The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-02-20
pROCEEbINGs OF CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. II,


mittee on Naval Affairs, reported res
olution to compensate the sailors OF the
gunboat Cairo for loss ofclothing. Passed
Mr.. Sherman presented joint resolu-
ton of the Legislature of the State OF
Ohio, protesting against the proposed en-
largement of the Canal of Illinois and
New York.
Mr.. Wilson, from the Committee on
Military Affairs, reported adversely on the
bill for the construction of marine cable.
Mr.. Ten Eyck, from the Committee on
Judiciary, reported adversely on the bill
to amend the fugitive slave act.
Mr.. Trumbull from same committee, re-
ported back the bill to allow the United
States to present appeals and writs of error
without giving security. Passed.
Mr.. Wilkinson called up the bill for the
removal of the Winnebago Indians from
Minnesota. Passed.
At the expiration Of the morning hour
the chair called up the special order-the
bill to aid the State of Missouri. The cur
rency bill being, however, the first in Or
der, was taken up.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Harris
was adopted, providing that no bank or
banking association shall be holder of
United States bonds to the amount of
fifty per cent of their capital stock. 1t
may transfer part thereof in the manner
provided by this act, and will be entitled
to receive circulating notes equal to 80
per cent of the bonds so transferred and
delivered.
HoUsE.-Mr. Washburne gave notice of
his intention to introduce bill to repeal
all laws levying duties on railroad iron
and coal.
Mr.. Colfax, from Committee on Foreign
Affairs, made report on Mr.. Fessenden's
resolution as to whether Jere Heron
should not be dismissed as Minister from
Columbia.
Mr.. Cox caused note to be read from
Mr.. Seward, saying that the President was
entrusted with the functions of receiving
foreign ministers, and this was confined to
him by the Constitution.
Mr.. Cox remarked that legislators had
nothing to do with the subject of receiving
foreign ministers. He had no doubt that
the Government was taking the necessary
steps to recognize the Government of Mos
quita in the performance of all the func-
tons of State
Mr.. Fessenden expressed his dissatisfac-
ton with the report His object was &C.
complished, and he was glad to hear that
measures were being taken to re-Organize
that Government The committee was
discharged from the further consideration
of the subject.
WASHINGTON, February II.
SENATE The Vice President laid be-
fore the Senate the credentials of William
B. Sprague, elected United States Senator
from Rhode Island for six years.
Mr.. Wilmot presented the joint resolu-
tons of the Legislature of Pennsylvania,
requesting the Senators of that State to
vote for the repeal Of the duty on printing
paper.
Mr.. Harris presented the petition of H.
H. Day, asking to be authorized to con-
struct a ship canal around the Falls of
Niagara.
Mr.. Sumner presented the petition of
Jacob Baldwin of Pennsylvania, stating
that disloyal newspapers are circulated in
the army, and asking Congress to pro-
hibit their circulation.
Mr.. King called up the bill to increase
the number Of Brigadier and Major Gen
erals.
Mr.. Fessenden moved to amend so as to
limit the increase to 20 Major Generals
and SO Brigadier Generals.
The morning hour expired and the cur
rency bill was taken up and passed by the
following vote:
Yeas-Messrs. Anthony, Arnold, Chan
der, Clark, DOOlittle, Fessenden, Foster,
Harding, Harlan, Harris, Howard, Howe,
Lane of Kansas, Morrill,, Nesnith, Pome-
roy, Sherman, Sumner, Ten Eyck, Wade,
Wilkinson, Wilmot, Wilson of Mass-23.
Nays-Messrs. Carlisle, Collamer, Cow
an, Davis, Dixon, Foote, Grimes, Hender-
son, Hicks, Kennedy, King, Latham, Nc
Dougall, Powell, Rice, Richardson, Sauls-
bury, Trumbull, Turpie, Wall, Wilson of
Mo.-21.
The bill to aid the State of Missouri in
Emancipation, was then taken up.
Mr.. Salisbury then proceeded to address
the Senate, in opposition to it. He
thought the difficulties of the country
seemed to have been taken advantage of
to secure emancipation. He contended
at some length that there was no authority
in the constitution for any appropriation
of money for such purposes. 1t was a
proposal to surrender their rights to the
general government, and thus destroy our
present form of government, and make a
centralized despotism. He believed the
whole conduct of the war to have been
most unwise and unconstitutional.
Mr.. Sumner moved to amend so as to
reduce the amount paid for each slave
emancipated, from $500 to 5000. Adopted
20 to II.
Mr.. Sumner moved to strike out the
word gradual, so as to make emancipation
immediate. Rejected.
HOUSE. The House proceeded to the
consideration of the bill reported from the
Committee on Territories to provide for
the temporary government OF the Terri
tory of Montana, contiguous to the State
of Oregon and Territory of Washington.
Mr.. Cox moved to strike out the follow
ing provisions That whereas slavery is
prohibited in the said Territory by the act
of Congress of June 10th, 1862, nothing
herein contained shall be construed to au-
thorize or permit its existence therein.