The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-04-30
lxxxyIII CONGRESS.
SENATE '''SV :
WAsHIxGTos April 20.

WAsHIxGTos April29.
Mr.. Grimes presented the6 smemorial 20
Alanson Peafield, Clerkzailpdthe iTresshrJ
Department, praying for the construction
of reservoirs for supplying the Upper Mis-
sissippi with o medium stage of water fol
navigation throughout the dry summei
months, and canal from the head of Lake
Superior to the Red River of the Gorth Wis
Sandy Lake, q distance Of 90 miles, thence
via Crow Wing, Leaf river and Otlarte
Lake to Breckenridge a,ototal distance o.
240 miles, thus opening navigation by Red
River and Saskatchewan, for 1000 miles to
the base Of the Rocky Mountains, and fur
nishing an outlet to the Hudson Bay region.
This would require an Improvement Of ia
miles less than the Fox and Wisconsin RI
YER canal route and 80 miles shorter than
the Illinois and Mississippi canal.
Mr., Ramsay introduced q. bill for the bet
ter arrangement Of Abe Indians, by which
the President is authorizedto locate them
upon new reservations. g
Mr.. DooEttle presented memorial from
the citizens Of Wisconsin asking for an in
crease of 10 per cent on foreign WOOL Re-
ferred to Committee Of Finance ssl
Mr.. Harlan introduced. the resolutions OF
the Iowa Legislature asking for increased
mail facilities in that State. Referred.
Mr.. Henderson offered resolution to
provide for the printing OF the report Of the
commission, of which Major General Me
DowelI was President to examine into
cotton speculationsA and frauds on the
part of officers in the West.
A modification of Mr.. Grimes requesting
the Secretary of War to transmit the re-
port was accepted.
On motion of Mr.. Lane, of Kansas, the
words if not incompatible with the public
interest, were added.
An amendment Of Mr. Grimes requesting
ill information touching the subject OF
touching the persons supposed to be impli
Gated in the report, Adopted.
Messrs. Wilson, Fessenden and Others
thought the resolution had best best not be
adopted.
Nj Henderson said that information on
the subject was desired now, as it would
bear on the bills pending before this body,
and this was the only authentic way to OBJ
tain it. aaFA
He had read letters the last three days
from the Red River, srying that our defeat
there was on account of speculation. The
cavalry in advance OH that occasion, num-
bering 5000 men, had 265 wagons which
became entangled and confused and brought
on disaster.
Mr.. Wilson wanted to know if the Sena
tor charged that the Red River expedition
was undertaken for the mere purpose Of
gathering cotton,
Mr.. Henderson said no such thing, be
merely wished to know what this brigade
of cavalry wantey with 265 wagons unless
it was to gather up the products OF the
coentry
Mr.. C0nness stated on what be consider
ed the highest authority that these wagons
weae part Of the regular train of the army
and whatever might have been the defect
of the generalship which brought them
there, the statement that they were intend.
ed to bring in cotton was not correct.
Mr.. Henderson made no charges himself,
but it was singular that the disaster had
followed the statements and predictions Of
the newspaper writer's He read letter
from Grind Ecore dated days before the
battle alleging conflict OF authority be
tween Banks and Admiral Porter and stat
ing that the latter was siezing cotton on
land as naval prize, and predicting the
disaster.
Mr.. CONFESS denounced the statement as
a cruel and base Islander on Admiral Porter
which he had the highest authority for de-
nying. ,.
Mr.. NesmitL called mp the Senate bill to
establish branch at Memphis, Carson city
Nevada and Dallas city
An amendment striking out Carson city,
was adopted and the bill passed.
The national currency bill came up in
order. The question being on the finance
amendment to tia 4lst section as proposed
to be amended by Mr. Pomsroy by the in
sertion of provision extending from state
tax. That portion of that capital invested
in or based on U. S. bonds.
The amendment was rejected 70 to IL.
Adjourned.