Worcester daily spy., 1862-12-23
THIRTY-sEvENTH CONGRESS.
MONDAY, Dec. %


retary of the navy under what law the number
of captains on the active list was increased be-
yond the number authorized by law July 10TH
1862, and under what law 81 commanders appear
on the active list in the naval register, when the
law limits the number 10 72; adopted.
Mr. MCDoUGALL offered resolution inquir-
ing into the causes of delay in completing the
Housatonie; adopted Also resolution inqur-
ing into the of The accident to the Passaic;
adopted.
Mr.. DAVIS introduced a bill requiring the
president to appoint commissioners to adjust,
settle, and liquidaJe claims, accounts and debts,
between the United States and any state during
the existing rebellion; referred 10 the commit.
tee on the Judiciary.
Passed Mr.. PowELL's resolution, inquiriug
whether persons arrested had been required TO
take an oath not to sue those arresting them, as
a condition of release.
MIR. SALISBURY resolution relative to sending
troops to Delaware at the late election was taken
up. Mr.. ANTHONY moved to refer it to the mil
itary committee. The motion was discussed till
the expiration of the morning hour. When the
bill relating to the discharge of state prisoners
was taken up Mr.. LANE of Indiana, spoke there
on. Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. SHFFIELD presented the credentials of
Mr.. HAHN, representative elect from the first
district in Louisiana; referred to the committee
on elections.
Mr.. WILSON offered resolution inquirng of
the secretary of war what arrearageS OF pay
due to the volunteer regiments; referred to the
military committee.
A resolution was adopted that the committee
on ways and means inquire into the eXpediency of
so amending the tax law that licences may be
transferred and be good in the hands Of assign
ees for the time given. A resolution was adopt
ed that the committee on the judiciary inquire
what legislation is necessary for the transporta-
ton of negroes freed from the rebels with the
army:
Mr. VALLANDIGHAM offered the following
which ne proposed to debate Resolved, that
this house earnestly desires that the most speedy
and effectual measures be taken for restoring
peace in America, and that no time may be lost
in proposing an immediate cessation of hoStili-
ties In order to secure speedy and final settle
ment of the unhappy controversies which have
brought on this unnecessary and infamous civil
war, by just and adequate security against a re-
turn of like caamtleS in time to come; and this
house desires to offer the most earnest assurances
to the country that they will in due time cheer
fully cooperate with the executive and the states
for a restoration of the Union, and to such eX-
plicit and most solemn amendments of the pro.
visions of the constitution, as may be found
necessary for securing the rights of the several
states and sections within the Union, under the
constitution.
Mr.. PENDLEToN offered resolution that the
protest and remonstrance of thirty-siX members
of the house submitted herewith against the
COuSlllutloHdll] duu OF tne ulll recent
ly passed, indemnifying the president and others
for suspending the writ of habeas corpus, be en-
tered on the j urna Mr. STEVENS moved to
table it; carried, n against 40.
MIR. ASHLEY introduced bills proposing a
temporary government for Idaho, and to enable
the territories of Nevada, Utah, and Colorado, To
form state governments preliminary to admis-
sion into the Union; referred to the committee
on territories.
Mr.. CALVERT offered resolution, which by
his request was laid over, setting forth that
the secretary of the navy has wifully and ille-
gally appointed acting mdshipmen during the
recess Uf congress, and attempted to justify
himself by the arbitrary assumption Of necessity;
and that the house accordingly protest most de-
cidedly against his action, and all such appoint
mentS are declared null and void.
On motion of Mr.. Cox, resolved, that the pre-
sident be requested if not incompatible with the
public service, to communicate to this house
any correspondence or other information in his
possession relating to the alleged interference of
our minister to Mexico i'll favor of the French,
in the present war between the Mexican republic
and the emperor of the French, by signing pro-
test against the expulsion from Mexico of French
subjects.
On motion of Mr.. SHELLABERGER, the COM
mlttee on ways and means was instructed to in
quire into the eXpediency of amending the tax
law, SO that newspapers circulating not exceed
ing $500 copies may not be subject to the tax
Mr.. BINGHAM introduced a bill for the emau-
cpation of the slaves of rebels; referred. Mr..
MAY offered a resolution requesting the president
to communicate to the house copy of the order
of the secretary of state, dated about the 2Sh of
November last, and which he caused to be read
to the state prisoners at fort Warren forbidding
them to employ counsel, on the ground that such
a course would be deemed by the government
and state department as II reason for prolonging
their imprisonment On motion of Mr. STEVENS
the resolution was tabled, 63 against 49,
MIR. MoREHEAD offered a joint resolution,
which passed, declaring it the opinion of con-
gresS that the secretary of the treasury take i'm
mediate steps for the payment of the sums due
the soldiers aDd sailors, and that preference be
given this class of creditors over all others what
ever-judicial, legislative, or executive.
Mr.. WARD Of New York offered resolution 10
include aliens in the marine corps and the navy,
who have served over one year, and been honor
ably discharged, in the privilege extended to
those serving in the army, OF becoming citizens
without previous declaration of citizenship;
referred to the Judiciary committee
On motion of MIR. TRAIN, q resolution was
adopted providing for II select committee to in
quire whether any officer or employee of the
government is interested directly or indirectly
in any banking house or monied institution
having contracts with the government or deal
ing in stocks or other property.
MIR. HUTCHINs offered resolution proposing
to give gold medals TO tho soldiers who in the
midst Of peril first crossed over to Fredericks-
DulEJ IclciItu W lue lllllUdTy COnmlttee.
MIR. MALLoRYs resolution that the senate con.
curing, an adjournment shall take place from
Tuesday TO the first Monday in January; passed,
by a vote of 70 against A.
Mr.. BINGHAM moved that the committee on
the judiciary be discharged from consideration of
the bill declaratory of the emancipation of slaves
in the rebel states and territories. The bill pro-
vides for the issuing by the president of a proc
clamation on the 1st OF January next, to that eff
feet. The motion was disagreed to.
Mr.. WHITE of Indiana, from the select COM
mittee on the border state bill, appropriating
$2O,OOO,OOO to aid Missouri in emancipatng her
slaves, moved that it be recommitted to the Sc
lect committee; agreed to-77 against 49,
Mr.. WILSON introduced resolution, instruct.
ing the committee on the judiciary to INQUIRE
whether the Kennedy who wrote the recently
published letter to Jacob Thompson, is the same
who now holds the office of superintendent of the
census
Mr. Cox objected, saying it was known that
MIR. Kennedy still held the office.
The house passed the bill to supply defcien-
cies for the year ending June next.
--a.---
From Fort Monroe.
FORTRESS MONROE, Dec. Gilt will be seon
from the Richmond newspapers account of the
Dattle at Fredericksburg, that while Gen. Lee in
official MI tbaf tn..