Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-12-14
CONGREssIONAL.
SENATE.


H. Cs.-,Ansr- presented petition from
Lake Brothers, bankers, for indemnity Tor
SIO. 900 in United States certificates, which
they lost. Referred to the Finance Com.
mittee.
Mr.. Sumner also introduced bill to au-
thoriEe the President to transfer a gunboat
to the Republic Of Liberia.
Mr.. Sherman introduced bill sppro-
priating one million dollars for construct
ing six Revenue Cutters for the Lakes.
Mr. Howard Introduced petition from
tho Collector of the Port of Detroit pray
ing for relief from the operation of tEa
ioilt resolution Of the last session ineress-
ing the rate of duties on imported articles
Affy per cent. The petition was referred
70 the Committee on Finance.
Mr.. Sherman, from the Committee on HI
nance, reported bill authorizing the con
struction Of six revenue cut.el for service
on the Lakes, and sppropriating 81 100000,
or 10 much as is necessary, for that purpose.
He asked that the following letter from
the Secretary of the Treasury be read:
SIR-I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter of the Tth inst,
reouest ting information as to the number
of Revenue Cutters now on the Lakes,
their efficiency and the necessity of their
increase. The number OF cutters heretofore
maintained on the Northern Lakes was
six. They are sailing vessels and OF such
build and rig, as to prevent their cruising
with efficiency. In 1851, five Of them
we're directed to be brought down the st.
Lawrence to the Atlantic coast, in the
hopes that they might be used adVan-
tageously. One was left upon the Lakes
but found to be worthless, and sold during
the last winter. A contract was made
with parties to build steamer for revenue
service on Lake Erie, which vessel IS so
nearly completed, thst her trial has been
ordered for tc-1ay. This Is the only stelm-
er belonging to the Government applicable
to revenue purposes, on all the lakes.
Necessity, however, for preventing SNUG
ling along our northern frontier, which
the Government has satisfact1ry evidence
is carried on to great extent, indncee the
Secretary to charter two steamers for tenn
norsrv service. one on Lake Erie and the
other on Lake Ontario. One of these was
Io,t on ontorine. Cleveland harboF and the
charter Of the other has expired ana sns
has gone out OF service.
I therefore recommend that authority
be given to build or purchase five efficient
vessels for the use of the Revenue Depart
ment on the northern lakes, which, in ad-
dition TO the one Just completed, will make
the number of cutters the same as pre-
viously employed.
It's possible that the number here re-
commended will not be all that will be re-
ouired. The great length Of the coast to
bs guarded, and in some parts, its close
proIimity TO the Canada shore, demand
constant diligence, and the proper author
itv should be conferred TO meet contingen-
| eies. If possible, such vessels should be
completed by the opening of navigation.
Very truly, your ob'dt serv't.
w. P. FEssENDEE.
Mr. Foster asked if the vessels provided
for were armed vessels.
Mr.. Sherman replied that he under
stood that revenue cutters were usually
armed with pivot guns, only they were
not vessels of war.
Mr.. Foster said that by an arrangement
between the Governments of the United
States and Great Britain, there was stip'
ulation in regard TO the armed force which
the Government Of the United State
should keep on the lakes.
Mr.. Sherman said that the Finance
Committee hsd carefully considered thai
arrangement before taking action on tn
bill. and it did not interfere with that il
any way. Tho bill rs reported was then
passed.
Mr.. Wilson introduced joint resolution
to encourage enlistments in the army, bI
making free the wives and children of col
ored soldiers, now hold as slaves in th'
South. The resolution provides the Wltt
and children, if any he have, of any per
son that has been, OF shall be in the ser
vice, shall be forever free, and in determin
[ | ing who is wife and who are children
tbs enlisted person. The evidence that b
, and the woman claimed to be his vii
/ have lived together, and associated as hu'
hand and wife, and so continued to live q
the time Of enlistment, or that form
: marriage, whether the same was or wa
Y not authorized or recognized by law, nj
' been celebrated between them, and tni
! the parties thereafter lived together as hu
q band and wife and so continued to liz
. and associate at the time Of enlistmel
, shall be deemed sufficient proof Of ma
: risge. and the children of such marrisi
q shall be deemed and taken to be the chill
. rem mentioned in this act. The resolutic
was referred TO the Military Committee.
Z A message was received from the Hou
n announcing the passage by that body
bill to establish q uniform system
n bankruptcy.
"a On motion of Mr.. Foster, the bill W
. referred to the Judiciary Committee, al
B, ordered to be printed.
le Mr.. Lane, Of Kansas, here moved th
d the Senate adjourn, but subsequently wit
Al drew his motion to permit Mr. Sprsgue
n present the credentials of Mr.. Anthony,
If Senator from Rhode Island for six ye'
ns from the 4th of March, 1865.
a The Senate then went into Executi
* Session, and on opening the doors aga
IN adjourned.