The Portland daily press., 1864-03-23
BY TELEGRAPH
TOTHE
Portland Daily Press.
XXXVIII OONGRESs---First Session.
WASHINGTON, March %.

Mr.. Clark called up the Senate bill amend.
Ing the act relating to foreign coins and coin.
age of cents, which was passed.
The bill provides that the weight of the
cent shall be forty-eight grains, and that ii
shall be composed OF ninety-fve per cent. OF
copper and five per cent. of zinc or tin. 1t
also provides for two cent piece of the same
composition.
Mr.. Willy thea proceeded to address the
Senate at length on the bill to promote enlist
ments by the freeing of the wives and chill
dren of slaves recruited. Also in opposition
to Mr.. Summers bill to repeal the fugitive
slave law.
Mr. Wiley opposed Mr.. Wilson's amend
ment on the ground that in its present form
it would lead to endless difficulty with the
State Courts, and should vote for its recon-
initial. lie continued at some length in OPP
position to the present consideration of the
bill to repeal the Fugitive Slave Law, con-
tending that If left over until the next Con-
gress, that there would then be Representa-
tives from the Southern States who would
wish TO vote for it.
Mr.. Howard obtained the floor for to-mor-
row. The Senate then went into executive
session.
Petitions were presented against the extern
SION of Goodyear's patent.
Resolutions We're presented of the Union
Merchants Exchange of st. Louis, praying
for the construction of ship channel around
the upper end of the low rapids of the Missis-
sippi, for the Improvement OF the Illinois &
Michigan Canal, and for ship canal around
Niagara Falls. Referred to the committee on
Commerce.
Mr.. Sumner introduced a bill to carry into
effect the treaty with England for the final
settlement of the claims OF the Hudson's
Bay and Puget Sound Companies. 1t ap-
- a In on. 10 uytfb
commission of England to investigate and ad-
just such claims.
A resolution was adopted calling on the
Secretary of War for information as to how
many nine months men were raised under the
militia law of the last Congress, how many
were volunteers, and how many were drafted,
whether the twenty-five dollars bounty has
been paid to nine months volunteers, and if
not why it was withheld, and il any bounty
has been paid to drafted men.
Mr.. McDougal offered the following joint
resolutions:
Resolved-That the occupation of Mexico
by the Emperor OF France, or any person in
Dictated by him as Emperor OF Mexico, is an
offence to the people Of the United States.
Resolved-That the movement of the gov
eminent of France, and the threatened move
ment of an Emperor improvised by the En-
peror of France, demand of this Republic, if
insisted on, war.
A bill was introduced for the increase of
the Marine corps. Referred to the Naval
Committee.
Mr.. Simmer reported bill prohibiting the
Interstate slave trade.
Adjourned.
Mr.. Elliot, of Mass, from the committee on
Commerce, reported bill, which was passed,
authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to
stipulate for the release from attachment or
other process OF property claimed by the
United States; in other words, to enable The
government to make arrangements to use the
property it wants without waiting for legal
process.
On motion of Mr.. Randall, of Penn, res
olution was passed authorizing the Secretary
of War TO institute inquiries as TO the murder
of Capt. Theo. Reid, of Philadelphia, in Gan
gier Sound, Chesapeake Bay, by pirates.
The House then passed the Senate bill au-
thorizing the President to negotiate treaty
with certain Indians of Southern Oregon for
acquisition of land, and appropriating 5000
therefor.
Mr.. Washburne, of ILL.,, from the committee
on Commerce, reported bill, which was
passed, requiring proof that fishermen have
paid duty on foreign salt before being paid
the bounty provided by law.
The object of the bill is 10 prevent frauds
on the treasury, fishermen having procured
salt for the curing of their fish in the British
Provinces, and then claimed the bounties.
The House resumed the consideration of the
Raritan d Delaware Railroad Company bill.
Messrs. Starr and Rogers, of n. j., opposed
the bill as an Infringement Of the rights OF that
State.
The bill was passed over with the expiration
Of the morning hour.
Mr.. Alley, OF Mass, made report from the
committee of conference on the disagreeing
amendments to the bill for carrying the mails
from the United States to foreign ports, which
was adopted. The principal point in contro-
versy was adjusted by allowing the Postmas-
tet General to suspend so much OF the Sth
section OF the act OF the 3lst of August, 1882,
as authorizes the conveyance of letters other
wise than mails, as In his opinion the public
interest may require.
The House next considered the bill report
ed by Mr.. Davis from the special committee
to provide civil government for the States
usurped or oyerthrown by the rebellion.
Mr.. Davis, of Nd, made speech in favor
of giving the rebellious States Republican
form Of government without slavery. He OPP
posed President Lincoln's plan of reconstruc-
ton as impracticable. He regarded the eman-
cipation proclamation as not valid, but to be
determined as a judicial question.
Mr.. Beaman, of Michigan. made speech
against slavery, and advocated the bill. Ad-
iournpd