WASHINGTON, Feb. 3.
SENATE. – Mr. Wade presented a joint resolution from the
Legislature of Ohio, instructing members of Congress to use their efforts to
secure such amendment of the naturalization laws as well grant naturalization
to those of foreign birth who serve during the war.
Mr. Wade also introduced a resolution for a national armory
in Ohio. Passed.
Mr. Chandler presented resolutions from the Legislature of
Michigan, re-affirming loyalty to the government and hatred of traitors, and
asking the government to speedily put down the insurrection; favoring the
confiscation of the property of rebels, and asking that as slavery is the cause
of the war it be swept from the land.
Mr. Harris presented a petition from citizens of New York,
asking that Congress take speedy measures to repeal the present reciprocity
treaty between Canada and the United States.
Mr. Harris also presented resolutions from the Legislature
of New York, asking a modification of the law for raising revenue so that any
amount may be raised by any State, by any mode of taxation except duties on
imports; that each State be allowed to assume the amount of tax and assess for
the payment and the collection of the same, according to its own laws and by
its own officers. Referred.
Mr. Pomeroy offered a resolution asking the Secretary of War
for all orders relative to the force in the military command of Kansas, and
whether the same be commanded by Gen. Lane, and whether any change has been
made in the military orders since Gen. Lane left the Senate and took charge of
the force, and whether Gen. Hunter’s order already published is in accordance
with the orders of the War Dept. Laid
over.
Mr. Chandler offered a resolution that the committee on
commerce inquire in the expediency of immediately notifying Great Britain that
the reciprocity treaty is not reciprocal, and that it be terminated at the
earliest possible moment. Laid over.
Mr. Simmons, from the committee on patents, reported back
the joint resolution appropriating $3,000 for the purchase of cotton seed for
general distribution, with an amendment appropriating $1,000 for the purchase
of tobacco seed. Amendment adopted, and
the resolution passed.
Mr. Anthony offered a resolution that the [committee] on
patents inquire into the expediency of making an appropriation to aid in the
experiment of manufacturing flax as a substitute for cotton. Adopted.
Mr. Johnson moved to take up the bill providing for the
construction of a military RR through the States of Kentucky and
Tennessee. Disagreed to.
Mr. Cowan offered a joint resolution relative to the lake
and river defences of Pa. Referred.
After executive session adjourned.
HOUSE. – Mr. Lovejoy offered the following:
Whereas, It has
been learned by this House that five Illinois regiments did, on learning the
contents of the report of Sec. Cameron, lay down their arms in token of their
refusal to fight for the same; therefore
Resolved, That the
committee on the conduct of the war inquire into the alleged fact, and report
the same to Congress.
Mr. Fouke desiring to discuss the subject, it went over
under the rules.
On motion of Mr. Baker, it was resolved that the committee
on Post Offices and post roads be requested to inquire into the propriety of
establishing, by law, a system for the free receipt and delivery, by postmen,
of all mail matter in cities containing upwards of 10,000 inhabitants, in conformity
with the admirable and economical Post Office system of the principal cities of
Europe.
The House then proceeded to act on the Senate’s amendment to
the House bill making appropriation for completing the defences of Washington,
which amendment provides that no volunteers or militia in any State shall be
mustered into service on any ground or condition and confined within the limits
of any State or vicinity; and if any volunteers or militia have thus been
mustered into service, they shall be discharged.
Running discussions followed, in which it was maintained on
one side that Home Guards were necessary in Missouri, Kentucky and Maryland,
official provision having already been made to that end; and on the other, that
no troops had a right to ask for special privileges, but all should be placed
on the same footing. The House finally
disagreed to the above Senate amendment by a vote of 55 against 86.
The House then went into committee of the whole on the
Treasury note bill.
Mr. Vallandigham made a speech on the subject.
Adjourned.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette,
Davenport Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 4, 1862, p. 1
