on the southern shore of Lake Ere; which were referred to the Committee on Commerce. By Mr. Stevens: The petition of certain engineers in the army, praying an increase of pay; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. By Mr. Grinnell: The memorial of citizens of the State of Iowa, praying the establishment of a new mail route between Vinton and Blairstown, in that State; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. By Mr. Ambrose W. Clark: The memorial of citizens of the State of New York, praying the construction of a ship canal around the Falls of Niagara; which was referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals. By Mr. Julian: The memorial of Jesse Williams-heretofore referred June 16, 1862; which was referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims. By Mr. James R. Morris: The memorial of the directors of the Little Hacking Bridge Company, Ohio, praying amendments in the act to provide internal revenue; which was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means. By Mr. Julian: The memorial of certain representatives of the Religious Society of Friends in the States of Indiana and Illinois, praying exemption from military duty; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. By Mr. Chauler: The petition of the Atlantic Insurance and Sun Insurance Companies, in the city of New York, in respect to funds taken possession of by military order at New Orleans; which was referred to the Committee of Claims. By Mr. Thomas T. Davis: The petition of Daniel Elliot, post route agent, praying increased compensation; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. By Mr. William H. Miller: Certain papers relating to the claim of Paymaster Greenwalt, United States army; which were referred to the Committee of Claims. By Mr. William Johnson: The petition of Captain William S. Stroub, of the Ohio State volunteers, praying remuneration for clothing lost by casualties of war by members of his company; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. By Mr. Fenton: The memorial of citizens of the State of New York, praying the construction of a military and postal railway between the cities of New York and Washington; which was referred to the select committee on that subject. By Mr. Colfax: The memorial of S. S. Nash, Hon. D. D. Piatt, and many other citizens of Lafayette, in the State of Indiana, praying the construction of a military and postal road from the city of Washington to. New York city; which was referred to the select committee already appointed on that subject. By Mr. Amos Myers: The petition of John A. McCloskey, praying relief, with an affidavit of facts; which was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means. By Mr. Eckley: The memorial of the Religious Society of Friends, of the State of Ohio, praying exemption from military duty; By Mr. Julian: The memorial of the Religious Society of Friends of the State of Ohio, praying exemption from military duty; which were referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. By Mr. Pomeroy: The memorial of John Fonda-heretofore referred January 25, 1858; which was referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims. By Mr. Gooch: The memorial of William R. White and others, praying a bounty; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. By Mr. Ross: The memorial of Z. R. Hawley, praying compensation for services as hospital chaplain; which was referred to the Committee of Claims. By Mr. Francis W. Kellogg: The memorial of loyal women of the State of Michigan, praying the passage of an act of universal emancipation; which was referred to the Select Committee on Emancipation. By Mr. Hale: The memorial of Sally Thomas, praying arrears of pension; which was referred to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. By Mr. William B. Washburn: The petition of citizens of Massachusetts, praying the establishment of a uniform ambulance and hospital system; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. By Mr. McIndoe: Certain resolutions of the Chamber of Commerce at Milwaukie, in the State of Wisconsin, relative to the reciprocity treaty between the Great Britain and the United States; which were referred to the Committee on Commerce By Mr. Schenck: The memorial of citizens of Ohio, praying amendments to the act for enrolling and calling out the national forces; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. By Mr. Lovejoy: The petition of 1,305 men and women of Knox county, in the State of Illinois, praying the passage of an act emancipating all persons of African descent held to involuntary servitude in the United States; which was referred to the Select Committee on Emancipation. The Speaker, by unanimous consent, laid before the House a letter from the Second Auditor of the Treasury Department, in answer to a resolution of the House of the 13th instant, relative to vouchers for expenses in calling out the Pennsylvania militia during the recent invasion; which was laid on the table and ordered to be printed. The Speaker having, as the regular order of business, called the committees for reports for commitment, next proceeded to call the States and Territories for resolutions; When, Mr. Kelley submitted the following resolution; and debate arising thereon, it was laid on the table under the rule, viz: Resolved, That the use of the hall of the House of Representatives be granted to the United States Christian Commission on Monday evening, February 1st, for their anniversary meeting. Mr. Dawson submitted the following preamble and resolution, viz: Whereas a great civil war like that which now afflicts the United States is the most grievous of all national calamities, producing, as it does, spoliation, bloodshed, anarchy, public debt, official corruption, and private immorality, the American government cannot rightfully wage such a 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 this house, on the 22d day of July, 1861, speaking in the name of the American people and in the face of the world, solemnly and truly declared that it was waged for no purpose of conquest or oppression, but solely to restore the Union, with all the rights of the people and the State unimpaired; and whereas, in every war, especially in every war of invasion, and most particularly if it be a civil war between portions of the same country, the object of it ought to be clearly defined and the terms distinctly stated upon which hostilities will cease; and the advan cing armies of the government should carry the Constitution in one hand, while they hold the sword in the other, so that the invaded party may have its choice between the two: Therefore, Kesolved, That the President be requested to make known by public procla mation 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 in the Constitution, all hostilities against her shall cease, and such State shall be protected from all external interference with the local laws and institutions, and her people shall be guaranteed in the full enjoy ment of all those rights which the federal Constitution gave them. The same having been read, Mr. Dawson moved the previous question; Pending which, Mr. Stevens moved that the preamble and resolution be laid on the table. And the question being put, It was decided in the affirmative, Yeas The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the members present, So the preamble and resolution were laid on the table. 88 79 56 Mr. Edward H. Rollins R. B. Van Valkenburgh Mr. George H. Pendleton John B. Steele John D. Stiles John T. Stuart Lorenzo D. M. Sweat Daniel W. Voorhees Mr. Stevens 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. Moorhead submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and, under the operation of the previous question, agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the use of the hall of the House of Representatives be granted to the United States Christian Commission on Tuesday evening, February 2, for their anniversary meeting. Mr. Moorhead 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 H. Miller submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and, under the operation of the previous question, agreed to, viz: Resolved. That the Committee of Ways and Means be requested to inquire into the expediency of repealing so much of the 5th section of the act en titled "An act to modify existing laws imposing duties on imports, and for other purposes," approved March 3, 1863, as imposes an ad valorem duty of twenty per centum upon printing paper, unsized, used for books and newspapers exclusively. Mr. William H. Miller 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. Broomall submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Committee of Ways and Means be instructed to inquire into the expediency of appropriating such sum as shall be necessary to provide the medals of honor awarded by Congress several years ago to the members of the Kane Arctic expedition. Mr. Strouse submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and, under the operation of the previous question, agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of amending the act of March 3, 1863, entitled "An act for enrolling and calling out the national forces, &c.," so that all acting assistant surgeons in actual service in the army or navy of the United States shall be free and exempt from any draft or conscription, and shall be considered as a part of the military or naval force in service, the same as soldiers, sailors, and marines. Mr. Thayer submitted the following resolution, viz: Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire and report to this house whether it is not proper and expedient so to amend the "act for enrolling and calling out the national forces and for other purposes," that clergymen of all denominations actually engaged in the discharge of ministerial duties shall be exempted from the performance of military duty; and if so, that they bring in a bill for that purpose. The same having been read, Mr. Thayer moved the previous question; which was seconded, and the main question ordered to be put. When, Mr. Garfield moved that the resolution be laid on the table. And the question being put, It was decided in the affirmative, Yeas. 100 46 The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the members present, Mr. James C. Allen Mr. Charles Denison Mr. Francis W. Kellogg Homer A. Nelson Mr. Frederick A. Pike R. B. Van Valkenburgh Mr. Lazear submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Military Committee be instructed to inquire into the expediency of amending the act of March 3, 1863, entitled "An act for enrolling and calling out the national forces, and for other purposes,” so as to require that in the assignment of quotas of troops hereafter to be raised by conscription in the several States and counties subject to the same, credit may be given to said States and counties for such of their citizens as may have enlisted in the military organization of other States. Mr. Coffroth, on leave, introduced a joint resolution (H. Res. 24) for the relief of Elizabeth Woodward and George Chorpenning, of Pennsylvania; which was read a first and second time, and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. Mr. Coffroth submitted the following resolution, viz: Resolved, (the Senate concurring,) That the present session of the 38th Congress be adjourned on the 3d Monday of April next, at 12 o'clock m. The consideration of the said resolution was postponed for the present, by unanimous consent. Mr. Denison, on leave, introduced a bill (H. R. 146) making Luzerne county, State of Pennsylvania, a part of the eastern judicial district of said State; which was read a first and second time, and referred to the Com mittee on the Judiciary. Mr. Amos Myers, on leave, introduced bills of the following titles, viz: H. R. 147. A bill giving rank to chaplains, and for other purposes; and H. R. 148. A bill for the relief of John A. McCloskey, deputy collector of 20th district of Pennsylvania; which were severally read a first and second time, and referred as follows, viz: H. R. 147. To the Committee on Military Affairs; and H. R. 148. To the Committee of Ways and Means. Mr. Cox submitted the following resolution; which was read and laid over one day under the rule, viz: Resolved, That the Secretary of War be directed to communicate to this house copies of a communication from Brigadier General G. W. Morgan to Adjutant General Thomas, dated Mount Vernon, Ohio, June 6, 1863, and of the exhibits thereto attached marked from A to Q, inclusive, the same being in reply to that portion of the official report of Major General Halleck, dated December 2, 1862, relative to the evacuation of Cumberland Gap. Mr. Cox submitted the following resolutions, viz: Resolved, That the President be, and he is, urgently requested to appoint a board of commissioners who can, by negotiation, reach the authorities south, with a view to the prompt exchange of our prisoners under the cartel heretofore agreed upon between the parties; and that the negotiation be withdrawn from the hands of Major General Butler, who, as it is reported, |