The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-12-02
From Washington.

WASHINGTON, November 27.-Thc Co
vernment has received no confirmation of
the recent exciting reports concerning o
collision between our troops and the
French on the Rio Grande.
Ex-senator Hunter, of Virginia. was at
the Attorney Office to-day. He
was refused pardon. On inquiry it is as
certained that but comparatively few of
the credentials OF the members elect of
the House of Representatives have been
received, either from the late insurrec-
tionary or the other States. Therefore,
the Clerk Of the House has not yet pre-
pared list of the members, and will not
probably do so before Saturday. No Gre
dentlals have been received FROM the late
lnsurrectinary States, excepting from Vir-
ginla in part, and Tennessee complete
The position of the Clerk of the House is
understood to be as follows: That he is
merely to administer the law of 1868, in
placing the namess OF members elect upon
the roll; his course in doubtful points be-
ing controlled by the prcccdents set by the
House, in the absence of judicial ruling as
to the construction of the law. Whatever
defects may be discovered can, of right,
be remedied by the House. In addition to
the validity and formality of the creden-
tials, should these facts appear, the only
other question which could occur, would
be whether the States lately in rebellion
are now in full relation to other States, in
UAO oOiioC w Vic law VI 1OOO,
or, in different language, whether they ere
completely restored to their rights and
privileges in the Union. The question as
to whether certain members elect can or
cannot take the test oath, will not properly
occur until after the election of Speaker,
whose duty it is to administer it to the
other members before proceeding further
In the business of organization.
special despatch to the Baltimore San,
dated Washington, November 27, says it
is suggested by some shrewd Republicans
that the article in the Chronicle, this morn
ing, indicates a clawing off by Mr.. Colfa1,
from his extreme Radical position. 1t is
stated, too, that Mr.. Mcpherson is e1-
tremely reticent as to what course he shall
take. Some Of the ultras are so violent
that they arc unwilling that Southern
members shall go upon the floor of the
House to present their credentials, as has
ever been practlced by persons holding
certificates from Governors, or to meet
their contestants. SO discourteons pro-
ceeding cannot aid radicalsn, because any
member may move to put namos on the
roll, and hereon might arise debate or
proceedings that would last for days or
weeks, as in the New Jersey contested
in Congress in the way of Legislation until
after Christmas, the time preceding that
date should be devoted to the discussion,
If there is to be any, Of the cases of the
Southern claimants for seats. The Colfax
Radical programme, to be consistent,
would exclude Tennessee representatives,
and thus the President is set down as from
State which is not in the Union.
An able letter, introduced to tho public
by Senator Foot, OF Vermont,) of Judge
Red6eld, Of Boston, takes the ground
squarely tnat none of the States, late the
scenes OF instruction, are responsible as
States, and nothing but individuals in
States are amenable to law aa the score
Of treason. The reasoning is clear, cogent,
compact and convincing. Not so powerful
an argument has before proceeded from
any quarter. I doubt whether Mr.. Colfax
is getting much backing from members
who have not yet reached Washington. A
great number of leading Republicans here
are opposing his ideas.