The Portland daily press., 1862-07-16
TELEG r A PHIC
TO THE
PORTLAND DAILY PRESS.
xxxvIIth CoNGREss-First Session
SENATE.

A bill was introduced providing that every
officer shall protect slaves approaching the
lines of the armies, and loyal men who lose
property by this order are TO be compensated
A bill was introduced to establish bureau
of emigration.
The bill relative to letters of maroue was
taken up and laid over.
The bill amendatory to the act of 1795, call
ing forth the militia was taken up, the question
being on the amendment limiting tine emanci-
patton of those who enter the service of the
government, to slaves of the rebels.
Mr.. Lane opposed it.
The amendment was adopted.
Mr.. Browning moved TO strike out the words
Mother, Wife and Children, lost II against 20.
Mr.. Browning moved that such mother,
wife and children shall not be freed unless be-
longing TO rebels, adopted 2l against 16.
Mr.. Wright spoke at length in favor of the
policy Of employing slaves.
Mr.. Henderson followed, urging more Wig
orous prosecution of the war.
After further debate the bill passed twenty
eight against nine.
The House resolution postponing adjourn
ment until Thursday was adopted.
The House bill was passed making provision
for pensions for masters, &c. on gunboats
The House bill providing for an additional
tax on domestic sugar was passed.
The House bill making supplementary ap-
preparations, with amendments. including $751;
600 for the purchase of artificial limbs for
wounded soldiers was passed
message from the President was received,
requesting the Senate to postpone adjourn
ment at least one day beyond the time already
fixed.
The Senate then took a recess until seven
o'clock.
EVENING SESSION.
Passed-bill transferring Western gunboat
fleet from War to Navy department.
Agreed to-report of Committee of Confer
ence on bill to prevent imprisonment of sol
diers in the penitentiary.
Bill in relation to competency of witnesses
in u. ;. Courts passed, after rejection of
amendments that no witnesses should be ex-
cluded on account of color, and providing
punishment for rebels or disloyal citizens.
Passed-bill amendatory of acts prohibiting
slave trade.
Bill for the discharge of State prisoners was
taken up.
Mr.. Wilson moved to strike out the first two
sections providing for the discharge of all state
prisoners and taking ball. leaving in the bill
one section authorizing the President to sus-
pend Habeas Corpus.
After debate the Senate went into executive
session. Adj.
Mr.. Wood of New York. made personal
explanation, protesting against the report on
his treason case being deferred by the Commit
tee until next session, and offered resolution
instructing the Judiciary Committee to report
forthwith.
Mr.. Bingham of Ohio, objected.
A resolution was passed that any member of
Congress be excused who is in active military
service for the suppression Of the rebellion.
The milage question was then taken up.
Mr.. Thomas amendment, offered yesterday,
was adopted.
The question then being. on ordering the
bill to be engrossed for the third reading.
Mr.. Edward moved TO lay il on the table.
Disagreed TO 30 against so.
After considerable debate the bill was passed
Sc against 20.
Mr.. Colfax of Ind. moved to amend the title
making it read, an act abolshing congressional
mage.
A note from the President to the Speaker was
read, requesting the adjournment of Congress
to be postponed for one day. and a resolution
was adopted extending the time of adjourn
mcnt to Thursday.
The House took up the Senate bill providing
for the ascertainment, by commission or other
wise, the amount expended by Missouri in
equipping and subsisting troops, and the sum
ascertained to be due 10 be set off the direct
tax imposed on Missouri. No action was
taken.
The bill requiring the commanders of mer-
chant vessels to take the oath of allegience
was passed
A bill was passed explaining the 5th sec
ton of the conflscation act so that its action
shall not be retroactive. Adj.