The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-05-09
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, April 80, 1862,

SENATE.-Mr. Powell's resolution calling
on the Secretary of State for information
concerning the arrest of persons in the
State of Kentucky was taken up. Mr..
Powell said he had been much annoyed at
the opposition to this resolution. The sub,
stitute offered by the Senator from Massa.
chusetts, Sumner, was merely an attempt
to avoid getting the information that had
been asked for.
After some debate the morning hour ex-
pired.
The Conf ;cation bill was then taken up.
Messrs Wilmott and Wright spoke in its
favor, and McDougal against it.
After further discussion, Mr.. Cowan's
motion to refer the bill was rejected, 18
against %.
Adjourned.
House OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr.. Eliot, of Massachusetts, submitted
two bills, one to con6scate rebel property
and to provide for the payment of the ex-
penses OF the present rebellion, and the 9th.
er to provide for freeing the slaves of all
rebels who have taken up arms against the
Government. Referred to the Select Com
mittee.
MIR. Wickliffe of Kentucky, asked leave
to introduce resolution of inquiry, to as
certain by what authority General Hunter
had issued an order to emancipate slaves in
the manner expressed by Messrs. Hutchins,
LovejOy and others.
Objection was made to the introduction
of the resolution.
The resolutions reported from the Com
mittee on Government Contracts was taken
up.
Mr.. Stevens motion to lay them Oh
the table was rejected, by yeas II, nays
1O7.
The following resolution was read:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treas.
ury be requested to adjust the claim against
the Government for the 5000 Halls carbines,
purchased through Simon Stevens by John C.
Fremont on the 9th of August, 1861, and af-
forwards delivered at the United States Arse.
nal at St Louis, on the basis Of a sale of such
arms to the Government for $3.50 each, re-
jecting all other demands against the Gov
eminent on account of the purchase of said
arms.
MIR. Fenton of New York, moved to
amend the resolution by adding provided
that nothing herein contained shall be con-
strued to exonerate the Government of any
claims arising from advances made in good
faith on certiications by authorized officers
of the Government"
This was rejected by vote of SO against
IL.
The resolution as originally reported was
adopted by 1913 against %.
The House adopted the resolution GEN.
suring MIR. Cameron by vote of 70 against
As.
The resolution censuring MIR. Weles,
Secretary of the Navy, was rejected, IS
againet As.
The House then went into Committee of
the Whole on the Pacific Railroad bill,
but not much progress, however, was made
on it.
Adjourned.
WASHINGTON May l, 1862.
HousE.--Mr. Blair of Missouri called up
the bill recently reported from the Military
Committee, authorizing the appointment of
board of Notifications to provide for the
sea coast and other defences of the Uuited
States.
WASHINGTON, May2.
SENArE--Mr. Harlan presented petit
tions in favor of emancipation of the slaves.
He also presented large number Of peti'
tons in favor of ship canal from Lake
Michigan to the Mississippi River.
Mr.. Hale offered a resolution that the
Naval Committee inquire into the expe-
diency of providing for appointments to the
Naval Corps the same as to the Naval
Academy. Adopted.
MIR. Sumner gave notice that be should
introduce a bill to abolish coastwise traffic
in slaves, and to prevent the transportation
of slaves through the United States.
On motion of Mr.. Wade, the Homestead
Bill was taken up.
An amendment was adopted excluding
from the benefits of the bill any person
who has borne arms against the United
States, or who has given aid and comfort to
the enemy.
On motion of Mr.. Pomeroy, the bill was
postponed until Monday.
The Vice President, pro TEN. presented
message from the President in regard to
the arrest Of General Stone, which has al.
ready been reported. The President says
he will be allowed trial without unneces.
sary delay, charges and specifications fur~
nished him, and every facility for defence
afforded him ~ the War Department.
The Coniscation Bill was taken up and
discussed by Messrs. Doolittle, Cowan and
Wade.
Adjourned till Monday.
HousE-Mr. Washburne, from the Com-
mittee on Commerce, reported bill grant.
ing powers to the Secretary of the Treasury
additional to those conferred by the bill of
the 18th of July last, providing for the COLI
lection of duties on imports and for other
purposes. He caused a letter to be read
from the Secretary urging the immediate
passage of the bill, the same being impor.
tant to the public interests in view of the
fact of our occupation of New Orleans.
The bill was passed.
Mr.. Stevens, from the Committee of
Ways and Means, reported bill! making an
appropriation for the support of the army
for the year ending June, 1868.
The House then took up and briefly dis
cussed the bill granting pensions.
Mr.. Goodwin said the bill had been care
fully prepared, and was unanimously re-
ported from the Committee on Invalid Pen
sions after heinp submitted tn the Gomn,io