Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-01-25
FROM THE UNITED
STATES.
RETALIATION IN THE YANKEE SENATE
PROPOSED.

RETALIATION IN THE YANKEE SENATE
PROPOSED.
In the Yankee Senate on the 18th inst, the fol-
lowing proceeding are reported
Mr. Howard submitted to the Senate the follow
ing Joint resOlutiOn advising retaliation tor the cruel
treatment of prisoners by the insurgents
Whereas, 1t has come to the knowledge OF Con
gress that great numbers of soldiers <ho have
nllen a, prisoners OF war into the hands at the in
Surgeuts have been subjected 10 treatment uneN-
ampled ion cruelty i'll the history OF civilized war,
and finding its parallels only ia the conduct oi saw
ace tribes a treatment resulting IN the death 0l
mutitndes by the slow but designed process OF star
walton and 10y mortal diseases occaSoned by INSULT
cent and unhealthy food by wantOn exposure OF
their persons 10 the nclemency OF the weather., and
hv deliberate assassination of the innocent and I'M
offending and the murder in cold blood ofprisonerS
after surrender
.Aud iohsredS A continuance of these barbaritieS
in the contempt OF the laws ol war and IN disregard
of the remOnstraHceS Of the National authorities
has presented 20 the alternative of suffering ON
brave soldiers Jhus to be destroyed, or to apply the
principle OF retaliation for their protection there
fore,
Resolred by the Senate and House6f Representatives.
Of he ttst States 81 AI1ercd IN congress dSSe1h-
6ied That in the Judgment of Congress 1t has be-
come jttStihabe and necessary that the President
should ia order to prevent the continuance and re-
curreuce OF such barbartieS, and 10 insure the OBJ
Servauc6 by the insurgents of the lays of civilized
war resort at 10 measures Of retaliation that
in our opinion such retaliation ought to be.inrcted
mon the inSurgent officers now in our hands, or
hereafter to fall mo our hands al prisoners that
such officers ought 10 be subjected TO like treatment
practiced towards officers or SoldcrSin hehands
the insurgents respect TO quantity and quality OF
food clothing, fuel, medicine, medical attendance
personal exposure or Othermode ofdeamg with theu
that with "a view to the same ends, the nsuTgcnt
prisoners in our hands ought TO be placed under the
control and in the Keeping Of officers and men who
have themselves been prisoners in the hands OF IN
| suTgentS, and have thus acquired knowledge oil
their mode Of treating prisoners that expllclt n-
structions ought to be given to the oroes'havng the
/ charge Of such nsurgcnt prisoners requiring them
to carry out strictly and promptly the principles Of
this resolution. in every case, until the President
having received satisfactory information ofthe aban
donment BY the insurgents of such barbarous prac
tees shall rekoke or inediy sari instructions.
| Congress does not however, intend by this reso-
luton to limit OF restrict the power OF tho President
to the modes principles OF retaliation herein men
/ toned but only to advise resort to them as de-
| mandcd by the occasion.
The resolution was referred to the Military Com
mittee.
FROM MEXICO.
The Herald contains the following intelligence
from Mexico;
The steamship Moro Castle, Capt. Adams, which
LETT Havana January IA, arrived at this port yester-
| day morning.
| Two or three blockade runners arrived at Havana
since New Year day but this species of business
/ is exceedingly dull. The Colonel Lamb was at IIa.
| wanna from Nassau, fine looking steamer, and
said 10 be see! plated, but it washot thought sue
amounted 10 much,
| An English dramatic company, lately arrived at
/ Havana from New York, commenced series OF
performances on the evening of January h.
DER HAVANA CORRESPONDENCE.
| HAVANA, January Ain my last communication
/ sent YOU by far the most important item of our
--latest Mexican ucws--namely, the Emperors letter
| to his minister relative TO the church property
question No Ons who understands Maximfanis
position could have doubted for moment the poll
cyhe would pursue in regard 10 that difficult and
Il dangerous affair. He has decided it according To
his interests. Invited by the church party to as
sumo the Imperial crown aud control the destnes
of Mexico. IL was naturally supposed ~ Rany thai
he would repay the devotion and loyalty OF thai
party By the adoption of their measures in part al
least II not IN whole. But Maximilian's, 'declara
tions, repeatedly made, at the very commencement
of his career that he knew no party and would ia
yor the pet policy of none while revealing is rea
intentions aroused a suspicion among bis Old sup
porters that he would not bond himseif TO thei
views. Gradually this very Just suspicion deepen
ed until it almost assumed the form ofopen revolt
and would certainly have cuhninatcd in q revoiu
ton against the new Emperor had not the Frencl
been on the spot to restrain it.
4 Every one who has followed this correspondence