The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-12-26
PRocEED1NGs OF ooNeREss.


SENATE.-The Vice PRECEDENT laid be-
fore the Senate message from President
Lincoln, placing at the disposal Of Congress
three swords formerly belonging to Major
General Twiges, and forwarded to him by
Major General Butler, from New Orleans,
and suggesting that if the swords should
be given to any one by Congress as re-
wards of courage or bravery, Major Gem
eral Butler is entitled to them first. i.a.
Laid on the table. .l.~.. w.. ...-f.
Mr.. McDougal offered the following reso-
lutions:
Resolved, That this government will maintain
the payment in coin Of any interest or indebt-
edness, and will consider it breach of public
faith to do otherwise. <-
Resolved, That the duties on imports shall
continue to be collected in coin and the old
issue of demand notes, and when the latter shall
not be sufficient for the purpose of such pay
ment, they shall thereafter be payable in coin.
Referred to the Committee on Finance
Mr.. Rice of Minnesota, introduced bill
granting public lands to the State of Min
nesota to aid in improving the navigation
of the Minnesota and Red River of the
North, and connecting the same by ca
nal.
Mr.. Wilkinson of Minnesota, introduced
bill for the relief of persons for damages
sustained by the recent depredations and
injuries of certain bands of Sioux Indians /;
referred. He also introduced two bills for
the removal of the Winnebaso and Sioux
Indians from Minnesota, and the sale of
their reservation.
On motion of Mr.. Davis of Kentucky,
the resolution concerning Buchanan was
taken up.
Mr.. Hale, of n. H., said he should vote
against the resolution, not because he did
not believe the facts as stated, and not be-
cause he did not believe that Buchanan did
fail to do what he might, but because he
would not in this way condemn any man
unheard. Buchanan was to-day a private
citizen, and this resolution ifpassed, would
stamp him with eternal infany and his
friends might thank God that he had no
children to leave behind him. He was ut
terly opposed to the Senate passing judg-
ment against a man who had no notice Of
any kind ofsuch proceeding against him
He had always considered Buchanan the
most overrated man he ever knew.
Mr.. Salisbury of Delaware, moved to
amend the resolution as follows: That Il
copy OF the foregoing resolution be served
on James Buchanan, and that he be at lib
erty to defend himself against the same.
Mr.. Grimes of Iowa, moved to lay the
yeas So, nays 3. The nays were: Messrs.
Davis of Kentucky, Howe of Wisconsin,
and Wilkinson Of Minnesota.
On motion of Mr.. Trumbull, the bill
concerning the arrest of State prisoners
was taken up, and on motion Of Mr. Col
lamer postponed until Tomorrow.
The resolution concerning the arrest of
certain citizens of Delaware was then tax
en- up.
Mr. Trumbull moved to lay the resolv-
ton on the table, as the subject was en-
braced in the bill just postponed. Agreed
to, % to 10.
Mr.. Doolittle, of Wisconsin, announced
the death of Hon. Luther Hanchett, and
offered the customary resolutions Of re-
spect. Adjourned.
HoUsE.-The Speaker presented a mess
age from the President relating to three
swords, late the property of Gen. Twiggs,
taken by. Gen. Butler. The message was
referred to the Committee on Military
Affairs.
Mr.. Stevens, of Pa, moved that his
resolution, assigned for consideration to-
day, be postponed until this day three
weeks.
Mr.. Wickliffe of Kentucky, submitted
as substitute that all opposed to the war
on the principle of ''the Constitution as it
is, the Union as it was,' are enemies to
the country, and unfit to offices of trust
and profit.
Mr.. Vallandigham's (of Ohio,) resolu-
tons, offered during the first week OF the
session, were again read.
Mr.. Stevens (of Pennsylvania was
agreed to. ...
On motion of Mr.. Cox of Ohio, it was
resolved that the Secretary of the Treas
ury be directed to furnish statement of
the amount of United States loan created
in 1861 and extended to April 18th, and
other information relating thereto.
Also copy or copies of any memorial
or memorials addressed to him or to the
Treasury Department, proposing or solicit
ting a special medium OF payment OF the
owners or holders of said loan, and wheth-
er he proposes to pay said loan in coin.
The West Point Academy appropriation
bill passed without debate or amendment.
Mr.. Porter Of Wis, announced the death
of Luther Hatchett, former representative
from Wisconsin. After appropriate reso-
lutions were passed, the House adj.
The Senate proceedings of Monday we
had by telegraph. In the House the only
matters of Importance were the following:
Mr.. Fessenden of Maine, offered the fol-
lowing:
Resolved, That the proclamation of the Pres
dent of the date of September 22d, 1862, is
warranted by the Constitution, That the policy
of emancipation, as indicated therein, is well
adapted to hasten the restoration of peace, is
well chosen as a war measure, and is an exer-
else of power with proper regard to the rights
OF citizens and the perpetuity of a free govern
ment.
Mr.. Holman, of Indiana, moved to lay
the resolution on the table. Disagreed to
-5S against 80. The resolution was then
adopted, by rs against 81.
Mr.. Pendleton, OF Ohio, offered the fol-
lowing, and demanded the previous ques-
ton on its passage: