The Van Buren press., 1867-02-22
From Washington.
WAsniNGroY. Feb. q.


the nomination of George Bancroft, the
historian, as Collector of the Port Of Bo5-
ton. The appointment created consider
able surprise in the executive session,
and was referred to the Committee on
Commerce Bancroft was Collector of
the port of Boston in 1888
The House to-day was again the scene
OF great interest and excitement The
galleries were crowded as on yesterday,
and the floor was occupied in mos, every
available spot.
The debate opened as soon as the House
met Mr. Banks led off in a speech Of m
hour and forty minutes, ut the conclusion
of which he submitted a plan of recon
struction to be applied to Louisiana and
other States, by providing commission
to inaugurate new State governments.
Mr., Boutwell, followed in an exciting
speech, and demanding that Congress
should no longer delay the work OF re
construction, and declaring that the PrcSi-
dent was here in the interest of the rebel
lion, and was great obstacle in the way
Of restoration.
Mr.. Raymond favored the proposition
to refer the pending plan to select com
mittec, with power to report at any time
bill to provide for law and order in the
South.
The Nebraska bill was passed over the
veto without q word Of debate by 81 to g.
The negative were Buckalcw, DOolittle,
Davis, Foster, Hendricks. Morgan, Nor
ton, Patterson and Salisbury.
A gentleman from Fortress Monroe
says from personal knowledge he has,
that jeff Davis is much better than for
months past,he is allowed free Intercourse
with Visitors but avoid, all conversation
with reference to political affairs and to
his condition as prisoner; he has full
range Of the grounds Of the Fort and lives
as comfortably as any Of the United
States officers.
WASHINGTON Feb. 10
An informal consultation has been held
by tie members, and it has been deter
mined to force vote on Tuesday on the
reconstruction question.
The bill proposed by Banks does not
seem to meet with favor in the ranks Of
the majority, on the ground that it dis
franchises but few rebels and also large
class of negroes
The bill drawn up by the New Orleans
Riot Committee, proposing a new State
government for Louisiana, will be put
forward rs q substitute for all pending
plans
The intimation thrown out by Banks
and Raymond, that the President is ready
TO assent to any plan OF reconstruction
which may be acceptable to Congress
finds general belief
WASHINGTON, Feb IL.
| Prominent Senators and members of
the House were assured to-day that the
President is ready to meet them halt way
in agreeing upon plan for ,reconstruc-
/ ton of the Southern States They were
also informed he would probably publish
an address or letter embodying his views
on the changed aspect Of affairs and rec
ommending the States to provide for i'm
partial suffrage.
Ii should be understood in this con
nection that the Southern Governors now
here are the medium through which this
information is given to Congressman,
and it is they who feel most confident Of
a settlement of the question at this ses.
sion, Should the President issue an adj
dress Of the character indicated, It's quite
likely it will be addressed to one or more
of those Southern Governors, and not be
presented in the form of a proclamation
as has been rumorcd
In the Senate Mr. Chandler made a
fierce attack upon the President, which
attracted great deal Of attention and
seemed to create quite an impression
upon the Senate. The Senate tabled his
resolution, directing the Judiciary Com
mittce to inquire if Mr.. Johnson had any
right to appoint provisional governors.
This Nas done on the appeal Of Mr..
Fesscndcn asking the Senators not to
commit themselves by investigation or
otherwise to the expression or formation
Of an opinion respecting the guilt or in
nocence Of the President. From the tone
OF his speech it is evident Mr. tessenden
believes the House will present articles
of impeachment for the Senate to Try.
The yeas and nays were not called upon
the motion to table the re5oIAtIon.--
Twenty eight were counted in the affirm
atiye The negatives were not counted.
Mcssrs Trumbull, Sherman, pomeroy,
Fessendcn, Grimes and several New En-
gland Senators stood up with those in
favor of the motion 10 lay upon the table,
Messrs Wade, Brown, Sumner, Chandler
and Howard were among those who kept
their seats, and may therefore be consid
cred rs having voted in favor Of the III
vestigation proposed by Mr.. Chandler
and against the motion to table
WASHINGTON, Feb II.
Tho numerous reflections Of Internal
Revenue appointments have neccssitated
q good deal of extra labor in the TrGaSu.
ry Department. The Secretary stated to-
Al. l. L. +. 4. A. i. a. .