Congressional

Washington, Dec. 22.

Senate – Business of the day was unimportant.

Mr. Lape, of Indiana made an able defense of the President, showing that it was not only his Constitutional privilege but his duty to arrest persons suspected of disloyalty in time of eminent public danger – that the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus had been the uniform practice of the British Government in similar cases, and was a right guaranteed to the President by our own Constitution.  He doubted the loyalty of the Legislature of Deleware [sic], and vehemently denounced all plans for the reconstruction of the Union, leaving certain States out of it.  He showed that the great cause of the defeat of the Administration party in the North West, was enormous frauds at the ballot box, and the preponderance of Administration soldiers in the army.

Mr. Bayard of Deleware said at a proper time he would reply to this assault of the Senator from Indiana on the Legislature of Deleware.  It was utterly groundless and wanton.  Adjourned.

House – Mr. More of Pennsylvania, offered a joint resolution, which passed, declaring it as the opinion of Congress that the Secretary of the Treasury take immediate steps for the payment of sums due to sailors and soldiers, and that there creditors be preferred to all [others].

Mr. White of Indiana, from the Select committee on Border State Emancipation, asked leave to report a bill appropriating twenty millions, to aid Missouri in emancipating her slaves, and that it be recommitted to the Select Committee.  Agreed to.

Mr. Walker offered the following resolution which was adopted:

That the Committee of Ways and Means be instructed to enquire into the expediency of authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury at his discretion, to issue bonds to the amount of one hundred millions of dollars of such denominations as is best adapted to the purpose of circulation, and bearing interest at the rate of six per cent per annum: payable in three or five years at the pleasure of the Government, and receivable for Government dues except customs.  Adjourned.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, January 3, 1863