The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1862-03-01
SATURDAY, Feb. %.

SATURDAY, Feb %
Washington's birthday was chosen for
the nomination by the Senate of Gen. VIM
field Scott as Minister Extraordinary to
Mexico with, it is said, functions such as
he exercises in the pacifcation of the
Northeastern boundry' Accompanying
this nomination the project of treaty
went into the Senate, whose principal fea-
ture was substantially the assumption OF
the Mexican debt. The interest on this
amounts to three million dollars per year,
and the treaty guarantees our payment OF
| it for FIVE years.
There is no law for the appointment OF
| an Assistant Minister to Mexico, or any
other country, but it is thought that Gen.
SCOTS nomination will be confirmed by
should be limited to the pacifcation of
the armed quarrel conspired against Mex.
leo at a momentwhen we could not defend
the Monroe doctrine and go to her help.
MONDAY, Feb "a
4Senats-Mr. Wilkinson presented a
memorial from the Minnesota Legislature
asking a grant of land for a railroad from
st. Paul to Lake Superior
Mr. Wilmot thought the Senate should
act or the bill for the abolition of slavery
in the District of Columbia. That covers
the whole ground, and the Senate would
be more derelict in its duty than any other
body of men if it adjournde without abo-
fishing slavery in the District
Mr. King presented q memorial from
ship owners and builders in New York,
stating that there was a scarcity in the
ship timber, owing to large orders from
aborad, and asking Congress that the ex-
portation Of ship timber be prohibited
during the war.
On motion of Mr.. Wilson, of Missouri,
the joint resolution in relation to certain
Railroads in Missouri, was taken up
The:reSolution provides that tbs Secretary
of War pay the Hannibal and St Joseph
and Pacific Railroads for trans portatiOns,
&c'-the roads having originally received
grants of lands for which it was agrsS1lta
transport tr2ops aud lions Of was, &c.
.--3ir. Hale opposed the resolution as
special legislation, and as opening the
door to an immense amount of claims.
Mr.. Henderson contended that the land
actually realized but a small amount, and
that the railroad had done an immence
amount of transportation for the Govern
msnt, and that the companies had no
money to 60 on any further unless they
were helped by the Government.
House-Mr. Roscoe Conkling, Of New
York, offered the following;
| Resolved by the Senate and House Of
| Representatives. That the thanks of Con-
! gress are due and are hereby tended to
Major Generals Halleck audGrant, for
planning the recent movements within
their respectives divisions; tn both these
Generals, as well as to the officers and men
under their command, for their achieving
| the glorious victories in which their NOV
ements resulted.
Mr. Conkling said that he merely asked
that the resolution should be laid over fol
the present. Aster some discussion Mr.
Cox moved that it be referred to the Mil
itary Committee.
The Treasury note bill, after passing or
the oath, was reconsidered and again sent
back to the committee of conference, and
amended, but promptly reported next day
and passed finally. Its leading features
now that it has become law, are
Ffrst-The issue of one hundred and
fifty millions of Treasury notes, which are
made legal tender for all private and
public dues: except in payment of interest
on the public debt and duties ON imports
which are to be paid in coin.
Seeond-The fifty million demand notes
! issued under the act of July last and the
ten millions under the act of this month
are to be received for payment of duties
On imports.
Ihrd-Notes in sums of not less than
/ $50 are convertible into bonds bearing sir
per cert interest and redeemable in five
years.
| FomM-The Secretary Of the Treasury
I is authorized to issue registered bonds to
the extent of five hundred millions of dol
lars, redeemable at pleasure. after five
years. for the purpose of funding Treasury
notes and floating debt.
FJM-It provides for the deposit OF
notes for not less than thirty days, at five
per ceutum interest.
! The tax bills will be reported in day
or two
| Secretary Chase has an entirely different
set of bills, which will be offered as sub
/ stitute in the House, but the President
has approved the bill. Mr.. Opasis, bills
will not cut any figure.