The New York Herald Newspaper, December 13, 1860, Page 1

WHOLE NO. 8862. PRICE TWO CENTS. Passage of the Treasury Note Bill in the Senate. Philip F. Thomas Confirmed as Secretary of the Treasury. INTERESTING PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS, Propositions for the Settlement of the Pending Troubles. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ELECT COMMITTEE. Slashing Secession Speech of Senator Wigfall. The Position of the New Work City Representatives. PURCHASE OF A GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, Reo dee ae. OUR DESPATCHES FROM WASHINGTON. Wasmeron, Dec. 12, 1860. The Senate proceedings to-day were marked by a spirited Southern speech by Senator Wigfall. The repub- Jieans are in giee over it, as they say it will rally their breaking forces in the North. Senator Trumbull will not address the Senate at pre- sent, nor will the other republican Senators, unless the tide of events should present a favorable opportunity, Senator Wilson has a brochure in press in reply to Gene- ral Cushing, of Massachusetts. It will appear in a fow days, and probably produce a sensation. No New York papers came to hand this evening, in oonsequence of the train breaking down. The passengers arrived safely, The non-receipt of papers creates a great ‘vacuum in Washington intelligence. It is reported on good authority that an influential re- publican committee from New York will visit Washing. ton, to urge upon the republican members of the Com- mittee of States the necessity of liberality. The party have as yet made no proposition of reconciliation, nor is there yet any indication they will do o at present. A prominent New York politician declares that the re- publicans bave already declared war against the South Dy the indifference of their chief in the present strug. gle, and that there will not bea Southern State in the ‘confederacy by the Ist of February. ‘Whe Senate confirmed John B. Weller as Minister to Mexico. At the meeting of the Committee of States—the Chair- man, Hen. ‘Tom Corwin, in the chair, and all the mem- bers present, including Boyce, of South Carolina, except Mr. Hawkius—Samuel Sawyer, of Norfolk, Virginia, a democrat who was Collector of the port under Pierce's administration, was elected Clerk. A desultory discus- sion on general matters of no practical business import ‘ance occurred, in which several members participated No distinct measures were preposed. The discussion wa of an amicable nature, tending to accommodation, and lasted about four hours. The committee adjourned to meet at twelve o'clock to-morrow, when the House pro- Position will be considered. Private reports from Louisiana speak of that State as overwhelmingly in favor of secession. ‘There is nothing from the South calculated to lessen the excitement, except a report, received through repub- Vican channels, that the agitation in Charleston was not ‘80 intense. ‘The secessionists think that Senator Wigfall’s speech ‘will open the eyes of the republicans, and the republi- cans think said speech will open the eyes of their con stituents, and reaffirm them in their anti-slavery notions. Affairs are becoming more and more complicated, and the factions more and more bitter. It is believed that if the Senate Committee could be Constituted some measures might be proposed calculated to allay the excitement and re-rivet the bonds of union. Wasmatow, Dec. 12, 1860. ‘The Navy Department received despatches this morn, ‘ing from flag officer Pendergrast, brought by the Pawnee, which has just arrived at Philadelphia, with dates from Vera Cruz to the 27th of November. Mr. McLane despatched Captain Haristein, commanding the Pawnee, to ‘Tampico, to act in conjunction with Consul Chase in securing pro rata distribution to such of our citizens ag are interested in the seizure of the conducta of specie, which was made some time ago by the liberal party. The Governor of Tampico, however, refused to accede to our demands. Capt. Hartetein made a solemn protest against the Governor's action, ‘and, on his retarn to Vera Cruz, reported the matter to our Minister, Of course our Minister laid the matter Defore the Juarez government, At the last session of Congress a law was passed creat- ing Macon, Ga., a port of entry, for the purpose of intro: @ucing foreign merchandise intended to be exhibited at ‘the fair at that place, on the 17th inst. A vessel has ar rived at Savannah from Burope with goods intended for ‘this exhibition, The goods will be transported in bond from Savannah to Macon, and there bonded for warehous: ing. After closing the exhibition, the goods, if required, ‘will be withdrawn and the duties paid. If not, they will be bonded for exportation. Mr. Guthrie, special agent of the Treasury Department, left this evening for Macon, to look after the interests of the government ‘There is considerable talk among some of the Southern Senators, that, in order to prevent the catastrophe which ‘they contend the inauguration of Lincoln would bring upon the country, they absent themselves from the con ‘vention of the two houses fequired by the constitaten to be present when the votes are opened and counted It has come to the knowledge of our government that persons are engaged. at the instance of the late Peruvian Legation here, writing exparte articles for newspapers in relation to our difeculty with that government. The articles are regarded as an entire misrepresentation 0 the law ahd facts of the controv The House Judiciary Committee have outhorized Mr Reynolds, of New York, to report in favor of impeaching Judge Watrons, for the following reasons: —Firet, on the ground of corrupt proceedings in the case of Copely ve Spencer, involving the title toa large tract of land in Texas in which Watrous had an interest; second, also for im Proper conduct in the Cavyasas cases third, for being en Baged with various persons in violation of the laws of ‘Texas, in issuing fraudulent and forged land certificates Knowing them to be such, and endeavoring to bave them Pronounced valid by the courts, and procuring patent: thereon, and for getting up fictitious writs in his owr courts to accomplish that purpose ‘Ast intimated yesterday, Henry Ledyard ili undoubt eilly succeed Mr. Tresoott as Ansistant Secretary of State Mr. Ledyard’s long residence abroad in @ diplomatic cha racter, and hie agreeable personal and social qualimes fender this appointment especially acceptable to the 4) ‘Plomatic corps residing in Washington, It will be a long time, however, before the Department of State, wader any administration, will be o fortunate ae to secure for that post a gentleman 0 enfinently qualified os Mr. Trescott. The President and Secretary Cass part ‘with him with great reluctance; but the porition which South Carolina has taken in regard to difficulties between the two sections rendered his resignation imperative, ‘The Joint Committee on Printing, at » meeting to-day, eontirmed the action of the Superintendent of Public Printing in purchasing the printing establishment of ‘Wendell & Co. This is the first step in establiching a Printing Bureas, where all government work ig hereafter to de executed. Until this establishment is properly ar- ranged, there being no House printer, the Commit on Printing will authorize the Superintendent to har work executed according to the law of last Congress, de- ducting forty per cent. ‘Waswmncrow, Dec. 12, 1860. The Superintendent of Public Printing, Mr. Heart, sent a communication to the Joint Committee on Printing to- day, that he has made a contract with J. T. Crowell, of Rahway, N. J., for the purchase of Wendell’s printing establishment. He agrees to pay one hundred and thirty- five thousand dollars for the property, which is said to be between forty-five and fifty thousand dollars less than the original cost of the same. The committee unanimous- ly approved the contract At the request of Superintendent Heartt, Secretary Thompson, of the Interior Department, authorized an architect to examine the building, and the result of such examination was the full (although unofficial) concur- rence by Secretary Thompson in the purchase. Senator Anthony, who is on the Senate Printing Com- mittee, and who has been many years editor of the Pro- vidence (R. I.) Jowrnal, examined the printing material, and considers the purchase an economical one for the go- vernment. This will do away with the future disgraceful contests for the printing in both branches, In view of the present complicated state of the public printing in both houses, the most politic and reasonable thing to do now is to repeal 80 much of the law of the last session ag authorizes the purchase of the above named establishment by the 4th of March next, as the time when it shall go into operation, and provide for its immediate operation by the government. At the same time members of Congress should see to the binding, which is a gigantic plundering scheme when compared with the profits of the House printing. Mr. Haskin, who moved the forty per cent reduction on the printing, knew this should be reduced in expense at least fifty per cent. Nearly fifty thousand dollars bas already been paid to the binders of the House, although they have not yet ac- complished half of the work that bas been ordered. Why Mr. Haskin moved at the last session to reduce the price of printing and neglected the binding, the moat profit- able branch, is only accounted for by the fact that the prineipal binder is his democratic friend and neighbor, and was his (Haskin’s) own intee. If this does not explain the matter, it is other reasons can be furnished. Philip F. Thomas, ex-Governor of Maryland, and now Commissioner of Patents, was to-day nominated by the President to the Senate for Secretary of the Treasury, and he was confirmed. This is the second Commissioner of Patents who hag bees elevated by Mr. Buchanan to a piace iu his Cabinet. There was no nomination for a successor to Mr. Thomas in the Patent Office sent in to the Senate. Mr. Shugert, chief clerk, will probably succeed him. ‘The Senate passed the Loan Dill to-day, with a slight amendment restricting the powers of the Secretary of the Treasury, which will not defeat the bill in the House. The House to-day found itself without a quorum, but before discovering the fact it buried Mr. Eli Thayer and his Territorial policy so deep in the Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union, under the lead of Mr, Grow, that it will take the resurrection trump of a two- thirds vote to call him into political life again, Mr. Grow’s assurance to-day, that when he calls up his bills for the organization of the Territories he shall give an opportunity to any gentleman who desires to move to strike out the clause relating to slavery, and that the ro- publicans will then vote for the bills if it isthe will of the House that they shall pass in that form, gave great confidence to the Southern members that the republicans intend to show fair play. ‘A Washington paper, opposed to Mr. Lincoln's election, asserts to-day that Mr. Don Piatt, of Ohio, who, for a time, was Secretary of Legation at Paris under poor Pierce, ie to be Lincoln's Private Secretary, and that Mra, Don Piatt is to assist Mre. Lincoln in her duties, at the White House. This announcement is made without the slightest authority. ‘The statement originally made in the Herat is true, that Mrs. Edwards, a sister of Mrs. Lincoln, and a niece of the latter, Mary Wallace ‘a beautiful miss of eighteen, will accompany Mr. Lincoin's family to Washington, and assist Mrs, Lincoln in doing the honors at the President’s levecs. Mr. Nicolay, the present confidential secretary of Mr. Lincoln, will un- doubtedly act in the same capacity here. Mrs. Biwards is an accomplished Kentucky lady, and has recently been visiting at Andover, Massachusetts. Mr. Wigfall’s attack upon the Wide Awake organiza- tion of the North in the Senate to-day is regretted, as it will have the tendency to irritate instead of allay the present exciting state of the public mind. An effort is making to have Kansas admitted into the Union. The Dill passed the House at the last session, and by the casting vote of Senator Latham, successor of Mr. Broderick, the bill was reported out of the Senate com- mittee, and is only awaiting the action of the Senate. The influence of Missouri is against it, and Senator Douglas, baving carried that State, is looked upon as having great power towards carrying the bill through the Senate. William Babe, a member of the State Republican Com- mittee of California, and Mr. Farwell, editor of the 4a California, are here urging the passage of a Pacific Rail- road bill. The former is bearer of the proceedings of a convention in favor of @ Pacific Railroad. Mr. Scott pre- sented them to-day. The political position of Senator Benjamin has been misunderstood. He is a strong secessionist. Representative Lamar left to-night for Mississippi, to attend the State Convention. ‘The General Land Office has issued a pat~ot t4 the au- thorities of the city of Portland, Oregon, under the town site law of 1844, for 320 8cre8, Bhd providing for conflict- ing claims of other partie. This subject has been in controversy for the last ten years, and bas enlisted some of the most eminent counsel of the country. THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE SPECIAL UNION COMMITTEE, Wasuivoron, Dee. 12, 1860. ‘The Flouse Perilous Committee of Thirty-three held its second session to-day, Mr. Corwin in the ebair, Mr. Sawyer, of Virginia, was elected clerk. All the mem- bers, including Mr. Boyoe, of South Carolina, were pre sent, except Mr. Hawkins, of Florida, and Mr. Rust, of Arkansas, the latter not being in the city. Mr. Corwin did pot make @ proposition to-day, but will Present one in conformity with that indicated in the Heraco a few days since. Mr. Humphrey, of New Vork, desired that gentlemen who had complaints to make should state them, and that redress would satisfy them, in order that it might be seen whether they were valid, and whether Congress had power to apply the remedy. He believed the people of the North were satisfied with the constitution as it is, and were willing to live up to and abide by it Mr. Taylor, of Louisiana, submitted a schedule of what the South would demand, accompanied with detailed re. marks, and declared that, in bis opinion, if they wore not aceeded to, the South would seosde, They are: First—A change in our foreign policy which would compel the government to reclaim property escaping int) the territory of foreign Powers. Second—An amendment of the Fugitive Slave law, pro viding for the payment of fugitives not returned, at « value at the place escaped from, to be assessed by a jury of that vielnage, with twenty-five per cent added thereto. Third—An amondment of the constitution prohibiting Congress from ever abolishing slavery in the, District of Columbia, and guaranteeing #lave property im the Territo- ries tn the couase of bis remarke Mr. Taylor complained that Congress had refused to appropriate the money paid by the British government for slaves taken during the last war, and also that the foreign poliey of the govern. went had been such #hat Great Briain had not been com: pel led to pay for the Creole slaves. Mr. Washburn, of Wisconsin, asserted that Mr. Taylor was totally in error, and quoted statistics to sustain bimeelf. Mr. Nelson, of Tennessee, submitted @ proposition, which was virtually the late Missouri compromise line extended to the Pacific Ocean, as an amendment to the constitution, Also a clause recognizing in terms the ob- Hgation to return fugitive slaves, and prohibiting all or any interference in the trade of slaves between the States, and also prohibiting the reopening of the foreign slave trade. Mr. Davis, of Mississippi, epoke for about an hour, arraigning the North for interfering with the South, spec!- fying complaints, quoting from the works of the wikiest abolitionists at the expense of the republicans, He con- cluded by asserting that if each State would attend to its own affairs there would be no trouble, Mr. Tappan, of New York, replied by quoting from the Chicago platform to show that the republicans are pledged against interfering with slavery in the States, and in favor of protecting States against invasion. Henry Winter Davis, of Maryland, spoke in a calm and conservative tone, deprecating the present state of feel- ing, and all attempts to dismember the confederacy. He suggested an amendment to the Fugitive Slave law, Te quiring Marshals to deliver fugitives to the district Judge in district escaped from, and guaranteeing a jury tria! of dentity, this to be in lieu of Personal Liberty b''", and @ guard against kidnapping. Mr. Ferry, of Connecticut, explained the Personal Li- berty bills of the North, and said they were not in con- flict with the constitution, but intended mainly io pre- vent kidnapping. He said if the Fugitive Slave law was mod ified he could recommend the repeal of the Per- onal Liberty bills. He said he could not violate his mo- ral convictions by inserting a provision in the constitu- ‘ion recognizing property in man. Mr. Winslow, of North Carolina, spoke in reply, and cited the hardships of Southern masters who have been been robbed of their servants when travelling through Northern States, and especially when about to depart for foreign countries, General Millson, of Virginia, also replied, and com- mented at length on the term ‘property in man,” and asserted that it was a misuse of terms, and argued that the property which a master has in his slave and his ser- vices is the same that a man bas to the labor and control of his wife, and that it was as much a hardship to say that @ slave owner might go into the Territories, but should not take his slave, a8 to say to a husband that he could go, but should not take his wife, 2 Messrs. Morse, of Maine; Curtis, of Towa; Kellogg, of Dlinois, and Stout, of Oregon, also made some remarks. The committee was quite harmonious. THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FROM THE METROPOLIS AND THE CRISIS. be ‘Wasnrvaton, Dec. 11, 1860. To Hoy. Jawes Heurmery:— The undersigned, representatives in Congress from the city and State of New York, deem it our duty to com- municate to you, as the representative of our State in the Committee of Thirty-three, to which has been referred that part of the President’s Message relating to the con- dition of the Union, our views of what, at the present crisis of the Union, is demanded alike by the sentiments of our people, the great interests of our State, and the mora] and political necessities of the situation. We think the time hag arrived when an effectual stop ought to be put to all aggressive and irritating agitation of the slavery question at the North. If there are any points of federal relation to the peculiarly Southern institution of negro slavery which give rise to a conscientious senti- ment at the North of moral responsibility about it, and therefore to a sense of supposed duty to deal with the subject according to theories at variance with the senti- ments and convictions of the South in regard to it, we think that those points ought te be disposed of by con- clusive constitutional settlement, so as to relieve uneasy consciences at the North of that feeling of responsibility, and of consequent supposed right and duty, We think that the South cannot be expected to remain, and that it will not remain, associated in confederation with a fixed anti-slavery majority domination from the North, ag we ‘think that in reversed circumstances our people would not so remain fn a relation of conquered submission toa power manifestly hostile and menacing to their vital institutions and fundamental rights. We think that the South, or even the more southern South of the cotton States, is both strong enough to agsert and maintain its independence of the North, ahd now, im fact, fully re- solved to do so, unless a just and necessary satisfaction to its reasonable claims, and a respectful and friendly recognition of its equal rights and the equal sovereign dignity of its constituent States in the Union, are now frankly and honestly conceded to it by the North, and effectually secured to it by constitutiona provisions. We think that there have been reciprocal faults on both sides, in the long sectional controversy which has now culminated to its final issue and its neces- sary permanent solution in the now apparently almost inevitable dissolution of the Union; but we also thiuk that this is no time for recriminations, which little befit true stateemen and patriots at such a moment as the present. And now, condensing Into practical application the views generally indicated in the above expression of not only our own sentiments, but what we well know to be those of our people, we think that a more practicable and adequate solution of the now pending crisis of the Union would be the adoption by Congress of certain amendments to the constitution, in part explanatory and in part new, but all in harmony with the pervading spirit of the constitution, and the submission of those amend- ments to conventions or the Legislatures of the States, for ratification, within the course of the next two months. We believe that such amendments would be ratified by large majorities in nearly all the States of the North, and that they ought to be and would be satisfac- tory to the patriotic reason of the South; and that by the proposed course of action, if recommended by your committee and ad y Congress, all the present storm of danger to the Union will by the 4th of March next have rolled away as rapidly as it has swept upon us,.and that it will be followed by a new era of fraternal apd universal prosperity, which may then well justify our confident trust in the perpetuity of thie sub- limest work of human wisdom—the constituted Union of the sovereign States of America. The amenuments ¥§ Fecommend to you, as the represepiative of jew York in the Committee of States, are ae follows: — 5 ‘Territorial question (in our view of the existing diversity of views, and Se ofa ee that subject) would be wisely settled which even from a Jong anterior magee the fathers, namely —a. climatic par ious polic jathers, y. * tition, by Tentiog to the Boek the right of unmolested immigration into, and settlement in, the Territories south of the latitude 36 deg. 20 min. during the period of the perple of each Territory to determine their perma nent policy in regard to slavery and the negro race on the formation of their State constitution for admission into the Unien. 2. The federal jurisdiction over local spote within the States, sveb as forts, arsenals, and over inter-State com merce, shonld be declared not capable of being applied to any interference with the lawfnl rights of property as recognized by the States locally concerned, and that simultencovsly with this guarantee to the South in regard to inter-State commerce, the revival of the African slave trade should be prohibited. 3. Inasmuch a8 the constitution, in its wise distritvu. tion of the different kinds of representations intended te embodied in the three great branches of the legis lative and executive power—the Senate, the House of Representatives and the President—has made the first the representative of the equal State sovereignties; the second, that of the people in their representative local districts, and the third, that of the whole aggregate people of the whole Union, the mode of elect ing the President ought to be modified so as to secure the object of bis being the representative of the true ma jority of the whole, and not that of a minority, which may m to be the mere lecal majority of a single ecction. With this view the 2A electoral district sys- tem for the election of the Presidential electors ought to de adopted, with two electors at large for each State, as at preeent, provision being made for a second election be- tween the two highest candidates, in the event of no can- didate having recetved the requisite mayority on the first vote. 4. Although not directly connected with tne contro- versy which has resulted in the present crisis, we think that & provision toy the non-el iiny of Presilents hero. after elected wou le to ‘of the country, and be iehly beneficial fo Nt influence upon the administrative action of the executive. In addition to the ing amendments of be comatitation of the United States, we tae that at the present time a very pernicious source of reciprocal irritation between ihe two seetions of the country would be removed if certain amendments were ads in existing legislation in regard to the rendition of fugitive slaves. On the t of Congress, we think that the federal low or ght ‘ide that an alleged fognive who May not admit the right of his claimant +1 be de- livered over, not to the immediate jon of such game but te the Mare t nd Gchiborate event of his On have paseed laws designed jion of the rendition of such fugitives, all sveh laws ought to be repealed or amended into conform- ty with the solemn faith plighted in the constitution by each Ftate to a the rest; = we ae tebe tb oneal repeat of amendment would pre 1 jon ‘the above proposed taodideatton cf the existing federal y JOHN COCHRANE, GEORGE, BRIGGS, WILLIAM B. MACLAY, THOS. J. BARR, 5 DANIEL F. SICKLES, B. F. CLARK. MORNING EDITION—THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1860.’ THIRTY-s1IxTH CONGRESS 5 BECOND 6ESSION. Senate. Wasurvoton, Dec, 12, 1860. THR TARIFP HTL. Mr. Buca, (opp.) of Pa., offered an amendment to ‘Mr. Morrill’s tariff bill, which was referred to the Com- mittee on Finanee, with the bill. THe TEN JON TREASURY NOTE BILL. Mr. Hunter, (opp.) of Va., from the Committee on Finance, reported the bill authorizing treasury notes amended by inserting $50 instead of $100 as the minimum amount, and with an amendment referring to the date for their expiration, and the interest allowed, and that the proceeds of the sales of the public iands are to be set apart as security for the redemption of the notes Mr. Huwrer said it was an object to give the notes to the lowest bidder. Mr. Axtuoyy, (rep.) of R. I., said let the notes be sold for what they will bring. The government should deal with all its creditors alike. © Mr. Huxrer—We hope the government will be able to pay all its debts. We propose to set aside the proceeds of the public domain so as to encourage bidders to get ‘notes at par. If ten millions were issued, will it not help the notes not only of this government, but of the govern- ments of all the States? Mr. Axmuony called for the yeas and nays on adopting Mr. Hunter’s amendment. Mr. Ham, (rep.) of N. H., said the government was pledged to redeem these notes. Mr. San OE) of Pa. , quoted the stocks from the New York Day Book.” I would like to see notes issued in sums of not less than twenty dollars. ‘Mr. Fessxnpen, (rep.) of Me., said as tho bill originally came from the House, the Secretary of the Treasury was authorized to sell for what he could get. The money market was entirely regulated by monied men. We should not be compelled to sell the securities for what we can get for them, especially at the present time. Some- thing must be done to give a feeling of security to these notes, Put out the notes, and in two years there will be a difficulty to get money for them. Money we must have by the lst of January to preserve the credit of the pvernment. We may pledge the public lands specifically for it. IJook upon this the same as if an individual wishes to borrow money and pledges his property there- for. Tam in favor of reducing the denomination if de- sirable. We have mone public credit. We must ‘& practical subject. Ir. SEWARD, (rep.) of N. ¥.—Tho State of New York takes caution to preserve her credit as much as any State. Mr. CortameR—I understand the amendments to be to caine the power given to the Executive to three mil- ions. Several SenaTors—No,” “no.” Mr. Camenon~—It is the intention to borrow money and give these notes as security. Mr. Cotrsmer—I think the limitation of that bill is three millions. Last January ten millions were sold, I think, for one year. The great body of these notes re- main out now. ° The notes are issued at different dates to different subscribers. M SGypH—I don’t desire to have the government's paper shaved. ir, Cammnox—This government keeps money very bad- ly. I notice that in the vote for sustaining the credit of the goverument the eecessionists and my republican friends stand up for the same thing. The bill, having been cut down to three millions, was to raise in order to preserve We practical men to deal with passed. ‘The following is the v: Mr. Hunter to the bill, viz: on the second amendment by At the end of the second gec- tion add the words ‘and the proceeds of the sales of the public lands,” on which Mr. Siumoxs, (opp.) of R. L., called for the ayes and nays Apsenters.—Messrs, Bayard, Bigler, Bright, Brown, Clay, Collamer, Chestnut, Chandler, Hamlin, Hammond, Hemp: Bill, Iverson, Mallory, Pugh, Rice, Toombs. N nthony Jwinghim, Doolittle, Douglas, Dur. kee, Foote, Grimes, Hari jug, Simmons, Ten ke: ‘Trumbull, Wade and Wilkin All the other members voted for the amendment. After the bill passed, the resolutions in reference to se- cession were called up. Mr. Foot in the chair, SPEECH OF MR. WIGFALL ON THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY. Mr. Wicrrart, (opp?) of Texas, rose to speak. He said:—During the taik here yesterday, the Senator from Illinois (Mr. Douglas) indulged in some patriotic plati- tudes on the subject of saving the Union. I understood him to say that be was prepared to make any effort in his power to aceompilish that desirable end. He asked for a specification of the wrongs, or the imaginary wrongs, that the Southern States were suffering, or sup- posed to be suffering. | understood him to pledge him- self that when the grievances made known he would be ready to redress them as far as laid in his power. state of things I will state to him one of the grievances under which the Southern States think that they are suffering. It is that this government has denied that slaves are pro- perty, and upon that denial bas refused to protect the owners of slaves in their title whenever they were within the federal jurisdiction. I have asked Mr. Douglas whether he was prepared to give an assurance that our property would be protected witnin the federal jurisdic- tion, T did not get a direct auswer from him, and I sup- pose that I will not do so. He mys he will show o. answer by his vote if a bill be introduced, whether he will protection or not. Will the Senator (Mr. Dovgias) interpose by the Legeaekive, Executive or Judi- cial department to protect ies of property known 48 slaves, as well as every other species of Will be propose amendments to the consiitution? Will he vote in this body for amendments to the constitution? Will he pledge in good faith to go back to the of Tilinois and urge before them the ratification of amend- ments to thé constitution that will vest -in the federal government pot only the power but make it an impera- live duty to protect slave rty as it protects ever other species of property? If he can do this then it will end one of our difficulties. But to this he answers thei ig no reason for the excitement in the Southern States; that they have not complained of anything, and that the He tells Messrs. people “there are not diskatistied, us tbat there are two extremes of thoae whe live im thé Eastern States and tl who live in the gulf States, and that they mis- understand the question of difference between them en- tirely. But he says that the of Minois and Ken- tueky umderstamd it all, If the Northern States desire it this Union can be saved, but this Union cannot be saved by flattery, either on the floor of the Senate or on the stump. You cannot save the Union by singing hosanpahs to it. You cannot save the Union by making Fourth of Joly speeches. You have got to come down to the work before you and do something practically, The people of the different slaveholding States, cepecially the cotton States along the Gulf,’ are dissatisfied with the government as about to be adminis- tered by the ewe awiministration, There 1s nothing that will satisfy them except proper amendments: of the constitution, and theee amendments must be made by the Northern States unanimously, or the people of the Southern States will not be satisfied, and I say they ought nottobe. If amendments to the con- pon which would secure us everyth men! to to eight of the non-slaveholding States, and which will probably be disregarded just the same as they disre- xard the present constitution. Suppose that amendments to the ecnstitution were proposed, and fifteen slave States should ratify them, and ten non-slaveholding States should do the same, but’ that New York, Penneylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Towa and other border States should re fuse to ratify the amendments, of what practical use would the amendments be to us? None. What is the use, then, of en what we would be fatiefied with when nothing is been offered to us. What's the use, when we don’t believe we will be it ted to retain even that which we now have, if the two Senators from New York, the Senators from Maseachn setts, the Senator from Ohio, the two Senators from Iili nois, the Senator from New Hamp . the Senators from Maine and others, who are regarded os republican men deny that under the constitution slaves are recognized ax Property. If we could believe they would go to their con stituents, and urge the ratification of proper amendments we believe the Gu # woul! suspend action; certain ly so if the mmendments could be ratified ind carried out in good faith; that they will ase preaching the ‘irrepressible confiict,”’ that they all declare that slaves are property; that they shall be delivered up when fugitiver; that abolition societies hail be abolished, and abolition presses suppressed: that wolition speeches no longer be made; that we shall not nd murderers, and our women in slavery t effort is made, I say, to meet the de South, there is a prospect of giving them « jon. (Rouwrs of laughter from the galle ries, and “aheme.”) He continued, and sald the Senators may laugh in their faces. (Renewed langh ter from the whole house.) My friend from Kentucky, and other Union ‘saving friends, may look and see the derision when I make this proposition (Lavghter.) 1 trust they will coatretnd the Latin maxim which says, “Learn even from your enemies some wisdom.’ What will you talk when I tell you, as I have told people whom I represented long, long ago, “You will net be permitted to keep that which yeu bay You are regarded us paltrouns and they talk of em of holding the “glorious Union,” as they call it, with cords of temp, yet you petition the “glorious Union” to continue. About this time Senator —— took the chair of the President of the Senate, 4 bi MO ed without bg npnem om 4 within your jers flaming presees, public speakers wbo coun the people geeet ue, and | say to those States you shall pot—that is the word I choose to ane, and I represent a feeling of determination of the people | represent—I ray you ehall not permit men to go there to excite ovr citizens by eas te Brown stryebnine within Timite of the State [ represent; you shall not publish newepapers and Foe ye et a ta Rd rot pam} ex. cite the Oe ns nll againet the slaveholder, ‘We will have peace, and if you don’t offer it to us we'll quietly have cur righta under (Me constitutional compact or withdraw from the Union and establish a government for ourselves. If you then persist in these sovereign States will settle the question; and when you lar gh at these impotent efforts, as you regard them, Ttell you that eetton is king. (Laughter in the galleries.) Cries of order. The Paeswest eaid—The Sergeant-at-Arms will clear the gallery if it ceeure again. Mr. Hain, (rep.) of N. H., said—Mr. President, that ion, = = == — threat was made one, two, or three times yesterda,. | voluntary servitud ‘Now is the time to carry it out. ‘Order was restored. Mr. Wicratt gaid if the exhibition of feeling in the gut leries occurs again, the pierce shall once being cleared 'we will proceed. will act upon it. Decency is looked for. Mr. Davis, (opp.) of Miss., aroae from his seat and said:—I hope the Senator will be ‘mitted to pro- ceed. I think we attach too much importance to the expression of the galleries. Itake it for granted that there warned yesterday didn’t repeat it to-day, Yester- Gay ther 8 one set; to-day there’s a new set. We will get them all instructed after a while. (Tremendous ap- proval from the galleries and laughter from the Senators. Mr. Wiorart. continued:—I say that cotton is king, and that cotton waves his sceptre not only over thirty-three States, but over the island of Great Britain, and over ccntinental Europe. ‘There’s no crowned head, either upen that island or the continent thet does not bend the knee in fear, and acknowledge allegiance to that power. Five millions of people in Great Britain live upon cotton. You may make grainand they ean husband it, Dut exhaust cotton for one week aud all England will starve, They will not burst open barns, but will burn whole houses. We can have a direct trade of two hun- dred and fifty millions to our own ports, instead of Bos- ton, Philadelphia and New York, if we go out of the Unicen, Our imports will amount to two hundred and fifty millions,and forty per cent upon that puts into ovr treasury one hundred million dollars; twenty percent gives fifty millions. What tariff we will adopt I expect to know in a few months, and in another chamber, (Laughter in the galleries.) You re, numbers cou stitute the strength of government. tell you it’s the almighty dollar. Wheu your operatives are turned out, when capitalists are broken, will you go to direct taxa- uionY When you cease to have exports, will you have im- ports? Factories will then be burnt down and capitalists go to the wall. I know you don’t regard us as in earnest. I would save “the Union if I could, but it is my deliberate impression, and I have been studying the character of the people you re- present for years past," Now, the question is, can the ‘nion be saved? I have always been a Union man, endl am ow a Union man, not from any silly notion that it is of Fivine erigin; not that blood was shed for it; not be- cause it is an inheritance from our fathors; for it is nei- ther the one nor the other. This Union is a compoch ime tween the States. The inheritance may be regarded the treaty with Great Britain and France. © It is a treaty be: tween the States for a common defence of do- mestic tranquillity. They agreed to the organization of a certain government, They made a wise distri- bution of the government. They vested in the State governments powers necessary to protect the liberty and well-being of the citizens. Ail the States that are republican, democratic, monarchical, aristocratic, slave holding, non-slaveliolding, agricultural, commercial or manufacturing, can all live under the constitution as when the old thirteen States ratified and made it binding between them. By the late election it would seem as it the people of the North thought themselves responsible for the domestic institutions of all the States. They tell us a State has not the right to call out an army and navy or negotiate with a foreign power when she is coerced by other States. Do you su we can be amused with clap trap and Fourth of July orators when we feel that we are a nation inheriting rights? ‘the peeple ‘amongst whom I live have ‘that point. am a devoted friend of the Union, but I ‘now tbat it must be dissolved, because I can see no dis: Risition tosave it among those who alone can do it. ‘hen the eight cotton States shall withdraw from the Union, ax they will do in the next two months, they will meet in convention, adopt a federal government and es- tablish a foreign department, and then I shall advocate the adoption of that same constitution that was ratitied by. the old thirteen States. ve no doubt that when rginia, Tennessee, Maryland, Kentucky and the other border States see what we have done that they will come into our Union, and then not many months will pass away before this beautiful fabric will again be the scene of our discussions, in which we will not only consider these matters pertaining to our domestic affairs, but also in regard to our foreign relations. Mr. Wicrait here read extracts from the constitution and laws of South Carolina previous to the inauguration of the first President of the United State Mr. Wicratt then continued:—The im late cause of secession is the election to the Presidency of a black re- publican. The people of the North must know that the present state of affairs has been brought about by means of the Helper book, by the teachings of the Senator from New York (Mr. Seward), by the preachings of the pre- tended followers of Christ, and by teaching in your sehools even the children to hate us. The Senator from New York had told his Wide Awake pratorians that their services could not be dispensed with after the election, but that they would be needed to secure the fruits of victory. ‘They are a half a million of men in uniform, well drill- ed, and the purpose of their organizetion is to sweep the country in which I live witb fire and sword. Mr. Sewarp arose and said—I want to know the ground and place where itis to take place. (Laughter in the galleries.) Mr. Wicratt said he had seen it reported in the news- papers, Fir. Swann replied that he did not say what was pub- liehed in newspapers. I do remember 0 have read a let ter which I recelved. from some unkiown person of Southern State, professing to implicate some thing I said some speech mine. Ba I can’t tell what I may have said which could be perverted so as to imply I ever said o intimated that the Wide Awakes wero being opt orgs. nized, or disciplined, or uniformed, or associated at all to secure the fruits of their victory. 1 think I can say safely I never said anything which could. 1 hope the Senator will excuse met hope be will not deem it necessary to ut myself under obligations to explain anything (ter. (Applause. Mr. Wrarait continued, and aid the denial of the Sena- T only saw areport of his speech. In administration, it will have the Cabinet and the diplo- A great deal is said about this being the land of liberty, and of « people who boast that they have a right to govern them- selves. Well, you will Bave an opportunity to make the experiment. ‘(Langhter.) For myself, don’t believe that I owe allegiance to the United States. I believe I cwe allegiance to my State, and to that State shall be given. Mr. Wicrat, continued bis remarks till 3:56 P. M., when, on motion of Mr. Hunter, the Senate proceeded to » = executive business, afterwards: adjourned. House of Representatives. Wastuxatoy, Dec. 12, 1860. PROPOSITIONS FROM THE STATS RELATIVE TO THE CONDITION OF THR COUNTRY. ‘The SrExeR, pursuant to an order of yesterday, called the various States for propositions relating to the present condition of the country. PROPOSITION FROM MASSACHURETTR Mr. Tuaver, (rep.) of Mass., submitted a series of reso lutions, declaring that the representatives of the people of the United States regard it as the duty of every patriot, jn the present crisis, to forget parties and sections, and to devote themselves honestly and earnestly to the cause of their country; that the same reasons which, in the be- of our history as an independent nation, impelled States to friendly and faithful co-operation for the common welfare, are in full force now, and should stimulate every section to the fair and faithful discharge of all obligations to every other section, and to the whole Union, without reservation and withont evasion ; that if while living under the shadow of the monuments which we have erected to commemo- rate the heroic deeds of our fathers, we prove ourselves unable to transmit to our children the institutions created by the genius and patriotism of the founders of the re- public, we shall deservetto m<mbered and denounced <6 0 Satin. of pies ee nts and little men ; that any citizens of this repablic who are willing to barter the public welfare for t ir own aggrandizement, and to secure & local popularity by exeiting jealousy and ani mosity betwen the States of this he confidenc poral y pare ot unworthy of the honor or the con! pe of am jon the ‘American people, that the present state ‘of Untriendly feeling existing between the different sections of this confcleracy bee ariven from the government, by Con- grees and the Exccutive, of our provincial ies, and from their usurpation of the rights of American citizens, and that we are opposed to creation or the nequisition of apy more euch dependencies, as being adverse to the interests of a republican government, and destructive of the rights of our own citi gene, that the rights of an American citizen are above the Congrese and the President, and are not de rived from either, end should be sacred everywhere on American soil ;and that a# al) governments derive their just power from the consent of the governed, Territorial governments should not be compelied to derive their just pwers from the consent of Congrers or the will of the President: that the public lands outside of the State limite ghould be open to sale and settlement in districts enitable Mm size and form to make States, and that when- ever any such district may contaim a tation: equal to the ratio of representation, and have constitution republican in form, it should be entitled to imisston into the confedersey; that a taxation and representation are inseparable, the taxes of the people in the land distriets for the support of Sener government should be remitted to (hem, and they should support their own goverements and defray all their expenses, that no new Territory eball ever be acquired to be owned by the United States or to be governed by Congress, and that the expansion of their limite should be possible only by their annexation by treaty of sovereign States; that there should be no Congressional legislation whatever upon the subject of slavery; that ev tied every mie youre io, chocwe one Prentdeutal elector tied four years to one and cach State should be entitled to choose two Presiden. tial elcetors on general tieket, PROPOSITION FROM NEW TORK. Mr. Jomy Cocunase, (opp.) of N. ¥. submitted the fol- in relation to the subject of African slavery; there- fore, Resolved, by the Senate and Hovee of Representatives , that the: (two thirds ot both bosers concurring) following powered as the constitution, Sank, aioe Perified by conventions in three-fourtha of the several States, chall be valid as part of said constita- tion, Viz it territery of the United States lying north of ort pais degrees thirty minutes, and not included within the hanita of avy of the existing States, slavery and in- 'e, except in punishment of ertme, shall Be and i hereby prohibited. Proviced that ise matt te ritory, or any portion of the same, when admitted as a State, shall be received into the Union, with or without slavery, a8 its constitution may prescribe at the time of. its acmission. That im all territory of the United States lying south of thirty-ix , thirty-minutes, not in- cluded within the limits of any existing State, neither Congres nor any Territorial government shall pass any laws prohibiting or impairing the establishment of slavery. Proviced always that the said » or uby part of it, when acmitted ag @ State, shall be re- ed into the Union with er without slavery, as its cerstitution may preseribe at the time of admission. Congress shall pass no law prohibiting or interfering with the trade in slaves between the silave- holding States and Territories. The migration or importation of slaves within the United States, or any of the Territories thereof, from any foreign country, is hereby prohibited, No pergou held to service or labor in any State, or in apy Territory of the United States, un- cer the lew thereof, ercaping into any other State or Ter- ritory of the United States, sball, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such ser- vice or labor, butshal. be delivered up on claim of the par- ty to whem such service or labor may be due. The right of transit through, and temporary sojourn in, the several Stutes and Territories cf the United States is hereby guarenteed to all the citizens of the several States and lerritories, and their right to the possession and control of their slaves during such sojourn and transit shall not be imprgned. No law enacted by Congress for the ren- Gition of fugitive slaves ehall be in any degree impaired or impunged by anythtr g contained in the laws or con stitution of any State or Territory, but all such State and ‘Territor jal laws, and all such provisions in apy State or other constitution, ehall be null and void, PROPOSITION FROM MARYLAND, Mr. Srewarr, (cop.) of Md., offered the following:— That an amicable settlement be made, and an equita- ble adjustment of all matters between the States sepa- , 80 that each and every State and people thereof may know their precise duties and obligations in that event, and no justifiable cause of disturbance may tako place ip the future, as far as human foresight can guard sgainst it; and further to enable them, a8 they have g together in the bonds of federal Union, to acquiesce peaceably in the necessity that compels them to separate, and further to provide, in case of disagreement in the future, some plan by which the same be speedily and finally adjusted, that the Special Committee inquire, among other things, if any measure can be adopted to preserve in their purity the constitutional rights of all the States within the Union; and further to Jngalre aa to the most reasonable and just mode by which their rights _ ma » Maintained ina state of separation, each sove- reign State being repossessed of its delegated authority to the federal Union, and adjusting the Tinbilities of each, with such other measures of frir settlement as may ap- pear to them just; and recommending also some plan in that event by which in the future, if any disputes shall arise, they may be fairly and speedily settled. PROPOSITIONS FROM. VIRGINIA, Mr. LeaxE, (opp.) of Va., offered the following: — ‘That the constitution ought to be amended so as to pro- vide—First, that Congress shall have no power or juris- diction on the subject of domestic slavery, either in the States, the Territories of the United States, or District of Colombia, or over the trade of slaves in or between them , except as hereinafter provided; that where domestic slavery may exist in any Territory or district, it shall be the duty of Congress to protect it by juate and effi- cient legislation ; that no Territorial legislation, or other Territoral authority, shall have any power or jurisdiction whatever over such subject ; that the rights of masters or owners to their slaves, while s0- journing in, or in ‘transit through, any State or Territory of the United States, shall be guaranteed by Eas that fugitive slaves shall be delivered up on of their owners or masters, and that all such fugitives as may be lost by reason of the legislation of any State, or the act of its constitutional authorities, shall be paid for by sueb State. Mr. Swim, (opp.) of Va., submitted the following:— ‘That the Special Commitee be instructed to in- quire into the expediency of so amending the Fu- gitive Slave law as best to ote the ren- dition of fugitive slaves under the operation of the game; the more adequate punishment of its infrac- tion, and the affording proper compensation to the owners of those who are not returned. Algo to what fur- ther constitutional checks are demanded, by a sense of self-preservation on the part of slaveholding States, open the operation of the federal government, when it to be presided over by those who have avowed! ‘come into power on the ground of hostility to their insti- tutions, and to consider whether the fact does not of itself indicate an antagoniam to the slaveholding interests, 80 as to make it necessary, for its own security, that ite concar- rent voice, separately and distinctly given, should be re- quired to sanction each and every operation of the fede- ral government; and to consider whether @ duel Execu- tive, or the division of the Senate into two bodies, or the making a majority of Senators from both the slave- holding and nonélaveholding States necessary te all action on the part of that body ,or the creation of another advising body, or council, or what other amendments to the federal constitution would best promote that result, and to report thereon. Mr. Jenkins, (opp.) of Va., introduced a resolution in- structing the committee to inquire as to the expediency of amending the Fugitive Slave law, with a view to the prompt rendition of fugitive slaves, and of giving proper compensation to owners of not returned; also, as to the propriety of providing by constitutional amendment, or Congressional enactment for the protection of the rights of slaveholders in the common Territories, &c. PROPOSITION FROM NEW JERSKY. Mr. Apraiw, (rep.) of N. J., submitted resolutions de- claratory of non-intervention as the true remedy; that —_— an va oy with the Pog eyo and laws of ‘ongress ought to " u ive Slave law" and all other lnwe of the lena ‘ought to ted and obeyed, and no obstacle thrown in the their Sereesceegeents efems ats basal ys t com » can y exercise of a similar apirit. . PENNEYLVANIA. PROPOBITION FROM Mr. |, (rep.) of Pa, offered a resolution instruct- ing the Union Committee to juire and report as to wi T State are in conflict with the constitution ; and, further, to inquire whether the Fugitive Slave law is susceptible of amendment to ascer- tain more certainly the actual condition of the fugitive. From Mr. Cox, (opp.) of Ohio, submitted the following:— Whereas, One of the chief and just ts on the part of the slaveholding States of this confederacy is the refusal, neglect and failure of certain Executives of the Northern States to deliver ay fugitives from justiee, in- = treason, murder and slave stealing in said slave tee, fore Resolved, That the Committee of Thirty-three for the re-establishment of comity between the States be re- quired to consider what, if any, further lation is ne- cessary to carry out the clause of second Keo- tien of the fourth article of the constitution for the deli- very of fugitives from justice, who shall flee from one State and be found in another, on the demand of the ecutive authority of the State from which such fi shall have fled, and jal view to punish all utives, or other State officers, execution of said clause in the consti spect to the delivery of felons w! treason or murder in attempted st who may be indicted for slave stealing. r i tories into States of @ convenient size, with @ view to their t4 admission into the Union on an equal foot- tt wiht original Btates, ir. Brwonam, (rep.) of Obio, that the Special House such additional legislation as they may deem ne- erseary to suppress and put down armed rebellion against the laws and authority of the United States; to protect the property thereof against unlawful seigure, aud the citizens thercof against unlawful violence. PROPCSTTION FROM KENTUCKKY. Mr. Matton, (opp.) of Ky., introdaded ‘a rerolution ly establishing ® fine simtlar to the Missourt compresnise lise providing for the cémiasion of ‘Staies, any tin interference: . ME. Previa introduced ' Tewalutio slavery to be recognized in other section that the 5 red or zs i Ri PEE