Year: 1871

The Senate met at IL o'clock, on the
18th, at which time only twelve members were in
their seats. After prayer and reading of the
journal motion to go into executive session was
agreed to, which session lasted until two O'Clock
-. After the doors were opened, resolutions were
agreed to-requesting the Secretary of War to
communicate to the Senate the final report of the
Board of Engineers, appointed under section 5 of
the act approved July, II, 1870 to examine and
port upon the bridges across the Ohio River; re-
questing the Judiciary Committee to examine and
report whether the members of the Senate are en-
titled to mileage at the present special session.
Adjourned.


In the Senate, on the 10Th, a resolution
was agreed to requesting the President, if not ill.,
consistent with the public interest, to communi-
cate copies of all correspondence in the State De-
partment in relation to the ship Hudson and the
schooner Washington, the property of citizens of
Connecticut, seized by the British authorities in
the Falkland Islands, in 1854; and also the report
of Lieutenant Lynch or any other naval officer on
file in the Navy Department on the same subject


-. "A report was made by the committee appointed
to investigate how and by whom the Treaty Of
White had testified that he was correspondent
of the New York Tribune, and had oh
night of the 10th, what purported to be a copy of
the treaty; he declined to say from whom he re-
ceived the copy: II. J. .Ramsdell, assist ant cor
respondent of the Tribune, testified that the copy
was in writing, which was copied from print, but
declined to say in whose possession he first saw
the printed copy. who obtained it. or what was
paid for it. Resolutions were recommended by
the committee, and adopted, directing the Ser
geant-at-Arms to arrest White and Ramsdell, and
tain them until they answer for their contempt in
the matter, and abide such further orders as the
Senate may make No consideration OF the
treaty was had Adjourned.


In the Senate, on the nth, the Vice
President presented an answer to the resolution
calling for copy of the report of William Whit
ing, late Solicitor of the War Department. con-
tanning list of claims from foreign subjects,
which information ordered printed. -. After
an executive session, Messrs. White and Ramsdall
were brought in under arrest. In reply to ques-
tions as to what excuse they had for not answer
ing the interrogatories propounded to them by
the special committee, and if they were then ready
to appear before said committee and answer all
proper questions touching the disclosure of the
treaty, they stated that they not prepared to
reply, and asked for leave until noon on the 18th
for that purpose, which time was granted, and
they were released on their parole to appear and
answer at the time stated. =. Adjourned.


In the Senate, on the 18th, amendments
to the rules were offered and ordered printed, that
all treaties with foreign powers, and all other mat
ters heretofore known executive business, be
considered in public and open session, unless sub
mitted in special confidence by the President, or
...Messrs. White and Ramsdell were again brought
into the Senate, and refused to divulge from whom
ground that they would thereby forfeit their word
to go before the committee and swear
that they did not obtain the copy directly indi-
rectly from Senator officer of the Senate
Resolutions were adopted that Messrs. White and
Ramsden be retained in the custody of the Ser
geant at Arms until they signiied their willih g
ness to answer, and that the committee be author
lied to sit during the recess; and that it shall be
the duty of the Sergeant-at-Arms, when he shall
be informed of the readiness of the witnesses to
answer, to notify each member of the committee
thereof. Adjourned.


In the open session of the Senate, on
the 10th, denials were made the part of several
Senators that they had any knowledge as to how
or by whom the treaty had been divulged, and
members of the Investigating Committee stated
that no evidence had been adduced before the com.
mittee duplicating, directly or indirectly, any Sen
ator in the transaction by which a copy of the
treaty had been made public. The Senate went
into executive session on the treaty and afterwards
adjourned.