not only the right of property, but the possession of the property to the citizen, and that the right of the citizen to this property is not divested, and cannot be divested, unless he receives full compensation for it, or unless that full compensation is secured to him before the property is taken. Whenever there are courts in this country sufficiently enlightened, impartial, and firm, to administer the constitutional principle, they will decide that it is the duty of Congress to pass laws, having general application to every case where private property is or may be taken for public use, to pay, or to secure to the owner of that property before he is forced to part with the possession, its full and fair value. If I had time I could adduce a dozen cases from courts, running from Massachusetts to California, establishing that principle, and establishing in addition that unless these conditions be complied with, the chancellor will issue his injunction to hold the owner of the property in his possession and to prevent it being taken from him. Is not that the law of the Constitution? Is it not the law of reason and justice? What objection can there be made to it?

Why, sir, has Congress the power to pass any law that in its judgment would promote the efficiency of the Army and help to bring this war to a speedy and successful close? Why then does not Congress pass a law to seize all the money in the banks of the United States? Why does it not pass a law authorizing its military officers to go abroad through the land to gather up according to their discretion and power all the necessary supplies for the Army? Why does it not pass a law authorizing the President, by his will and by his dictum, to conscript any or all the military population of the United States?

Mr. President, the views that I have here of fered, I think, establish conclusively the propriety of the Senate referring this joint resolution and the proposition that I have read in connection with it as instructions to the Committee on the Judiciary, that we may have the benefit of a report of that committee in relation to the question of the constitutionality and validity of this measure if Congress should pass it.

MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE.

A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. McPHERSON, its Clerk, announced that the House had passed a bill (H. R. No. 623) to amend an act entitled "An act to provide for carrying the mails from the United States to foreign ports, and for other purposes," approved March 25, 1864, in which the concurrence of the Senate was requested.

FREEDMEN'S BUREAU.

The Senate proceeded to consider its amendments to the bill of the House (H. R. No. 51) to establish a Bureau of Freedmen's Affairs, disagreed to by the House of Representatives; and On motion of Mr. SUMNER, it was

Resolved, That the Senate insist upon its amendments to the said bili disagreed to by the House of Representatives, and agree to the conference asked by the House on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses thereon.

Ordered, That the conferees on the part of the Senate be appointed by the President pro tempore.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore appointed Mr. SUMNER, Mr. HOWARD, and Mr. BUCKALEW.

HOUSE BILL REFERRED.

The bill (H. R. No. 622) to amend an act entitled "An act to incorporate the Metropolitan Railroad Company in the District of Columbia," approved July 1, 1864, was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia.

EXECUTIVE SESSION.

Mr. GRIMES. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of executive business.

The motion was agreed to; and after some time spent in executive session, the doors were reopened, and the Senate adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY, December 20, 1864.

The House met at twelve o'clock, m. Prayer
by the Chaplain, Rev. W. H. CHANNING.
The Journal of yesterday was read and approved.
APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES.

The SPEAKER stated that Mr. PRUYN, having been placed upon the Committee of Ways and

Means, asked to be excused from further service on the Committee of Claims.

There was no objection; and it was ordered accordingly.

The SPEAKER then appointed Mr. TOWNSEND to fill the vacancy on the Committee of Claims. The SPEAKER also announced the following as the select committee on pensioners: Messrs. GRISWOLD, WHALEY, PERHAM, WASHBURN of Massachusetts, MILLER of Pennsylvania, HUBBARD of Connecticut, and Ross.

PRISONERS OF WAR.

Mr. ROLLINS, of New Hampshire. I ask the unanimous consent of the House to submit the following resolution:

Whereas, the Government of the United States has treated rebel prisoners of war with the utmost care, retaining them in suitable and healthy places of confinement, supplying them with ample rations of the best and most nutritious quality, attending them with skillful medical treatment and care in cases of sickness and wounds, and affording them every proper facility for improving their condition and alleviating their imprisonment; and whereas the rebel authorities have confined Union prisoners in unhealthy and oathsome prisons, and in pestilential camps without shelter; have furnished rations scanty and unwholesome; have neglected to furnish suitable medical attendance; have withheld from them clothing, provisions, and money sent to them from their friends at home, so that thousands have died from starvation, and contagious and other diseases caused by such barbarous neglect and maltreatment; and this notwithstanding the continuous and earnest efforts of the Government of the United States to procure an alleviation of their sufferings while in imprisonment, or a just and equitable exchange: Therefore,

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing by law, if such treatment of Union prisoners is persisted in, for confining rebel prisoners in our hands in such prisons, and allowing them such kind and quality of rations, as may be adopted by the rebel government, to the end that the rebel authorities may be thereby compelled to treat the Union prisoners in their hands according to the rules and usages of civilized warfare.

Mr. COX. I do not wish to object to the resolution of the gentleman from New Hampshire, but he will remember there is now pending a resolution calling upon the Secretary of War for all correspondence in reference to the exchange of prisoners. It was offered by myself the other day,

and was laid over. I should like to see that correspondence before voting, although I believe the resolution of the gentleman to be eminently cor

rect.

I was loth to believe, sir, that such barbarities were practiced by the rebels upon our prisoners, but I do know that the asseverations of the gentleman in that resolution are true, and that some action is demanded in the name of humanity on behalf of our prisoners. I should prefer to see a wholesale exchange of them. We tried again and again in this House

Mr. ROLLINS, of New Hampshire. I do not yield for the purpose of debate.

The SPEAKER. Does the gentleman from Ohio object to the resolution? Mr. COX. I do not.

The resolution was adopted.

Mr. ROLLINS, of New Hampshire, moved to reconsider the vote by which the resolution was adopted; and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table.

The latter motion was agreed to.

INTERNAL REVENUE STAMPS. Mr. THAYER, by unanimous consent, submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to:

Resolved, That the Committee of Ways and Means be instructed to inquire into the expediency of so amending the internal revenue law, that instruments required by the one hundred and fifty-first section of said law to be stamped, but which have not, through inadvertence or other cause, been stamped at the time of making or issuing the same, may, upon the payment of a proper penalty, be subsequently stamped and thereby rendered legal and valid; and that they have leave to report by bill or otherwise. BOUNTY LAND..

Mr. HOLMAN, by unanimous consent, submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to:

Resolved, That the Committee on Public Lands be instructed to inquire into the expediency of setting apart a portion of the public lands for the benefit of such soldiers of the United States as have been, or shall be, permanently disabled during the present war, and whose circumstances may require the generous aid of their country, by granting to the several States such lands, the proceeds of which shall be applied to the exclusive benefit of said soldiers, either in founding homes for them in their respective States, or otherwise, as the several State Legislatures may determine, and shall report by bill or otherwise.

Objection being withdrawn,

Mr. SCOFIELD introduced a joint resolution relative to J. C. Carter, captain in the United States Navy; which was read a first and second time, and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. SPALDING. I now demand the regular order of business.

BUREAU OF FREEDMEN'S AFFAIRS.

The SPEAKER. The regular order of business is the consideration of the Senate amendments to House bill No. 51, to establish a Bureau of Freedmen's Affairs, which was postponed from the last session to this day.

Mr. ELIOT. This bill was returned from the Senate with a great variety of amendments. I am instructed to move that the House non-concur in the amendments of the Senate, and ask a committee of conference.

Mr. PENDLETON. I would like to hear the amendments read.

Mr. ELIOT. I believe they were read before the adjournment at the last session.

The SPEAKER. The impression of the Chair is that they have not been read-that the reading was suspended at that time.

Mr. COX. How does this bill come before the House?

The SPEAKER. It was passed by the House, came back from the Senate with various amendments, and was postponed until to-day.

Mr. PENDLETON. Have the amendments been printed?

The Chair is not informed.
I would suggest the pro-

The SPEAKER. Mr. SPALDING. priety of having them printed.

Mr. ELIOT. The amendments have all been printed, and are in the form of a new bill attached to House bill No. 51.

The amendments were to strike out all after the enacting clause, and insert the following:

That an office, to continue during the existing war, is hereby created in the Treasury Department, to be called the Bureau of Freedmen, meaning thereby such persons as have once been slaves, under the care of a Commissioner, with an annual salary of $4,000, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; and there shall be a chief clerk, acting also as disbursing officer, under bond to the United States for the faithful discharge of his duties, with an annual salary of $2,000, and also such number of clerks, not exceeding two of each class, as shall be necessary, all of whom shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That the Commissioner shall have authority, under the direction of the Seeretary of the Treasury, to create departments of freedmen within the rebel States, not to exceed two in each State, so far as the same may be brought under the military power of the United States; and each department shall be under the supervision of an assistant commissioner, with an annual salary of $2,000, under bond as required by the chief clerk, to be appointed by the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and with authority to appoint local superintendents and clerks, so far as the same may be needed, not, however, to exceed four in each district, at a compensation not exceeding $1,500.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the military commander within any department shall, on the application of the assistant commissioner thereof, supply all needful military support in the discharge of the duties of such assistant commissioner, unless there are controlling military reasons for withholding the same; and any military commander may be appointed assistant commissioner, without increase of salary.

SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That the Commissioner, under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, shall have the general superintendence of all freedmen throughout the several departments, and it shall be his duty especially to watch over the execution of all laws, proctamations, and military orders of emancipation, or in any way concerning freedmen, and generally, by careful regu lations, to protect these persons in the enjoyment of their rights, to promote their welfare, and to secure to them and their posterity the blessings of liberty. And every such freedman shall be treated in every respect as a freedman,

with all proper remedies in courts of justice, and no power or control shall be exercised with regard to him except in conformity with law.

SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That the assistant commissioners shall have authority, under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, within their respective departments, to take possession of all abandonded real estate belonging to disloyal persons, and all real estate to which the United States have title, or of which the United States have possession, and not already appropriated to Government uses; and also to take possession of all personal property found on and belonging to such estate, and to rent or lease all such real estate, or any part thereof, with the personal property aforesaid, and to act as inspectors of the same; or in case no proper lessees can be found, then to permit the same to be cultivated or occupied by the freedinen, on such terms, in either case, and under such regulations, as the commissioner and such freedmen may agree: Provided, That no freedmen shall be employed on any estate above mentioned otherwise than according to voluntary contract reduced to writing and certified by the assistant commissioner or local superintendent, nor shall any such contract be for a longer period than twelve months; but nothing in this section contained shall be construed to prevent the due execution of process against the real estate and personal property before mentioned, issued in due course of law from courts of competent jurisdiction: And provided further, That no lease and no permit to be given under the provisions of this act shall continue for a longer time than one year without renewal, nor shall any such lease or permit bind the United States to pay damages for any military dispossession or because of title paramount to that of the United States.

SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That the assistant commissioners and local superintendents shall be ready, as advisory guardians, to aid the freedmen in the adjustment of their wages, or, where they have rented plantations or sinal holdings, in the application of their labor; that they shall take care that the freedmen do not suffer from ill-treatment or any failure of contract on the part of others; that they shall further do what they can as arbitrators, to reconcile and settle any differences in which freedmen may be involved, whether among themselves or between themselves and other persons; and in case such differences are carried before any tribunal, civil or military, they shall appear as next friends of the freedmen, so far as to see that the case Is fairly stated and heard. And in all such proceedings there shall be no disability or exclusion on account of color. SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That leases heretofore made by the supervising special agents of the Treasury Department, under the authority of the General Order 331, of the Secretary of War, dated October 9, 1863, and in accordance with the regulations of the Treasury Department, shall have the same effect as it made by assistant commissioners under this act; but such lease shall not continue beyond the period of one year from its date; and immediately upon the organization of any department of freedmen, such agents shall cease to execute their functions within such department, and shall deliver over to the assistant commissioner thereof all property and papers held by them as agents. But all expenses necessarily incurred by such agents in any department, prior to its organization under this act, shall be defrayed by the Secretary of the Treasury out of any moneys in his hands arising from the leases made by such agents.

SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That the Commissioner shall apply the proceeds arising from leases in the several departments to pay the salaries and other expenses under this act, so that the bureau herein established may become at an early day self-supporting; and any proceeds over and above the annual expense thereof shall be paid into the Treasury of the United States.

SEC. 9. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of all oflicers, civil and military, charged with the execution of any law, proclamation, or military order of emancipation, or in any way concerning freedmen, not mustered into, nor regularly engaged in, the military service, to make return to the Commissioner of all their proceedings in exccution thereof, under such regulations as shall from time to time be prescribed.

SEC. 10. And be it further enacted, That the Commissioner shall, before the commencement of each session of Congress, make full report of his proceedings to the Secretary of the Treasury, who shall communicate the same to Congress. And the assistant commissioners shall make quarterly reports of their proceedings to the Commissioner, and also such other special reports as from time to time may be required.

SEC. 11. And be it further enacted, That all assistant commissioners, local superintendents, and clerks, as well as the supervising special agents, appointed within the States within which the insurrection exists and the authority of the civil tribunals is overthrown, shall be so far deemed to be in the military service of the United States as to be liable to trial by courts-martial or military cominissions, to be ordered by the commanding general of the military department within which they act as such assistant commissioners, local superintendents, clerks, or supervising special agents. And for all offenses amounting to a felony; for any act of embezzlement, or willful misappropriation of public or private property; for any willful act of oppression of any freedman, or of any loyal inhabitant; for any act of taking or receiving, directly or indirectly, any money or thing of value for any act done or omitted by them in their official capacity; or for being in any manner interested in any purchase of cotton, tobacco, sugar, or any other article produced upon any lands leased or worked under the provisions of this act; or in carrying on any business or being in any manner, directly or indirectly, interested in any business carried on under the superintendence of the officers appointed under this act, or for any other willful violation of their official duties, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to punishment by fine not exceeding $10,000, or imprisonment at hard labor for a period not execeding five years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

SEC. 12. And be it further enacted, That whenever the said Commissioner cannot find abandoned real estate on which to employ all of the freedmen who may come under

his eare and control by virtue of this act, it shall be his duty, so far as may be practicable, to provide for them homes and employment, with humane and suitable persons, at fair and just compensation for their services.

Sec. 13. And be it further enacted, That the last clause of a joint resolution explanatory of "An act to suppress insurrection, to punish treason and rebellion, to seize and confiscate the property of rebels, and for other purposes," approved July 17, 1862, be, and the same hereby is, repealed.

Mr. ELIOT. I do not think that it is worth while at this time to occupy the attention of the House by calling it to the various differences between the bill adopted by the Senate and that reported to them from the House. My object now in rising is to ask the House to non-concur in the action of the Senate for the purpose of asking that a committee of conference be appointed.

ence,

I have no doubt it will be found, upon conferthat it will be practicable from the two bills to frame one which will be more satisfactory to the House than either of the bills now before the House. I move a non-concurrence in the Senate amendments, and unless some gentleman desires to speak, I will call the previous question.

Mr. BROOKS. I want to suggest to the gentleman from Massachusetts that the House has some right to time for a consideration of these amendments before they go before a committee of conference. This is the first time I have been able to obtain a copy of the bill, though it may have been printed before, and I suggest a postponement to a certain day, or the making it the special order for some given day.

The result of these committees of conference, as the gentleman well knows, is to take away all substantial action from this and the other body, and to intrust the main legislation to a committee selected by the Speaker and a committee appointed by the Senate, and then, under the pressure of the previous question, we are obliged to accede to or reject some bill which the committee has agreed to, but which the House may not have agreed to. I suggest that the gentleman give us an opportunity, by a postponement to some given day, to consider the provisions of this bill.

Mr. ELIOT. In reply to the gentleman from New York, I will say that the bill which has just been read has been in fact printed since last June. When the bill was sent back from the Senate it was ordered, upon my motion, to be printed, and it has been within the reach of members of the House from that time to the present. It was very desirable that there should have been action upon this bill before the close of last session, but it had been delayed in the committee of the Senate from the early part of March until the early part of June, and it did not come back to the House until it was too late to act upon it last session. Upon a motion made on this side, the bill was postponed until to-day.

stray within the territorial limits of the rebelhion. Those limits bound the jurisdiction of the bill.

Mr. ELIOT. I move the previous question. The previous question was seconded. Mr. HOLMAN. I move to lay the amendment of the Senate on the table.

Mr. ELIOT. Would that carry the bill with it? The SPEAKER. It would.

Mr. HOLMAN. I call for the yeas and nays on my motion.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

The question was taken; and it was decided in the negative-yeas 51, nays 71, not voting 60; as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Ancona, Baily, Augustus C. Baldwin, Blair, Bliss, Brooks, James S. Brown, William G. Brown, Chanler. Cox, Dawson, Denison, Eden, Eldridge, Finck.Ganson, Grider, Harding. Benjamin G. Harris, Charles M. Harris, Herrick, Holman, Kernan, Law, Lazear, Le Blond, Long, Marcy, McAllister, McDowell, William H. Miller, James R. Morris, Nelson, Noble, John O'Neill, Pendleton, Pruyn, Samuel J. Randali, James S. Rollins, Ross, Smith, John B. Steele, Strouse, Stuart, Sweat, Thomas, Townsend, Webster, Joseph W. White, Willians, and Yeaman-51.

NAYS-Messrs. Allison, Ames, Ashley, John D. Baldwin, Beaman, Blow, Boutwell, Boyd, Broomall, Ambrose W. Clark, Cole, Thomas T. Davis, Dawes, Dixon, Donnelly, Driggs, Eckley, Eliot, Farnsworth, Frank, Garfield, Grinnell, Higby, Hooper, Hotchkiss, John H. Hubbard, Hulburd, Jenckes, Kasson, Kelley, Francis W. Kellogg, Orlando Kellogg, Knox, Littlejohn, Longyear, Marvin, MeClurg, McIndoe, Samuel F. Miller, Moorhead, Morrill, Amos Myers, Leonard Myers, Norton, Charles O'Neill, Orth, Patterson, Perham, Pomeroy, Price, William H. Randall, Alexander H. Rice, John H. Rice, Edward H.Rollins, Schenck, Scofield, Shannon, Sloan, Smithers, Spalding, Starr, Stevens, Thayer, Tracy, Upson, Van Valkenburgh. Elihu B. Washburne, William B. Washburn, Whaley, Wilson, and Windom-71.

NOT VOTING-Messrs. James C. Allen, William J. Allen, Alley, Anderson, Arnold, Baxter, Blaine, Brandegee, Freeman Clarke, Clay, Cobb, Coffroth, Cravens, Creswell, Henry Winter Davis, Deming, Dumont, Edgerton, English, Fenton, Gooch, Griswold, Hale, fall, Harrington, Asabel W. Hubbard, Hutchins, Ingersoll, Philip Johnson, William Johuson, Julian, Kalbfleisch, King, Knapp, Loan, Mallory, McBride, McKinney, Middleton, Daniel Morris, Morrison, Odell, Perry, Pike, Radford, Robinson, Rogers, Scott, William G. Steele, Stiles, Voorhees, Wadsworth, Ward, Wheeler, Chilton A. White, Wilder, Winfield, Benjamin Wood, Fernando Wood, and Woodbridge-60.

So the House refused to lay the amendment of the Senate on the table.

During the roll-call,

Messrs. HARRINGTON, COFFROTH, BAXTER, COBB, and VOORHEES, who were not within the bar when their names were called, severally asked leave to vote.

Mr. DAWES objected.

Mr. ORTH stated that Mr. JULIAN was detained from the House by sickness.

The result of the vote having been announced as above recorded, the question recurred upon ordering the main question to be now put.

The main question was ordered; and being put, the House voted to non-concur in the amendment of the Senate, and ask a committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses.

Mr. ELIOT moved to reconsider the vote by which the amendment was non-concurred in; and also moved to lay the motion to reconsider on the table.

ence.

Mr. KASSON. Upon the first reading of the amendment, it struck me that the first section of the Senate bill made no discrimination between the custody of those freedmen who are made free by State action and those made free by United States action. I simply call his attention to it in order that in the conference committee that point may be considered, which may be essential to the cooperation of at least some portion of the House in the general object. I would be glad to be corrected, if I am in error touching that provision of the Senate bill, by the gentleman, who has given it more attention than I have.

Mr. ELIOT. The gentleman from Iowa is perfectly correct in this, that the bill does not purport to affect any freedmen other than those who belong to States which are rebellion. It does not affect, as it stands now, the freedmen of Maryland, or of Kentucky, or of Missouri.

Mr. KELLEY. Unless such a one should

The latter motion was agreed to.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE.

A message from the Senate, by Mr. FORNEY, its Secretary, informed the House that the Senate had agreed to the resolution of the House pro

22d instant until the 5th of January next, with an amendment including the Senate in said adjournment over, in which he was directed to ask the concurrence of the House.

Also, that the Senate had passed bill of the House No. 394, for the relief of Mary Scales Accardi, and House bill No. 399, for the relief of Emily A. Lyon, severally with an amendment, in which he was directed to ask the concurrence of the House.

Also, that the Senate had passed without amendment bill of the House No. 478, for the relief of Charles M. Pott, and bill of the House No. 603, to extend the time allowed for the withdrawal of certain goods therein named from the public

stores.

The message further announced that the Senate had indefinitely postponed the bill of the House (No. 452) to grant a pension of eight dollars per month to Harris Welch.

Also, that the Senate had passed bills of the fol

lowing titles, in which he was directed to ask the concurrence of the House:

A bill (S. No. 62) to remove all disqualifications of color in carrying the mails; and

A bill (S. No. 347) for the relief of Rebecca S. Harrison.

ADJOURNMENT FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

Mr. STEVENS called up, as a privileged question, the message from the Senate in reference to the adjournment, which was to amend the concurrent resolution so as to make it read as follows:

That when the two Houses adjourn on Thursday, the 22d instant, they adjourn to meet on Thursday, January 5, 1865.

Mr. STEVENS. The only change in the resolution is that it now allows the Senate to adjourn as well as the House. The House had thought at the time it passed the resolution, that so grave a body as the Senate might not desire to have a holiday, and therefore the resolution only provided for the House. The Senate, however, took it into its head to amend the resolution by making it apply to both Houses, and I do not know why we should not assent to that.

The Senate amendment was concurred in. Mr. STEVENS moved to reconsider the vote by which the Senate amendment was concurred in; and also moved to lay the motion to reconsider on the table.

The latter motion was agreed to.

DEFICIENCY BILL.

Mr. STEVENS, from the Committee of Ways and Means, also reported a bill to supply deficiencies in the appropriations for the service of the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1865, and asked that it be referred to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, ordered to be printed, and made the special order for to-morrow.

Mr. HOLMAN. To avoid the necessity of having the bill read through at the present time, I rise to inquire whether this bill contains any appropriations not authorized by existing law.

Mr. STEVENS. I believe not, sir. The Committee of Ways and Means has left out one or two matters which were thought to be doubtful.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I suggest that it shall be the understanding that objection may be taken in the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union as well as if the bill were in the House under the rules.

Mr. STEVENS. I have no objection to that. Mr. BROOKS. I do not wish to have a deficiency bill put through to-morrow. It is impossible to look over and compare the estimates. Indeed, we have not yet received copies of the Secretary of the Treasury's report and accompanying documents. They are not yet printed. It is impossible to act on an appropriation bill intelligently in this kind of way. If I am well informed, there are many deficiencies in this bill which are not provided for by law. I do not wish to cause any delay in the passage of the bill, but without having the report of the Secretary of the Treasury before us, and with no opportunity save the few hours one may have this evening to compare the estimates with the bill, it is quite impossible to act to-morrow with any deliberation on so important a matter as the deficiency bill.

Mr. STEVENS. We have agreed to the suggestion of the gentleman from Illinois to allow objections to be made in the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union. There are some items in the bill which it is almost absolutely ne

cessary to have provided for before the adjourn

ment, and hence we have left out items which we supposed might be contested. I ask that the bill may be considered to-morrow. There is not a great deal in it.

Mr. BROOKS. All that I want is that there shall be due deliberation, and due time for the House to act on it.

Mr. STEVENS. If, when it is printed and taken up to-morrow there should be found any difficulty in it, the gentleman from New York can suggest what further course he desires.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1864.

The bill was read a first and second time, ordered to be printed, referred to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, and made the special order for to-morrow.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. That is with the understanding that all questions of order are reserved.

The SPEAKER. That is understood.

MILITARY ACADEMY APPROPRIATION BILL. Mr. STEVENS, from the Committee of Ways and Means, also reported a bill making appropriations for the support of the Military Academy for the year ending 30th June, 1866, and asked that it be referred to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, printed, and made the special order for the 9th day of January next.

Mr. HOLMAN. I trust it will be understood that this bill comes in on exactly the same terms as the other bill.

Mr. STEVENS. I have no objection to that. The bill was read a first and second time, ordered to be printed, referred to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, and made the special order for the 9th of January next.

METROPOLITAN RAILWAY COMPANY. Mr. DAVIS, of New York, from the Committee for the District of Columbia, reported a bill to amend the act to incorporate the Metropolitan Railway Company of the District of Columbia, approved July 1, 1864, which was read a first and second time. It so amends the seventeenth section of the act of incorporation as to extend the time for the completion of the railroad line, except that part thereof between Seventeenth street and the Capitol, for one year, provided that the line between Seventeenth street and the Capitol be completed, equipped, and running within ten days. The second section repeals all acts and parts of acts inconsistent with it.

Mr CHANLER. Is there anything in the bill in reference to the cars running on Sunday? The SPEAKER. The Chair understands that there is not.

The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time; and being engrossed, it was accordingly read the third time.

Mr. GANSON. I desire to suggest the propriety of striking out the second section. That section is wholly unnecessary, and if enacted it may go further than we intend. If any prior act is consistent with this, this necessarily repeals that.

Mr. DAVIS, of New York. I have no objec

tion to that.

The SPEAKER. If there be no objection, the second section will be stricken out. There was no objection.

The bill was then passed.

Mr. DAVIS, of New York, moved to reconsider the vote by which the bill was passed; and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table.

The latter motion was agreed to.

Mr. BEAMAN. I call for the regular order of business.

Mr. PIKE. I ask the gentleman to withdraw that call for a moment, that I may offer a resolution.

Mr. BEAMAN. I yield to the gentleman.

TAXATION OF COASTING VESSELS.

Mr. PIKE, by unanimous consent, offered the

following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to:

Resolved, That the Committee of Ways and Means be instructed to inquire into the expediency of amending Section one hundred and three of the internal revenue act, so that coasting vessels which shall pay an annual tonnage tax shall be exempt from the tax of two and a half per cent. upon freight, &c., and thus placed upon the same footing as provincial vessels bringing cargoes to our ports.

SALARIES IN EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS. Mr. BEAMAN again called for the regular order of business, but withdrew the call at the request of

NEW SERIES.....No. 6.

Mr. SLOAN, who asked unanimous consent to offer the following resolution:

Resolved, That the Committee of Ways and Means be instructed to inquire as to the expediency of equalizing the salaries of the first or sole assistants in the respective Executive Departments whose duty it is to act as the head of the Departments in the absence, sickness, or other disability of the chief of such Departments, by fixing said salaries at the sum paid to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, or such other sum as said committee may think proper. Objection being made, the resolution was not received.

REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.

Mr. SPALDING demanded the regular order of business; and the Speaker proceeded, as the regular order, to call the committees for reports.

GOVERNMENT OF REBELLIOUS STATES.

Mr. ASHLEY. I am directed by the select committee on the rebellious States to report back, with certain amendments, the bill (H. R. No. 602) to guaranty to certain States, whose governments have been usurped or overthrown, a republican form of government; and I ask that it be now put upon its passage.

The Clerk proceeded to read the bill. While the reading was in progress,

The SPEAKER said: The Chair is obliged to ask whether this bill, which is a printed bill with written interlineations, is the same bill that was reported on the 15th day of December. As to the interlineations it is a different bill from that reported on the day mentioned.

Mr. ASHLEY. The interlineations are the amendments proposed by the committee.

The SPEAKER. Then the bill will first be read as printed, and afterwards the amendments proposed by the committee will be read.

Mr. WILSON. I suggest to the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. ASHLEY] that, instead of having the bill read, it be postponed until the 10th day of January. I do not think that we can satisfactorily act on it to-day. Let the bill be printed, with the amendments proposed by the committee. I think that the bill is too important to be disposed of to-day. Some gentlemen around me suggest that the bill be postponed till the 5th of January. I have no objection to that.

Mr. HOLMAN. I hope that the 5th of January will not be fixed. That is too early a day.

Mr. WILSON. If there is objection, I will adhere to my first suggestion, that it be postponed until the 10th. That will be Tuesday.

Mr. ASHLEY. If it be the opinion of gentlemen on this side of the House that the bill had postponed until Friday, the 6th of January. better be postponed, I prefer that it should be

Mr. WILSON. I have no objection to that, if it will satisfy the gentleman.

Mr. ASHLEY. If that is the understanding on this side of the House, and is satisfactory to gentlemen on the other, let it be postponed until Friday, the 6th, and be made a special order.

Mr. HOLMAN. That is too early a day.

Mr. COX. I object to so early a day, and I will state the reason of my objection. Reports are expected from other committees on subjects cognate to this-among others, the report of the Committee of Elections on the Louisiana case. I would like to have all these reports and bills before the House, and then all these questions might be considered very well together. Therefore, I think the gentleman had better name some time about the 1st of February, or certainly not earlier than the middle of January.

Mr. ASHLEY. Then I move that the bill be

postponed until the 10th of January, and be the special order for that day after the morning hour and until disposed of.

The motion of Mr. ASHLEY was agreed to. Mr. FARNSWORTH. I desire to offer to this bill an amendment emancipating the wives and children of all persons who shall enlist in the armies of the United States, or who may now be in the armies of the United States, whether in the rebellious States or any other.

The SPEAKER. The gentleman can give notice of that amendment. At the present time

the bill has passed from the consideration of the Ilouse.

Mr. FARNSWORTH. Well, I give notice that I will offer such an amendment.

LEAVE TO VOTE.

Mr. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I was detained from the House yesterday on account of illness; and I now ask unanimous consent for leave to record my vote on the several propositions on which the yeas and nays were called during my absence.

There was no objection, and it was ordered accordingly.

MAIL CARRIER SYSTEM.

Mr. ALLEY, by unanimous consent, submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to:.

Resolved, That the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads be instructed to inquire into the expediency of so far modifying the post office laws in relation to the carrier system as to confine free delivery of mail matter to those places only which give promise of its being self-sustaining at an early day.

Mr. ALLEY. I am directed by the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads to report a bill to amend an act entitled "An act to provide for carrying the mails from the United States to foreign ports, and for other purposes," approved March 25, 1864, with the recommendation that it do pass.

The bill was read a first and second time. Mr. ALLEY. I ask that the bill be put on its passage, and call for the previous question.

Mr. STEVENS. I hope the gentleman will not insist on his demand for the previous question until we have had some explanation of the object

and extent of the bill.

Mr. ALLEY. I withdraw the demand for the previous question.

Mr. Speaker, I will say, in explanation of the bill, that at the last session of Congress we adopted a measure for the transportation of the mails to the Pacific coast overland and by sea, in which is a provision to the effect that all mail matter sent from the western boundary of Kansas, or from the eastern boundary of California, shall not be carried, except at the price of letter postage, except one newspaper to bona fide subscribers from a place of publication. Under the ruling of the Postmaster General, that newpapers only, and a single one at that to subscribers, should be transmitted through the mails to those points from any of the offices, excluding periodicals, magazines, and exchanges, great complaint has arisen on the part of persons living in the Territories. It has been found that its practical operation has been to do great injustice to the people who are residents of the Territories, and it is to provide against that injustice that the pending bill has been proposed. I presume there can be no objection, as the committee have agreed to the bill unanimously. The bill was read in extenso.

Mr. STEVENS. At the last session of Congress we adopted a proposition for the continuance of the overland mail for one year. I want to know whether, after we passed that bill, a contract was given to Mr. Holladay for one year or for the whole time. I want to know whether this has reference to that matter. If it does, I shall ask time to consider it.

Mr. ALLEY. I will say that the pending proposition has no reference whatever to the bill to which the gentleman refers. I have no official information on the subject. I have not had any correspondence or conversation with the Postmaster General in relation to that matter, but I have reason to believe, from conversation with other parties who claimed to know, that the contract was given to Mr. Holladay for the full term • at $750,000 per annum.

Mr. STEVENS. And not given in accordance with our vote for one year?

Mr. ALLEY. So I am informed.

Mr. FARNSWORTH. Does the pending bill in any way affirm or recognize that contract? Mr. ALLEY. This bill has nothing whatever to do with it.

The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and being engrossed, it was accordingly read the third time, and passed.

Mr. ALLEY moved to reconsider the vote by which the bill was passed; and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table. The latter motion was agreed to.

ELECTORAL COLLEGE.

Mr. WILSON, from the Committee on the Judiciary, reported back House joint resolution No. 126, declaring certain States not entitled to representation in the electoral college, and moved that it be ordered to be printed and recommitted to the same committee.

The motion was agreed to.

Mr. PENDLETON moved to reconsider the vole just taken; and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table.

The latter motion was agreed to.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE.

A message was received from the Senate, by Mr. FORNEY, its Secretary, notifying the House that that body had passed Senate bill No. 358, to establish the grade of vice admiral in the United States Navy; and in which he was directed to ask the concurrence of the House. STENOGRAPHER FOR DISTRICT SUPREME COURT.

Mr. WILSON, from the Committee on the Judiciary, reported back the petition of Joseph H. bar, for appointment of a short-hand reporter for Bradley and thirty-six others, members of the and moved that the committee be discharged from the supreme court of the District of Columbia,

its further consideration.

The motion was agreed to.

INDIAN RESERVATIONS.

any pay, bounty, or clothing in addition to what they have already received, the Secretary of War shall make all necessary regulations, in connection with the pay department, to make pay in accordance with such determination.

Mr. GARFIELD. I demand the previous question.

The previous question was seconded, and the main question ordered.

Mr. COX. I would like to have the gentleman explain the bill.

The SPEAKER. It can be done only by unanimous consent, after the previous question is ordered.

No objection was made.

Mr. GARFIELD. If the gentleman will turn to page 129 of the Statutes of last session, he will find in section four of the statute referred to, a provision which was intended to cover cases of negro regiments raised in the North that had been promised full soldiers' pay when they went into the service. In order to cover those cases, the section provided that all persons of color who were free on the 19th of April, 1861, and had enlisted subsequently, should be paid according as the Attorney General should interpret the law in existence at the time of their enlistment. It is found that the section met the wants of those colored regiments raised in Massachusetts and Ohio; but there are some colored soldiers who did not become free until a date subsequent to the 19th of April, but were enlisted on precisely the same terms and pledges as those who have received full pay. A petition which is now in my hands, and which has been referred to the Committee on Military Affairs, drawn by Colonel Higginson, states that his regiment and two or three others come under this description, and cannot obtain relief under the provisions of this bill by the clause restricting its action to those who were "free on the 19th of April." I have therefore recast the section, leaving out the words "who were free on the 19th of April." That cures the evil complained of, and does not otherwise change the law. Mr. COX. As I understand it, it puts the negro soldiers on an equality.

Mr. GARFIELD. Yes, sir.

The letter was read.

Mr. HOLMAN. It seems to me we ought to have some time for the examination of this claim, and I must hence insist upon my point of order.

The SPEAKER. The Chair sustains the point of order. As this is an appropriation bill It must be first considered in the Cominittee of the Whole on the state of the Union.

Mr. McBRIDE. I ask that a certain time be fixed for its consideration.

The SPEAKER. That can only be done by unanimous consent; and there is already a page and a half of bills on the Calendar which precede it.

Mr. McBRIDE. I ask unanimous consent that it may be set down for consideration on Friday, the 6th day of January, in Committee of the Whole House on the Private Calendar. No objection being made, it was so ordered.

PAY OF COLORED SOLDIERS, ETC. Mr. GARFIELD, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported a bill to amend an act entitled "An act making appropriations for the support of the Army for the year ending June 30, 1865, and for other purposes," approved June 16, 1864; which was read a first and second time.

The bill so amends the act referred to as to provide that all persons of color who have been enlisted and mustered into the military service of the United States shall from the time of their enlistment be entitled to receive the pay, bounty, and clothing allowed to such persons by the laws existing at the time of their enlistment; and also authorizes the Attorney General to determine any question of law arising under this provision, and if the Attorney General shall determine that such enlisted persons are credited with or entitled to

Mr. COX. I have no objection to negro equality where it is confined to the negro race.

The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time; and being engrossed, it was accord

Mr. GARFIELD moved that the vote by which the bill was passed be reconsidered; and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table.

The latter motion was agreed to.

VICE ADMIRAL IN THE NAVY.

Mr. RICE, of Massachusetts, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, reported back with an amendment a bill (H. R. No. 606) to create the grade of vice admiral in the Navy.

Mr. RICE, of Massachusetts. I would state that the amendment, in the nature of a substitute, is in precisely the same terms as the bill which passed the Senate this morning, and which is now on the Speaker's table. I ask unanimous consent to take up that bill and pass upon it in lieu of the bill I have reported.

No objection being made, the bill of the Senate (No. 358) to establish the grade of vice admiral in the Navy of the United States was taken from the Speaker's table for consideration, and read a first and second time.

Mr. RICE, of Massachusetts. I presume that there can be no objection whatever to the passage of this bill. I have no disposition to discuss it, and call the previous question.

Mr. GARFIELD.I would like to have the gentleman from Massachusetts explain what that exception in the last section is. The last section states that some section of an act shall not apply to the vice admiral. What is that?

Mr. RICE, of Massachusetts. It simply provides that the incumbent of the office of vice admiral shall not be subject to be retired.

The bill was ordered to a third reading; and it was accordingly read the third time, and passed.

Mr. RICE, of Massachusetts, moved to reconsider the vote by which the bill was passed; and also moved to lay the motion to reconsider on the table.

The latter motion was agreed to.

The bill on the same subject reported by the Committee on Naval Affairs was then laid on the table.

RANK OF NAVAL OFFICERS.

Mr. RICE, of Massachusetts, also, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, reported a bill to provide for an advance of rank to officers of the Navy and Marine corps for distinguished conduct, &c., which was read a first and second time.

The first section of the bill provides that any officer of the Navy or Marine corps, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, may be advanced not exceeding fifty numbers in rank for having exhibited eminent and conspicuous conduct in battle, or extraordinary heroism.

The second section provides that any officer of the Navy or Marine corps who shall be nominated to higher grade under the provisions of the first section of this act, or that of section nine of an act entitled "An act to establish and equalize the grades of line officers of the United States Navy," approved July 16, 1862, shall be promoted, notwithstanding the number of said grade may be full, but no further promotion shall take place in that grade except for like cause until the number is reduced to that provided by law.

The third section repeals all acts and parts of acts inconsistent with the foregoing.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I would inquire of the gentleman from Massachusetts if this bill includes volunteers in the Navy?

Mr. RICE, of Massachusetts. No, sir. Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I shall move to amend it so as to give the volunteers a chance.

Mr. RICE, of Massachusetts. This bill is in accordance with the provisions of the existing law, with the exception that it changes the number from thirty to fifty; the present law requires that the person to be promoted shall be advanced thirty numbers in his own grade. It will be apparent, of course, that if the officer to be promoted is within thirty numbers of the head of his grade, he cannot be promoted the whole number to which he would be entitled, and this provision is that he may be advanced in rank instead of grade; that is, if advancing him thirty numbers will carry him into the grade next above his, it may so carry him. That is the only difference from the present law.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. All I desire is that the volunteers shall be placed on an equal footing and have a fair chance. I will frame an amendment which I think will meet the approbation of the gentleman from Massachusetts.

Mr. COX. I suggest to the gentleman that he postpone the consideration of this bill until it can be printed and examined.

Mr. RICE, of Massachusetts. I would state, in reply to the gentleman from Ohio, that the particular object in passing this bill at the present time is to allow the President to promote Captain Winslow, to whom Congress has already passed a vote of thanks for his gallant conduct in destroying the rebel pirate Alabama. Captain Winslow holds the rank of captain. The next grade above that is commodore. The grade of commodore is already full. He cannot, therefore, be promoted under the present law until after this bill has passed, which permits him to be made a commodore notwithstanding the limit of the number by the existing law.

Mr. COX. I do not wish to make any objection to any proper reward of Captain Winslow, or of Admiral Farragut, or anybody else, but it seems to me a wrong principle of legislation to create offices in order properly to recompense our soldiers or the officers of our Navy. We have created the office, this morning, of vice admiral without proper consideration, simply because it was recommended by the President and the distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts. I did not like to oppose it, not because I did not think the policy wrong, but because it might seem to be an attack upon the gallant naval officer who is to be rewarded by the office.

I think this legislation in relation to naval matters needs to be overhauled. We ought not to do it up by piecemeal. I'do not know, and I cannot tell from the casual reading of the bill, precisely what its provisions are.. It may be a radical reconstruction of the naval service, or it may not be. Mr. RICE, of Massachusetts. If the gentleman will permit me to explain right here, I will

state that it does not create any radical change whatever. The first section provides that an officer receiving the thanks of Congress may be advanced in rank fifty numbers instead of thirty numbers, as is provided by the existing law.

The second section of the bill is necessary so that Captain Winslow may be made a commodore, notwithstanding that the number of commodores provided by law is already full. That is the whole object of the bill.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. The amendment which I propose will not interfere with the gentleman's object, but it will give a sort of recognition to the volunteer officers of the Navy. I ask the gentleman from Massachusetts to accept an amendment adding after the words "Navy or Marine corps" the words "either volunteer or otherwise."

Mr. RICE, of Massachusetts. I accept the amendment. The Committee on Naval Affairs has a bill before it contemplating that object.

The SPEAKER. The bill having been reported from the Committee on Naval Affairs, the gentleman from Massachusetts cannot accept the amend

ment.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. Then I offer the amendment.

The amendment was agreed to.

Mr. COX. I move that the bill be laid on the table.

Mr. RICE, of Massachusetts. I trust that motion will not prevail. There is nothing radical in the bill. It is simply to enable the President to carry out the act in regard to Captain Winslow.

Mr. COX. I have not had a chance to discuss the bill here, but I think I can show the gentleman that it is objectionable.

The question was taken on Mr. Cox's motion, and it was not agreed to.

Mr. RICE, of Massachusetts, moved the previous question.

The previous question was seconded, and the main question ordered, and under the operation of the previous question the bill was engrossed, read the third time, and passed.

Mr. RICE, of Massachusetts, moved to reconsider the vote by which the bill was passed; and also moved to lay the motion to reconsider on the table.

The latter motion was agreed to.

ENROLLED BILL.

Mr. COBB, from the Committee on Enrolled Bills, reported as truly enrolled an act (H. R. No. 280) for the relief of George W. Murray; when the Speaker signed the same.

CHIEF ENGINEER KING'S REPORT.

Mr. RICE, of Massachusetts, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, reported the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to:

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Navy be requested to communicate to this House the report made to him by Chief Engineer King in reference to the iron-clad vessels and dock-yards of Europe.

WESTERN NAVY-YARDS.

The joint resolution was then ordered to be engrossed and read a third time; and being engrossed, it was accordingly read the third time.

Mr. SPALDING moved the previous question on the passage of the joint resolution.

The previous question was seconded, and the main question ordered.

Mr. L. MYERS. I move to lay the whole subject on the table.

Mr. SCOFIELD. I hope my colleague will withdraw the motion.

Mr. L. MYERS. I think the commission provided for in this joint resolution should be directed to examine other sites for navy-yards-for instance, sites recommended by the President and Secretary of the Navy.

Mr. SCOFIELD. The Northwest will do something for League Island at some other time. We want these navy-yards at the Northwest. I hope my colleague will withdraw his motion.

Mr. L. MYERS. At the suggestion of my friend from Pennsylvania I withdraw the motion. Mr. O'NEILL, of Pennsylvania. I renew the motion. I desire an opportunity to say

The SPEAKER. The question is not debatable. There are two undebatable motions pending the previous question and the motion to lay on the table.

The question was taken on the motion to lay on the table, and it was not agreed to.

The previous question was seconded, and the main question ordered; and under the operation of the previous question the joint resolution was passed.

Mr. SPALDING moved to reconsider the vote by which the joint resolution was passed; and also moved to lay the motion to reconsider on the table.

The latter motion was agreed to.

SALARIES OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYÉS. Mr. COBB. I ask unanimous consent to offer the following resolution:

Resolved, That in view of the enormous expenses of the Government rendered necessary for the maintenance of the Army and Navy for the defense of the Government against the existing rebellion, and the onerous taxes imposed upon the people for the purpose of meeting such expenses, it is the sense of this House that no law ought to be enacted whereby the salary or compensation of any class of employés of the Governinent shall be raised or increased.

Objection was made, and the resolution was not received.

DISCHARGE OF COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

Mr. ORTH, by unanimous consent, offered the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to:

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing by law for the discharge of commissioned officers in the volunteer service, if desired by such officers, at the expiration of their original term of enlistment, without reference to intervening promotion.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I insist on the regular order of business.

The SPEAKER. The next order is resolutions calling for information from the Executive Departments lying over under the rule.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I think that we have gone far enough with the regular order, and I move that the orders be suspended, and that the House resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union.

Mr. PENDLETON. I ask the gentleman to yield to me for a moment.

Mr. SPALDING, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom were referred House bill No. 985, providing for a navy-yard at Cleveland, Ohio; House bill No. 594, providing for a navyyard at Milwaukee, Wisconsin; House bill No. 587, providing for a navy-yard at Grand Haven, Michigan; House bill No. 611, providing for the establishment of a navy-yard at Chicago, Illinois; House bill No. 599, to provide for a navy-yard at Oswego, New York; House bill No., providing for a navy-yard at Erie, Pennsylvania; the memorial of the mayor and city council of Sandusky, Ohio, and various resolutions on the same subjects, reported a joint resolution provid-make-that the select committee on admitting ing for a commission to locate navy-yards.

The joint resolution was read a first and second time. It authorizes the President to appoint a commission, consisting of three competent officers of the Navy and two competent officers of the engineer corps of the Army, to examine the different ports and harbors on the northern and northwestern lakes, and on the navigable waters connecting the same, with a view to the establishment of one or more navy-yards and naval depots on such lakes and waters, according to the public exigency, and directs such commissioners to report to Congress on the first Monday of Decem

ber next.

Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I will do so. CABINET OFFICERS IN CONGRESS. Mr. PENDLETON. When the committees were called this morning, I neglected to make a statement to the House, which I desire now to

heads of Executive Departments upon the floor of the House have made their report, which is in the hands of the printer; and I shall ask the action of the House on it at the earliest possible moment after the holidays.

Mr. FRANK. I ask the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. WASHBURNE] to yield to me a moment. Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois. I will do so.

TRADE WITH CANADA.

Mr. FRANK, by unanimous consent, offered the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to:

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed