Senator James W. Grimes to Salmon P. Chase, July 29, 1862

Burlington, July 29, 1862.

I have now been at home ten days. Permit me to tell you what conclusions I have reached from my intercourse with the people of Iowa.

The people are far in advance of the Administration and of Congress in their desire for a vigorous prosecution of the war. They are unanimous for the confiscation bill, and execrate every man who opposed its passage, or who now opposes its stringent execution. There is but little disposition to enlist until it is known what the course of the Administration is to be on this subject.

I need not tell you that the expressions of confidence in the management of the President, his prudence, sagacity, etc., are in a measure enforced, and proceed from the confessed necessity of supporting him as the only tangible head of the loyal Government, and not from any real confidence in his wisdom. Rely upon it, if things drift along as at present, no volunteers will take the field, and the tax law will become so odious that it will require a larger army to enforce it than to put down the rebellion. Sixty days will determine whether we are longer to have a Government, and the Administration must decide it. It is folly to disregard the sentiment of the country in such a time as this — it is worse; it is wickedness. Either Mr. Lincoln disregards it, or else he willfully keeps himself in ignorance of it. Good men, the best we have, are beginning to utter expressions of despair; and they are not cowed by fear of the strength of the enemy, but by apparent weakness of our friends. I beg you not to be misled by the proceedings of war-meetings in our large towns. Volunteers will come when a “war policy” is declared and acted upon, and not to any considerable extent before. Speeches and resolutions will not bring them.

I thought I comprehended somewhat the popular sentiment before I left Washington. In this I was mistaken. It is far more ardent and extreme than even I ever supposed. It is nonsense to attempt to frighten the masses by the story that rigorous measures will “nail up the door against reconciliation of contending sections.” We have too much at stake, the Government is of too much value, too much of the best blood of the nation is calling to us for vindication, to justify us in neglecting any methods to put the rebellion down known to civilized warfare. Would to God every man connected with the Administration could travel incognito through the country, and get the true expression of the people on these subjects! Instead of getting a knowledge of that sentiment from impartial sources, it now comes to the President and his cabinet from newspapers edited by men in office, from applicants for place, from sycophants, and from cowards who dare not tell a man in power what he knows to be the truth, if he supposes it will be unpleasant to him.

I pray and hope, but I confess that my hope is becoming daily fainter and fainter. I know you will pardon this intrusion upon you. I felt that it was a necessity that I should let out my soul on this subject, and I know no one else to write to but you. I have written very frankly, but very honestly. I hope the country is not in so bad a condition as I fear it to be in. In my opinion, if wisdom rules the hour at Washington, a rigorous confiscation war policy will first be declared, and then a conscription of one hundred thousand men made at once. Men will not volunteer into the old regiments. One volunteer in an old regiment is worth three fresh men in a new regiment. A conscription of one hundred thousand men would be of more value to the country than three hundred thousand volunteers, and, of course, cost only one-third as much. But why should I advise?

SOURCE: William Salter, The Life of James W. Grimes, p. 215-6

Senator James W. Grimes to Elizabeth S. Nealley Grimes, May 22, 1862

I have a long letter from Captain Porter at New Orleans, and one from Commodore Foote, and one from his wife, also. Confiscation got the "go-by" to-day, not by my vote, however.

Stanton has been on the “rampage” again, and called out the militia. There has never been any danger here.

SOURCE: William Salter, The Life of James W. Grimes, p. 197

Senator James W. Grimes to Elizabeth S. Nealley Grimes, May 4, 1862

Washington, May 4, 1862.

I have just returned from church; heard a good sermon from Dr. Channing, better than I ever heard from him, I think. The congregation is enlarging, and I am inclined to think that he will finally succeed in building up a good society here.

I met Miss Donelson yesterday. She returned from Port Royal three days ago. She speaks very favorably of the docility, obedience, and faithfulness, of the blacks at that place.

You observe that Mr. Wells has issued a circular, directing “contrabands,” as he calls them, to be enlisted in the naval service. This must be finally followed up by an army order, sooner or later, and then comes the end of slavery. I regard the employment of colored persons in the Army and Navy as of vastly more importance in putting an end to slavery than all of the confiscation acts that could be devised by the ingenuity of man.

I wish I were at home with you, wandering about the garden, as I should be at this hour.

SOURCE: William Salter, The Life of James W. Grimes, p. 196

Jackson and Calhoun --- A Striking Picture

A scene at the White House in 1833, at the lodging of John C. Calhoun the same night, and death-bead scene at the Hermitage, were this graphically portrayed by Senator Cowan, of Pennsylvania, in the debate on the Confiscation Bill.  It is a very striking picture:–

MR. PRESIDENT:– If Calhoun had been executed for his treason in 1833, there would have been no rebellion now; and perhaps he came nearer his execution than most people are aware.  You will know the conspirators in South Carolina proceeded to the commission of the overt act.

Calhoun was the chief adviser.  General Jackson knew it well, and determined that the law should be put in execution against him; not against the poor misguided men that followed, but against the chief conspirator.  He had resolved on his prosecution and trial, and if convicted, his execution for treason.  He said that if he had an Attorney General that would not draw an indictment, he would find one that would.  Things were approaching the crisis.  Calhoun became aware of Jackson’s determination, and sent Letcher of Kentucky to confer with him on the subject, and to learn his real intentions.  He went to the President’s house.  It was already late at night.  The President received him with his usual courtesy; but, sir, that mild blue eye, which at times would fill with tears and overflow like that of a woman, was kindled up that night with unwonted fire.    He reasoned with him for a while, then paced the floor.  His indignation became fully aroused.  At times he stormed in passion towering and sublime, till rising in passion to is full height, his frame dilating and quivering, every feature flowing with the living fire within, with that oath which in him never seemed profane, but the struggle of a great soul to take hold of the Almighty for the strength of his purpose, he declared to Letcher that if another step was taken, by the Eternal, he would try Calhoun for treason, and if convicted, he would hang him on a gallows as high as Haman’s.

Letcher could not misunderstand his purpose.  He saw that he was terrible in earnest.  From that interview he hastened to the lodgings of Calhoun.  He had retired to his bed.

He knocked at his bed chamber and was admitted.  Calhoun received him sitting up in bed, with his cloak around him – Letcher detailed all that occurred, giving the entire conversation between him and Jackson and described the old hero as he took that oath.

There sat Calhoun, drinking in eagerly every word, and as Letcher proceeded, he became pale as death, and trembled like an aspen leaf.  Yes, sir, Calhoun, great as he was in intellect, quaked in his bed!  And for what?  Was it from fear or cowardice?  Ah, no.  It was the consciousness of guilt.  He was the arch traitor, who, like Satan in Paradise, brought death into the world and all our woe.  Within one week he came into the Senate, and voted for every section of Mr. Clay’s bill and Gen. Jackson was prevailed upon not to prosecute him for his crime.

I have been told, upon authority upon which I rely, that during the last days of Gen. Jackson at the Hermitage he was slowly sinking under the ravages of consumption – that mysterious disease, which while it wastes the body, leaves, if possible, the mind more clear, and nearer to inspiration – he had a conversation with his family physician and friend.

While lying upon his bed one day, and speaking of his past Administration, he inquired:

What act in my Administration, in your opinion, will posterity condemn with the greatest severity?

The Physician replied that he was unable to answer – that it might be the removal of the deposits.

Oh, no! said the General.

Then it may be the specie Circular?

Not at all!

What is it, then?

I can tell you, said he, rising up in his bed, his eyes kindaling up:  I can tell you.  Posterity will condemn me more because I was persuaded not to hang John C. Calhoun as a traitor than for any other act of my life.

Sir, does not this seen inspiration now?  If Calhoun, the originator of the conspiracy to dissolve the Union, and to build up the Southern Confederacy, had been executed for his reason, we would have had now rebellion now.

The greater part of the whole country which formerly produced the sea island cotton is now thoroughly restored to the Union.  The laborers are there – the soil and climate.  It needs only assurance of protection to revive the cultivation of the staple, as well as to produce vast quantities of corn and forage for our troops.  Since this war must be conducted by marches and battles and sieges, why neglect the best means to make them successful and their results permanent?  It is worthy of notice that thus far the portions of territory which once recovered we have most firmly held, are precisely those in which the greatest proportion of colored men are found.  By their assistance, our armies will be able permanently to operate in and occupy the country; and in labor for the army, in raising its and their own supplies, full occupation can be given them, and with this there will be neither occasion or temptation to them to emigrate to a northern and less congenial climate.

Judging by experience, no colored man will leave his home.  All possibility of competition from negro labor in the North is avoided in giving colored men protection and employment upon the soil which they have thus far cultivated, and the right to which has been vacated by the original proprietors, deeply involved in the crimes of treason and rebellion.  No great territory has been permanently reduced without depriving the leaders of its people of their land and property.  It is these that give power and influence.  Few men have commanding genius and talent to exercise dangerous influences over their fellow men without the adventitious aid of Money and property.  By striking down this system of compulsory labor which enables the leaders of the rebellion to control the resources of the people, the rebellion would die of itself.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, October 17, 1862, p. 1.  The bottom of this page of the newspaper was torn diagonally from the lower left to the middle of the right.  This article was also published in the Ashtabula Weekly Telegraph, Ashtabula, Ohio, Saturday Morning, December 27, 1862, p. 1, and I have relied heavily on it to reconstruct this Union Sentinel article.

Diary of Salmon P. Chase: Tuesday, July 22d, 1862

This morning, I called on the President with a letter received some time since from Col. Key, in which he stated that he had reason to believe that if Genl. McClellan found he could not otherwise sustain himself in Virginia, he would declare the liberation of the slaves; and that the President would not dare to interfere with the Order. I urged upon the President the importance of an immediate change in the command of the Army of the Potomac, representing the necessity of having a General in that command who would cordially and efficiently cooperate with the movements of Pope and others; and urging a change before the arrival of Genl. Halleck, in view of the extreme delicacy of his position in this respect, Genl. McClellan being his senior Major-General. I said that I did not regard Genl. McClellan as loyal to the Administration, although I did not question his general loyalty to the country.

I also urged Genl. McClellan's removal upon financial grounds. I told him that, if such a change in the command was made as would insure action to the army and give it power in the ratio of its strength, and if such measures were adopted in respect to slavery as would inspire the country with confidence that no measure would be left untried which promised a speedy and successful result, I would insure that, within ten days, the Bonds of the U. S. — except the 5-20s. — would be so far above par that conversions into the latter stock would take place rapidly and furnish the necessary means for carrying on the Government. If this was not done, it seemed to me impossible to meet necessary expenses. Already there were 10,000,000 of unpaid requisitions, and this amount must constantly increase.

The President came to no conclusion, but said he would confer with Gen. Halleck on all these matters. I left him, promising to return to Cabinet, when the subject of the Orders discussed yesterday would be resumed.

Went to Cabinet at the appointed hour. It was unanimously agreed that the Order in respect to Colonization should be dropped; and the others were adopted unanimously, except that I wished North Carolina included among the States named in the first order.

The question of arming slaves was then brought up and I advocated it warmly. The President was unwilling to adopt this measure, but proposed to issue a proclamation, on the basis of the Confiscation Bill, calling upon the States to return to their allegiance — warning the rebels the provisions of the Act would have full force at the expiration of sixty days — adding, on his own part, a declaration of his intention to renew, at the next session of Congress, his recommendation of compensation to States adopting the gradual abolishment of slavery — and proclaiming the emancipation of all slaves within States remaining in insurrection on the first of January, 1863.

I said that I should give to such a measure my cordial support; but I should prefer that no new expression on the subject of compensation should be made, and I thought that the measure of Emancipation could be much better and more quietly accomplished by allowing Generals to organize and arm the slaves (thus avoiding depredation and massacre on the one hand, and support to the insurrection on the other) and by directing the Commanders of Departments to proclaim emancipation within their Districts as soon as practicable; but I regarded this as so much better than inaction on the subject, that I should give it my entire support.

The President determined to publish the first three Orders forthwith, and to leave the other for some further consideration. The impression left upon my mind by the whole discussion was, that while the President thought that the organization, equipment and arming of negroes, like other soldiers, would be productive of more evil than good, he was not willing that Commanders should, at their discretion, arm, for purely defensive purposes, slaves coming within their lines.

Mr. Stanton brought forward a proposition to draft 50,000 men. Mr. Seward proposed that the number should be 100,000. The President directed that, whatever number were drafted, should be a part of the 3,000,000 already called for. No decision was reached, however.

SOURCE: Robert B. Warden, An Account of the Private Life and Public Services of Salmon Portland Chase, p. 440; Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1902, Vol. 2, p. 47-9.

XXXVIIth Congress -- First Session

WASHINGTON, May 20.

SENATE. – Messrs. Harris and King presented petitions from merchants of New York for a general bankrupt law.

Mr. Wade presented petitions for an efficient confiscation act.

Mr. Sumner gave notice that he should to-morrow call up the resolution for the expulsion for the Senator from Oregon, Mr. Starke.

Mr. McDougal moved to take up the Pacific railroad bill.

The Pacific railroad bill was taken up but before the reading was finished the morning hour expired and the confiscation bill was taken up.  Mr. Davis, of Ky., proceeded to speak at length upon it.

HOUSE. – Mr. Blake reported from the Post Office committee, a bill to establish certain post routes.

It declares the bridge partly constructed across the Ohio river at Steubenville, to be a lawful structure, a public highway and establishes a post route over it for the purpose of transmitting the mails, and that the Steubenville and Indiana RR. Co., and the Holliday Cove RR. Co., are authorized to have maintained and operate said bridge when completed.  Draws are to be provided for the passage of boats.

Mr. Colfax. From the Post Office committee, reported back the Senate bill providing that no person, by reason of color, shall be disqualified from carrying the mails, with the recommendation that it do not pass.

Mr. Colfax said that not a single person of any color from any State had ever petitioned for this repeal.  No Postmaster General and ever recommended it.  No public opinion demanded it.  It would not only allow negroes to be mail contractors, and therefore officers of the Government, but Indians and Chinese also.  It would impair the securities of the mails, for in some States blacks, Indians and Chinese are not allowed to testify against whites, and if robbed while in their hands we could not procure legal testimony, as now, of the mail carriers against the robbers.  It would also allow slaveholders, contracting, to sue slave as mail carriers for them, instead of free whites, whom they are now compelled to employ, and money would thus be paid out of our post-office treasury for this labor of slaves which is now impossible.  As the bill would not even indirectly aid in crushing out this rebellion, which he thought the main duty of Congress, or crippling the power which sustains this treason, a large majority of the P. O. committee concurred with him in recommending that it do not pass.

Mr. Dawes, referring to an obligation stated by Mr. Colfax, inquired by way of answer whether the latter supposed mail depredations were tried in State or U. S. courts, and whether he himself did not assist in the making of the laws.

Mr. Colfax replied, that not being a lawyer, he could not fully understand the matter, but he understood that in such cases the Federal court was governed by the rules of the State in which the trial takes place.

Mr. Wickoff approved of the decision of the committee.  He had been informed that this bill had been introduced into the Senate to remove the disability of distinguished men.  If negroes were to be made mail carriers, we had better carry out the whole programme – in addition to making them soldiers and sailors, he had better throw open the doors here and admit them as members of Congress.  (Laughter.)

Mr. Colfax moved to lay the bill on the table, but the hour fixed for the consideration of the confiscation bill having arrived, the vote goes over until to-morrow.

Mr. Elliott, chairman of the select committee, who reported the confiscation bill, said the war originated in the rebel States, and is carried on by rebel citizens against the Government.  This is precisely the character of the war.  Appropriate legislation may soon be demanded concerning the rebel States.  These bills concern the property, not the persons of the rebels, and Congress may make the property of the rebels aid in paying the expenses incurred in crushing the rebellion.

The lands owned by rebels are used for carrying on the war, and their unwilling slaves are made to toil, that our government may be overthrown.  Their land and slaves are made instruments for carrying on the war – deprive them of these and the war must come to an end, and our immense debt balked of increase.  The rebels owe $300,000,000.  Every dollar of that debt has been confiscated by their Government; repudiated by the rebel debtors, to whose honor the constituents of gentlemen trusted.  He repeated that as lands and slaves are being used by the traitors as warlike instruments, they should be confiscated as the pending bills proposed.  These were as much enemy’s property as if they owed allegiance to a foreign power.  Mr. Elliott supported his remarks by legal arguments.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 21, 1862, p. 1

War Department General Orders, No. 139

GENERAL ORDERS No. 139.

WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, September 24, 1862.

The following proclamation by the President is published for the information and government of the Army and all concerned:

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:

A PROCLAMATION.

I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of America, and Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy thereof, do hereby proclaim and declare that hereafter, as heretofore, the war will be prosecuted for the object of practically restoring the constitutional relation between the United States and each of the States, and the people thereof, in which States that relation is or may be suspended or disturbed.

That it is my purpose upon the next meeting of Congress to again recommend the adoption of a practical measure tendering pecuniary aid to the free acceptance or rejection of all slave States, so called, the people whereof may not then be in rebellion against the United States, and which States may then have voluntarily adopted, or thereafter may voluntarily adopt, immediate or gradual abolishment of slavery within their respective limits; and that the effort to colonize persons of African descent, with their consent, upon this continent or elsewhere, with the previously obtained consent of the governments existing there, will be continued.

That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom.

That the Executive will, on the first day of January aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the States, and parts of States, if any, in which the people thereof respectively shall then be in rebellion against the United States; and the fact that any State, or the people thereof, shall on that day be in good faith represented in the Congress of the United States by members chosen thereto at elections wherein a majority of the qualified voters of such State shall have participated, shall, in the absence of strong countervailing testimony, be deemed conclusive evidence that such State, and the people thereof, are not then in rebellion against the United States.

That attention is hereby called to an act of Congress entitled "An act to make an additional Article of War," approved March 13, 1862, and which act is in the words and figures following:

"Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That hereafter the following shall be promulgated as an additional article of war for the government of the Army of the United States, and shall be obeyed and observed as such:

“ARTICLE –. All officers or persons in the military or naval service of the United States are prohibited from employing any of the forces under their respective commands for the purpose of returning fugitives from service or labor who may have escaped from any persons to whom such service or labor is claimed to be due; and any officer who shall be found guilty by a court martial of violating this article shall be dismissed from the service.

"SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That this act shall take effect from and after its passage."

Also, to the ninth and tenth sections of an act entitled "An act to suppress insurrection, to punish treason and rebellion, to seize and confiscate property of rebels, and for other purposes," approved July 17, 1862, and which sections are in the words and figures following:

"SEC. 9. And be it further enacted, That all slaves of persons who shall hereafter be engaged in rebellion against the Government of the United States, or who shall in any way give aid or comfort thereto, escaping from such persons and taking refuge within the lines of the army; and all slaves captured from such persons, or deserted by them and coming under the control of the Government of the United States; and all slaves of such persons found on [or] being within any place occupied by rebel forces and afterward occupied by the forces of the United States, shall be deemed captives of war, and shall be forever free of their servitude and not again held as slaves.

"SEC. 10. And be it further enacted, That no slave escaping into any State, Territory, or the District of Columbia, from any other State, shall be delivered up, or in any way impeded or hindered of his liberty, except for crime, or some offense against the laws, unless the person claiming said fugitive shall first make oath that the person to whom the labor or service of such fugitive is alleged to be due is his lawful owner, and has not borne arms against the United States in the present rebellion, nor in any way given aid and comfort thereto; and no person engaged in the military or naval service of the United States shall, under any pretense whatever, assume to decide on the validity of the claim of any person to the service or labor of any other person, or surrender up any such person to the claimant, on pain of being dismissed from the service."

And I do hereby enjoin upon and order all persons engaged in the military and naval service of the United States to observe, obey, and enforce, within their respective spheres of service, the act and sections above recited.

And the Executive will in due time recommend that all citizens Of the United States who shall have remained loyal thereto throughout the rebellion shall (upon the restoration of the constitutional relation between the United States and their respective States and people, if that relation shall have been suspended or disturbed) be compensated for all losses by acts of the United States, including the loss of slaves.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington this twenty-second day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-seventh.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

By the President:

WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State.

By order of the Secretary of War:

L. THOMAS,

Adjutant-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series III, Volume 2 (Serial No. 123), p. 594-5

XXXVIIIth Congress -- First Session

WASHINGTON, May 19.

SENATE. – Memorials from the merchants of New York and Philadelphia, asking for a general bankrupt law, were presented.

Mr. Grimes offered a resolution that the Secretary of War report to the Senate the names of the persons appointed to the staffs of the different officers, where now employed on the staff, of what officer and by whose recommendation appointed.  Adopted.

Mr. Grimes introduced a bill for the relief of Robt. Small and others, (colored,) who recently delivered the rebel vessel Planter to Com. Dupont’s squadron.

The bill provides that the Planter, with all the cargo, appurtenances, &c, be appraised by a competent board of officers and that one-half the value thereof shall go to Rob’t Small, and his associates who assisted in the rescue of the Planter, with the provision that the Secretary of the Navy may invest the same in United States stocks.  The interest to be paid to Small and his associates, or heirs.  The bill was taken up and passed.

Mr. Wilson, of Mass., called up the resolution providing for the presentation of medals of honor to men who distinguishes themselves in battle. Passed.

Mr. Davis offered an amendment to the 3d section, which disqualifies persons guilty of offences named in the bill, such persons also forfeit all claims to citizenship.  Rejected – 12 against 26.

Mr. Powell moved to strike out the 11th section, which authorizes the President to employ and organize persons of African descent, as he may deem necessary, to suppress the rebellion.  Rejected – 11 against 25.

Mr. Henderson moved to strike out the first section and insert as a substitute, that any person hereafter convicted of treason shall suffer death or imprisonment, and forfeit all property during life.

The Confiscation bill was taken up, and Mr. Sumner proceeded to speak at length in favor of the principle of confiscation and emancipation of the slaves of rebels and urging the adoption of his substitute.

HOUSE. – Mr. Bingham, from the special committee of the House, reported articles of impeachment against West H. Humphreys, judge of the District Court of the United States for the several districts of Tennessee.  There are several separate charges in the name of the people of the United States, involving gross neglect of official duty, violation of the laws, endeavoring to excite revolt and rebellion, publishing the ordinance of secession of Tennessee, endeavoring to absolve the people from their allegiance, combining with Jeff. Davis and other evil minded persons to overthrow the authority of the United States, &c.; and demanding that Humphreys may be put to answer the high crimes and misdemeanors charged against him; and that proceedings be taken for his examination and trial, as may be agreeable to law and justice.  The report was agreed to.

On motion of Mr. Bingham a resolution was adopted appointing five managers to conduct the impeachment, and that the Senate be acquainted with the action of the House, with the view of concurrent action.  The House then went into committee of the whole, Washburn in the chair, and took up the navy appropriation bill.  Mr. Hutchins advocated the bill heretofore introduce by him, to equalized and reduce the various incongruous rates of postage.  He advocated two cents postage, the money order system, and the abolition of the franking privilege.

Mr. Richardson spoke against legislation, which discouraged Union sentiment, while the effort was making to place the negro on an equality with the whites.

Various minor amendments were discussed and adopted.  $48,000 was appropriated for rent and expenses of the Naval Academy at Newport.  The bill was finally reported to the House and passed.

Adjourned.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 20, 1862, p. 1

Confiscation of Rebel Property

So little has been said upon this subject of late by the papers, and the action of Congress seem to be so decisive in favor of adopting a measure for the relief of the over-taxed citizens of the North, by calling upon those in rebellion at the South to assist, nolens volens, in defraying the expenses of the war, that we were quite surprised to see our cotemporary of the Democrat come out in his issue of Saturday, and oppose the passage of such an act.  Our neighbor is entitled to his opinion, though he come out flat-footed in favor of the North meekly bearing the entire expense of the rebellion; but he will find very few persons, even among those for whom he is in the habit of catering, who will agree with him in that particular.

The Democrat opposes the passage of a confiscation act, because it thinks it may conflict with the constitution.  If such an act be passed, it will no doubt be so worded as not to conflict with the constitution, so that the tender consciences of those who would feign have the people believe they are the specially appointed guardians of that instrument,  may not be wounded.  It is a plain and every day principle in common law, that where a party commits a trespass or inflicts an injury, he shall not only repair the damages but pay the costs of suit.  We believe with Ben. Wade, the noble Senator from Ohio, when he said, that as no jurist has undertaken to define the limits to which a man might go in the defence of his life when assailed, so no statesman would undertake to limit the powers which the Government might use to preserve its life when assailed by traitors.”  This proposition challenges contradiction.  The constitution is not only threatened but is assaulted.  Shall those who would destroy the constitution use that instrument to effect their object?  That’s the question, and here the law of self-preservation comes in to upset the casuistain of theorists and lawyers.

But the subject of confiscation is not one for debate just now, as newspaper discussion cannot affect the result, and that result is bound to be the passage of an act confiscating the property of rebels.  If Congress do not pass such law, the President, as the constitution fully empowers him, will issue a proclamation declaring all the property of men in arms against the Government confiscate after a certain day.  In the meantime, our loyal Generals are freeing the rebels’ slaves – which, after all, is the secret of the “constitutional” cry against confiscation, uttered by the pro-slavery press – as witness the following sweeping order, said to have been recently issued by Gen. Hunter, of the Military Department of the South.  We doubt very much, if true, whether the order will be permitted to stand; nevertheless it strikes at the very heart of the rebellion, and it is only by the adoption of such stringent measures that the rebels will be brought to their senses:

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH

HILTON HEAD, May 9th, 1862.

GENERAL ORDER NO. 10 – The three States of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, comprising the Military Department of the South, having deliberately declared themselves no longer under the protection of the United States of America, and having taken up arms against the United States, it became a military necessity to declare martial law.  This was accordingly done on the 25th day of April, 1862.  Slavery and martial law in a free country are altogether incompatible.  The persons in these three States – Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina – heretofore held as slaves, are therefore declared forever free.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 19, 1862, p. 2

The War News

The Rebels Preparing to Evacuate Richmond.

Wonderful stories from Southern Sources.

Jeff. Thompson Rampant.

CONFISCATION BILLS.

The Rebel Fleet again Attacks our Boats and is Repulsed.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 16, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, May 14.

The first bill reported by Mr. Elliott, from the special committee; provides that all the estate, property, and money, stocks, credit and effects of the person or persons hereinafter named are declared forfeited to the Government of the U. S., and are declared lawful subjects of seizure, and prize and capture, wherever found, for the indemnity of the U. S. against the expenses for suppressing the present rebellion, that is to say:

1.  Of any person hereafter acting as an officer in the army of navy of the rebels, now or hereafter in arms against the Government of the U. S.

2.  Any person hereafter acting as President, Vice President, member of Congress, Judge of any Court, Cabinet Officer, Foreign Minister, Commissioners or Consuls of the so-called Confederate States.

3d.  Any person acting as Governor of a State, member of convention or legislature, judge of any court of the so-called Confederate States.

4th.  Any person who having held an office of honor, trust or profit in the United States, shall hereafter hold an office in the so-called Confederate States, after holding any office or agency under the so-called Confederacy, or under any of the Several States of said Confederacy or laws, whether such office or agency be national, State, or municipal, in name or character.  Any person who holds any property in any loyal State or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia, who shall hereafter assist, or give aid or comfort, or countenance to such rebellion, the said estate, property or money, stock, credits and effects of the persons are declared lawful subjects of capture, wherever found, and the judges of the United States shall cause the same to be seized, to the end that they may be confiscated and condemned to the use of the United States, and all sales, transfers, or conveyances shall be null and void, and it shall be sufficient to any suit brought by such person for the possession and use of such property, to allege and prove that he is one of the persons described in this section.

The second section provides that if any person with any State or territory of the United States, other than already specified shall not within 60 days after public warning and proclamation by the President cease to aid or countenance and abet such rebellion, and return their allegiance, their property, in like manner, shall be forfeited for the use of the United States; all sales and transfers of such property, after the expiration of 60 days from the date of the warning , shall be null and void.

The third section provides that to secure the possession, condemnation and sale of such property, situated or being in any State, district or territory of the United States, proceedings shall be instituted in the name of the United States, in any District Court, or any Territorial Court, or in the U. S. District Court for the District of Columbia, in which the property may be found, or into which the same, if [movable], may be first brought,  which proceedings shall conform, as nearly as may be, to the proceedings in prizes cases or cases of forfeiture, arising under the revenue laws; and the property so seized and condemned, whether real or personal, shall be sold under the decree of the Court having cognizance of the case, and the proceeds deposited in the Treasure of the United States for their use and benefit.  The remainder of the sections provide the necessary machinery for carrying the act into effect.

The second bill of the select committee is as follows:  If any person or persons within the United States shall, after the passage of this act, willfully engaged in armed rebellion against the Government of the United States, or shall willfully aid or abet such rebellion, giving them aid and comfort; every such person shall thereby forfeit all claims to the service or labor of any persons commonly known as slaves and such slaves are hereby declared free and forever discharged from servitude, anything in the laws of the U. S., or any State to the contrary notwithstanding; and whenever thereafter any person claiming the labor or service of any such slave shall seek to enforce his claim, it shall be sufficient defense thereto that the claimant was engaged in said rebellion, or aided or abetted the same, contrary to the provisions of this act; whenever any person claiming to be entitled to the service or labor of any other person, shall seek to enforce such claim he shall in the first instance, and before any order shall be made for the surrender of the person whose service or labor is claimed, establish not only his claim to such service or labor, but also that such claimant had not in any way aided, assisted or countenanced the rebellion existing against the Government of the U. S.

WASHINGTON, May 14.

Tribune’s Special

The French Minister has received intelligence from his Consul at Richmond, to the effect that the rebel government had notified him that should it be necessary to evacuate the city, the French tobacco must be destroyed with the rest.  At the same time the rebels offered to pay for it – a proposition not much relished by the Frenchman.  The French minister discredits the rumor of European intervention in our affairs, and it is generally thought here, that whatever purposes may have been entertained by England and France, the news from New Orleans, will cause their indefinite postponement.

The 885 prisoners, recently released from the Richmond prisons, will arrive here by way of the Potomac to-morrow.  A few who came through Baltimore arrived to-day.  They say the rebels are as determined as ever, and believe that after the two great impending battles they will, if whipped bad, herd together in small guerilla parties, and fight to the very last.  They represent the treatment of our prisoners as barbarous in the extreme; that our officers, who alone remain in the prisons, all the privates being set free, will not be released at all.  Col. Corcoran’s health is good.  He is anxious to be released, and contradicts the statement made some time since, that he said he would prefer remaining where he is, believing that he could be of more service there, and adds that the only way he wishes to serve his country is on the battle field.  Col. Bowman’s health is failing rapidly, and his eyesight nearly lost.  He can survive his present treatment only a few weeks longer.  His long confinement has afflicted his mind so much, that at times he is looked upon as insane.  The rebels offer every inducement to our prisoners to join their army, but only two have done so; namely, John A. Wicks, quartermaster of the Congress, and a private of the 7th Ohio, named Wilson.  As soon as it became known to the prisoners that Wilson intended to desert them they proceeded to hang him.  The guard, however, entered and in time to cut him down before his life was extinct.  In punishment for this act, the prisoners were put upon bread and water for ten days.

The House committee on foreign affairs having authorized Mr. Gooch to report the Senate bill establishing diplomatic relations with Hayti and Siberia, it will doubtless be pressed to a vote at an early day.

Herald’s Dispatch.

WASHINGTON, May 14.

The steamer Kennebec arrived here this afternoon, with 213 wounded rebels and 24 wounded Union soldiers, from Williamsburg.  Among the latter is Col. Dwight. – His wounds are less dangerous than at first supposed.

The rebels receive precisely the same treatment as our wounded, and are sent to the same hospitals.

The report that Gen. McCall had resigned the command of the Pennsylvania reserve corps is unfounded.  He has no intention to resign until the Union army has accomplished its mission – to suppress the rebellion.

Times’ Dispatch.

Gov. Sprague says our losses at Williamsburg, in killed, wounded and missing, will amount to about 2000, and that the rebel loss was not less.  He says the battle at West Point, under Franklin was much more severe than reported.  That at least 500 of our men were taken prisoners – the enemy taking advantage of the landing of our troops.

The gunboats came up in good time, and saved Franklin from Suffering a sever disaster.

WASHINGTON, May 14.

It is ordered that all applications for passes to visit Ft. Monroe, Norfolk, Yorktown, or other places on the waters of the Chesapeake, be hereafter made to Mag. Gen. Dix, of Baltimore.

(Signed)

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

In addition to the steamers Hero and Kent which brought hither the released Union prisoners last night, the Kennebec has arrived with upwards of 500 wounded rebels from Williamsburg.  These men are for the greater part slightly wounded, and are attended by rebel surgeons and nurses.  A strict guard is kept over this boat.  No visitors are permitted.

The steamer State of Maine has also arrived with about 330, the Warrior with 400, and Elm City with 450 sick soldiers, from different places.  They are being removed to the various hospitals today.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 16, 1862, p. 1

XXXVIIth Congress -- First Session

WASHINGTON, May 1.

SENATE. – Mr. Howard presented petitions for a general bankrupt law.

Mr. Wright also presented petitions for a bankrupt act, and said that none of them were from Indiana.

Mr. Wilson, of Mass, offered a resolution that the Secretary of war report whether one Fred. K. Emory, who murdered Wm. Phillips in Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1855 or 1856, had been appointed to any place in the department of Kansas.

Mr. Lane, of Kansas, said that the Government had before it today the Kansas difficulty, and presumed it would correct the evil.

The resolution was laid over.

The confiscation bill was taken up.  Mr. Wilson, of Massachusetts, offered as an amendment to the 7th section of Mr. Collamer’s substitute authorizing the President to make a proclamation and free the slaves of those who continue in the rebellion for thirty days.  Messrs. Wilson and Morrill spoke in favor of the bill.

Executive session adjourned.

HOUSE. – Mr. Blair, of Mo., called up the bill recently reported from the military committee, authorizing the appointment of a board of fortifications, to provide for the coast and other defenses of the U. S., and for other purposes; an abstract of which was published on the 24th of April.  Mr. Blair explained the provisions of the bill, and in response to a question, said it suspended the appropriations for fortifications already made.  It also provides that the money shall be expended upon such works of defenses, as shall be recommended by the commissioners proposed to be created by the bill.  The consideration of the bill was postponed until Tuesday week.

Mr. Lovejoy, from the committee on territories, reported a bill to render freedom national and slavery sectional.

The House then went into committee of the whole on the Pacific Rail Road bill.

Mr. Davis offered a resolution declaring that the war now carried on by the United States shall be vigorously prosecuted and continued, to compel obedience to constitutional laws in the lines of every State and Territory by all the citizens and residents thereof, and for no further end whatever.

On motion of Mr. Sumner, the resolution was laid over.

On motion of Mr. Wilson, of Mass., the resolution asking the military committee to enquire whether any further legislation was necessary to prevent soldiers and officers from returning fugitive slaves, was taken up.

Mr. Sumner said he was glad the Senator from Iowa, in his speech, had called attention to some officers, concerning their treatment of fugitives.  One General, who lately made an order returning fugitives, was a native of Massachusetts, and he (Sumner) used his influence to get him appointed. – If he had known that Gen. Hooker would have made such an order, he never would have tried to get him an appointment.  When a General falls in battle, there is honor in it; but when a General falls as Gen. Hooker has fallen, there will be nothing but regret.

He referred to the order of Gen. Doubleday, and contrasted it with that of General Hooker; saying that he, (Doubleday) was an honor to his country.

Mr. Sumner then referred to Gen. McCook at the West, and also to the conduct of the Provost Marshal of Louisville, as being disgraceful to the army.  Mr. Sumner also read an account of how the blacks were oppressed at Louisville.

Mr. Davis asked Mr. Sumner where he got his account.

Mr. Sumner said, from the newspapers in New York.

Mr. Davis had no doubt of the falsity of the account.

Mr. Wilson said he had abundant evidence of the disgraceful treatment of fugitive slaves by portions of the army.

Mr. Sumner also referred to the return of fugitive slaves from the camps of Gen. Buell, and to the order of Gen. Halleck excluding all fugitives from his lines.  Sumner said the order was unconstitutional and an outrage on common humanity, and unworthy of a soldier.  Such an order would exclude all the valuable information received from fugitives, such as, for instance, the capture of New Orleans and the evacuation of Fredericksburg.

Mr. Saulsbury offered as an amendment to the resolution the following:  “And also to inquire what further legislation is necessary to prevent the illegal capture and imprisonment of free white citizens of the United States.”  Mr. Saulsbury referred to the number of persons taken from the States of Delaware and Maryland.  They had been seized by the military authorities and dragged away to forts and prisons, and after being kept a week or two were discharged because no fault could be found with them.  These men belonged to a class who are deemed to be of no account, and whose interests do not appear to be cared for.  They, unfortunately, are free white persons.  The men, who had committed no offense, were seized in violation of every law and every right.  If the wrongs of the negro are to be redressed, he could only ask that the same justice might be meted out to white men.  He asked nothing for men who were disloyal to the Government.  He would have them punished to the full extent of the law.

The time was occupied in explanation of numerous amendments.  The committee rose without coming to a conclusion of the bill.  Adjourned.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 2, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, April 30.

The joint committee on the conduct of the war made a lengthy report regarding the treatment by the rebels at Manassas of the remains of the officers and soldiers killed there.  They say the facts disclosed are of a painful, repulsive and shocking character; that the rebels have crowned this rebellion by perpetration of deeds scarcely known even to savage warfare.  Investigations have established this beyond controversy.  The witnesses called before us are men of undoubted veracity and character.  Some of them occupy high positions in the army and some of them high positions in civil life: differing in political sentiments, their evidence proves a remarkable concurrence of opinion and judgment.  Our own people and foreign nations must, with one accord, (however they have hesitated heretofore,) consign to lasting odium the authors of crimes which, in all their details, exceed the worst excesses of the Sepoys in India.  The outrages on the dead will revive the recollections of the cruelties to which savage tribes subject their prisoners.  They were buried, in many cases, naked, with their faces downward; they were left to decay in the open air, their bones being carried off as trophies – sometimes, as the testimony proves, to be used as personal adornments; and one witness deliberately avows that the head of one of our most gallant officers was cut off by a secessionist to be used as a drinking cup on the occasion of his marriage.

Wm. Allen Bryant, of Va., nephew of Gov. James Barber, has been appointed chief of the bureau of inspection of the post office department.

The vote in the Senate refusing, by four majority, to refer the subject of the confiscation of rebel property to a select committee, was regarded as a test vote between the friends and opponents of the measure, and a triumph of the former.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 2, 1862, p. 1

XXXVIIth Congress -- First Session

WASHINGTON, April 30.

SENATE. – Mr. Harris presented a memorial from the Chamber of Commerce of N. Y., on the system of taxation.

Mr. Wade, from the committee on the conduct of the war, made a report in relation to the barbarous treatment of our soldiers at Manassas.  The report was ordered to be printed.

On motion of Mr. Wade the homestead bill was taken up.

Mr. Carlisle offered a substitute for the bill which was postponed till to-morrow.

Mr. Nesmith introduced a bill to amend the act of 1851 for a military hospital for invalid soldiers.

Mr. Powell’s resolution calling on the Secretary of State for information concerning the arrest of persons in the State of Kentucky was taken up.  Mr. Powell said he had been much annoyed at the opposition to this resolution.  The substitute offered by the Senator from Mass. (Sumner) was merely an attempt to avoid getting the information asked for.

After some debate the morning hour expired.  The confiscation bill was then taken up.  Messrs. Wilmot and Wright spoke in its favor and McDougal against it.

HOUSE. – Mr. Emmet submitted two bills, one to confiscate rebel property and to provide for the payment of the expenses of the present rebellion, and the other to provide for freeing the slaves of all rebels who have taken arms against the government.  Referred to the select committee.

Mr. Wickliffe asked leave to introduce a resolution of inquiry, to ascertain by what authority Gen. Hunter had issued an order to emancipate the slaves in the manner expressed by Messers. Hutchins, Lovejoy and others.  Objection was made to the introduction of the resolution.

The resolutions reported from the committee on government contracts were taken up.  Mr. Stevens’ motion to lay them on the table was rejected – yeas 17, nays 107.

The following resolution was read:

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be requested to adjust the claim against the Government for the 5,000 Hall’s carbines, through Simeon Stevens by Gen. G. C. Freemont, on the 6th day of August, 18612, and afterwards delivered at U. S. Arsenal at the city of St. Louis, on the basis of a sale of such arms to the Government for #12.50 each, rejecting all other demand against the government on account of the purchase of said arms.

An unsuccessful effort was made to amend the resolution by making it ready “purchased from S. Stevens.”

Mr. Fenton moved to amend the resolution by adding “providing that nothing herein contained exonerate the Government from the payment of any claims arising from advances made in good faith on certificates by authorized officers of the Government.”

This was rejected by 53 against 71.  The resolution, as originally reported, was adopted by 123 against 28.

The House adopted a resolution censuring Mr. Cameron, by a vote of 79 against 45.

A resolution censuring Secretary Welles was rejected – 45 against 72.

The House then went into committee of the whole on the Pacific R R. bill.  Not much progress made.

Adjourned.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 1, 1862, p. 1

Washington News

WASHINGTON, April 4. – Attorney General Bates has given his opinion that acts of January, and August, 1813, granting pensions for wounds or disabilities are applicable only to the forces thereby created, and will not cover the cases of those called into service by the acts of 22d July last, nor are their widows and orphans entitled to pensions under the act of 4th of July 1836.

Grave doubts may be suggested whether the existing laws make provision for pensions to the widows of those now in service who may die from disease or be killed in battle, and upon the whole question the Attorney General inclines to the opinion that there is no adequate provision of law by which such widows are entitled to a pension in addition to the bounties conferred by the acts of July last, the militia received under the Presidents Proclamation of the 15th of April 1861, which was in accordance with the law of the 2d August, 1813, and in cases of wounds and disabilities, entitled to pensions under its provisions.

Previous to adjournment to-day Senator Trumbull gave notice that he would call up the confiscation bill, and press it until disposed of.

An official war bulletin from the War Department creates two military departments.  First, that portion of Virginia and Maryland, lying between the mountains and the Blue Ridge, to be called the Department of the Shenandoah, to be commanded by Gen. Banks.  Second, that portion of Virginia, east of the Blue Ridge and west of the Potomac and the Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad, including the district of Columbia and the country between the Patuxet to be called the Department of the Rappahannock, to be under command of Gen. McDowell.

WASHINGTON, April 4. – A military hospital has been ordered to be established and New Albany, Indiana, and Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis, has been converted into a military hospital.

The Secretary of War has communicated to Congress his opinion that the present organization of the Medical Bureau is inadequate to the service.  He has authorized the Surgeon General, of New Jersey, under the direction of the Governor, to organize a Volunteer Surgeon Corps, to render medical aid when requested.

A similar organization has been made under the Governor of Pennsylvania, and valuable service has been rendered.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

An Important Bill -- The Punishment of Rebels, their Aiders and Abettors

The bill introduced by Mr. Sherman in the United States Senate on Wednesday, is as follows:

Section first authorizes the President to take possession of all property and persons as follows:

First.  Of the persons hereafter acting as officers in the army and navy of the rebels.

Second.  Persons hereafter acting as President, Vice President, Members of Congress and Judges of the so called Confederacy.

Third.  Governors of the States, members of the Legislature, and Judges of the States in rebellion, who hereafter take the oath to support the rebel Constitution.

Fourth.  Persons holding offices of honor under the United  States who may hereafter hold an office under the said Confederate States.

Fifth.  Persons owning property in the loyal States who may hereafter assist or give aid to the rebellion.

Section second provides that to recover the possession of such property in the loyal States proceedings shall be instituted in the name of United States in the district where the property is found; and if the property be sold the proceeds shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States.

The third section provides that the property seized, where judicial proceedings are obstructed, shall be held till judicial proceedings are restored, when the suit shall be instituted. – Articles of a perishable nature to be sold or used as the service requires, and no person described in the first section shall hold any person to service or labor after the passage of this act who is held by him before.

Section fifth gives the District Court the power to issue all processes to carry out this act.

Section sixth authorizes the President, by proclamation of amnesty, to release either of the five classes of persons described in the first section from the operation of this act.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 3

First Session -- 37th Congress

WASHINGTON, March 11. – HOUSE. – Mr. CRITTENDEN addressed the House in opposition to the resolution.

Mr. FISHER, of Delaware, favored the resolution.

Mr. HICKMAN, did not consider the resolution of any great practical importance, but would vote for it.

After further debate the question was put and the resolution passed, 88 to 31.  Adjourned.

SENATE. – The bill for the purchase of coin was resumed.  Mr. Fessenden’s amendment increasing the amount to fifty millions was adopted and the bill passed.

The report of the Conference Committee on the Legislative appropriation bill was agreed to.

The bill reducing the expenses of the sales of public lands was passed.

The following amendment to the Confiscation bill was ordered printed: “Strike out the first question and insert the personal property, money, stock, credits and effects of every kind and nature, wheresoever situated, belonging to persons who have heretofore held office under Government or State, and all persons who now or may hereafter hold office under the so-called Confederate States or any State in rebellion or are or may be engaged in resisting the Federal Government, shall be confiscated, such confiscation to take immediate effect, and the possession of their right and title to the personal property of such persons shall cease.”

Senate adjourned.

WASHINGTON, March 19. – HOUSE. – Mr. EDWARDS introduced a joint resolution tendering the thanks of Congress to J. Erricsson for his enterprise, skill and forecast displayed in the construction of the Monitor, and to Lieut. Wooden, officers and men for service recently rendered.  Referred to the Committee on naval affairs.

Mr. McPherson introduced a joint resolution which was referred to, to fill the vacancy in the board of Regents.

The House passed the bill authorizing the appointment of a commission to set with the Commissioners from Great Britain and France for the purpose of adopting measures for the protection of the fisheries on the coast of Newfoundland.  Three thousand dollars was appropriated to carry the act into effect.

The House passed the Senate bill amendatory of the act for carrying into effect the treaty with New Grenada and Costa Rica for the adjudication of claims.

Mr. CALVERT submitted a minority report.  The subject was recommended to this committee for the District of Columbia.

Mr. BLAIR of Missouri from the Committee on Military affairs reported a bill to increase the efficiency of the Medical department.  Also a bill to provide for the organization of Signal corps to serve during the present war, the consideration of which was postponed.

The House passed the bill amendatory of the 8th section of the act to promote the efficiency of the Navy.

Mr. SEDGWICK’S report from the Naval Committee, a bill regulating the grades of line officers of the Navy.

The House passed the Senate bill providing for the customary acknowledgement of the letter and presents from the King of Siam.

Mr. ASHLEY from the Committee on Loyalty reported a bill providing for provisional governments, over the district of countries in rebellion against the United States, and the President is authorized to take possession and instituted such governments, Governors, &c. to be appointed, and Legislative Assemblys [sic] and Courts established, and continue until the people form new State Governments.

Mr. CRAVENS, from the Senate Committee, submitted a report which takes the ground that the bill provides that Congress has no power to exclude slaves from the Union and hold them in colonial dependencies and vassalage till ready to be admitted.

SENATE. – Mr. TRUMBULL from the Judiciary Committee Reported back the resolution for the expulsion of Mr. Powell, with the recommendation that it do not pass.

Mr. SHERMAN, offered a Joint resolution expressing the thanks of Congress to Lieutenant Warden and Sailors.  Laid over.

He also introduced a bill to authorize the President to take possession of certain property. – Referred.

Mr. LATHAM introduced a bill to repeal all laws preventing foreign vessels from carrying the mails to Panama and Aspinwall, and a joint resolution was received from the House tendering aid, &c., to certain States.  Referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

On motion of Mr. WILSON, of Mass., the law to authorize the Secretary of War to accept monies appropriated by the States in the payment of volunteers, was taken up and passed.

WASHINGTON, March 13. – HOUSE. – Mr. DUELL introduced a joint resolution which was passed tendering the thanks of Congress to Gen. Curtis and the officers and men under his command, and sincerely sympathizing with the relatives and friends of the officers and soldiers of the army who fell at Pea Ridge.

The House in Committee of the Whole resumed consideration of the tax bill.

Mr. RICHARDSON of Illinois moved amendment providing that two per cent. of the whole revenue derived from the bill shall be set  apart for the purpose of buying or obtaining by treaty certain territory outside of the limits of the United States on which to colonize free blacks, and for the payment of the expenses of transportation there.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 3