The New York herald., 1862-02-20

Mr.
ton TO authorize the President present prizes and
das 70 the enlisted men Of the army and navy and
rine corps who may have distinguished themselves in
tho war. Adopted
ORGANIZATION or THE CAVALRY.
On motion of Mr.. WILSON, (rep) OF Mass. the bill for
the better organization OF the cavalry was taken up and
Aftor executive session the Senate adjourned.
House OF Representatives.
WASHINGTON, Fob 10, 1862.
TIE CELEBRATION wAsHrNGroNs BIRTHDAY.
On motion Of Mr. WAsHBURyE, (rep) Of ILL.,, resolved
chat for tho 22d Of February seats in this hall be
ranged under the direction Of the Speaker
modae the Senators and all invited guests and,
enough for them of Minister'S and at tho close of the
proceedings the Speaker adjourn the House.
TRANSPORTATION TROOPS CALIFORNIA, ETC.
Mr.. CAmPRRLL, (rep) OF Pa, from the Pacific Railroad
Committee reported resolutions which adopted call
ing the Secretaries of War and Navy to furnish the
House with statements showing the expenses transpor
cation for the last five years of arms munitions troops.
&C., between the Atlantic and Gulf ports to the Pacific;
and also calling on the Secretary of State to furnish the
Hast annual report of the government Colorado and
ene accompanying documents not Incompatible with
the public interest
COLORADO AFFAIRS
Mr. BsvSErr, delegate from Colorado offered resolu.
ton which was adopted instructing the Committee on
the Judiciary to inquire into the expedency Of cgazng
oil coOsummated litigation under the Miners and Peoples
Territory
sERi0Us CHARGES AGAINST MR. vALLANDiGHAMs LoyALIY.
Mr. HICKMAN, (rcp) Of Pa, rose to privileged ques
ton and sent up to the Clok the following to
b road
the following publication
DoousESrs Fouro-Durng Yesterday police force visit
number Of letters written i6y Senators Bayard and Sans
bury Of Delaware and the notorious vaandigham OF Ohio
Dire and various suggestions how the Yankees might
Thorcora resoIvod Thai ,b. r,r,n;,,.. on ,,o IA,
cary be directed to inquire into the truth of the alicga
lions thoron mado against C. L. vaandigham, member
Of this House. with power to send for and papers,
end 10 examine witnesses on oath or Animation, and to
mako report thereon.
Mr. HcKNAS-I call the previous question on the reso-
luton. (Cries Of "No no.')
Mr.. vAiI.AspGuAM, opp of Oho-wl the gentleman
withdraw
Mr.. HcKMAS-certainly.
Mr. vAdArpGHAx--I was jus. waiting for an opportu-
nifty TO call tho attention Of the House this staemen,
myself having received it from few mo-
ago do not know of course, the motive of tho
gentleman br Hickman) in bringing it this shape
before the House, do Ny purpose some time
ence just what IL is nowto give prompt, direct and
emphatic contradiction, fiat denial to the Infamous
statement in that paragraph. I never wrote line
or letter upon political subject TO tho Baltimore
Sodh 10 any other papor. to any
man south Of Mason and D;xon's line since thu
controversy bcgan-nevsr defy any one to prove it,
II Is false Infamous sanderous beyond endurance that
reputation should be at the mercy Of scavcngers
employed to visit the lowest haunts OF vce 20 up
items Tor tho local editorials irresponsible
TO parade before the country beous and s'andcrous
falsehoods like those do not object to the controversy
but avail myself Of this opportuntyuntl the letters
shall bo produced here upon which the taken Is
based, II there be anysuch in existence-to denounce
thom hero as lorgeres. enter upon no defence. in
tend Wo have had enough Of this kind OF business
airsady deny the duty or tho right OF members TO
rise here and call for Investigations upon irresponsible
statements like that only regret did not have oppor
tunty the beginning and before the chairman OF the
Judiciary Committee had risen here u this formal
ner 10 AJAX the attention OF the House TO the matter
never did this before For tho i've years that have
been a member OF this House never roso to personal
explanation except once before, and condemn in others
a. unbecomng tho dignity Of the House, to be
gagged did intend as members me know. to make
tho FIRST explanation in my Congr css0nal career. de-
siro that this matter may be fully reported in the gal
lery tbat my defence may forth with the charge
made this noorthc infamous statement, that have
been in correspondence with any one in that state aud
uttered sentiments inconsistent with my duty not only
IA member OF the House, but citizen Of the United
Statcsonc who has taken solemn oath to support the
constitution, aud which, thank God devia,ed
from I have rights, which, while God lives and |
live shall excrcse for myseh in this house of
thus house 1r .s' III .ne gn,s Of
have gone My sentiments will be found here, on
the records or the house and nowhere else There the
repository and foreseeng, more than year ago-lore.
seeing tho carly part OF December, the magnitude aud
character OF this revolution, rebellion in which the
country about to be plunged resolved not to write
Shogh your own mails then carried tho etlers-a single
solitary word or syllable, before secession bcgau
90 any man IN n seeded state. Now the gentleman
ayails himself Of this paragraph for the purpose Of
giving dieuity and Importance TO charge OF TINS
kind Had II come In tangible shape-had any
EDITOR endorsed t-there might be some shade
of apology for IL. But no; IL was found in the
LEGAL columns Of an irresponsible paper know nothing
of letters with reference to others but myself but
deemed duo to myself and to the House to meet this
charge have done. | call the previous question.
Mr. RICHARDSON, (opp) OF Ill.-There are members on
this oor who declared that they would not vote dollar
Cor this unless II warfare upon slavery. de-
these as traitors Thsy ought to be brought
20 trial aud execution.
Mr. HrcKmAS-The motives which have actuatsd me In
che matter to be doubted. so far the charge
contained the article In question Ia made against
member Of this House, even q suspcion-an ordinary
suspic on-woud Justify such investigation this
resolution contemplates. But the gentleman (Mr Val
landigham) knows as we'll as other members this
noor know, that the suspicious which have existed
him- do not say whether they justified not-are
numerous and have existed for long time past II 1:
the duty Of this House purge itself of unworthy mem
bers | do not know whether the gentleman occupies
properly or improperly this floor. Byoferin
tbs resolution do not prejudlce him. II he the mos
intimate friend had on earth. and accused as ne IL II
the paragraph question, i would deem my duty AM
perbaps more solemny my duty, urge tho investga
lion which is here suggested But, sir, the charge doc
come before US In a fair and unquesrionablc shape
annears a. an original article tho Baltimore Ci,ge,
All ia tbetefors presumed 70 be editorial az leas
ndet the mmedate superysion OF tbe editor and tbs