bureau in many of the States show that in extraordinary powers-so carefully guarded | ments in regard to the practical operations of the By the laws of the United States and of the different States, competent courts, Federal and State, have been established, and are now in full practical operation. By means of these civil tribunals ample redress is afforded for all private wrongs, whether to the person or the property of the citizen, without denial or unnecessary delay. They are open to all, without regard to color or race. I feel well assured that it will be better to trust the rights, privileges, and immunities of the citizen to tribunals thus established, and presided over by competent and impartial judges, bound by fixed rules of law and evidence, and where the right of trial by jury is guarantied and secured, than to the caprice or judgment of an officer of the bureau, who, it is possible, may be entirely ignorant of the principles that underlie the just administration of the law. There is danger, too, that conflict of jurisdiction will frequently arise between the civil courts and these military tribunals, each having concurrent jurisdiction over the person and the cause of action, the one judicature administered and controlled by civil law, the other by the military. How is the conflict to be settled, and who is to determine between the two tribunals when it arises? In my opinion, it is wise to guard against such conflict by leaving to the courts and juries the protection of all civil rights and the redress of all civil grievances. As another reason against the necessity of the legislation contemplated by this measure, reference may be had to the "civil rights bill," now a law of the land, and which will be faithfully executed so long as it shall remain unrepealed and may not be declared unconstitutional by courts of competent jurisdiction. By that act it is enacted "that all persons born in the United States, and not subject to any foreign Power, excluding Indians not taxed, are hereby declared to be citizens of the United States; and such citizens, of every race and color, without regard to any previous condition of slavery or involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall have the same right, in every State and Territory in the United States, to make and enforce contracts, to sue, be parties, and give evidence, to inherit, purchase, lease, sell, hold, and convey real and personal property, and to full and equal benefit of all laws and proceedings for the security of person and property, as is enjoyed by white citizens, and shall be subject to like punishment, pains, and penalties, and to none other, any law, statute, ordinance, regulation, or custom to the contrary notwithstanding." By the provisions of the act full protection is afforded, through the district courts of the United States, to all persons injured, and whose privileges, as thus declared, are in any way impaired; and heavy penalties are denounced against the person who wilfully violates the law. I need not state that that law did not receive my approval; yet its remedies are far more preferable The fact cannot be denied that, since the actual than those proposed in the present bill, the one cessation of hostilities, many acts of violence-being civil and the other military. such, perhaps, as had never been witnessed in their previous history-have occurred in the States involved in the recent rebellion. I believe, however, that public sentiment will sustain me in the assertion that such deeds of wrong are not confined to any particular State or section, but are manifested over the entire country, demonstrating that the cause that produced them does not depend upon any particular locality, but is the result of the agitation and derangement incident to a long and bloody civil war. While the prevalence of such disorders must be greatly deplored, their occasional and temporary occurrence would seem to furnish no necessity for the extension of the bureau beyond the period fixed in the original act. Besides the objections which I have thus briefly stated, I may urge upon your consideration the additional reason, that recent develop By the sixth section of the bill herewith returned, certain proceedings by which the lands in the " parishes of St. Helena and St. Luke, South Carolina," were sold and bid in, and afterwards disposed of by the tax commissioners, are ratified and confirmed. By the seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh sections provisions by law are made for the disposal of the lands thus acquired to a particular class of citizens. While the quieting of titles is deemed very important and desirable, the discrimination made in the bill seems objectionable, as does also the attempt to confer upon the commissioners judicial powers, by which citizens of the United States are to be deprived of their property in a mode contrary to that provision of the Constitution which declares that no person "shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law." As a general principle, such legislation is unsafe, unwise, partial, and unconstitutional. It may | in his judgment safe and judicious so to do, dedeprive persons of their property who are equally tail from the Army all the officers and agents of deserving objects of the nation's bounty as those this bureau; but no officer so assigned shall have whom, by this legislation, Congress seeks to increase of pay or allowances. Each agent or benefit. The title to the land thus to be por- clerk, not heretofore authorized by law, not betioned out to a favored class of citizens must ing a military officer, shall have an annual salary depend upon the regularity of the tax sales, of not less than $500, nor more than $1,200, acunder the law as it existed at the time of the cording to the service required of him. And it sale, and no subsequent legislation can give va- shall be the duty of the Commissioner, when it lidity to the rights thus acquired, as against the can be done consistently with public interest, original claimants. The attention of Congress appoint, as assistant commissioners, agents, and is therefore invited to a more mature considera- clerks, such men as have proved their loyalty by tion of the measures proposed in these sections faithful service in the armies of the Union during of the bill. the rebellion. And all persons appointed to service under this act and the act to which this is an amendment, shall be so far deemed in the military service of the United States as to be un military protection of the Government while in discharge of the duties of their office. In conclusion, I again urge upon Congress the danger of class legislation, so well calculated to keep the public mind in a state of uncertain expectation, disquiet, and restlessness, and to en-der the military jurisdiction and entitled to the courage interested hopes and fears that the national Government will continue to furnish to classes of citizens in the several States means for support and maintenance, regardless of whether they pursue a life of indolence or of labor, and regardiess also of the constitutional limitations of the national authority in times of peace and tranquillity. The bill is herewith returned to the House of Copy of the Vetoed Bill. AN ACT to continue in force and to amend "An act to establish a Bureau for the relief of Freedmen and Refugees," and for other pur poses. Be it enacted, &c., That the act to establish a Bureau for the relief of Freedmen and Refugees, approved March third, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, shall continue in force for the term of two years from and after the passage of this act. SEC. 2. That the supervision and care of said bureau shall extend to all loyal refugees and freedmen, so far as the same shall be necessary to enable them as speedily as practicable to become self-supporting citizens of the United States, and to aid them in making the freedom conferred by proclamation of the Commander-in-Chief, by emancipation under the laws of States, and by constitutional amendment, available to them and beneficial to the Republic. SEC. 4. That officers of the Veteran Reserve Corps or of the volunteer service, now on duty in the Freedmen's Bureau as assistant commissioners, agents, medical officers, or in other capacities, whose regiments or corps have been or may hereafter be mustered out of service, may be retained upon such duty as officers of said bureau, with the same compensation as is now provided by law for their respective grades; and the Secretary of War shall have power to fill vacancies until other officers can be detailed in their places without detriment to the public service. SEC. 5. That the second section of the act to which this is an amendment shall be deemed to authorize the Secretary of War to issue such medical stores or other supplies and transportation, and afford such medical or other aid as may be needful for the purposes named in said section: Provided, That no person shall be deemed "destitute," "suffering,' or dependent upon the Government for support," within the meaning of this act, who is able to find employment, and could, by proper industry or exertion, avoid such destitution, suffering, or dependence. SEC. 6. Whereas, by the provisions of an act approved February sixth, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, entitled "An act to amend an act entitled 'An act for the collection of direct taxes in insurrectionary districts within the United States, and for other purposes,' approved June SEC. 3. That the President shall, by and with seventh, eighteen hundred and sixty-two," certhe advice and consent of the Senate, appoint tain lands in the parishes of St. Helena and St. two assistant commissioners, in addition to those Luke, South Carolina, were bid in by the United authorized by the act to which this is an amend-States at public tax sales, and by the limitation ment, who shall give like bonds and receive the same annual salaries provided in said act; and each of the assistant commissioners of the bureau shall have charge of one district containing such refugees or freedmen, to be assigned him by the Commissioner, with the approval of the President. And the Commissioner shall, under the direction of the President, and so far as the same shall be, in his judgment, necessary for the efficient and economical administration of the affairs of the bureau, appoint such agents, clerks, and assistants as may be required for the proper conduct of the bureau. Military officers or enlisted men may be detailed for service and assigned to duty under this act; and the President may, if of said act the time of redemption of said lands has expired; and whereas, in accordance with instructions issued by President Lincoln on the sixteenth day of September, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, to the United States direct tax commissioners for South Carolina, certain lands bid in by the United States in the parish of St. Helena, in said State, were in part sold by the said tax commissioners to "heads of families of the African race," in parcels of not more than twenty acres to each purchaser; and whereas, under the said instructions, the said tax commissioners did also set apart as "school farms" certain parcels of land in said parish, numbered on their plats from one to thirty-three, inclusive, person, or to his or her heirs, but in no case to any assigns, presenting such warrant, a lease of twenty acres of land, as provided for in section seven, for the term of six years; but at any time thereafter, upon the payment of a sum not exceeding one dollar and fifty cents per acre, the person holding such lease shall be entitled to a certificate of sale of said tract of twenty acres from the direct tax commissioner or such officer as may be authorized to issue the same; but no warrant shall be held valid longer than two years after the issue of the same. making an aggregate of six thousand acres, more | said direct tax commissioners shall issue to every SEC. 7. That all other lands bid in by the United States at tax sales, being thirty-eight thousand acres, more or less, and now in the hands of the said tax commissioners as the property of the United States, in the parishes of St. Helena and St. Luke, excepting the "school farms," as specified in the preceding section, and so much as may be necessary for military and naval purposes at Hilton Head, Bay Point, and Land's End, and excepting also the city of Port Royal, on St. Helena island, and the town of Beaufort, shall be disposed of in parcels of twenty acres, at one dollar and fifty cents per acre, to such persons, and to such only, as have acquired and are now occupying lands under and agreeably to the provisions of General Sherman's special field order, dated at Savannah, Georgia, January sixteen, eighteen hundred and sixtyfive, and the remaining lands, if any, shall be disposed of in like manner to such persons as had acquired lands agreeably to the said order of General Sherman, but who have been dispossessed by the restoration of the same to former owners: Provided, That the lands sold in compliance with the provisions of this and the preceding section shall not be alienated by their purchasers within six years from and after the passage of this act. SEC. 8. That the "school farms" in the parish of St. Helena, South Carolina, shall be sold, subject to any leases of the same, by the said tax commissioners, at public auction, on or before the first day of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-seven, at not less than ten dollars per acre; and the lots in the city of Port Royal, as laid down by the said tax commissioners, and the lots and houses in the town of Beaufort, which are still held in like manner, shall be sold at public auction; and the proceeds of said sales, after paying expenses of the surveys and sales, shall be invested in United States bonds, the interest of which shall be appropriated, under the direction of the Commissioner, to the support of schools, without distinction of color or race, on the islands in the parishes of St. Helena and St. Luke. SEC. 9. That the assistant commissioners for South Carolina and Georgia are hereby authorized to examine all claims to lands in their respective States which are claimed under the provisions of General Sherman's special field order, and to give each person having a valid claim a warrant upon the direct tax commissioners for South Carolina for twenty acres of land; and the SEC. 10. That the direct tax commissioners for South Carolina are hereby authorized and required, at the earliest day practicable, to survey the lands designated in section seven into lots of twenty acres each, with proper metes and bounds distinctly marked, so that the several tracts shall be convenient in form, and as near as practicable have an average of fertility and woodland; and the expense of such surveys shall be paid from the proceeds of sales of said lands, or, if sooner required, out of any moneys received for other lands on these islands, sold by the United States for taxes, and now in the hands of the direct tax commissioners. SEC. 11. That restoration of lands occupied by freedmen under General Sherman's field order dated at Savannah, Georgia, January sixteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, shall not be made until after the crops of the present year shall have been gathered by the occupants of said lands, nor until a fair compensation shall have been made to them by the former owners of such lands, or their legal representatives, for all improvements or betterments erected or constructed thereon, and after due notice of the same being done shall have been given by the assistant commissioner. SEC. 12. That the Commissioner shall have power to seize, hold, use, lease, or sell all buildings, and tenements, and any lands appertaining to the same, or otherwise, formerly held under color of title by the late so-called Confederate States, and not heretofore disposed of by the United States, and any buildings or lands held in trust for the same by any person or persons, and to use the same or appropriate the proceeds derived therefrom to the education of the freed people; and whenever the bureau shall cease to exist, such of said so-called Confederate States as shall have made provision for the education of their citizens without distinction of color shall receive the sum remaining unexpended of such sales or rentals, which shall be distributed among said States for educational purposes in proportion to their population. SEC. 13. That the Commissioner of this bureau shall at all times co-operate with private benevolent associations of citizens in aid of freedmen, and with agents and teachers, duly accredited and appointed by them, and shall hire or provide by lease, buildings for purposes of educa tion whenever such associations shall, without cost to the Government, provide suitable teach ers and means of instruction; and he shall furnish such protection as may be required for the safe conduct of such schools, SEC. 14. That in every State or district where son, Perham, Pike, Plants, Price, Alexander H. Rice, Joha H. Rice, Rollins, Sawyer, Schenck, Scofield, Shellabar,,er, Sloan, Starr, Stevens, Stillwell, Thayer, Francis Thoi as, Trowbridge, Upson, Van Aernam, Burt Van Horn, W ✩rd, Henry D. Washburn, William B. Washburn, Welker, V haley, Williams, James F. Wilson, Stephen F. Wilson, Woodbridge-96. NAYS-Messrs. Ancona, Bergen, Chanler, Darling, Davis, Dawson, Eldridge, Glossbrenner, Goodyear, Grider, Hale, Aaron Harding, Hogan, Edwin N. Hubbell, James M. Hum phrey, Kuydendall, Le Blond, Marshall, Marvin, McCullough, Niblack, Nicholson, Radford, S. J. Randall, Raymond, Ritter, Ross, Sitgreaves, Strouse, Taylor, Trimble, Wright being no division on the final vote. A motion June 26-SENATE amended and passed it, there to postpone it till the next December was lostyeas 6, (Messrs. Buckalew, Davis, Doolittle, Guthrie, Hendricks, Riddle,) nays 27. -32. July 2-In SENATE, the report of the Committee of Conference, being the above law, was agreed to, without a division. Trimble. the ordinary course of judicial proceedings has been interrupted by the rebellion, and until the same shall be fully restored, and in every State or district whose constitutional relations to the Government have been practically discontinued by the rebellion, and until such State shall have been restored in such relations, and shall be duly represented in the Congress of the United States, the right to make and enforce contracts, to sue, be parties, and give evidence, to inherit, purchase, lease, sell, hold, and convey real and personal property, and to have full and equal benefit of all laws and proceedings concerning personal liberty, personal security, and the acquisition, enjoyment, and disposition of estate, real and personal, including the constitutional right to bear arms, shall be secured to and enjoyed by all the citizens of such State or district without respect to race or color, or previous condition of slavery. And whenever in either of July 3-IN HOUSE, a motion to table the resaid States or districts the ordinary course of port was lost-yeas 25, nays 102. The yeas were: judicial proceedings has been interrupted by the Finck, Glossbrenner, Aaron Harding, Johnsor, Kerr, Le YEAS-Messrs. Ancona, Boyer, Coffroth, Dawson, Eldridge, rebellion, and until the same shall be fully re- Blond, Marshall, Niblack, Noell, Ritter, Rogers, Ross, Bousstored, and until such State shall have been re-seau, Shanklin, Sitgreaves, Strouse, Taber, Taylor, Thornton, stored in its constitutional relations to the Government, and shall be duly represented in the Congress of the United States, the President shall, through the Commissioner and the officers of the bureau, and under such rules and regulations as the President, through the Secretary of War, shall prescribe, extend military protection and have military jurisdiction over all cases and questions concerning the free enjoyment of such immunities and rights; and no penalty or punishment for any violation of law shall be imposed or permitted because of race or color, or previous condition of slavery, other or greater than the penalty or punishment to which white persons may be liable by law for the like offense. But the jurisdiction conferred by this section upon the officers of the bureau shall not exist in any State where the ordinary course of judicial proceedings has not been interrupted by the rebellion, and shall cease in every State when the courts of the State and the United States are not disturbed in the peaceable course of justice, and after such State shall be fully restored in its constitutional relations to the Government, and shall be duly represented in the Congress of the United States. SEC. 15. That all officers, agents, and employees of this bureau, before entering upon the duties of their office, shall take the oath prescribed in the first section of the act to which this is an amendment; and all acts or parts of acts inconsistent with the provisions of this act are hereby repealed. The votes on this bill were: May 29 The HOUSE passed its bill, differing in some details from the above-yeas 96, nays 32, as follow: It was then agreed to. July 16-The bill was vetoed. Same day-The HOUSE re-passed the billyeas 103, nays 33, as follow: YEAS-Messrs. Alley, Allison, Ames, Anderson, Delos R. Achley, James M. Ashley, Baker, Banks, Barker, Baxter, Benjamin, Bidwell, Bingham, Boutwell, Bromwell, Buckland, Buudy, Reader W. Clarke, Sidney Clarke, Cobb, Conkling Cook, Dawes, Defrees, Delano, Deming, Donnelly, Driggs, Eckley, Eggleston, Eliot, Ferry, Garfield, Grinnell, Griswold, Hale, Hart, Henderson, Higby, Holmes, Hooper, Hotchkiss, Asahel W. Hubbard, Chester D. Hubbard, John H. Hubbard, James R. Hubbell, Hulburd, Julian, Kasson, Kelley, Ketcham, Laflin, Latham, George V. Lawrence, William Lawrence, Loan, Longyear, Lynch, Marston, Marvin, McClurg, McKee, McRuer, Mercur, Miller, Moorhead, Morrill, Morris, Moulton, Myers, Newell, O'Neill, Orth, Perham, Pike, Plants, Price, William II. Randall, Alexander II. Rice, Rollins, Sawyer, Scofield, Shellabarger, Spalding, Stevens, Thayer, John L. Thomas, jr., Trowbridge, Van Aernam, Burt Van Horn, Robert T. Van Horn, Ward, Warner, Ellihu B. Washburne, William B. Washburn, Welker, Wentworth, Whaley, Williams, James F. Wilson, Stephen F. Wilson, Windom, Woodbridge--103. Glossbrenner, Grider, Aaron Harding, Hogan, J. M. Hum phrey, Johnson, Kerr, Kuykendall, Le Blond, Marshall, Niblack, Nicholson, Noell, Phelps, Samuel J. Randall, Raymond, Ritter, Rogers, Ross, Rousseau, Shanklin, Sitgreaves, Taber, Taylor, Thornton, Trimble, Henry D. Washburn, WrightSame day-The SENATE re-passed it—yeas 33, nays 12, as follow: NAYS-Messrs. Ancona, Boyer, Dawson, Eldridge, Finck, 33. YEAS-Messrs. Anthony, Brown, Chandler, Clark, Conness, Cragin, Creswell, Edmunds, Fessenden, Foster, Grimes, Harris, Henderson, Howard, Howe, Kirkwood, Lane of Indiana, Morgan, Morrill, Nye, Poland, Pomeroy, Ramsey, Sherman, Sprague, Stewart, Sumner, Trumbull, Wade, Willey, Wil liams, Wilson, Yates-33. NAYS-Messrs. Buckalew, Davis, Doolittle, Guthrie, Hen dricks, Johnson, McDougall, Nesmith, Norton, Riddle, Saulsbury, Van Winkle-12. Whereupon the PRESIDENT of the Seuate declared the bill a law. YEAS-Messrs. Allison, Ames, Anderson, Delos R. Ashley, Restoring Tonnessee to hor Relations to the Joint Resolution declaring Tennessee again en- | of the United States abolishing slavery, also the titled to Senators and Representatives in Con- amendment proposed by the Thirty-Ninth Congress. gress, and has done other acts proclaiming and denoting loyalty: Therefore, Whereas the State of Tennessee has in good Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Rep resentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the State of Tennessee is hereby restored to her former proper, practi cal relations to the Union, and is again entitled to be represented by Senators and Representatives in Congress. YEAS-Messrs. Anthony, Chandler, Clark, Conness, Cowan, faith ratified the article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States, proposed by the Thirty-Ninth Congress to the Legislatures of the several States, and has also shown to the satisfaction of Congress, by a proper spirit of obedience in the body of her people, her return to her due allegiance to the Government, laws, and authority of the United States: Therefore, The vote was-yeas 28, nays 4, as follow: Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Rep-Creswell, Doolittle, Edmunds, Foster, Hendricks, Howard, resentatives of the United States of America in Howe, Lane, Morgan, Morrill, Nesmith, Nye, Poland, Pome Congress assembled, That the State of Tennessee roy, Sprague, Stewart, Trumbull, Van Winkle, Wade, Wilis hereby restored to her former proper, practi- ley, Williams, Wilson, Yates-28. cal relations to the Union, and is again entitled to be represented by Senators and Representatives in Congress, duly elected and qualified, upon their taking the oaths of office required by existing laws. The preamble was agreed to-yeas 86, nays 48; and the resolution passed-yeas 126, nays 12, as follow: YEAS-Messrs. Allison, Ames, Ancona, George W. Anderson, Delos R. Ashley, James M. Ashley, Baker, Banks, Baxter, Bidwell, Bingham, Boyer, Bromwell, Buckland, Bundy, Reader W. Clarke, Sidney Clarke, Cobb, Colfax, Conkling, Davis, Dawes, Dawson, Defrees, Delano, Deming, Donnelly, Driggs, Eckley, Eggleston, Eldridge, Farnsworth, Farquhar, Ferry, Finck, Garfield, Glossbrenner, Aaron Harding, Abner C. Harding, Hart, Hogan, Holmes, Hooper, Hotchkiss, Asahel W. Hubbard, Chester D. Hubbard, John H. Hubbard, James R. Hubbell, Hulburd, James M. Humphrey, IngerBoll, Johnson, Kasson, Kerr, Ketcham, Koontz, Kuykendall, Laflin, Latham, George V. Lawrence, William Lawrence, Lynch, Marston, McCullough, McRuer, Mercur, Miller, Moorhead, Morrill, Morris, Moulton, Myers, Newell, Niblack, Nicholson, Noell, O'Neill, Orth, Patterson, Perham, Phelps, Pike, Plants, Price, Radford, Samuel J. Randall, William H. Randall, Raymond, Alexander H. Rice, John I. Rice, Ritter, Rogers, Rollins, Ross, Rousseau, Sawyer, Schenck, Scofield, Shellabarger, Sitgreaves, Spalding, Stevens, Strouse, Taber, Taylor, Thayer, Francis Thomas, John L. Thomas, jr., Thornton, Trimble, Trowbridge, Van Aernam, Burt Van Horn, Robert T. Van Horn, Ward, Warner, Henry D. Washburn, William B. Washburn, Welker, Wentworth, Whaley, James F. Wilson, Stephen F. Wilson, Windom, Woodbridge, Wright-126. NAYS-Messrs. Alley, Benjamin, Boutwell, Eliot, Higby, Jenckes, Julian, Kelley, Loan, McClurg, Paine, Williams 12. July 23, 1866-The SENATE amended and passed it in these words: Joint Resolution restoring Tennessee to her relations to the Union. NAYS-Messrs. Brown, Buckalew, McDougall, Sumner-4. YEAS-Messrs. Allison, Ames, Anderson, Delos R. Ashley, ham, Boutwell, Bromwell, Broomall, Buckland, Reader W. Clarke, Cobb, Conkling, Defrees, Dixon, Donnelly, Driggs, Eckley, Eggleston, Eliot, Farnsworth, Farquhar, Ferry, Garfield, Abner C. Harding, Hart, Hayes, Higby, Holmes, Hooper, Hotchkiss, Asahel W. Hubbard, Chester D. Hubbard, John H. Hubbard, James R. Hubbell, IIulburd, Inger soll, Julian, Kelley, Ketcham, Koontz, Kuykendall, Laflin, George V. Lawrence, William Lawrence, Loan, Lynch, Marston, McClurg, McRuer, Mercur, Miller, Moorhead, Morrill, Morris, Moulton, Myers, Newell, O'Neill, Orth, Paine, Perham, Plants, Price, William H. Randall, Alexander H. Rice, John H. Rice, Rollins, Sawyer, Schenck, Scofield, Shellabarger, Spalding, Stevens, John L. Thomas, jr., Trowbridge, Van Aernam, Burt Van Horn, Robert T. Van Horn, Ward, Welker, Wentworth, Whaley, Williams, James F. Wilson, Stephen F. Wilson, Windom, Woodbridge-93. NAYS-Messrs. Ancona, Bergen, Boyer, Dawson, Eldridge, Finck, Glossbrenner, Aaron Harding, Jenckes, Johnson, La tham, Le Blond, Marshall, Niblack, Nicholson, Radford, Samuel J.Randall, Raymond, Ritter, Ross, Shanklin, Strouse, Taber, Taylor, Thornton, Trimble--26. July 24-The PRESIDENT approved the bill, sending to the House this message: To the House of Representatives: The following "joint resolution, restoring Tennessee to her relations to the Union," was last evening presented for my approval: Whereas, in the year eighteen hundred and sixty-one, the government of the State of Tennessee was seized upon and taken possession of by persons in hostility to the United States, and the inhabitants of said State, in pursuance of an act of Congress, were declared to be in a state of insurrection against the United States; and Whereas, in the year eighteen hundred and whereas said State government can only be resixty-one, the government of the State of Ten- stored to its former political relations in the nessee was seized upon and taken possession of Union by the consent of the law-making power by persons in hostility to the United States, and of the United States; and whereas the people of the inhabitants of said State, in pursuance of an said State did, on the twenty-second day of Febact of Congress, were declared to be in a state ruary, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, by a large of insurrection against the United States; and popular vote, adopt and ratify a constitution of whereas said State government can only be re- government whereby slavery was abolished and stored to its former political relations in the all ordinances and laws of secession, and debts Union by the consent of the law-making power contracted under the same, were declared void; of the United States; and whereas the people of and whereas a State government has been orsaid State did, on the twenty-second day of Feb-ganized under said constitution, which has ratiruary, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, by a large popular vote, adopt and ratify a constitution of government whereby slavery was abolished and all ordinances and laws of secession, and debts contracted under the same, were declared void; and whereas a State government has been organized under said constitution which has ratified the amendment to the Constitution fied the amendment to the Constitution of the United States abolishing slavery, also the amendment proposed by the Thirty-Ninth Congress, and has done other acts proclaiming and denoting loyalty; Therefore, "Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled, That the State of Tennessee is hereby |