the Red River of the North and the Saskatchewan, be printed for the use of this House. Mr. Stevens, from the Committee of Ways and Means, reported a bill (H. R. 635) making appropriations for the legislative, executive, and judicial expenses of the government for the year ending the 30th of June, 1864, which was read a first and second time, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, made a special order for Monday, the 5th day of January next, and ordered to be printed. On motion of Mr. Hooper, Ordered, That the Committee of Ways and Means be discharged from the further consideration of sundry petitions and memorials in regard to the payment of the drafts known as "Floyd acceptances," and that the same be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Bingham having called up the motion submitted by him at the last session to reconsider the vote by which the bill of the House (H. R. 267) to divide the State of Michigan into two judicial districts, and to provide for holding the district and circuit courts therein, was passed, On motion of Mr. Bingham, Ordered, That the motion to reconsider be laid on the table. Ordered, That the Clerk request the concurrence of the Senate in the said bill. Mr. Bingham having called up the motion submitted on the 18th instant by Mr. Frederick A. Conkling to reconsider the vote by which the bill of the Senate (S. 407) to fix the terms of the circuit court in the district of Wisconsin was passed, The said vote was reconsidered. The question then recurring on the passage of the bill, On motion of Mr. Bingham, the vote by which the bill was ordered to be read a third time was reconsidered. The question then recurring on its third reading, Mr. Bingham submitted an amendment in the nature of a substitute therefor. And the question being put, Will the House agree thereto? It was decided in the affirmative. So the amendment was agreed to. Ordered, That the bill be read a third time. It was accordingly read the third time and passed. Ordered, That the Clerk request the concurrence of the Senate in the amendment of the House to the said bill. A message from the Senate, by Mr. Forney, their Secretary: Mr. Speaker: The Senate have concurred in the resolution of the House providing for an adjournment until the first Monday in Janu ary next, with an amendment; in which I am directed to ask the concurrence of the House. The President of the United States has notified the Senate that he did, on the 15th instant, approve and sign bills of the following titles, viz: S. 405. An act authorizing a special session of the United States district court for the district of Indiana; S. 406. An act for the relief of the owners of the French brig "Jules et Marie;" And on the 18th instant a resolution of the following title, viz: S. Res. 108. A resolution for increasing the bond of the Superintendent of Public Printing. The House having proceeded to the consideration of the adjournment resolution just received from the Senate, The amendment of the Senate was read as follows, viz: Strike out all after the word "that" and insert, "when the two houses, respectively, adjourn to-day, it be to meet on the first Monday in January next, at 12 o'clock meridian." And the question being put, Will the House agree thereto? It was decided in the affirmative. So the amendment was concurred in. Mr. Maynard 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 acquaint the Senate with the concurrence of the House in the said amendment. Mr. Clements, by unanimous consent, submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Secretary of War be directed to communicate to this House a copy of the report of visitors to the Military Academy at West Point of June last. The Speaker having proceeded, as the regular order of business, to call the committees for reports, On motion of Mr. Colfax, Ordered, That the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads be discharged from the further consideration of the subject of giving the franking privilege to the assessors of internal revenue, and that the same be laid on the table. Mr. Blake, from the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, to whom was referred the bill of the House (H. R. 602) to establish a postal money-order system, reported the same without amendment. Ordered, That it be engrossed and read a third time. Being engrossed, it was accordingly read the third time and passed. Mr. Blake 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 bill. Mr. Wilson, from the Committee on the Judiciary, to whom were referred memorials of the legislative assembly of Washington Territory, reported a bill (H. R. 636) concerning the district court of the Territory of Washington; which was read a first and second time. The House having proceeded to its further consideration, Ordered, That the said bill be engrossed and read a third time. Being engrossed, it was accordingly read the third time and passed. Mr. Wilson 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 bill. Mr. Wilson, by unanimous consent, submitted the following preamble and resolution; which were read, considered, and agreed to: Whereas the following letter, purporting to have been written by J. C. G. Kennedy, Superintendent of the Census, to Jacob Thompson, late Secretary of the Interior, has appeared in the public journals, viz: WASHINGTON, April 9, 1861. "MY DEAR MR. THOMPSON: As it is almost a daily inquiry at home, 'have you written to Mr. Thompson?' made by my wife and daughter, and as my own feelings prompt me to drop you a line, I have determined to avoid further cross-questioning, and acquit myself to my own conscience by writing. I continue to hold my position, notwithstanding newspaper statements to the contrary. I have not yet spoken to the new President, but Mr. Smith has assured me that, unless interfered with by a higher power than he, I will remain undisturbed. I have taken no steps to fortify myself, determined that, if removed, the record will not show that I have made efforts to be retained. Mrs. Kennedy often talks of you, and seems to take real pleasure, whenever a word is said of the last administration in her presence, to avail herself of the opportunity to say something favorable of you; in fact, she feels lively gratitude for your kindness to her husband, and will never cherish any other sentiment. The force in this office remains almost precisely as you left here. About twelve or thirteen have been removed for not being efficient, but the character of the clerks generally protects them from complaints, and Mr. Smith does not seem disposed to make injudicious changes. In proportion to our number, we have experienced less change than any other bureau. I hope it may thus continue until we are compelled, from necessity, to reduce the force. Four returns of the censustwo from Louisiana and two from Texas-will probably never be received in the present condition of affairs. They will not much longer be waited for, and the proclamation of members of the House of Representatives will be made regardless of their absence. They would not in any way affect the result in any State. "I know nothing of the views of the administration regarding the all-absorbing matter of the condition of the country. I believe it is intended to send a merchant vessel to Chain Harbor with provisions. for Fort Sumter. Should she be repelled, I do not know what is the intention of the powers that be. I believe the armament at sea is destined to Texas-a portion perhaps for Fort Pickens. God grant we may soon be united in the ancient bands of amity, and be spared. the carnage of civil war. My family all desire to be affectionately remembered to you and to Mrs. Thompson. "With undiminished esteem, ever faithfully, your friend and obedient servant, "JOS. C. G. KENNEDY. "Hon. J. THOMPSON." And whereas it is stated that the said J. C. G. Kennedy has written other letters and held conversation exhibiting a want of sympathy with the government in its present struggle against the existing rebellion: Therefore Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire whether the said Kennedy is the author of said first-named letter, and whether the other statements are true, and report to this. House all the facts concerning said several letters and statements, and whether he still holds office under the government; and for this purpose said committee shall have power to send for persons and papers, and examine witnesses. Mr. Wilson 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. Duell, from the Committee on Revolutionary Claims, to whom were referred the petitions of Mrs. Eliza B. Burr and of Mrs. Clarissa Johnson, reported the following resolution; which was read, con-sidered, and agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Committee on Revolutionary Claims be discharged from the further consideration of the case of Mrs. Eliza B. Burr, and of the case of Mrs. Clarissa Johnson, and that the papers therein, together with accompanying reports, be transmitted to the Secretary of the Interior for adjustment, the cases being provided for by existing law. On motion of Mr. Dunn, by unanimous consent, the bill of the Senate (S. 419) to improve the organization of the cavalry forces, was taken from the Speaker's table, read three times, and passed. Mr. Dunn 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 acquaint the Senate with the passage of the said bill. Mr. Moorhead, by unanimous consent, submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the use of this hall be granted to J. E. Murdoch for one evening during the recess of Congress for a reading, the entire proceeds of which shall be appropriated for the relief of sick and Wounded soldiers of the republic. 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. The Speaker appointed Mr. Charles R. Train, Mr. John A. Bingham, Mr. Chauncey Vibbard, Mr. James H. Campbell, and Mr. C. L. L. Leary the select committee to inquire as to the interest of offi cers or employés of the government in any banking-house or firm having contracts with the government, or dealing in stocks, &c. Mr. Granger, from the Committee on Enrolled Bills, reported that the Committee had examined and found truly enrolled a bill of the following title, viz: H. R. 592. An act to amend an act entitled "An act to provide internal revenue to support the government and to pay interest on the public debt," approved July 1, 1862. When The Speaker signed the same. Mr. Granger, from the same committee, reported that the committee did, on the 22d instant, present to the President of the United States a bill of the following title, viz: S. 365. An act for the adınission of the State of West Virginia into the Union, and for other purposes. The morning hour having expired, the Speaker announced as the regular order of business the bill of the House (H. R. 582) to annul and abrogate all treaties between the United States and certain bands of Sioux Indians in Minnesota, and for the relief of the sufferers by the outbreak and depredations committed by the said Indians, heretofore reported from the Committee on Indian Affairs, and made a special order for this day. Ordered, That the said bill be committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. On motion of Mr. Aldrich, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union; and after some time spent therein, the Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Pendleton reported that the committee having had under consideration the special order, viz: H. R. 582, had directed him to report the same with an amendment in the nature of a substitute therefor. Pending the question on agreeing to the said amendment, Mr. Aldrich moved the previous question, which was seconded and the main question ordered, and under the operation thereof the said amendment was agreed to, and the bill ordered to be engrossed and read a third time. Being engrossed, it was accordingly read the third time. Mr. Aldrich moved the previous question, which was seconded and the main question ordered and put, viz: Shall the bill pass? And no quorum voted thereon. Mr. Vallandigham moved, at 2 o'clock and 10 minutes p. m., that the House adjourn; which motion was disagreed to. The question was then again put, Shall the bill pass? Yeas And there appeared, Nays. 64 18 The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the members present, Those who voted in the affirmative are Mr. Cyrus Aldrich William J. Allen Mr. Isaac N. Arnold Elijah Babbitt Mr. Stephen Baker John A. Bingham |