Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-02-04
FORT DONELS0N ATTACKED.
THE FIGHT STILL in PROGRESS.
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8.
HOUSE.


tions, made favorable report on the Gre
! dentials of BENZ. F. Flanders and Michael
Hahn, as representatives. from the 1st and
ID Congressional districts of Louisiana.
Laid over for further consideration.
The House took up the Bankrupt bill.
Several gentlemen expressed a desire to
wished to offer amendments.
Roscoe Conkling, who reported the bill,
and who has the charge of.it, said its de-
tails could not enter into the vote, which
must depend upon its principles He
therefore asked that it should receive a
square vote and urged prompt action.
Kelly moved to table the bill Agreed
to, 62 against 81.
Conklin who had changed his vote to
the affirmative for the purpose ofenabling
him to move q reconsideration of the vote
made that motion accordingly.
Kellogg moved to lay Conklin's resolu-
ton on the table, which was decided in the
negative, yeas, 80; nays, 33.
The resolutions reported from the Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs declaratory of
maritime rights, were postponed till the
third Monday in February.
Mr. Olin frsm the Committee on Militia
ry Affairs, reported back, with amend
ments, the Michigan and Illinois and New
York Canal Bill, which provides for the
transfer of the Illinois and Michigan Canal
70 thegU nited States, Commissioners TO be
appointed with authority to enlarge the
Canal for the passage of gunboats and 9TH
er boats, the improvement to commence
after the plan shall have been approved
by the President and Secretary of War
The work to be given to the lowest bidder.
The revenue derived over and above the
expenses for management and repair to be-
paid into the National Treasury to REIN
burse Illinois for the expenses that
State has incurred, and toward the pay
ment of the principal and interest on the
expenses. After the enlargement is paid
for, the canal is 10 be forever open and
free to navigation of citizens of the
United States, subject only to such tolls as
may be necessary to keep the canal in re-
pair and pay for the management. The
Government of the United States to assign
TO Illinois, on her transferring the canal,
Sl3, ,34G, ,824 in 6 per cent bonds, the in
terest payable semi-annually, redeemable
in twenty years, to be reimbursed by the
tolls. Provision also being made for the
enlargement, through the New York Ca
Commissioners, Ofthe Oswego and Eric ca
nal to afford passage for armed vessels,
&C., from the Hudson river to lakes Erie
and ontOrioi-th -Gnvernment to appro-
pirate So, 100000 of similar bonds.
SENATE.
Hicks presented the credentials of Hon.
Reverdy johnson, elected United States
Senator from Maryland for six years from
the fourth of March.
Collamer, from the Committee on Finan-
ces, reported back the POstofice Appro-
priation Bill, which passed.
Mr.. Lane of Kansas, introduced bill
to provide for stopping pay of unemploy-
ed military officers.
Mr.. McDOugal moved to take up the res
elutions offered by him relative to French
operations in Mexico. He thought it was
time this subject should be brought 10 the
attention of the country. He thought
France was already making war and aid
ing rebellion by cOllusiOn with the South
ern Confederacy to seize on Texas and the
more Southern States and gain control of
the Mississippi. The latest news from
France states that this expedition was ex-
pressly antagonistic to the progress of the
United States in conquering Mexico, and
so France invaded sister republic upon
our borders and our weakest side.
It was q high-handed outrage, AMI
should meet the condemnation of every
one. He referred TO the intriguing mis-
sion of Almonte to Spain and France with
the proposition to establish monarchy
in Mexico, and claimed that this attempt
of France was the Vaccinations of Al
monte.
Mr.. McDougal addressed the Senate at
length on the conduct of France with re-
gard to Mexico He cOntended that it was
in violation of all international laws
treaties and assurances made to this Gov
ernment, and to overthrow the whole COM
mercial system of this country. He de-
clnred the ultimatum offered to Mexico by
France disgrace to any civilized nation,
and said that if any Government was un-
friendly to US in this contest it was that
| of France. France needed cotton coun-
try, she could find it in Mexico Lower
| California was not very loyal Many
disloyal persons had gone to Sonora. To-
day very few arms and little ammunition
were left in California, and France might
seize and hold that State at any time with
in thirty days.
He thought the Government was bound
to pay some attention to this. There was
no reason why we should be afraid Of a
conflict with France OF with Spain and
England combined. They in California
were apprehensive of the designs of France
and he thought from the course and poll
cy of France there was ground for appre-
hension France would not withdraw her
troops from Mexico. Ten thousand troops
sent from this country to aid the Mexicans
would drive the French army into the sea.
If necessary 10 go to war, this Government
would do it, in order to maintain a great
| fundamental doctrine and maintain oU
honor.
If nything could now bind together this
nation it would be a just and holy wal
against foreign foe. He believed the
most of those now holding against US
would turn and join hands with us a COM
mon enemy.
Sumner thought the adoption of these
resolutions would invite war from a great
and powerful nation and bring so much
aid to the rebellion by bringing to it a
powerful ally. He would say nothing of
France, whose friendship he would do all
to preserve. The Senators, indeed, were
justly sensitive at seeing the return of a
European empire on this continent. But
the most effectual means of preventing
this was by the suppression of the rebel
lion. He moved to lay the resolution on
the table.
Executive session adjourned.