The Portland daily press., 1862-12-12
XXXVII UONGRESS.--Second Session.
SENATE.

SENaIE.
A communication from the Secretary of the
Navy was received in answer to the resolution
of the Senate, relating to the purchase of land
near the Portsmouth Navy Yard Ordered to
be printed.
Messrs. Hall and Sumner presented resolu-
tons against action adverse to the Board of
the Navy.
A number of petitions for bankrupt act
were presented.
Mr.. Rutheway offered a resolution, instruct
ing the Committee on Finance to inquire into
the expediency of allowing Surat cotton TO be
imported into the United States upon the pay
ment of the same duties as for cotton import
ed from beyond Cape of Good Hope. Adopted.
Mr.. Browning introduced bill to amend
the act establishing territorial government
in the State, and to facilitate the administra-
ton of justice in said territory. Referred to
the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Wilson of Mass, gave notice that he
would introduce tomorrow bill to facilitate
medical examination of invalid soldiers in
the hospitals and convalescent camps.
Mr.. Hale introduced bill providing for
combinations by the Senate of volunteer APP
pointments in the navy. Indefinitely postpon-
ed.
message was received from the President
recommending vote of thanks to Lieut..
Morris for determined valor and heroism in
the defence of the Cumberland against the re-
bel iron clad Merrimae; also recommending a
vote of thanks to Lieut.. Worden for skill and
valor exhibited in the battle between the Mon
itor and Merrimac. Referred to the Naval
Committee.
A communication was also received from
the President in answer to a resolution of the
Senate calling for information and evidence
relative to the Indian barbarities in Minnesota.
Ordered to be printed,
The resolution relative to the arbitrary ar
rest of certain citizens of Delaware, was taken
up. 1t was debated at length.
bill was reported authorizing the survey
of route for telegraph line between San
Francisco and the Amoor river.
Adjourned.
HOUSE.
The Speaker submitted a message from the
President recommending that the thanks OF
Congress be extended by resolution to John 5.
Worden, for gallant conduct on the Monitor,
in the combat with the Merrimac, such thanks
being necessary under the law, TO advance him
one grade in the list of officers in the navy.
Referred to the Naval Committee.
Mr.. Sedgewick, from the Naval Committee,
reported bill to adjust the appropriations
heretofore made for civil service of the Navy
Department, so as TO correspond with the re-
cent reorganization of the Department. 1t
makes no new appropriations. The bill passed.
Mr. Fenton offered the following new law:
That the Secretary of the Navy be directed,
if the exigencies of the public service will adj
init, to provide United States vessel of war
to convey in safety from an attack Of the rebel
cruiser Alabama or any other pirate vessel any
ship or ships that shall contain corn, -four and
other provisions, intended as free offering of
the citizens Of the United States to the starry
ing poor of England and that the President of
tho Chamber of Commerce in the city of New
York, and the other maritime cities of the
United States, shall notify the Secretary of the
Navy at what time such vessels shall be ready
to sail.
Mr. Train objected to considering the reso-
luton, and called for the regular order OF bust
ness.
Mr. Cox from the committee on Foreign AZ
fairs, reported the Senate bill for the relief of
the owners of the French bark Jules ct Marie,
which was passed.
A bill was passed authorizing the Secretary
OF the Interior to contract with the authorities
OF convenient States. for the custody and en-
ployment of persons convicted of penitentiary
offences in the District of Columbia, the peni-
Tertiary in the District now being used for
arsenal purposes. His bill also legalizes the
late removal of its inmates to Albany.
Mr.. Roscoe Conklin, of New York, asked
leave to report bill to establish uniform
system Of bankruptcy, and with an amend
ment in the nature of a substitute, desiring to
assign day for its consideration.
The Speaker reminded the gentleman that
the Select Committee on that subject expired
with the former session of Congress, and
would have to be revised.
Mr.. Wicklifie offered resolution calling on
the Secretary of War TO state what number of
soldiers, regulars and volunteers, have been
placed on the army rolls; what regiments have
not been paid up to the LIST of December. 1862 !;
what regiments remain unpaid, and how long
they have been without pay; whether the
money appropriated by Congress for pay,
clothing and subsistence has been spent for
any other purposes.
Mr.. Stevens offered an amendment qualify
ing the call, by asking if such information is
not incompatible with public interest, and in
this form the resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Yeaman offered the following, to lay
over for future consideration:
Resolved, by the House of Representatives,
the Senate concurring, That the proclamation
of the President, of the 22d of September,
1862, is not warranted by the Constitution.
Resolved, That the policy of emancipation
as indicated in the proclamation, is not calcu-
lated to hasten the restoration of peace, is not
well chosen as war measure, and is an as
sumption of power dangerous TO the rights of
citizens and the perpetuity of free govern
ment
Mr.. Lovejoy of ILL.,, moved to lay the reso-
buttons on the table. Carried-95 against AZ.
The House then went into a committee of
the whole on the Presidents message.
After debate. and without action, the COM
mittee rose, and the House adjourned.