H. R. 394. A bill for the relief of Mary Scales Accardi; H. R. 419. A bill for the relief of Peter Anderson, of the District of Columbia; H. R. 436. A bill granting a pension to Rebecca Scott, widow of Major John B. Scott, late of the United States army; II. R. 461. A bill for the relief of John C. McConnell; and H. R. 195. A bill for the relief of Margaret L. Stevens, widow of General Isaac I. Stevens; severally without amendment, and with a recommendation that they do pass; and H. R. 108. A bill authorizing the making of treaties with the Navajoe, Apache, and Utah Indian tribes in New Mexico, defining their limits and extinguishing their title to lands outside of said limits; with a recommendation that it be recommitted to the Committee on Indian Affairs. And then, On motion of Mr. Spalding, at 4 o'clock and 32 minutes p. m., the House adjourned. MONDAY, MAY 16, 1864. The following memorials, petitions, and other papers, were laid upon the Clerk's table, under the 131st rule of the House: By Mr. Griswold: The memorial of manu acturers of the State of New York, praying for aid to immigration; which was referred to the Select Committee on Immigration. By Mr. Stevens: The petition of H. A. Klopfer, praying for relief; which was referred to the Committee of Claims. By Mr. Orth: The remonstrance of the Indiana Central Railroad Company, against the extension of Goodyear's patent. By Mr. Ganson: The remonstrance of citizens of the State of New York, against the extension of Goodyear's patent. Ordered, That the said remonstrances be referred to the Committee on Patents. By Mr. Eckley: The memorial of citizens of the State of Ohio, praying for a duty on wool; which was referied to the Committee of Ways and Means. By Mr. Sweat: The petition of B. C. Fernall, executor of William Richardson, deceased, praying for the bounty to which said Richardson was entitled; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. By Mr. Brooks: The petition of Sarah P. Mather, praying for a patent for a submarine telescope; which was referred to the Committee on Patents. By Mr. Ellihu B. Washburne: The petition of citizens of the State of Illinois, praying for a mail route from Sparta to Jones's Falls; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. By Mr. Eliot: Two memorials from citizens of the States of New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, praying for the abolition of slavery; which were referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Dawes presented the credentials of A. A. C Rogers, as a representative in the 38th Congress from the second congressional district of the State of Arkansas; which were referred to the Committee of Elections. The Speaker having proceeded, as the regular order of business, to call the States and Territories for bills on leave, Bills were introduced and severally read a first and second time, and referred as follows, viz: By Mr. Kernan: A bill (H. R. 469) extending the time for the completion. of the Marquette and Ontonagon railroad, of the State of Michigan, to the Committee on Public Lands. By Mr. Eliot: A bill (H. R. 470) to authorize assimilated rank to be given to the warrant officers of the United States navy, to the Committee on Naval Affairs. By Mr. Alexander H. Rice: A bill (H. R. 471) in addition to acts in relation to the registry of vessels, to the Committee on Commerce. By Mr. John H. Rice: A bill (H. R. 472) for the enrolment, organization, and service of certain persons of African descent in the militia of the several States, to the Committee on the Militia. By Mr. Philip Johnson: A bill (H. R 473) for the relief of the heirs of Phoebe Wilson, to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims. All the States and Territories having been called for bills on leave, When Mr. Dawson submitted the following preamble and resolution, viz: Whereas it was solemnly declared by this house on the 22d day of July, 1861, speaking in the name of the people of the United States and in the face of the world, that the present civil war was waged for no purpose of conquest or oppression, but solely to restore the Union, with all the rights. of the people and of the States unimpaired; and whereas a civil war like the present is the most grievous of all national calamities, producing, as it does, bloodshed, spoliation, and anarchy, public debt, official corruption, and general demoralization; and whereas the American government cannot rightfully wage war upon any portion of its people except for the sole purpose of vindicating the Constitution and laws, and restoring both to their just supremacy; and whereas a restoration of peace is essential to the perpetuation of a system of republican government, it is now eminently befitting a Christian and homogeneous people, in the triumph of our arms and in the exultation of victory, to tender the olive-branch as a substitute for the sword: Therefore, Resolved, That the President be required to make known by public proclamation, or otherwise, to all the country, that whenever any State now in insurrection shall submit herself to the authority of the federal government, as defined by the Constitution, all hostilities against her shall cease, and such State shall be protected from all external interference with her local laws and institutions, and her people shall be guaranteed in the full enjoyment of all those rights which the federal Constitution gave them; and in the exercise of a sound and patriotic discretion, he shall proclaim a general amnesty to all those who, by false counsels, have been induced to engage in the work of rebellion. Mr. Ancona moved that the preamble and resolution be laid on the table. And the question being put, It was decided in the affirmative, Yeas... 76 53. The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the members present, Mr. William B. Allison Oakes Ames Mr. George S. Boutwell Mr. Thomas T. Davis Mr. James A. Garfield So the preamble and resolution were laid on the table. Mr. Rufus P. Spalding R. B. Van Valkenburgh Mr. James C. Robinson Mr. Kelley submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Secretary of War be requested to transmit a copy of the record, and review thereof, of the trial before a military commission of Robert Taylor, a citizen of Tennessee, on a charge of murder. Mr. Kelley moved that the vote last taken be reconsidered, and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; which latter motion was agreed to. Mr. Philip Johnson submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Secretary of War be, and he is hereby, directed to inform this house whether any order of his department has been issued whereby invalids are being recruited into the invalid or veteran reserve corps and credited to the quota of any district as sound men are credited, at the discretion of the recruit or otherwise; and if so, under and by authority of what law such order has been made. Mr. Philip Johnson moved that the vote last taken be reconsidered, and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; which latter motion was agreed to. Mr. H. Winter Davis submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Secretary of the Navy be directed to communicate to this house the proceedings of the court-martial which tried Commodore Charles Wilkes, including all the evidence. Mr. Davis moved that the vote last taken be reconsidered, and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; which latter motion was agreed to. Mr. Spalding submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds be instructed to inquire into the propriety of removing from the old hall of the House of Representatives and placing in this hall the clock and statuary therewith connected, consisting of the "Muse of History," and the "Car of Time;" and that said committee report to this house with all reasonable despatch. Mr. G. Clay Smith introduced a joint resolution (H. Res. 77) relating to Green Clay Goodloe; which was read a first and second time. Ordered, That it be engrossed and read a third time. Being engrossed, it was accordingly read the third time and passed. Mr. G. Clay Smith moved that the vote last taken be reconsidered, and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; which latter motion was agreed to. Ordered, That the Clerk request the concurrence of the Senate in the said joint resolution. Mr. Voorhees submitted a resolution, which he subsequently modified to read as follows, and which was read, considered, and, under the operation of the previous question, agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary do inquire into and report all the facts connected with the alleged trial, imprisonment, and pardon of William Yocum, of Illinois, and his detention in prison after his pardon; and said committee is empowered to send for persons and papers. Mr. Voorhees moved that the vote last taken be reconsidered, and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; which latter motion was agreed to. Mr. Ellihu B. Washburne introduced a joint resolution (H. Res. 78) providing for the election of a member of Congress for the State of Illinois by the State at large; which was read a first and second time. Pending the question on its engrossment, Mr. Washburne moved the previous question; which was seconded and the main question ordered, and under the operation thereof the resolution was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time. Being engrossed, it was accordingly read the third time and passed. Mr. Washburne moved that the vote last taken be reconsidered, and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; which latter motion was agreed to. Ordered, That the Clerk request the concurrence of the Senate in the said joint resolution. Mr. James C. Allen submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Committee for the District of Columbia be instructed to inquire into and report what legislation is necessary, and what further public officers are needed, to prevent or abate the obstructions of the streets of the city of Washington, as prescribed by the original plan; and particularly by what authority of law Eighth street west is obstructed so as to prevent sight of the Smithsonian grounds and proper ventilation of that street; also, by what authority of law north B street is used for building purposes; also by what law or regulation the streets leading toward the public mall are trenched upon by any structures whatever, preventing an uninterrupted view of the grounds and that ventilation which is a necessity to the health of the city; and also, whether the rental of the public reservation between Tenth and Twelfth streets west, near north B street, accrues to the government or the corporation of Washington. Mr. Grinnell submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and, under the operation of the previous question, agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Committee on the Conduct of the War be instructed to inquire as to the occasion of the military order of Brigadier General J. M. Tuttle for the government of the city of Natchez, Mississippi, which forbids any contraband remaining in the city of Natchez who is not employed by some responsible white person, and also forbids any contraband from hiring any house in said city; whereby hundreds of children have been taken from the schools and many of the families of soldiers have been delivered to slavery. Mr. Grinnell moved that the vote last taken be reconsidered, and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; which latter motion was agreed to. Mr. Eldridge submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and, under the operation of the previous question, agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire and report to the House by what warrant or authority the act entitled "An act to provide for the collection of abandoned property, and for the preven tion of frauds in insurrectionary districts within the United States," was approved on the 12th day of March, 1863, and whether the said act is in force. Mr. Cox submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Judiciary Committee be directed to take into consideration the propriety of reporting a bill providing for the decision of any questions which may arise as to the regularity and authenticity of the returns of the electoral votes for President and Vice-President of the United States, or the right of the persons who gave the votes, or the manner in which they ought to be counted; and that such law provide for the jurisdic tion, as well as the course of proceeding, in a case of real controversy. Mr. Cox moved that the vote last taken be reconsidered, and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; which latter motion was agreed to. Mr. William G. Brown submitted the following resolution; which was read, and debate arising thereon, it was laid over under the rule, viz: Resolved, That from and after Wednesday next the House will meet at 11 o'clock a. m., until otherwise ordered. Mr. Kinney submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Committee on Public Lands be instructed to inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill at the earliest possible day authorizing the owners and claimants of lots in the cities, towns, and villages of the Territory of Utah to acquire title to the same by paying at the nearest land office the sum of one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, and that the bill be so framed as to allow the county judge of each county to enter the land embraced in the recorded plots of said cities, towns, and villages, as trustee, in trust for the respective owners and claimants. All the States and Territories having been called for resolutions, The Speaker announced as the business next in order the following resolution heretofore submitted by Mr. Farnsworth, and laid over under the rule, viz: Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to inform this house whether there is employed in the Treasury Department, as a clerk or assistant register, a person named Garnett; and whether said Garnett formerly held a commission in the rebel army, and was for a time a prisoner in the Old Capitol prison; and who recommended the appointment of said Garnett in the Treasury Department. After debate, Mr. Ashley moved the previous question; which was seconded and the main question ordered to be put. When Mr. Boutwell moved that the resolution be laid on the table; which motion was disagreed to. The resolution was then agreed to. Mr. Wadsworth moved that the vote last taken be reconsidered, and |