa ch re
ceivei by Mcclellan of the capture Of Fort onol
son by the land forces of the United States read.
There was laughter on the foor and the galleries whel
il was said ia It Floyd had escaped.
The despatch was greeted with loud applause in the
galleries.
The Wee PRasDENr-That's all right (Renewed ap-
piause.)
Tue VICE pRlaslDEsr-Thc Chair rules that such ap-
pause neither approving nor censuring the Senator
(Laughter.)
TIE OF SAVANNAH.
Mr.. GRIMES, (rep OF Iowa, said he had also informa-
ton that tho city OF Savannah III the state OF Georgia.
had been taken. tRenewed app a,se)
THE oREG IN WAR DEBf RE'CMED.
The resolution In regard q thc oregon war debt was
then passed
JUDICIAL MAr1Ras.
On motion of Mr.. HAIRS the bill to change and rogu-
late the Crcu and District Courts for the Northern Dis
trict of New York was taken up and passed.
Glory Al FORT ID NELSON AND SAVANNAH.
Mr. Or ep.) OF VT asked to have despatch read,
from rebel source, in regard to the Fort
Dono.son and Savannah. cloud applause in the gal
leries.)
Mr.. FOSTER, (rep) of Conn., asked whether it was in
order TO cheer rebel accounts?
THE CAPITOL EXTENSION.
Mr.. Foor from the Committee Public Lands report
ed bill to transfer the continuation CO OF the Capitol ex
ment to the department Of the Interior
ORGANIZATION CAVALRY.
On motion OF Mr. WILSON, (rsp) OF Mass. the bill to
provide for the better organization Of the cavalry orcss
OF the United States was taken up.
Mr.. FEssENpEy, (rep) Of Ne, thought that fifty reg
men,s, which the bill provides for, too large
Der. Each regiment costs about million year, causing
an immense expenditure He moved to reduce the mum
Mr. GRIMES said that tho number of cavalry wanted
would depend on the character Of the il
be guerrilla war, then shou need large force
cavalry. He moved to lay the bill on the table Tor the
present.
Mr. HARRIS in favor of the motion He thought
we could tell better about the matter in thirty days
He thought the expense not so large estimated
Eleven regiments set down to the State OF New
York; only three of these were fun, and several were
skeleton regiments.
Mr. FOSTER said that it evident from the dispatches
received that we should want more cavalry man
needed cavalry to catch him.
THANKS CONGRESS ARMY
Mr. JOHNSON (Unon) Of Tenn. asked consent TO oior
Joint resolution rendering thethanks OF Congress to the
officers soldiers and seamen Of the army and navy
heroic galantry, under the providence Of God
the brilliant victories they have achieved the
mics Of the constitution and the Union.
TIE resolution was passed.
SERVICE BILL RESUMED.
Mr.. WILSON hoped they would not make any reduction
in cavalry in l,enee any news yet
ceived. The not There other bitte
fields yet to be lie hoped there would only be
reduction Of the force TO forty regimnnts.
Mr.. WILEY, OUnion) of Va. agreed with the Chairman
of the Military Committee that tho was over
yet He knew enough Of the Southern peopls 10 know
that they would still continue TO light Hs hoped that
the Senate would consider well before they reduce this
arm of the service. He thought that should have
governments in the States to support and 10 would
qure cavalry reduce the guerrilla bands
that would spring up. Cavalry alone WE competent 10
such service.
Mr.. FE sExDEy modified his amendment 10 re-
duce the cavalry regiments to ferty instead Of thirty
Mr.. WSoS thought that thirty Of these regiments
day skeleton regiments They were scattered
the country. We will have TO purchase ten thousand
horses TO mount evcn forty regiments.
Mr.. D0oLrTIG (rep) Of Wis dieiiked legslsting
"penduum, y which seemed TO be the regarding
cavalry. Before the battle Of Bull run wanted
cavalry After that went to tho other extreme, and
authorised about eighty regiments We now propose to
swing back again.
Mr. Fessendcn's amendment was adopted by yeas o.:
nays, 10.
Mr. DooIrrrLx onered an amendment as proviso that
if the officers mustered out Of the United States take
their uniform and equipments they pay for the at
the original cost
Mr. Wnsox Of Mass. thought TIM. oiice.s should re-
This amendment would be rathe: like pIting tho 90
vsrnment into the old ccthes business.
After some further discussion The bill was laid
After an executive session the Senate adjourned.