The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-02-17
From Washington.

tessenden, from the Reconstruction
committee, reported an amendments
to the Constitution, to be submittedE
to the State Legislatures for ratifica-
tlon, providing that Congress shall
have power to make all laws which
shall be necessary and proper to-
equal protection to life, liberty and
property.
Mr.. Wilson, from the Military
committee, reported the bill to fixs
the peace establishment of the UnitedE
States army, with amendments. AsS
reported, it omits the veteran rel
serve corps, eighteen regiments oil
which were provided for originally. +
1t places the number of infantry rel
glments at fifty. Discussion was re-
sumed on the Constitutional amend
ment In regard to representation.
In the House, Mr.. Whaley offered al
resolution, which was referred to theI
Committee on Foreign Affairs, rel
asserting the Monroe doctrine, andI
re-declaring the resolution passed at|
a former session against Tlenci in-|
terference in Mexico; and further,
that the President commence pro-I
ceedings for an alliance with all theI
republics on this continent to resist
aggression.
On motion of Mr.. Latham, the
Commissioner of Public Buildings
was directed to have painted the
escutcheons of the States of Westj
Virginia and Nevada on two of the
square glass panels on the ceiling oil
the Hall of Representatives
A resolution that Colonel James Nj.
johnson, claiming seat as member
from Arkansas, he admitted to the
floor, after debate, was laid on the
table by eight amajority. Mr.. Bing-
ham, of the Reconstruction Com
mlttee, reported the additional Con-
stltutlonal amendment guaranteeing
the protection of all persons in the
different States. 1t was proposed to
make this the special order for Mon
day next, but objection being made.
on motion of Mr.. Stevens, the
amendment was recommitted. The
House proceeded to the consideration
of the Michigan contested election
case.
A special despatch to the New York
Neacs, dated Washington, February
IA, says: The Cabinet meeting on
Friday was protracted to an unusually
late hour, but nothing was certainly
known of its deliberations outside
until to-day. It is now ascertained
that the speech of the Emperor Ma
poleon engrossed good deal of at
tention. It was regarded at first as
belligerent and threatening in tone
rather than pacific, because Napoleon
intimates that there are certain
French interests in Mexico which he
has to defend, and because it may be
inferred from the language, when
correctly translated, that the French
will not be withdrawn while those in
terests may be deemed to be in
danger. either by Napoleon or Maxi
milan. Mr.. Seward, however, it is
understood, demonstrated that while
all this was quite true, yet that those
interests were already amply secured
by the firm establishment of the
present Mexican Government, and
that neither Napoleon nor Maximiian
would consider those interests as
menaced, or as being in the least
danger, SO long as absolute neutrality
on our part is observed Reference
was e"AoO i1AdoS W lIlc IdCJ UI1aC N a
poleon has been satisfied upon that
point, and that the arrangements for
the removal of the French troops, of
which Napoleon speaks, are being
made in pursuance of an understand
ing, and that there is to be no change
in our policy in consequence of such
removal. This explanation is under
stood to have been perfectly satisfac-
tory to the President and to all the
members of the Cabinet, except one,
who urged that the Imperial speech
breathed defiance and war, who, it isl
said, expressed his belief that the
French would not be withdrawn, and
who urged an immediate and large
increase of our army on the Rio
Grande. No such step, however,
will be taken. The army on the
Rio Grande will be diminished instead
of increased, and orders were issued
weeks ago which will insure in theI
future the observance on the frontier|
of perfect neutrality. It has been
asccrtained to-day that with one or
two exceptionsin each committee, the
members of the Committees on|
Foreign Relations regard the speech
of Napoleon as entirely satisfactory
and pacific, and as expressing Ma
poleon's honest desire aud intention|
to withdraw the Frencl. troops on moi
other condition than neutrality onI