Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-03-27
xxxvI1th CoNGREss-Flr.t Session.
WAsHINGroN, March 26.
SENATE.

xxxvIIth CONGREsS-F Session.
WASHINGTON, March 26.
SENATE.
Mr.. LATHAM read an extract from the De-
troit Tribune, which said that a curious docu-
ment had been found showing that there was
league formed in Michigan for the purpose
of overthrowng the federal government.
The document was dated October 5, 1861, and
it said the league are doing noble " o in
Maryland and among the soldiers at fortress
M0nroe and that cX.president Pierce was
among the most influential members OF the
league; and that the document is now i'll pos
session OF the state department.
Mr.. LATHAM also read letter from Mr..
Pierce, dated March Alb, saying that the sub
stance OF the article published in the Satur-
day evenings Boston Journal was before pub.
lished in Michigan The subject, lie said,
was not new to Mr.. Pierce, for he had had a
correspondence with the secretary of state on
the subject as early as last December. He
had asked Mr.. Latham il he would offer res.
olution asking for the correspondence with the
secretary of state. Such mbutaliuns ought
not to rest on any man. Mr.. LATHAM then OIL
fercd a resolution that the secretary OF state
transmit to the senate copies of all the cores
pondence between VIM Ii. Seward, secretary
OF state, and ex-presdent Pierce, having rel.
erence 10 the supposed conspiracy against the
! government
Mr.. CHANDLER said lie knew there was such
letter. The writer Of it was DR.. Hopkins.
There such an organization, aud II was
very widely spread. AT the commencement
OF the war the knights OF the golden circle
thought they would be very patriotic, and go
into the army, and, to his certain knowledge,
they had succeeded in getting large number
of the worst traitors into the federal army and
they are there now.
Mr.. HOWARD said he knew there was such
a letter, as he had seen it. He suggested that
the senator frame the resolution SO as to in
| ciude that letter.
Mr.. LATHAM said he only wanted to find out
whether any uian who was an eX president Of
| tile United States was engaged in any such
conspiracy or not lie added to tile resolution
SO as To Include all the other papers, and the
/ r, button was adopted.
GA motion at NJ. TRUMDULL, the oint
resolution, offering aid to the states, III of
tue emancipation OF slaves, was taken up, the
question being on the substitute offered by
| AIR. Davis yesterday. After debate, Mr..
Dlvis's amendment was disagreed to-, cas- 4,
Davis, Henderson, Powell, and Wilson Of
| Mo ! nays 81.
MIR. HENDERSON offered an amend nent to
this effect Provided that nothing contained
F, in the resolution shall be construed TO Imply
a willingness on the part Of congress that any
states shall Withdraw their allegiance, but 1t is
hereby declared our intention to prosecute the
war until the constitution is restored in every
state. r, jected, aud the resolution was post
:, pOned till Tomorrow.
| Mr.. ANTHONY offered resolution that the
thanks OF congress be given 10 Gen. Burnside
| and his officers and men, and also a resolution
| of thanks to commander Rowan Referred.
The senate>took up the bill for the abolition
of slavery in the District OF Columbia, and
| Mr.. WILKINSON spoke in its favor. Mr..
| SAULsBURY's amendment, to distribute tile
slaves among the northern states, was unani.
mouSly rejected
MIR. PoMERoY offered an amendment that
the commissioners make ust and equitable
settlement OF accounts between the master
and the so called slave, allowing the master
charges for all reasonable expenses, supplies,
| and clOthirg TO the slave, and to allow the
| slave Tor his services and labor performed, &c.
The bill was postponed. Alter executive SEES
sion, adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. DAWES rose to question of privilege
! in behalf OF the government contract commit
tee. lie referred to a pamphlet issue by AL.
exander Cummings, who charged that the
committee had altered and ialsittd the record
and testimony furnished by them, aud did all
this wiu!y and perverscly for the purpose
| OF creating sensation in the house and coun-
try, and convicting him of charges which lhe
| committee knew were false
Mr.. DAWES examined the statements of
| Cummings aud vindicaed the integrity OF the
committee. Mr.. Stevens briefly expOsed what
he characterized the taIlacy of the committee.
1t was made to appear that Cummings had
| over forty thousand dollars in his possession
| when he never had dollar.
Mr. FENTON asked hut failed To Ohtain