The New York herald., 1868-01-09
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WAsnINoToN, Jan. s, 1868


The SPEAKER proceeded the regular order OF bus-
ness in the morning hour, to the call Of committees for
reports.
rms fENiAE PRISONERS THE PRESIDENT REQUESTED
IERcEpE IN THEIR BEHALF.
Mr. Ortiz, (rop.) OF Ind, from the Committee For
ogn Affairs reported joint resolution requesting the
President TO ntercede with her Majesty the Queen Of
Great Britain to the speedy release Of Rev. John
Mcmahon, citizen OF Indiana, convicted as Fsnian
raider, and confined at Kingston, Canada West
Mr. orth proceeded TO state the facts OF the case lie
represented Father Mcmahon having gone to Canada
not for the purpose OF engaging in any hostile enter
prise, but to look after inheritance which he had
become entitled there In the town OF Anderson, Ind,
wnere Father McMshon had lived, there had been
Feuian circle, OF which, however he a member.
In that circle company was organized to join the
FeDian forces, which were contemplating an invasion
OF canada, aud he mad accepted invitation TO
travel with that company, free OF expense, far
as Buffalo. The company subsequently engaged
in what was called the battle of Ridgewcod In June,
1865. The COMMITTEE on Foreign Affairs had not been
able to ascertain whether during the battle Father
Mcmahon had been on the American or on the British
side OF tho river. After the battle, however, he
found on the bat.le held OF Rdgway, engaged in the
laudable purpose OF acting as nurse and priest to his
wounded countryinen. lie was tired, convicted and
sentenced to capital punishment, which was subse.
queniiy changed to Imprisonment for life. The people
OF Indiana, speaking through It's Legislature, regarded
the sentence harsh condemnng OF It's citi-
who had been guilty Of crime, but at tho worst
act OF indscston, to bo the lifelong associate
OF ieons Tue Legislature mad therefore instructed It's
Senator'S and requested it, Rcprescn taves IN Congress
to take action in the matter. It's resolution on the SUBJ
iect had been referred TO the Committee Foreign
Affairs, and the measure reported the result Of
the examination OF the ques estiOu by tho committed Mr.
Orih proceeded TO argue the International question OF
inaenabio allegiance claiming the right OF all men 10
60 where their interests may lead them ard to become
the citizens OF the country IN which they may be resi-.
dent.
Mr. P.Sr, trcpl OF wis, asked Mr.. orth whether he
would permit an amendment TO DC offered inserting also
the name Of John Lynch, OF Milwaukee, Wis, who had
been captured the same limo with Father Mcmahon,
and bad been condemned 20 tho same punishment.
Mr.. ORTH declined 10 permit the amendment 10 be
offered, not wishing to have Father McMahon's case
complicated with any other case.
Mr.. CuLlos, rep OF NJ, wuo Is also \ member OF
the Committee On Foreign Affairs spoke In support Of
the JOINT resolution. Inc time had come he said when
tue American government must assert is ehts and the
rights Of It's citizens and msinan those rights peacea
bly, " possible, and BY the power OF its armies and
nayles II necessary. American citizens confined IN
British bastss we're calling their government for
protocuoa-not 70 be protected IN the commission OF
crime, but 10 be secured their rights
as American citizens He claimed that there
were no grsdations IN the rghis Of ci'i7ens-sl,
whether native born or adopted citizens, were
entitled to the same and equal rights Mr. Cullom pro-
ceedod to argue In tho same direction Mr. Orth tho
question OF the right oil expiration, quoting Cicero,
Aristotle, Naitel and other ancient and MODERN writers
In support OF that right, and chaacerzng Backstones
adverse dictum on the subject as drvsng statement
The morning hour expired dur ng the discussion aud
the joint resolution went over till tomorrow.
The SPSAKkR presented resolutions OF public meet
ing al New Haven, Conn, on tn9i rights OF American
citizens abroad, and memorial on the same subject
signed by Governor English, Mayor Spsrry several
thousand citizens. Referred 70 the Committee on For
egn Affairs.
Mr. DoSsgtLY Crep.) OF Ninn presented the petitions
or citizens OF Ninncsota on ihs same subject. aud IL
was similarly referred.
INDIAN LANDS ~ g.SsAs
The SpEAKER presented communication from the
Secretary OF the Interior with report OF tho Acting
Commissioner of indian Affairs relative TO tho sale OF
Indian lands In Kansas. which referred 10 the Com
miItee Indian Affairs.
THE TAX on gAsD rnoNs
Messrs MygRs aud KELLEY lrepl OF Pa presented
petitions signed by over nileen hundred manufacturers
and operatives IN each or their Congressional districts
engaged IN the production OF hand looms, asking Tor
tho repeal or the tax levied such produclo on.
which wore referred to the Committee on Ways and
Means
Mr ScHrScK, trep.i " Ohio, offered resolution Tor
printing for the us8 ci tho House. thousand copies
of the report of tho Special Commissioner Of tho Rove
nue. with all the appendices, aud ono thousand copies
for Tho OF the Treasury Department Tho resolution
referred 10 the COMMITTEES on Printing.
ARTIFICIAL FOR DISABLED VOLUNTEER SOLDIERS
sofpiERs' Hoag At wAsHfSGToS
Mr. ScHgscK also offered resolution calling the aten-
tion OF tho Committee on Military Affairs and tho Board
OF Managers OF the National Asylum for Disabled Voiun-
teer Soldiers 10 the idea % making provision At the
Central Asylum ard s bfwhos Tor llrn hing and 70.
paIrug hereafter, artificial limbs isa OF cost 70 di.
abloi soldiers the work TO be ~ mechanics who
are inmates of the asylum. Tho solution adopted
Hr songScg also offered resolution nsiructing tho
Committee on Military Ala rs 10 inquire into the e..
podenoy OF providing by law Tor the transfer of clio
Soldiers Home al Washington, with the properly aud
funds pertaining thereto 70 ho National Asylum for tho
reception aud support Of disabled soldiers ~ tho yuar
army wc VI volunteers and u changing The name
Of tho institution to the National Soldiers Home The
resolution wHg adopted,
Tho senate amendmSnIs 70 lLc On repeating tie co.