The New York herald., 1869-01-20
HE FORTIETH CONGRESS
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1869.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1869.
THE PRESIDENTS AMNESTY PROCLAMATION.
The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate the reply Of
the President Of the United States to Senator Ferys
resolution Of inquiry in regard to the legal authority
upon winch the late proclamation Of amnesty was
issued, which was read.
Mr. FERRY (rep) OF Conn., said he regretted that
the message made an indefinite reply to the inquiry
made in the resolution. The President had confined
himself to indicating the authority and prece-
dents for the exercise Of the pardoning power,
which he oar Ferry had never thought Of question;
ing but the gnt o. the Exscuvs 70 grant =,
which no light was given BY the Message.
Mr.. FERRY read from BOWERS Law Dictionary %
don," the former bling an act Of obiiyon Of past
offences, granted BY the government TO those who
have been g o. neglect Or crime rim and the
80 that 1t is II had not been far the public
interests are concerned, and the latter merely ex
the law would innict II the pardon Were not grant
ed In illustration OF the extent and character Of
fn o sSs as c
Of the United States vs. wilson "a Peters, and In eE
parte Wells W. Howard and other cases, and said
power Of the Executive to issue even general par.
don without naming the persons to whom IL applied,
although the acquiescence Of the people and Of ai
ofthat power by Presidents Washington, Adams and
Madison had no doubt established il as an Executive
without the prior sanction OF Congress had never
been exercised or claimed by any President OF the
United states gnti the 4th q July lsss and the e1
dent up the time named being III silent
i Sy TINS a message o @ me Sass pS1
ton was s.,,sn. very very important one, because,
lating the fact and crime OF rebellion against the
government and OF adherence to it, enemies he
could restore every rebel 70 the exercise Of every
exactly as u no rebellion had ever existed in this
country. He (Mr. Ferry was well known to be in
favor Of the removal Of m political disabilities, but
and therefore that this great question Of the right
OF the President to issue general amnesty might
reference of the message ana accom- panying docu.
ments 70 the Judiciary Committee, and they were so
NEW YORK AND EUROPE srEAnHIP coMpANr.
Mr.. CQNNEss introduced Q bill to provide for q
line OF United States mail steamships for the convey
ynrt 81 mails sns snd
Committee ON Post 0fiiccs and Postal Roads.
1t authorizes and directs the Postmaster General
Company corporation existing under special char
ter OF the State OF Delaware for the
Of s United Hs yS5f states %a weekly or
following condtf0ns:-One departure In each week
shall be between New York and Liverpool, touching
shall Be- between New York, oT otner suitable port.
and Antwerp or Prussian port ct the option Of
the company, and the steamers on this route shall
Section two PROVIDES that the steamships shall be
built in the United States under the inspection OF
agent OF the Postmaster General and be con-
structed with the special objects OF speed, safety
and comfort OF emigrants Some means OF attain
Ing the latter end are prescribed. Two OF the
steamers are to be ready for service within twelve
months from the commencement of their construc.
ton, two others within four months thereafter and
the rest within eight months hereafter.
Section three nxes the amount OF compensation at
the amount OF land ana sea postages to arise from
mallabe matter transmitted IN said steamers during
SAID quarterly sums shall be deposited by the Post.
paster General In the United states Treasury to
serest and principal Of the bonds to be issued By the
steamship company TO an amount not exceeding
threc-fourhs Of the aggregate sum estimated by The
Postmaster General as the yield OF said land and sea
postages, Dasing his estimate on the amount during
the last three years. on behalf OF the United States
% h sad g e e y
The other sections provide that no malls shall be
detained for the departure Of these vessels unless
their average voyages shall be less than eight DAYS
from land to land, In which case an increased mum.
Der Of vessels and trips may be required, with In
saa. e so
shall not transfer It's contract and that the Post
master General may require as further condition,
The following are named as the officers aud dlrec
George X OTIS Secretary G. Goddard r,%
bury, Peter Link A. 3. steinberger, o. Z. Babcock
and A. Pleaeant0n, directors.
THE coLoRBD PEOPLE OF GEORGIA.
Ihe CHAIR presented memorial OF colored per.
sons OF Georgia representing that they are confined
IN prison under oppressive state laws which are In
connict with the Reconstruction laws and praying
redress from Congress. Referred TO the Judiciary
Committee.
It Incorporates the Atlantic and California Railroad
Company and the Idaho, Oregon and Puget sound
k4ilroad Company, and confers the power to con.
stfuct line nom Little Rock through Arkansas and
Texas via III Pas0. and through New Mexico and
ARIZONA 70 san Francisco, with branch 70 san
the tnion psc,nc srd Gsrsrs t psc,Sc %osds VA
snake River Valley and Portland, oregon 70 Puges