37th Congress - 1st Session

WASHINGTON, May 21. – SENATE. – Mr. WRIGHT, of Indiana, offered a resolution that the Military Committee be instructed to inquire into the expediency of reporting at an early day a bill providing a suitable bounty for the soldiers enlisted for three months and one year, and also for pensions for the widows of soldiers who died in the service.  Adopted.

The bill donating lands for the benefit of Agricultural Colleges and Mechanic Arts was taken up.  The discussion was continued till 1 o’clock, when the special order being the Confiscation bill was taken up.

MR. FESSENDEN moved to take up the Tax bill.

Mr. FOSTER, of Connecticut, by consent, offered a resolution in regard to the impeachment of West H. Humphreys.  That the Senate will to-morrow resolve into a Committee of Impeachment on the case of West H. Humphreys, and the Vice President shall administer the following oath to the Senate: I solemnly swear, in all cases and things pertaining to the trial and impeachment of West H. Humphreys, late Judge of the United States for the several districts of Tennessee, that I will do impartial justice as a court of law; and the court being thus formed will receive the managers from the House, &c.  Adopted.

The Senate took up the Tax bill instead of the Confiscation, by a vote of – Yeas 33, nays 9.

The Senate Proceeded to the consideration of the [amendments] of the Committee on Finance, several of which were adopted, including one reducing the salaries of the commissioners from $5,000 to $3,500.

Senate went into Executive Session and adjourned.

HOUSE. – The House resumed the consideration of the Confiscation Bill.

Mr. VOORHES, of Indiana, reviewed the financial policy which has governed the Administration since it came into power, characterizing it as unsound, unwise and ruinous.  The criminals who have been plundering the Treasury have not been brought to justice, nor has honesty pervaded the Departments.  History will, on this subject, cause every love of his country to bow his head, while his cheek burns with shame because of the extravagance and shamelessness of expenditures at a time when the nation was struggling for life.  By means of mismanagement and fraud, the public debt one year hence will be one-sixth of the entire wealth of the country; now the proportion to every voter is two hundred dollars; twelve months from this time it will be four hundred dollars.  Where is the evidence that any other people have been so burdened within so short a time?  In conclusion he expressed the hope and predicted that the people would rise in their majesty and send hither representatives who would be governed by the teachings of the Bible and Constitution, and that the Union will be re-established on the principles of justice and liberty.

Mr. MORRILL, of Vermont, contradicted Mr. Voorhes figures as to expenditures.

Mr. BAILEY was severe upon Mr. Voorhes and accused him of sympathizing with traitors, saying that Floyd, Cobb and others were thieves under that gentleman’s party administration – The present condition of the country was the natural result of the treatment of the people, received at the hands of the Democratic party.

It made our country the plunderer of nations, provided they were feeble.  Filibustering became identified with Democracy during the two last Administration[s].  Considering all their co-operations, it did not lie in the mouth of those seeking to resuscitate the Democratic party to reproach the present Administration with dishonesty and fraud.  In further reply, Mr. Bailey said the labor of the country would pay the taxes.  Stephen A. Douglas truly said that there could be only two parties in the war, loyal men and traitors, and men must be for or against the Government.

WASHINGTON, May 22. – SENATE – Several petitions were presented from citizens of Maryland, asking for the better enforcement of the fugitive slave law in the District of Columbia, that they may secure a large number of slaves which are now in the district.

A resolution calling on the Secretary of the Navy for reports of the battles on the Mississippi was adopted.

Mr. SUMNER offered a resolution that the Committee on the District of Columbia be [directed] to enquire what legislation is necessary to protect persons of African descent from unconstitutional seizure as fugitive slaves, or seizure by disloyal persons.

Mr. POWELL objected to the present consideration of the resolution by the Senate.

The resolution was laid over.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 3

First Session -- 37th Congress

WASHINGTON, May 2. – HOUSE. – Mr. STEVENS, from the committee on Ways and Means, reported a bill making appropriations for the support of the army for the year ending with June 1862.

The House then took up and finally discussed the bill granting pensions.

Mr. GOODWIN said the bill had been carefully prepared and was unanimously reported from the Committee on Invalid Pensions, after being submitted to the Commissioner of Pensions for all persons whether regulars or volunteers, engaged in the military and naval service who have been disabled or wounded since the 4^th of March, 1861, and while in the service of the United States, in line of duty, &c.

The further consideration of the subject was then postponed until Tuesday next.

Mr. ODELL presented a memorial from the Chamber of Commerce in favor of a tax upon all sales of merchandise, by which it is estimated that $115,000,000 can be annually collected.

The house went into consideration of private bills.

Messrs. MORRILL of Vermont, BIDDLE and VORHEES the first named having rose to a special explanation made remarks exculpating Gen. Smith from the charge of drunkenness.

Mr. WASHBURNE also defended General Grant on similar charges.

Mr. RICHARDSON thought all these things ought to be left to the military authorities.  If the riot act was read dispersing congress the army would get along much better.

Mr. FISHER vindicated Delaware from the remarks of Senator Saulsbury.

At the conclusion of Mr. FISHER’S remarks the House adjourned till Monday.

WASHINGTON, May 2. – SENATE – The president pro tem presented a message from the President in regard to the arrest of Gen. Stone which has already been reported.  The President says he will be allowed a trial without unnecessary delay.  Charges and specifications furnished him and every facility for defense afforded him by the war department.

The Confiscation bill was taken up and discussed by Messrs. Doolittle, Cowen and Wade and adjourned till Monday.

WILSON of Mass. From the Military Committee reported back the bill to facilitate the discharge from enlistment for special disabilities.

Mr. HALE offered a resolution that the Naval Committee inquire into the expediency of providing for appointments to the naval corps the same as to the Naval academy adopted.

Mr. SUMNER gave notice that he should introduce a bill to abolish coast wise traffic in slaves and to prevent the transportation of slaves through the United States.

On motion of Mr. WADE the Homestead bill was taken up.  An amendment was adopted excluding from the benefits of the bill any person who has been in arms against the U. S. or who has given aid and comfort to the enemy.

On motion of Mr. POMROY the bill was postponed until Monday.

Adjourned.

WASHINGTON, May 5. – SENATE. Mr. HARRIS presented a petition in favor of a general Bankrupt Act.

Mr. TENEYOK offered a resolution that the Military Committee enquire into the propriety of extending provision of the Act offering $100 to volunteers honorably discharged and to such volunteers as may have been or hereafter may be disabled by warrants and discharged. – Adopted.

HOUSE.  Mr. ALDRICH introduced a bill indemnifying the people of Kansas for losses and depredations.  Referred.

The House passed the bill to provide increased revenues from imports and to pay the interest on the public debt, &c.

The House then went into Committee of the Whole on the Pacific Railroad bill.

Mr. FREDERICK A CONKLING immediately moved that the committee rise with an intention to move the postponement of the bill till the second Monday in December next.

The Motion was lost by a vote of 34 against 61.

WASHINGTON, May 5. – Mr. WILSON from the Military Committee, reported back the bill to limit the number of Major Generals and Brigadier Generals with an amendment making the Major General 30 instead of 20.  The amendment was adopted.

Mr. HALE moved to strike out 200 and insert 180 as the number of Brigadier Generals.

Mr. WILSON of Massachusetts hoped the bill would pass.  He thought 150 Brigadier Generals enough.  About 150 had been sent in here.

Mr. CLARKE thought we ought to make the bill according to the service and not according to the appointments.  The chairman of the Military Committee (Mr. Wilson) thinks that 150 Brigadier Generals is enough and yet we refuse to put the number down because we have got these appointments here and have not [illegible]ness to strike them out.

Mr. WILSON said he thought 150 enough but the President and Secretary of War seemed to think more were necessary.

Mr. HALE.  That would look to the country as if we were legislating for the salvation of the Brigadier Generals and not for the salvation of the country.

The bill was laid over.

Mr. WADE introduced a bill donating public lands to several States and Territories which provides for the benefit of agriculture and public acts.  Referred.

Mr. WILSON of Massachusetts offered a joint resolution to suspend all business under the act entitled an act to secure to the officers and men employed in the Western Department and Missouri their pay bounty and pensions.  Carried.

He also presented a joint resolution relative to an exchange of prisoners that humanity and sound policy require that the officers and men of the Army and Navy of the United States held as prisoners by the force now in arms against the authorities of the Government should be released from captivity by such exchanges as may be needful and such exchanges as a measure of humanity and military expediency would recognize solely admitted facts that these forces in arms against the authority of the United States held in captivity in prisons whom it is desirable to release by necessary practical measures.  Referred.

Mr. HALE moved to take up the resolution offered by him some time since in regard to a debate in the Senate.  Rejected yeas 17 nays [22].

The homestead bill was then taken up.

Mr. POMEROY opposed it.

The confiscation bill was then taken up.

Mr. HOWE against it.

Executive session – adjourned.

HOUSE – Various amendments were made when the committee rose and reported the bill to the house.  The previous question was ordered of the bill which was ordered to be printed in order that the House might examine the amendments with the understanding that the vote was to be taken on its passage at 2 o’clock to-morrow.

Adjourned.

WASHINGTON, May 6. – HOUSE. – Mr. COLFAX by unanimous consent introduced a bill to prevent frauds on the Government, which provides that all persons engaged in furnishing supplies of any kind for any Department of the Government by contract or otherwise or performing any service therefore who shall be found guilty in any United States Court, and all accessories therefore shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than six months nor more than 10 years and a fine not exceeding double the amount of the fraud and all officers are required when fraud is discovered to institute suit.  Referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. BINGHAM from the committee on the Judiciary offered a resolution that a committee of two be appointed to go [to] the Senate and at the bar there in the name of the House of Representatives and of the people of the United States impeach West H. Humphreys Judge of the District Court of the United States for Tennessee for high crimes and misdemeanors, and acquaint the Senate, and the House will in time exhibit particular articles of impeachment against him and make good the same and that the Committee demand that the Senate take measures for the appearance of said West H. Humphreys to answer said impeachment.

In response to a question, for information, the report of the Judiciary committee was read which in effect charged that the Judge acted out his secession proclivities.

Mr. MAYNARD showed the justice of the present proceeding for impeachment.

The resolution was adopted.

Mr. DAVIS called up the California election case reported form the Committee on Elections, declaring that F. F. Lowe is not entitled to a seat as a Representative from that State.

Mr. DAWES explained that the prayer of the memorialists was founded on a statute of the United States as well as the Constitution of the State of California claiming three Representatives in the present Congress, the number to which she is entitled under the apportionment taken on the last census.

The Pacific Railroad bill passed by 80 majority.

WASHINGTON, May 6. – SENATE. – Mr. SHERMAN offered a resolution that the Secretary of War communicate to the Senate all copies of reports of the officers in command at the recent battle of Pittsburgh.  Laid over.

Mr. KING presented petitions in favor of a bankrupt act.

The Homestead Bill was then taken up.  The question being on Mr. CARLISLE’S amendment, which was rejected by yeas 11, nays 28.  The bill was then passed, yeas 33, nays 7.

YEAS – Anthony, Browning, Chandler, Clark, Collamer, Cowan, Dixon, Doolittle, Fessenden, Foote, Foster, Grimes, Hale, Harris, Henderson, Howe, Kennedy, King, Lane, of Indiana, Lane, of Kansas, McDougall, Murrill, Penny, Sherman, Simmons, Sumner, Ten Eyck, Wade, Williamson, Wilson, of Mass., Wilson, of Missouri, Wright.

NAYS – Bayard, Carlisle, Davis, Powell, Saulsbury, Willey.

Mr. ANTHONY moved to postpone the special order.  Negatived – Yeas 14, Nays 23.

The Confiscation bill was then taken up.

Mr. WILSON of Mass., offered an amendment to the amendment of the Senate, striking out all after the first section and substituting the second section.  It provides that the act shall not be construed in any way to effect the punishment of any person for treason.  The third section authorizes and requires the President to seize the property of the leading rebels substantially as the Sherman amendment to the original bill.  The fourth section provides that whenever it becomes necessary to suppress the rebellion, the President be authorized to seize the personal property of other rebels not included in the list.

The 5^th section provides that when the owners of property flee so that they cannot be brought to trial and do not appear by a certain day specified by the Constitution, the property be confiscated and the slaves freed.

The 6^th section provides that the President be authorized and required to make proclamation and fix the day not more than 30 days after those persons who continue rebellion, their slaves shall be set free.

The 7^th section provides for voluntary colonization and emigration.

The 8^th section gives the President power of amnesty.

Mr. WILSON briefly explained his substitute.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 4

First Session -- 37th Congress

WASHINGTON, April 18. – HOUSE – Mr. ALDRICH reported a bill providing for the examination of claims for Indian depredations in New Mexico.

The House went into committee of the whole on the Pacific Railroad bill.

Mr. SHEFFIELD opposed the bill.

The committee rose, and the further consideration of the bill was postponed till Monday week. Several private bills were passed.

Adjourned till Monday.


WASHINGTON, April 21. – HOUSE – Mr. EDWARDS introduced a bill making appropriation for destitute widows and heirs of volunteers who have died, been killed, or may be killed in the service. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. ELLIOTT offered a motion that the Secretary of the Treasury be requested to communicate a statement of expenditures of money in the Department of the West.

Mr. BLAKE offered a motion that the Secretary of War be directed to cause the necessary blank forms to be distributed among the sick and wounded soldiers and their relatives, in order that they may obtain the back pay and bounty due to said soldiers.

Mr. COX, of Ohio, submitted the following: Resolved, that the Secretary of War inform the House of the following facts. 1st. What has delayed the reply to the resolution of this House calling for information as to the age, sex, condition, &c., of the Africans moved in Gen. Wool’s Department, and what number of slaves has been brought into this district by the army officers or other agents of the Government from the State of Virginia since the enemy abandoned the possession of Manassas and their lines on the Potomac. 3d. What number of fugitives from Maryland and Virginia are now in the city of Washington, their sex, and probable ages; what number is now and has been sent to Frederick, Maryland. 5th. How many are now fed and supported by the United States; by what authority were both old and young, male and female, sent by rail to Philadelphia, and at whose expense, and the proposes for which they were sent. If the Secretary has not the means to answer the enquiries to take the necessary steps to obtain the information.

On motion of Mr. LOVEJOY the resolution was tabled by a vote of 65 against 31. The Republicans generally voting in the affirmative.

On motion of Mr. PORTER, a resolution was adopted instructing the Committee on Invalid Pensions to report a bill providing pensions for disable soldiers of the present war.

The House reconsidered the vote by which the resolution was today adopted calling for the expenditures of the Western Department, and then rejected it.

Mr. DIVIN’S resolution requesting the Attorney General to bring suit against Gen. Fremont and Mr. [Bard] to recover money obtained on the order of Fremont, was taken up.

Mr. DIVEN continued The extravagance of the expenditures in the St. Louis fortifications; the money having been drawn without any form of law.

Mr. COLFAX disapproved of the St. Louis contracts, but the circumstances under which they were undertaken offered an extenuation for them. Why did gentlemen wait until General Fremont was in the face of the enemy before their [malignity] pursued him – why not wait until the end of the war instead of so acting as to cause him to lose the confidence of his army in front of the foe.

Mr. BLAIR replied to Mr. Colfax, that St. Louis never was in danger excepting from Gen. Fremont who brought there a gang of Californians to the prejudice of the good name of the people of Missouri. He was partly influential in placing Gen. Fremont in command in the west, but he had suffered for it and he hoped he would be pardoned.


SENATE. – The President pro. tem. presented petitions in favor of the bankrupt law; also in favor of a ship canal from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River.

Mr. LANE, of Indiana, presented a petition from the free colored [citizens] of the Untied States, praying for setting aside portions of the territory outside of the National lines, for their colonization and maintenance in Central America.

The memorial was respectful and deserving of the attention of Congress. He desired it should be read and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, which was agreed to.

Mr. LANE said while he did not believe that free colored people where entitled to all the rights or privileges of white citizens of the U. S., nevertheless favored their just right to petition, a right awarded even among the most despotic Governments of Europe. It was evident that slaves were freed, and by our armies. – Something must be done with them and emancipation, an apprenticeship or other measures adopted for them. It is not in accordance with the genius of our institutions, that these people should be returned to slavery. He alluded to the great bloodless and moral triumph of freedom in the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, as fully equal to the armies by the chivalric and brave sons of the west.

Messrs. HOWE and HOWARD presented memorials from the citizens of Wisconsin and Michigan praying for a ship canal from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi river.

Mr. DOOLITTLE presented a joint resolution from the Wisconsin Legislature, tendering to the President of the United States an approval of his course. He said these resolutions passed almost unanimously.

The resolutions were received, and the House resolution for supplying the Smithsonian Institute with a copy of Wilkes’ expedition was taken up.

Mr. HALE supposed they would pass the resolution and have the books sent to the Smithsonian Institute, as the two most gigantic humbugs ought to go together.

Mr. DOOLITTLE spoke in favor of the resolution in regard to Brig. Gen. Stone.

Mr. WADE replied to him.

Mr. POWELL offered a resolution calling on the Secretary of State for the names of all persons residents of the State of Kentucky who have been arrested by his order and confined in forts and camps as prisoners since the first of September, also the number and age of those who has been released, and the number, name and ages of those retained.

Mr. SUMNER objected and the resolution lies over under the rule.

The resolution calling for information in relation to the arrest of Brig. Gen. Stone was then taken up.


WASHINGTON, April 21 – SENATE. – The debate continued at great length, when Mr. McDOUGAL accepted Mr. WILSON’S resolution in place of his own, calling on the President, if not incompatible with the public interest, for all the information relative to the arrest and imprisonment of Brig. Gen. Stone, which then passed.

The confiscation bill was then taken up.

Mr. DAVIS obtained the floor.

Executive session – adjourned.


HOUSE – Mr. DIVIN’S resolution was tabled.

The resolution of Mr. ALDRICH instruction the Judiciary Committee to report back the bill for the trial and punishment of military officers charged with swindling, was passed.

Adjourned.


WASHINGTON, April 22 – SENATE. – Several petitions for emancipation and bankrupt law were presented.

Mr. CLARK, from the Select Committee on the case of Senator Stark of Oregon, made a report, but whether adverse or not was not stated. Ordered to be printed.

Mr. ANTHONY presented a resolution calling on the President for copies of all orders of the commanding general’s instructions, &c., given to Gen. Sherman, lately commanding the S. C. Department. Mr. Anthony said the credit of Fort Pulaski belonged to Gen. Sherman, and he believed that the correspondence could or would show that he had discharged all the duties required of him. If Savannah had not been taken it was because he had acted in accordance with [orders]. He didn’t desire to deprive the North of anything.

The bill for the establishment of the department of Agriculture was taken up and the substitute of Mr. Wright for the bill was rejected.

Mr. FOOTE moved to amend the bill by a substituted providing for a statistical and agricultural Bureau.

Pending a vote the bill to confiscate the property and free the slaves of rebels was taken up.

Mr. DAWES objected.


HOUSE. – Mr. McPHERSON presented a petition in favor of the establishment of a Professorship of German in the West Point military Academy on the ground of the value of the study and its practical utility, in view of the number of Germans in the army and the richness of German literature in military science.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 4

First Session – 37th Congress

WASHINGTON, April 15. – In the House to-day Mr. PORTER called up the bill reported by him from the Committee on Judiciary, amendatory of the act establishing a court for the investigation of claims against the United States. The bill was passed.

The bill organizing the Signal Corps in the army for the present war was passed.

The following resolution was adopted from the Judiciary committee:

Resolved, That the Government should not interfere with the free transmission of intelligence, by telegraph, when the same will not aid the enemy, or give some information concerning the military or naval operations on the part of this Government, except it may become necessary under the authority of Congress, to assume the exclusive use of the telegraph, for its own legitimate purposes, or to assert the right of priority in transmission of its own despatches.

Fourteen bills, with a general resolution relative to forfeiting the property of Rebels, and making it a penal offence for the Army or Navy to return fugitive slaves, and including kindred subjects, reported the 20th of March, with the recommendation from the Judiciary committee that they ought not to pass, came up to-day.

The question being on laying them severally on the table.

The proceedings were suspended by a report from Mr. MORRILL, of the committee of Ways and Means, of a bill appropriating$30,000,000 to pay Volunteers. Also, $100,000 for the pay of bounty and pensions to officers and soldiers of the Western Department.

Mr. Morrill’s bill was passed.

A message was received from the President, saying that he had signed the bill abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia.

The death of Mr. Cooper was announced, and eulogies were pronounced, and the customary resolutions adopted.

Mr. McDOUGALL commented on the course of the Committee on the Conduct of the War.

The confiscation bill came up.

Mr. POWELL approved it at length.

WASHINGTON, April 16. – After Mr. POWELL concluded, the bill was postponed till Friday.

The message of the President was received, giving his reasons for approving the bill abolishing slavery in the district of Columbia.

The death of Representative Cooper was announced. The customary resolutions were adopted, and the Senate adjourned.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862