The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-04-17
The following is the Off

previous day. The following is the Off
cial record: Ger Dor. n1uy9 '0a odi nri0
The motion was agreed to; and the Senate
proceeded to consider the following resolu-
ton: .,,
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of War be in
structed to communicate to the Senate, if not
incompatible with the public SERVICE all cor
respondence, kilograms, letters and reports
concerning the military operations of the Army
of the Potomac since its withdrawal from Har-
rison's Landing, and all correspondence. letters.
kilograms and reports relating to the surrender
of Harpers Ferry, and the testimony taken be-
fore the Committee of investigation upon such
surrender.
Mr.. Sumner. suggest to the Senator from
make the call little broader, SO as to cover
the whole movement of the Army of the PotO-
mac since it left Washington.
Mr.. Sherman. The Secretary of War has in
formed us in his annual report that, under a
previous call of the Senate that will be CON-
municated, and therefore do not wish to du-
plicate the information.
Mr.. Sumner. If that is the case shall not
press my suggestion.
Mr.. Grimes. / beg to inquire of the Senator
from Ohio to what committee of investiga-
ton he alludes? Does he mean the Court OF
Inquiry that sat by order of the Secretary of
War to investigate transactions growing out OF
the surrender of Harper's Ferry? If so it is
not properly designated. 1t was not a g COM
mittee of investigation" but a court of in
inquiry" which is technical term.
Mr. Sherman. If the Senator thinks the de-
scrption is not correct, ask to have the pro-
per words" court of inquiry" inserted.
thought it was mere committee.
Mr.. Grimes. No, sir
The President pro tempore. 1t is competent
for the Senator from Ohio to modify his own
01rfs o,,I xrysn hoe nI
The resolution, as modified, was adopted.
And, again, under date of last Decem-
Der 8, we find record of the following
proceeding had in the Senate:
the nature of an amendment to one that was
passed by the Senate on Friday last:
Resolred. That the call upon the Secretary of
War for all correspondence, kilograms and re-
ports concerning the military operations of the
Army of the Potomac, be extended so as to
embrace all such papers from the first move
ment of this army.
The resolution was considered by ANONYMOUS
consent and agreed to.
The National MteUigence, observes in
this connection:
And yet, Notwithstanding this call on
the part of the Senate, and notwithstand-
ing the announcement made by the Secre-
tary Of War in his late report, when he said
that "the communications between the
Department and the respective command
ers were prepared under a resolution of
the Senate at the last session, and will be
transmitted to Congress whenever you
1.-THE President shall please to give your
sanction" no such official exposition as the
Senate asked has ever been allowed to see
the light.
Why there should be so much reticence
practiced in regard to the publication of
papers already prepared for transmission to
Congress, but neoer transmitted, passes our
power of comprehension on any theory
save such as our respect for the President
would forbid us to form, if we did not char
itably suppose that he has forgotten to give
the "sanction :" for which Mr.. STANTON, at
the date of inditing his last report, an
nounced himself to be waiting. How much
longer shall the Secretary, and the country
with him, be called to wait for the Presi-
dents sanction to the official publication
of documents prepared for publication
in answer to call of the Senate? What
useful or honest purpose is subserved by
their longer suppression? The country
wants to read these papers in an official
shape and IN their entirely, without sup
pressions and without notes or comments
to make them mean what somebody or
anybody may desire to make them mean.