The New York herald., 1870-02-22
F0RTY-FIRsT CONGRESS.
Second Session.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 21, 1870.

THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT
Mr.. WILLIAMS, trep) OF Oregon, introduced a
Joint resolution declaring the ratification OF the df
seenth amendment to the constitution OF the United
States BY the requisite number OF States Referred
to the judiciary Committee.
AMERICAN AND SCANDINAVIAN STEAMSHIP LINE.
Mr.. FENroN, (rep) OF N. Y. introduced q bill for
an American line OF mali and passenger steamships
between New York aud the Scandinavian ports
Referred.
Mr.. Fenton's bill directs the Postmaster General
to contract with the owners Of Ruger's American
line to Europe for tho conveyance OF United States
mails between New York and Copenhagen ana
other Scandinavian or German ports touching az
southampton or Queenstown or Havre, to secure
the construction or purchase Of first class American
ernment ia to advance said parties 81 500 oOo 70 be
repaid out Of compensation Tor the service.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Mr.. CHANDLER (rep.)'of Mlch introduced bill ex-
Tending the time for the completion Of the Pint and
pere Marquette Railroad, Michigan.
kr. HOWARD, trep) Of Mich. introduced Q bill to
establish q territorial government for Alaska.
RESOLUTIONS REPORTED.
Mr.. WILSON, (rep.) OF Mass, from the Committee
on Military Affairs reported without amendment the
House Joint resolution relating to the construction
OF the Rock Island bridge. Also theHouse joint
luton donating captured cannon tor the construc-
tion OF . monument at West Point
ABOLIsHMENT or THE FREEAEN's BUREAU.
Mr. PATTERSON, (rcpl OF n. H., from the Committee
on ReirenchmenI. reported with amendments the
Dill to abolish tho Freemen's Bureau, and provide
for tho Bureau OF Education.
The oil provides that the present duties or the
Freedmen's bureau, relating to the collection and
payment Of bountes &C., snail be discharged by the
officers Of the War Department, 10 be selected by
the President. The War Department Is also 10 take
Charge Of all property now under the control said
appropriated for the purposes OF education, winch
shall be transferred TO the Bureau OF Education,
together WI WITH the the clerical M G force now employed
cooperate with and ali other educational organ.
ations throughout the United States for the estab
lishment and maintenance OF schools for the educa
ton oil all classes, and may take possession or all
funds and property heretofore conveyed by the
Freedmen's Bureau or sucn property which may
be attempted to be diverted from the original pur.
pose and Intention.
THE CASE OF FIrz JOHN POTTER
Mr.. CHANDLER offered resolution requesting the
President communicate to the Senate. II not incon
sstent with tho public interests any recent cor
responience Ia hs possession ia relation to the casa
OF fitz John Porter. He held in his hand an appeal
to the President OF the United States FOR the
inaton Of The proceedings OF the court martial In
case or MAJOR General kitz John Porter and In
to the statements OF that paper ne proposed
vindicate the truth OF history while The witnesses
were yet living who would testify In the case. AS
q member OF the C0mmlttee on the Conduct OF tho
War It was hts duty In an o1cal capacity TO lnves
gate the facts connected with the details Of General
pOpe's Virginia campaign. And the removal by
death Of President Lincoln and Mr.. stanton rendered
more imperative and important the Immediate full
alment OF pledge which ne haa voluntarily given
done to that general and his campaign IN Virginia.
even though he (Cnadniert should he compelled to
urge 1t from his seat In the Senate.
He referred TO the perous condition OF the country
and the general apprehension OF disaster pervad-
ing the public mind upon the retirement OF General
McC.eilan's command TO the James river In August,
1862, ana the appointment Of General Pope to the
command, win directions to cover Washington
from attack and to 30 operate on the enemys lines
70 iorce hun " make heavy detachmens from his
fOrcs at Richmond. At q conversation In the War
once about s 1 ms
mandtng tho defences OF Washington, one OF which
was adopted, 10 create AZ great DIVISION OF the
Mcclellan out Of . present dIficuty. InstrIcnons
were given TO Pope accordingly and the sole object
Of that Generals zen campaign wa was to to hslp save tne
iorty.two thousand men, only thlrty Thousand OF
which could be concentrated at any one point by
to HarpeE's Ferry; yet, while liable to be over.
whelmed by . superior force OF the enemy,
General Pope succeeded in deceiving not only the
emmy, but the whole country, and even the news.
paper correspondents aJ washington, as to the ex.
tent OF his forces ana by means Of scouts adroity
circulated stories that his army amouted TO one
hundred and tw enly tnousapd men This the rebels
believed, ana theroupon Pope drew upon himself she
whole force OF the rebel army, which he fought
night and day for eleven days. adopting every ex.
pedtent ~ . means OF gaming time 30 that the
Army Of the Potomac might unite with him. II
occurred and tne criminal refusal or neglect OF that
officer TO obey the commands OF his superior aud
move up his command TO the attack was, MIR. Chand.
Ter asserted luy proven by the kilograms and other
evidence In the case. P0rtcr's duty was TO march
when ordered and the diil1cultles or dangers Of
the march were mono OF his business. One 0r
General Porters upon the trial for not NOV
Ing his force forward was tnat the enemy were In
great force IN his front, ~ was shown by clouds
OF dust In the direction OF GAINESVILLE. Gene.
raj Porter n0r claimed TO have fresh evidence.
So had he lAr. Chandler fresh evidence for the
of1cial despatcnes OF the rebel general Fltznugh
Lee explained that the clouds OF dust referred 10
were caused by JEFF Stewards cavalry, with lot Of
horses having brushes tied to their tails gallOping
down from Gainesville. Mr. Chandler referred 10 the
composition ana high character OF the court mar
tlal which tried and Unanimously convicted the
accused after forty i've days OF careful investgA-
ton. he said some OF the members OF the court
were In favor OF the death penalty, and the rumor
WAS that the only reason why that penalty was
not innlcted was the fesr that Mr.. Lincoln, whose
kindness OF heart was we'll known. would not en-
force It He charged, upon tue statement OF his In